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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 UNRESERVEDMEDIA.COM

NEW ORLEANS laissez les bon temps rouler!

And

HIGH TENSIONS

THE NINEDASH LINE DISPUTE

OH CINTA! SUCH A KDN: PP 19206/05/2019 (035079) RM15

GORGEOUS GIRL!

Plus

TRIALS OF THE AGE OF INNOCENCE

THE JEFFREY EPSTEIN IMBROGLIO Also

TO VEGAN OR NOT TO VEGAN

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 UNRESERVEDMEDIA.COM

NE W SMAK E R S

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FALLING FOR CINTA

by S H E R E LY N G O H

A gorgeous gal tackling whatever comes her way, be it university, acting or singing, she’s got it all down to a science and she’s only in her twenties. Look beyond the surface at what lies beneath Cinta Laura Kiehl, Oh Baby no more.

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FE ATU R E S

22

SHOULD WE ALL BE VEGANS?

by I M A N E F F E N D I

The green movement has been gaining momentum in recent years; with the dramatic climate changes we see around us, it would seem like a good idea to contemplate our dietary landscape. Find out how the way we consume and produce food is destroying the Earth. Dig into the veggies with this brain churner.

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AN ABOMINABLE AFFAIR

by A N G E L A YA P S I E W P E N G

A children’s movie has aggravated the simmering tension between China and several Southeast Asian countries.

What exactly is it that has sparked an international outrage over the inclusion of a few dash lines in this movie? Angela dives deep into the nine-dash line dispute.

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NEW ORLEANS NOW

by Z A H A R A S H A H R I M A N

It’s loud, boisterous and filled with Southern hospitality.

The birthplace of jazz legend Louis Armstrong, New Orleans, the capital of Louisiana, is known for its creole cuisine and beignets (fritters covered in powdered sugar).

Hitting the town for the second time around, Zahara explores further than just the French Quarter.

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INCREDIBLE FEET

by A N D R E W L E C I

Is it the runner or is it the shoes? How do we separate skills from equipment? Nike’s Vaporflys are making headlines but not all of them are good. Find out what Andrew has to say about this.

C R I ME

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THE AGE OF INNOCENCE SHATTERED

by M I K H A C H A N

Financier Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his cell, having apparently killed himself. His death raised many issues people thought long buried.

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WATC HLIS T

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GETTING THE ROYAL TREATMENT

by M A R L I N A A Z M I

The Maharaja of Jaipur invites you to stay at this beautiful palace that once hosted guests like Jackie Kennedy and Oprah Winfrey. This newest Airbnb royal guest suite can have you staying with royalty while doing your part in contributing to the underprivileged.

O BS ER VATO RY

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LUNAR NEW YEAR AROUND THE GLOBE

by M A R L I N A A Z M I

It’s that time of year when firecrackers are hung, the streets are drenched in red or gold and millions of people in different countries gather to celebrate. Here it is in pictures: bright, colourful and filled with merriment.

F OO D A N D D I N I N G

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LOVE BITES

by A M Y L I A H I L DA

Not every couple is equal, some have very specific palates to sate while others need a little extra help to rekindle the fire in their relationship. Here are the most romantic restaurants in the region for four types of couples.

NADIRA ILANA

by M I K H A C H A N

This filmmaker is making waves in Malaysian cinema and she’s only in her thirties. Bringing East Malaysian stories to life on screen is giving her a new outlook on life.

Find out more about her journey to discover her roots.

AR T TO AR T

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APPRECIATING ART AS AN ILMU

by M A R L I N A A Z M I

In UNRESERVED’s newest addition, we dive into the art world with Fergana gallery owner Jaafar Ismail.

He comments on art appreciation in Malaysia and what can be done to improve it.

ACQU I R E D TA S TE

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THE COLOUR IS RED

It’s the colour of the month, with Chinese New Year around the corner and love in the air for Valentine’s.

There is no better way to start the year than to deck yourself in vibrant auspicious red adornments.

P O R TRA I T S

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HAYLEY PAIGE

This designer couldn’t stop her creative flow even if she wanted to. From wedding gowns to whimsical rings, she tells us the smaller details of her life.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

ON THE COVER On Cinta: dress by Hian Tjen.

Photography by Wong Sim; Styling by Alva Susilo; Makeup by Bubah Alfian; Shot on location at Raffles Jakarta.

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THINGS I AM MAD ABOUT...

THIS NEW YEAR

Some people have read the new headline and think this column is all about the things that make me angry. There are actually two meanings to the statement; being “mad” about something also denotes things I love. So this January 2020 I am mad about the fact that it’s a new year – it’s a good time to learn from the mistakes of the past year, and move on to rectify and consolidate from things that we could have done better, and hopefully not make too many new ones. It’s our time to press the reset button to improve and evolve. There are millions of opinions about New Year resolutions in print and on the web and most of us struggle to maintain our resolutions and tend to try and reach these high goals in a short space of time. Let’s not focus on completely upending our state of being with our New Year resolutions – we are all a work in progress. Incremental improvements and the desire to know more and do more than we did before is already an achievement.

So I say, Happy 2020, everyone! I start this new year and new decade with thanks from the bottom of my heart to my team and our contributors – it is said that 95% of start-ups fail within the first six months, and here we are entering our 27th month of operations, something that could not have been achieved without the tenacity and commitment of the individuals whose handiwork you see all over our pages and website.

We also land in Jakarta this month, with a big thanks to The Jakarta Post for letting us “sit” in your home. We promise we will be gracious houseguests. Scaling up is always an exciting time and we look forward to giving you more stories dedicated to Southeast Asia as we take another step towards becoming a truly regional entity.

Speaking of homes, you will see a new section in our magazine dedicated to homes that have made our list of desirables – UNRESERVED Property. Over the next few months, you will be seeing comprehensive listings both in print and online, as we start building a brand new “vertical”. A big thanks to Rahim & Co, which for this month lend us their expertise as we create this new section.

There have been a lot of thanks all over the place – but in any new business, survival gives you much to be grateful for. However in 2020 I am resolved to do one thing – to do more than survive; UNRESERVED has to “live” and thrive this year. So that leaves me with just one more group of people to thank – our readers. Without your support and following online, we would just be a collection of meaningless words and pictures.

“So that leaves me with just one more group of people to thank – our readers. Without your support and following online, we would just be a collection of meaningless words and pictures.”

All hail 2020 and the promise of hope that it delivers!

KASSANDRA KASSIM Editor-in-Chief

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WONG SIM Wong Sim is a renowned photographer from Banjarnegara, Indonesia.With a degree in architecture under his belt, Wong loves travelling and dogs. His works have been featured on magazine covers and editorial spreads such as Cosmopolitan Indonesia, Esquire Indonesia and Tatler Philippines, just to name a few. His clientele ranges from The Body Shop to Sony Music. Wong’s photography focuses on male models and in the future, he hopes to branch out to shooting female models. This issue he captures Cinta Laura Kiehl’s beauty on our cover and inside on page 32.

ALVA SUSILO He’s a 23-year-old celebrity fashion stylist and also fashion designer for Howa, a label he founded together with Wanda Ponika. Alva’s celebrity clients include the who’s who of Indonesia - Raisa, Cinta Laura Kiehl, Maudy Ayunda, Mikha Tambayong, Prilly Latuconsina, Nikita Willy, Nadya Hutagalung and many more. He believes that the sole purpose of his work is to help his clients feel their best inside and out. Catch the ethereal goddess that is Cinta Laura in the frocks he styled her on the cover and inside on page 32.

IMAN EFFENDI Based in London, Iman works for a global network of investors who are focused on tackling sustainability issues in the food industry. Her career connects two of her passions: making capitalism work for all and engaging with food. This is built on her previous career in management consulting at BCG, and degrees from Oxford and LSE. For this issue, Iman talks business and veganism in Should We All be Vegan on page 22.

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ANDREW LECI A reformed theatre actor, producer, director, an erstwhile television sports presenter, Andrew is also a constant op-ed, food, lifestyle, travel and sports writer. His opinions are his own, with the exception of those he borrows from other people. While he used to describe himself as a secular humanist, he no longer does, after Yuval Noah Harari explained to him what it actually meant. Andrew’s interests include reading, pretending to watch movies, anthropology and trying to understand quantum physics. He is an Aquarian Tiger, and as a result, has many contretemps with his cats around the water bowl. Andrew looks into the Nike footwear controversy this issue on page 48.

ZAHARA SHAHRIMAN She’s an ex-journalist with a national newspaper and television channel. Her top five obsessions, apart from her two gorgeous children, are travelling, eating, reading, museums and listening to podcasts. “I’m a complete podcast nerd; I used to be so grumpy in traffic jams.” She is only friends with people who can answer this question accurately: Do you prefer Maria or the Baroness? Zahara treks through the merry streets filled with Mardi Gras celebrations this January in New Orleans Now on page 64.

ANGELA YAP SIEW PENG She is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, author and researcher whose work has been featured in international journals and magazines.

Angela’s resume includes the United Nations Development Programme and former governor to the Board of Amnesty International Malaysia. A former corporate banker, she is now the founder of Akasaa and holds a BSc. Economics (Hons) from the London School of Economics. In this issue, she breaks down the ever-simmering tensions between China and Southeast Asia over the nine-dash line in An Abominable Affair on page 28.

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S U R V I VA L G U I D E

SURVIVING VALENTINE’S DAY Not everyone looks forward to Valentine’s Day with eager anticipation.

If you’re filled with dread as 14 February approaches, fret not, we’ve got you covered on how to survive one of the most romantic days of the year.

by M A R L I N A A Z M I

each other coffee and sneak in kisses before you leave for work. You don’t have to buy into the commercialism of this day that says it only counts if it costs an obscene amount of money. Less can always be best.

INDULGE IN GASTRONOMICAL THERAPY

TREAT YOURSELF Treating yourself isn’t just a gimmick to feel good about yourself; it does actually work. Invest some extra time in looking beautiful just because it makes you feel better, and not for other people’s pleasure. Get that manicure you’ve been delaying and buy yourself that gourmet chocolate, not those basic ones you find at 7-Eleven. Take a long nap, enjoy a bath, have a horror film binge on Netflix.

The main mission is to omit the romanticised madness of Valentine’s and show a little love to the one that matters the most – yourself.

HAVE LOW EXPECTATIONS Valentine’s Day sometimes gives one unrealistic expectations. Do you really need a ginormous bouquet of flowers or an overpriced meal to make you feel appreciated? Try to keep your expectations low. Appreciate the small stuff, make 10

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replicate. You’ve got the whole evening to figure it out. The Internet is also brimming with cooking video demos. Better yet, get Alexa or Google to help you find the easiest dish to cook.

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Despite what a lot of romantic comedies portray, ordering in dinner on V-day shouldn’t be the way to go. This is not a day when you want to be staring at Valentine’s Day special offers on the menu.

Discounts on desserts? Two for the price of one? Take this opportunity to discover the cook you never knew you could be. If you’re a beginner, Jamie Oliver’s extensive list of online recipes is easy to

CELEBRATE WHAT YOU LOVE Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be completely materialistic. Use the day to express and celebrate your love for one another. No, we aren’t asking you to spend the night talking about your feelings for one another. Take this time to enjoy what you love/like about each other.

Write down a list of all the things you commonly enjoy and spend the evening honouring all those things. Celebrate all the reasons you love each other with things that remind you of the good times in your relationship.

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GATHER THE POSSE Let’s not kid ourselves, that feeling of loneliness will somehow creep in on Valentine’s Day. Instead of dwelling on your single status, rally your girl-gang or your buddies for game night. Everyone loves an excuse to flex their competitive muscles over their board games. Taboo, Cards Against Humanity, Uno, Scrabble?

The list is endless. Better yet, plan a wine and beer tasting party and get your friends to bring a few bottles of their favourite adult beverage. Get everyone to participate in blind taste tests. Guests can vote on their favourite in each category, and the winners get a fun prize.

to for the evening or better yet, consider adopting a cat or a dog in need. If that’s too much to commit to, take a drive or walk around your neighbourhood to feed the homeless (animals), or you can even offer to walk your neighbour’s dog so they can have a romantic night out.

PLAY SECRET CUPID Who says you need to have a significant other to receive chocolates, jewellery, or giant stuffed teddy bears on Valentine’s Day? Gather the troop and play “secret cupid” with your colleagues or among a selected group of friends. Just like Christmas’ secret Santa, all you need to do is to draw a name, buy a gift for that person, and then have them guess who got who.

TAKE A CHANCE ON LOVE

BE A REBEL While you can celebrate your loved one on any day, the idea of celebrating Valentine’s does make your relationship a bit more special than usual. With this year’s Valentine’s Day falling on a Friday, you can expect a rush of madness happening everywhere in the city. Have supper on Thursday or a sumptuous Saturday brunch. This will no doubt save you some moolah from spending on those specially curated Valentine’s meals and your sanity too by avoiding the restaurant rush.

We’d be lying if the thought of finding true love didn’t cross our minds on this day. It’s okay to feel this way but don’t be desperate about it. Since there are probably tons of other single people who are looking for love on Valentine’s Day, it might be an ideal time to connect with someone new. Go on a blind date and if it goes awry, it will make a good story

to share with your mates later. Alternatively, you can start swiping left or right to find a suitable date for the night.

ANTICIPATE DELAYS AND LONG QUEUES A Friday night Valentine’s Day outing might not pan out the way you’ve planned, especially if you’re planning on exploring a new spot. Pre-weekend traffic can get pretty intense, so make sure you plan ahead by checking the best routes to get to your destination fussfree. Although it’s hard to completely avoid the inevitable traffic, think about how these long waits in your car can potentially affect your night. For the ultimate stress-free relaxation, book a ride on Grab and check into a swanky hotel in the city.

ANIMALS ALSO NEED SOME LOVE If you’re one of those who aren’t into too much human interaction, release that energy on new furry friends instead. Find an animal shelter you can offer some help JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

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BUSINE SS BI T E S

Old Dog, New Tricks

by A M Y L I A H I L DA

In the wake of the digital media age and the decline in advertising revenues, big media players in the region are taking new measures and rethinking ways to keep afloat and stay relevant in today’s world.

STAR MEDIA GROUP Formerly known as Star Publications and popularly known for being the publisher of The Star, one of Malaysia’s most widely circulated English newspapers, Star Media Group Berhad’s portfolio expands into publication, printing, distribution of newspapers and magazines as well as advertising, broadcasting, events, exhibitions and even television.

According to The Edge Markets, the media group’s performance in both print and digital as well as its broadcasting, events and exhibitions divisions have been declining on an annual basis. However, they’ve managed to boost their second quarter profit up to 17% for the financial year 2019. A number that could be attributed to better cost management controls, that led the media group to record a 17.2% growth in net profit 12

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to US$400,000 in the second quarter from US$337,000 in the previous year.

The media group also recorded a 13% increase in digital revenue in the second quarter of 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. According to a financial statement by the media group, the digital segment recorded a stronger profit before tax of US$744,000 in the second quarter of 2019 compared to US$565,000 in 2018 due to higher digital revenue, better cost management and improved performance from its OTT business.

The group also said that they expect “robust revenue growth from the digital segment as more advertisers migrate into this space”.

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ASTRO

In the battle of the streaming giants, Astro is taking measures to stay ahead of the game by introducing 4K UHD capabilities that also come with cloud recording. The Malaysian premier pay TV provider, which has been hit by declining pay TV subscriptions in the past, has also announced an enhanced partnership with China-based online entertainment service iQIYI to launch its first video streaming app outside of China last November.

Astro Malaysia Holdings recorded a surge in its net profit in the second quarter of 2019 with US$40.6 million, a 10-fold increase compared to US$3.96 million in the same period the previous year. The growth can be attributed to lower finance costs and higher earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. However, their revenue dropped 12.71% to US$296.80 million from US$339.83 million in 2018, based on lower subscription revenues, licensing income, advertising revenue and merchandise sales.

SINGAPORE PRESS HOLDINGS

Last October, Singapore Press Holdings posted a 23.4% decline in net profit for the financial year ending in August and announced a downsizing of 5% of staff from its media group, which is its largest arm spanning newspaper, magazine, books and radio segments.

According to an article on todayonline.com, the company’s full-year net profit fell to US$156 million from the same period the previous year, a loss that was mainly due to previous divestment of the treasury and investment portfolio into defensive, cash-yielding sectors. Meanwhile, its revenue from the media segment dropped by 12% to US$421.65 million, while its total print advertising revenue fell by 14.9% or US$41.66 million, and total circulation revenue went down by 7.3% to US$8.04 million. The article added that the company is seeking to restructure its media solutions and magazine business “to enable integrated selling across all platforms”.

MEDIACORP

MEDIA PRIMA BERHAD

Malaysia’s media giant Media Prima Berhad owns some of the biggest newspapers in the nation such as New Straits Times and Berita Harian and Harian Metro. The media company also owns four free-to-air terrestrial television channels, a few radio stations, websites and billboard advertising companies.

However, the company has been hit with declining trends in advertising and circulation revenue in the past few years. New Straits Times reported that the media group’s third quarter revenue in 2019 went down to 2.3% to US$63.76 million from US$65.05 million posted in the same period a year ago due to a decline in traditional media segment.

The media company announced in November last year that it would be undergoing a “business transformation” that includes downsizing a large number of their staff. The transformation is expected to be executed in the first quarter of 2020 which, according to an official statement on the company’s website, will allow “the group to be future-proofed and sustainable given the uncertain macroeconomic conditions and disruptive changes in the global and local media sector”.

KOMPAS GRAMEDIA

Indonesia’s largest media group Kompas Gramedia was established over 50 years ago and began its business publishing newspapers, magazines and books. Today, the massive media group oversees over 150 brands of print, online and broadcast media in the country.

They’ve recently signed an exclusive first-look deal with the newly formed Indonesian finance and production company United Media Asia in a deal that was brokered by Hollywood Talent Agency, CAA. According to an article in Variety, the new partnership allows United Media Asia access to Kompas Gramedia’s media network as they will leverage the Indonesian media giant’s network as well as its radio and TV channels and its print segments, in a bid to expand the local-language Southeast Asian content production for the global market.

Singapore’s Mediacorp boasts an impressive portfolio across TV, radio and digital platforms. Now, they are looking at making their services more customer-centred as revamps are high on the public broadcasting conglomerate’s agenda in a bid to attract customers by offering something different in the growing digital media scene.

As of January 2020, the Singaporean media conglomerate’s digital products will be brought under the umbrella of “me” branding as they will be renaming their OTT service Toggle to meWatch and their digital radio MeRadio to meListen in a move that centres around its consumers, offering a more personal experience. According to Marketing-Advertising.com, the company’s Head of Marketing and Communications, Oliver Chong said the “me” branding is a “bid to emphasise the increasing personalisation of its services”.

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T R AV E L

by M A R L I N A A Z M I

Getting the Royal Treatment...

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...while making a difference to the underprivileged.

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The palace was alive with the sound of traditional Rajasthani folk performances welcoming us at the entrance while we were showered with rose petals.

The royal welcome Jaipur, the captivating and historical capital of India’s Rajasthan state, is just a stone’s throw away from Delhi that is, if you decide to take a flight there. It’s a different story when you have to shuttle over 20 journalists from various countries for the unveiling of the luxurious Gudliya Suite located inside Jaipur’s regal City Palace.

Driving there usually takes more than four hours, but if it’s your first time visiting India, a road trip is the way to go. The sights you see along the way will either thrill or humble you in more ways than one. It helped that we arrived late the night before, so most of the travelling time was spent catching up on some sleep. Hours later, away from a very smoky Delhi, we arrived to clearer skies and our hotel, The Raj Palace.

The choice of accommodation was perfect for the royal thematic experience Airbnb had laid out for their media guests. The Raj Palace is one of India’s most celebrated heritage hotels. Built in 1727, it was one of Jaipur’s first palaces. It was renovated and converted into a hotel in 1997 by the family of Thakur Mohan Singhji, who built the original structure back in the 18th century. The hotel radiates an old-world charm as elements of the Mughal period have been visibly retained throughout its grounds.

After the arduous journey, we were ushered to The Swapna Mahal, the hotel’s main restaurant. Our welcome lunch

was the Maharani Thali, served on a silver platter filled with mouth-watering local dishes. The platter consisted of eight small succulent dishes like Vegetable Gulabi Kebab, Kofta Shahi Zafraani (dumplings in creamy gravy) and Subz Korma Kesariya (vegetables flavoured with saffron). The addition of sweet treats like Shahi Jamun, deep-fried milk solids dipped in sugar syrup, balanced out the meal perfectly.

After a brief catnap, it was time for us to head to the City Palace for the royal themed reception that was arranged for us. We entered through the Tripolia Gate, which is reserved for celebrations and the royal family’s guests. The palace was alive with the sound of traditional Rajasthani folk performances welcoming us at the entrance while we were showered with rose petals as we made our way to Diwan-i-khas Chowk for cocktails and sampling of more local Rajasthani cuisine. We were surrounded by dancers, musicians and fire-breathing performers giving us their best show. Needless to say, it was more than we had expected out of a royal procession.

The night proceeded with an insightful sound and light show that told the story of Jaipur’s royal family from the founder to the current king, Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh. Filling our stomachs seemed to be the order of the day as we moved on to Baradari, the chic al-fresco restaurant and bar at the City Palace. It was the perfect end to our day as we sipped our cocktails and nibbled on more local goodies.

1 Pritam Chowk, the verandah within the Chandra Mahal. 2 Guests were ushered with traditional Rajasthani folk performances.

3 The Raj Palace’s old-world charm as seen in its sprawling courtyard.

4 The Diwan-i-khas Chowk in the day. 5 Only specially invited guests are invited in this living room in the Chandra Mahal.

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The suite was previously used for special guests of the royals, who played host to eminent dignitaries.

Inside the Chandra Mahal After an eventful night, we enjoyed a full guided tour of Amber Fort before getting down to business at the City Palace for an exclusive tour of the Chandra Mahal and the unveiling of the regal Gudliya Suite. The main palace area is a restricted space, but it is accessible for a fee of US$25, which comes complete with a guide. This area is restricted for good reason.

Jaipur’s royal family continues to reside in the private areas of Chandra Mahal, which is closed to visitors.

The seven-storey citadel has each floor specifically named according to the purpose and function it holds. It is beautifully adorned with many unique paintings, mirror work murals, floral decorations and family heirlooms. We walked through the verandah or the Pritam Chowk set against lush gardens to reach the ramp that leads to every part of the palace. We began from the topmost part, the Mukut Mandir, an open air pavilion made of marble in honour of Lord Krishna. We soaked in stunning views of the City Palace with Jaipur’s celebrated sites like Jantar Mantar, the breathtaking Hawa Mahal peeking out amongst the sprawling buildings.

We slowly made our way down to discover other areas like the gorgeous blue and white room on the fifth floor called Chhavi Niwas aka the Hall of Images. With a terrace overlooking the palace grounds, it was used as a retreat during the monsoon season. Rang Mandir on the third floor had us in

awe. The roomful of intricately designed mirrors shimmer in complete darkness when candles are lit. It usually takes a lot of candles to see the full effect but the security guard only had two and that was enough to illustrate the amazing effect.

We took our shoes off to enter the Shobha Niwas located on the fourth floor, also known as the Hall of Beauty. The golden room is adorned with red and emerald-coloured stones studded on the walls, ceiling and pillars, with a kempt floor seat draped in deep red velvet placed right in the middle. This is where the royal family performs Diwali puja every year.

The Gudliya Suite While it was delightful to discover all these intricately designed areas in the Chandra Mahal, we finally experienced the highlight of our trip to Jaipur - the unveiling of the newly minted royal guest suite. The elegant Gudliya Suite at the City Palace is now accessible to outside guests and for the first time ever, you can book it via Airbnb, making Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh the first Maharaja to offer such a special stay at his palace.

The suite was previously used for special guests of the royals, who played host to eminent dignitaries such as President Bill Clinton, Prince Charles, the late First Lady Jackie Kennedy and Oprah Winfrey. Their presence is forever ingrained in photos alongside a series of classic images taken by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh in the 1900s. A lot of the suite’s original

1 The rose coloured dressing room brighens up the Gudliya Suite.

2 The gorgeous Pritam Chowk archway and door. 3 The Gudliya’s Suite luxurious bathroom.

4 The blue and white Chhavi Niwas aka the Hall of Images. 5 The suite reflects a modern-classic influence.

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Proceeds from each booking will go to the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting rural women and artisans in Rajasthan. interiors are retained, from the colourful hand-painted wall frescoes to the original bathroom design, which comes complete with day beds.

The vibrant colours in the suite typify the Rajasthani palette and every room is painted in a different hue. From the emerald-green entrance topped with a hand-painted royal crest above the door to the rose-coloured dressing room and the bright blue bedroom, the bright tones will lift any guest’s spirits. The suite reflects a modern-classic influence from one end to the other. The bedroom is perfectly fitted with a beautiful four-poster bed, a writing desk and a relaxed open-air courtyard. The glorious indoor pool at the end of the room adds the finishing touch to this stunning suite.

Possibly our favourite part of the Gudliya Suite, the private swimming pool is longer than your regular plunge pool. The walls are painted with soft pink and is a striking contrast to the pool tiles that give it a greenish illusion. The royal experience doesn’t end with the suite’s opulent interior. To ensure that guests are in the cozy lap of luxury, a private butler and guide will be available to arrange curated city experiences.

Experiencing authentic Rajasthani meals during a stay here is also part of the experience, and these will be served on a terrace that offers a serene view of the surrounding Aravalli hills and forts overlooking the palace.

“I am thrilled that my family and I are partnering with

Airbnb to bring the splendour of Rajasthan to life for travellers from around the world. My own travels with Airbnb have made me feel very welcome in new cities and cultures, and I am happy that the experience of quintessential Indian hospitality will be shared with others,” said Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh during the gala dinner that he hosted that night. The Gudliya Suite along with its exquisite amenities and services is yours to experience and enjoy at US$8,000 per night.

Empowering the underprivileged Opening up his home to give outsiders a taste of Rajasthani culture and tradition isn’t the only motivation for the young Maharaja. Proceeds from each booking will go to the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting rural women and artisans in Rajasthan. The social outreach initiative is founded by Princess Diya Kumari, who is the Maharaja’s mother.

She is the driving force in the growth of Jaipur’s royal family legacy and also manages two of the best schools in the city – The Palace School and Maharaja Sawai Bhawani Singh School.

The foundation has four locations in the Rajasthan region and its headquarters is located at Badal Mahal, the Palace of Clouds.

The foundation develops products and garments, and trains women in heritage craft techniques. The ladies are also trained in stitching, soft toy making, appliqué embroidery

1 The ladies of the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation making earrings for Austrian brand, Tassel Tales.

2 The Gudliya Suite’s stunning indoor swimming pool.

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and thread work. That their headquarters function as a centre producing handicrafts holds significance for Sawai Ram Singh who chose the Badal Mahal as the place to showcase Jaipur’s arts and crafts to welcome his royal guest Edward Albert, the Prince of Wales, in 1876.

Badal Mahal had been closed to the public for a long time.

But it is now opened as part of a collaboration between the foundation and Airbnb. As part of Airbnb’s social impact experience, visitors can secure a trip online by paying a fee in the form of donations. We were humbled to meet the women who were behind the arts and crafts, and received a warm welcome as they sang and adorned us with floral garlands. At the time of our visit, we observed a group of ladies making earrings for Austrian brand, Tassel Tales, while some were stitching baby shoes in the sewing room for French label, Chatelles.

“When they first came to us, they didn’t know how to make anything and now, look at them. They are producing items for international brands,” enthused Shivina Kumari, the foundation’s executive director and trustee. We learned that the women are paid for the work they contribute. “We use biometric scanners to track the people who clock in for work. We document them and set their accounts online so there is no third party to deal with,” Shivina explains. In their partnership agreement, Airbnb will also help members of the foundation become hosts by sharing their homes. This will create economic empowerment opportunities for women in rural parts of Rajasthan that don’t typically benefit from such opportunities.

The New Age Maharaja

Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh, fondly known as “Pacho”, is no ordinary 21-year-old.

He was crowned king in 2011 after the death of his grandfather, Sawai Man Singhji Bahadur.

He was called “the last Maharaja of Jaipur” when he died because he ascended to the throne soon before royal privileges stopped being recognized in India. The nation’s monarchy was abolished in 1950 when the country became a republic and this led to a majority of the princes formally losing their sovereign rights. In 1971, Indira Gandhi stripped the royals of their state income, the privy purses, and while some became politicians, others parlayed their lavish lifestyles and palaces into spectacular hotels.

Padmanabh is a cultural ambassador for Rajasthan and controls a fortune of US$855 million. He is dedicated to his goals of “creating a more sustainable future, equitable social and economic development, lifting the underprivileged out of poverty, ensuring quality education for all, empowering women, and protecting and preserving our environment, alongside the conservation of our cultural, artistic and architectural patrimony”.

At such a young age, this is truly remarkable.

Just like his ancestors before him, Padmanabh currently plays at the highest level of polo in Asia, and participated in the annual Jodhpur, Jaipur, Delhi and Mumbai polo season the last three years.

He was the youngest player ever to win the Indian Open Championship. The young Maharaja is also a famous model and has walked the runway for Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, and others.

Prominent fashion photographer Mario Testino regards him as one of his muses.

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Netflix documentaries: conspiracy theories vs scientific consensus.

PHOTOGRAPH: IMPOSSIBLEFOODS.

by I M A N E F F E N D I

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etflix has had a slew of documentaries covering the latest dietary trend: veganism. First came Cowspiracy, which follows filmmaker Kip Anderson as he makes the case that the animal agriculture sector is the most environmentally destructive industry today. Then came What the Health, also made by Anderson, which presents the positive health impacts of avoiding animal-derived foods. The most recent one is The Game Changers, narrated by former mixed martial arts fighter James Wilks, which extols the benefits of plant-based eating for athletes. This seems to be the ultimate argument for veganism. As athletes are long thought of as the Gold Standard in human health, shouldn't we all adopt a plant-based diet if they perform well on it?

Delivering such messages via Netflix has a double-edged sword. To successfully develop a “Netflix documentary”, a story must be told, and this inevitably means that data is cherry-picked to fit into a narrative designed by the storyteller. Furthermore, information also needs to be “digestible”: it’s simply not sexy to include the limitations and caveats of every single scientific study within a 1.5-hour film.

The main criticism is not of Netflix and its documentaries, but is reserved for both the gullible and the sceptical spectators who consume these documentaries. The Gullibles are those that become vegan after spending over an hour sitting on the sofa watching a documentary. The Sceptics are those who don’t. What do these two sets of spectators have in common? Ignorance and laziness.

Neither of these folks bother to investigate the facts around the need for dietary shifts for environmental and health reasons. Outside of Netflix, there is also a slew of evidence and consensus supporting the need to shift our diets.

The UN Food & Agricultural Organisation, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the EAT-Lancet Commission are just some of the key bona fide sources one can turn to.

Professor Walter Willett of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health makes the argument very clear that 24

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“transformation to healthy diets by 2050 will require substantial dietary shifts. Global consumption of fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes will have to double, and consumption of foods such as red meat and sugar will have to be reduced by more than 50%”. The EAT-Lancet Commission advises that “a diet rich in plant-based foods and with fewer animal source foods confers both improved health and environmental benefits”.

The EAT-Lancet Commission on Food, Planet and Health brought together a group of 37 world-leading scientists to answer the question: “Can we feed a population of 10 billion people in 2050, a healthy diet within planetary boundaries?”

The report describes the one goal it seeks to achieve with two targets by employing five strategies. There are many challenges dietary shifts have the potential to address, two of which are discussed by the Commission. However, there is one challenge that the Commission sadly missed out, which we will come to later.

CLIMATE CRISIS The EAT-Lancet Commission states that to stay within the limits in the Paris Agreement (keeping global warming well below a 2°C increase, aiming for 1.5°C), we need to transition the agri-

cultural sector. The “modern” livestock production system that we have in place was born just after World War II, when Western governments needed to rapidly feed their populations with cheap food.

As a result of this development, 75% of all agricultural land globally is used for animal production and more than one-third of global calories is inefficiently used as animal feed. This means that these crops are grown not to feed people, but to feed the animals that people eat. Simply put, feeding grains to animals and eating animals is an incredibly inefficient way to consume calories.

Growing vast amounts of crops (mainly maize, wheat and soy) to feed animals produces vast amounts of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, mainly through fertiliser use. Farming animals such as cattle for beef and dairy produces vast amounts of GHG emissions too, through methane production (burps, not farts). The farming of cattle for beef and dairy emits GHG emissions at least 70 times higher than, for example, plant-based sources such as soy.

Whether one believes in the climate crisis and whether we should try to mitigate climate change is another topic for another day. However, multiple sources reiterate that climate change mitigation will not be possible through energy efficiency alone. Transforming how we produce and eat food is critical and essential.

VEGAN

NO ANIMAL SOURCE FOOD

VEGETARIAN

MEAT/SEAFOOD ONCE A MONTH

FLEXITARIAN

LIMITED MEAT AND DAIRY

HEALTHY DIET

LIMITED SUGAR, MEAT AND DAIRY

FAIR AND FRUGAL

LIMITED ANIMAL SOURCE FOOD BUT RICH IN CALORIES

PESCETARIAN

DIET CONSISTING OF SEAFOOD

CLIMATE CARNIVORE

LIMITED RUMINANT MEAT AND DAIRY

MESITERR ANEAN

MODERATE MEAT BUT RICH IN VEGETARIAN

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The most straightforward data to back this up is offered in the latest IPCC report on Land and Climate Change.

Among other findings, it compares the GHG emissions mitigation potential of different dietary shifts and clearly shows the mitigation potential of adopting a vegan diet (or even a vegetarian one).

HEALTHY DIETS Based on an extensive literature review, the EAT-Lancet Commission defines target caloric intake for different macronutrients to achieve healthy diets.

It states that a healthy diet “consists largely of a diversity of plant-based foods, low amounts of animal source foods, contains unsaturated rather than saturated fats, and limited amounts of refined grains, highly processed foods and added sugars”. As Professor Willett stated above, transforming to a healthy diet requires substantial shifts.

ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE One challenge that the EAT-Lancet Commission failed to mention is antiJANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

THINK OF MEAT SUBSTITUTES AS THE NICOTINE GUM OF FOOD: IT’S NOT PERFECT, BUT IT’S A TRANSITION TOOL. biotics abuse in the livestock/animal agriculture industry and the resulting antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance is a serious global public health threat that requires multi-stakeholder action. Antimicrobial resistance happens when microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, etc) change when they are exposed to antimicrobial drugs (antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, etc) and develop resistance. These microorganisms that develop resistance are often colloquially referred to as “superbugs”.

The previous Malaysian Health Minister, Datuk Seri Dr S. Subrama-

niam had stated that “without effective antimicrobials, we are in danger of returning to the ‘pre-antibiotic era’, with potentially devastating effects on the health and welfare of both humans and animals”.

Imagine a world where childbirth is extremely risky and high maternal and infant mortality rates become the norm. Today, 700,000 lives are lost each year to antibiotic-resistant infections globally. The UK government-commissioned O’Neill Review on Antimicrobial Resistance estimates that this will jump to 10 million by the time babies born today turn 30.

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“A DIET RICH IN PLANT-BASED FOODS AND WITH FEWER ANIMAL SOURCE FOODS CONFERS BOTH IMPROVED HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS.” the eat-l ancet commission

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BUSINESS Antibiotics are extensively used in intensive animal agriculture. Thankfully, the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry as well as the “Animal Food Industry” are listed as key implementers in the Malaysian Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 20172021. However, the actions for the industry to take seem limited: there is an emphasis on “raising awareness” and few recommendations on controlling administration in the livestock sector.

BUT DO WE REALLY NEED TO GIVE UP MEAT? WHAT ALTERNATIVES ARE OUT THERE?

PHOTOGRAPH: BEYONDMEAT.

Though some societies have been vegetarian and vegan for centuries (mainly Hindus and Buddhists), there has been a rise in vegetarianism and veganism, especially in the West in the past 5-10 years. Innovations in meat alternatives, such as Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat in the US have caused excitement in global protein markets.

Even more significant is the “mainstreaming” of these alternatives. Meat alternatives are being sold not just by start-ups and newcomers but by wellknown global brands: the Impossible Whopper at Burger King and the Plant Kitchen range at Marks & Spencer.

There is also a huge opportunity in Asia. Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods have made their strategy clear: China, the world’s largest meat market, is their

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COMPARISON OF TOTAL CRADLE-TO DISTRIBUTION IMPACTS OF QUARTER POUND BEYOND BURGER AND US BEEF. IMPACT CATEGORY

UNIT

BEYOND BURGER

BEEF PATT Y

kgCo₂ eq

0.4

3.7

MJ

6.1

11.4

CHARACTERISED LAND USE

m²a eq

0.3

3.8

CHARACTERISED WATER USE

liter eq

1.1

218.4

GHGH ENERGY USE

next target market. They will face strong competition from domestic and regional players. OmniPork is the hottest pork analogue, made of shiitake mushrooms, pea protein, non-GMO soy and rice, and is available in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Singapore. There’s even a home-grown Southeast Asian brand, Shiok Meats, which produces cell-based clean meat (shrimp, lobster, crab). Cellbased meat is still derived from animal tissue but is grown in a lab.

These meat substitutes offer viable alternatives to consumers who still want the taste and experience of eating animal protein, without the environmental externalities (and welfare considerations in some cases).

One study conducted a Life Cycle Assessment comparison of the Beyond Burger and animal-based equivalents and found that Beyond Burger generates 90% less GHG emissions, requires 46% less energy, has 99% less impact on water scarcity and 93% less impact

on land use than a quarter pound beef burger. In addition, these substitutes avoid antibiotics and eliminate animal welfare risks.

The meatless meat movement has generated lots of excitement globally, in both positive and negative ways.

Like electronic cigarettes and electric cars, the transition is going to be met with strong pushback from sceptics and the meat sector. It requires a change in mindset and habits. Also, like electric cars, current versions of meat substitutes are not perfect. Substitutes like the Beyond and Impossible burgers are still burgers and highly processed at the end of the day. There are many arguments against meat substitutes from a nutrition standpoint.

CAN THE IMPOSSIBLE BE ACHIEVED? Ultimately, the science is clear that we need to ramp up consumption of fruit and vegetables and really minimise (or eliminate) meat consumption. But you can’t convince smokers to go cold turkey with the flick of a switch. We must think of meat substitutes as the nicotine gum of food: it’s not perfect, but it’s a transition tool. There is no silver bullet when it comes to solving the problems with the way we grow and eat food.

Is it possible to lower our GHG emissions and the attending antimicrobial resistance if we change our dietary habits? The answer is a resounding Yes! But we don’t have to go whole-hog vegan (pardon the pun). By adopting a more mindful diet, such as a flexitarian diet (with more plants and rarely meat), we can all do our part to lower GHG emissions. With the help of the meat substitutes, we can, and we should certainly try.

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An approximation of the contentious nine-dash line marking China’s self-claimed territory in the South China Sea.

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AN ABOMINABLE AFFAIR How nine lil’ dashes in a DreamWorks movie sparked a row in the South China Sea.

by A N G E L A YA P S I E W P E N G

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f you missed the recent international furore over Abominable, DreamWorks’ latest animation film, here’s a quick recap: As moviegoers in most parts of the world revelled in 97 minutes of computer-generated cuteness, a cauldron of discontent brewed across the South China Sea. Taiwan News shouted this headline: “DreamWorks bootlicks China with ‘nine-dash line’ including Taiwan in Abominable”.

The Jakarta Post reported “the animated film…will not be shown in Malaysia after its distributor said it could not comply with censors’ demands to cut a controversial scene showing Beijing’s disputed claims in the South China Sea”.

Vietnam Investment Review wrote that its Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism came down hard on the director of the Cinema Department for failure to detect the offensive scene and fined the local distributor 170 million Vietnamese Dong (US$7,400) for licensing the movie.

The Philippines’ Foreign Affairs Secretary called for censors to “cut out the offending scene” and “a universal boycott of all DreamWorks productions from here on”.

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Just how did a PG-rated feel-good story inspire such vitriol?

The plot is innocent enough. A young Chinese girl and her Shanghai posse stumble upon a runaway Yeti and trek across China to reunite the magical creature with his family in the Himalayan hilltops.

Co-produced by Comcast-owned DreamWorks Animation and China’s Pearl Studio, Abominable ticks all the right boxes.

Diversity? Check. It’s one of the few big-studio films to centre on a Chinese family with a mostly Asian voice cast, putting to rest criticisms of “yellowface’” or the habit of casting white actors to portray East Asian characters.

Entertainment value? Check. Aside from a few yawn-worthy stereotypes (hardworking, violin-playing Chinese girl rebels against her family in very PG-rated ways), Everest – the name bestowed on our youngling Yeti – possesses special powers to conjure or contort nature at will, restoring withered flowers’ blooming glory and moving mountains to save his friends in a wicked speedboat chase.

Box office earnings? Check. As of end-November 2019, online movie database IMDB reports that the family-friendly flick grossed US$174.5 mil-

lion in just seven weeks. Not too shoddy given its US$75 million budget.

Except for a fleeting moment. Four seconds, to be exact.

In the offending scene, as the camera pans out to reveal a map of the South China Sea in the background, hyphens (yes, the punctuation mark) flutter into view…and just as quickly disappear.

The dashed line – a U-shaped line stretching from the east of Taiwan to south of Borneo – is China’s so-called “nine-dash line”, its controversial self-declared ownership over 2,000,000 sq km of rocks, shoals, reefs and islets in the South China Sea. That’s approximately 90% of resource-rich areas, including the Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands and smaller ones like Pratas Islands, Macclesfield Bank, and Scarborough Shoal.

China’s claim is based on what it terms “historical rights”, a notion that’s been rejected by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in a maritime dispute filed by the Philippines in 2016. The global arbitrators ruled that there was “no legal basis for China to claim historic rights” to the area. This, for the most part, has made little practical difference.

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An elderly Vietnamese protester holds a placard during an anti-China protest in front of the Chinese consulate in the financial district of Manila in May 2014 demanding that China stop oil drilling in disputed South China Sea waters.

indicates, is a sea area that belongs to China”. Woe betide us if, through such logic, Mexico should own the Gulf of Mexico or India the entire Indian Ocean.

Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei have pushed back and separately lay claim to various parts of the territory inside the so-called “nine-dash line”. The Abominable affair is just the most recent in a string of historical skirmishes.

In fact, the “nine-dash line” was once an “11-dash line”, with two hyphens previously extending deep into the Gulf of Tonkin north of Vietnam.

That is until 1952 when Chairman Mao Zedong, in the spirit of “comradeship and brotherhood” with the Communist North Vietnam regime, allowed the latter to erect a radar station and goods transit point on one of the islands, effectively erasing two dashes in the gulf for this purpose.

Should you come across references of a “10-dash line”, the additional hyphen was only added in 2013 to the east of Taiwan, implying that the self-ruling nation (officially referred to as the Republic of China) lie squarely under Chinese jurisdiction.

Protests go beyond pulp-and-ink measures. When these dashes debuted in China passports in 2012, Vietnam, Taiwan, and the Philippines refused to stamp them. Instead, they stamp a sepa30

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rate paper for Chinese citizens, which is then inserted into passports, signalling their position that China’s claim over the South China Sea is illegitimate.

In July 2016, Chinese citizens entering Vietnam purportedly had their passports defaced with the words “f**k you” scribbled across the controversial map by immigration officials. Circulated photos went viral. Soon after, monitors at check-in counters at Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh airports were hacked into and displayed anti-Vietnamese and Philippines slogans about the South China Sea. But why a dashed line instead of a solid? When China first made its claim in the 1940s, it was Beijing’s way of signalling to other countries that although these maritime waters were within their jurisdiction, they were not restricting other countries from trading and moving freely through the territory.

Vagueness, in this case, is by design. There are no exact coordinates to demarcate where one dash ends and another begins.

“All of this is intentional on China’s part,” says Greg Poling, Director of the US-based Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative in an interview with Forbes in October 2017. “It isn’t going to clarify the position of the line because it has no legal rationale yet for what it means.” A classic Sun Tzu move.

The 6th century BC Chinese military

strategist, most famous for his treatise, The Art of War, wrote: “To win a hundred victories in a hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.”

This is the essence of Disintegration Warfare, the deployment of politics, psychology, culture, economy, conspiracies, military threats, propaganda, and intelligence in order to subdue the enemy without fighting.

This form of warfare is a philosophy that is deeply entrenched in modern-day Chinese military strategy, including that of General Liu Huaqing, Father of the Modern Chinese Navy, who devised its “Three Island Chain Strategy”.

In this three-tier strategy, military control of the South China Sea is paramount as it forms the First Island Chain concept as “the islands are shaped like a bow and constitute a Great Wall defending the China mainland”.

Despite international outcry, between 2013 and late 2016, China proceeded to reclaim 1,295 hectares in the Spratly Islands area, pouring mounds of sand and concrete to create the artificial structures. Derisively referred to as “The Great Wall of Sand”, pro-China quarters have floated an alternative moniker – The Great Wall in the South China Sea.

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oday, these sandpiles have boosted Beijing’s blue-water capabilities and house radar domes, landing strips, and advanced weapons systems, including anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems.

“This [reclamation] has divided the South China Sea into two narrower seas on either side of the claim line for maritime traffic to negotiate,” writes Bharat Karnad, Research Professor for National Security Studies at the New-Delhi based Centre for Policy Research. “This will enable China to better police the two channels from the central verge, as it were.”

This military tactic called, “sea denial”, is designed to halt the enemy’s use of the sea without having to control the area itself. It is a cheaper and more efficient way of defeating the enemy than taking control of these vast waters.

Such intense militarisation of the South China Sea is shifting the global balance of powers.

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Post-World War II, the US has fancied itself a keeper of the peace in the region, with military bases/presence entrenched from Japan to the Philippines. Of late, it’s been hard at work in a series of stand-offs as the democracy desperately tries to contain communist China from, as President Xi Jinping puts it, “standing tall and firm in the East”.

Since assuming office, President Donald Trump has ordered increased naval and aerial patrols in these waters and encouraged allies – the UK, France, Japan – to do the same. The US Navy’s first order of the day in 2019 was deploying the guided-missile destroyer, USS McCampbell, to sail within 12 nautical miles of the Paracel Islands “to challenge excessive maritime claims”.

This comes on the heels of a near collision on 30 September 2018 when a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) destroyer attempted to intercept an American warship during a similar naval operation in the Spratlys.

This high-stakes game of chicken saw a confrontation between both vessels with the PLA ship coming just 41 metres of the USS Decatur’s bow, sparking an international row and accusations by both sides.

The death count from territorial dispute in these waters is real. No official figures exist but it reportedly runs in the hundreds of thousands of bodies,

ranging from soldiers protecting the sea garrison to innocent fisherman caught in the crosshairs.

Ian Storey, a senior fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, in comments to The New York Times, said: “…it has always been the risk with the South China Sea that a small incident in remote waters escalates into a much larger crisis through miscommunication or mishandling. That’s why this is all so dangerous. It’s not just a pile of rocks that can be ignored.”

There are no exact coordinates to demarcate where one dash ends and another begins.

Lest we forget, such manoeuvres are backdropped against a raging US-China trade war as America’s international credibility takes a nosedive. The US continues to make its absence felt in East Asia, making it an unreliable partner for smaller states in the re-

PHOTOGRAPHS: AFP.

A Vietnamese Coast Guard ship (left) is challended by a China Coast Guard ship near to the site of a Chinese drilling oil rig being installed at the disputed water in the South China Sea off Vietnam’s central coast in 2014.

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gion which find it hard to resist China’s growing global influence.

The Cambodian economy, described

by The Economist as the US giant’s biggest client, has grown exponentially since the two nations established a strategic partnership in 2010. German broadcaster DW reports that trade between Cambodia and China totalled US$6 billion in 2017 with Chinese exports to Cambodia accounting for 87% of that figure.

China’s new approach to bilateral relations fills the void left by an absent America and it is extending the same economic carrots to others in Asean.

Already, its relations with the Philippines – historically a US ally – has improved markedly under President Rodrigo Duterte. On 6 November 2019, the country’s Immigration Bureau resumed the stamping of China passports featuring the “nine-dash line” after a seven-year stand-off. Less than 30 days after, Beijing appointed a new China ambassador to the Philippines (who is also an Asean expert) and signs 29 contracts with Manila to jointly develop oil and gas in the South China Sea. It is hoped that this move to forge closer economic and political relations with the Southeast Asian bloc may allay the concerns of other Asean members over the territorial disputes.

For now, member nations embroiled in this battle of wills over the South China Sea are playing it safe. But it’s hard coming to the negotiating table in earnestness when your opponent has their guns trained on you.

Is peace, or at least a peaceful compromise, more elusive than the mythical Yeti?

Security experts like Karnad are proposing a regional military solution “to bring about a durable peace”. In his words, this involves “arming Asean members which show the stomach for a fight with China, such as Vietnam, with strategic impact armaments”, including supersonic cruise missiles.

In essence, an arms race that could erupt into a full-blown security crisis.

How ironic that our tenuous peace should be maintained through threats of carnage. It is perhaps what makes this business of peacekeeping…an utter abomination.

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NE WSMAK ERS

“I’ve always told myself that whatever happens, whatever I end up doing in my life, I don’t want to live a mediocre life.”

by S H E R E LY N G O H photography by WO N G S I M styling by A LVA S U S I LO shot on location at R A F F L E S J A K A R TA

NEWSMAKERS

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hese days it isn’t enough to be an artiste dominating radio, Spotify airwaves and YouTube plays.

You also need to have (or attempt to get) your very own makeup, jewellery and clothing line, as well as collaborate with different labels to get your brand “out there”. In other words, you can’t just sing, you need to own brands that your fans buy in to that best “sell” you.

Cinta Laura Kiehl is one such celebrity who has a certain je ne sais quoi about her, someone we would consider a creative entrepreneur and not just a diva who can belt out a tune.

Under30CEO.com states that one of the qualities of one such person is that they are “confident and don’t question their worthiness of success”, which Kiehl has.

At first impression, she exudes sensuality and an air of confidence of someone who knows what they’ve got and flaunts it, although she confesses she was extremely shy when she first entered the industry. “I had low self-esteem. Even a few years into my career, I was still lacking confidence but I think that’s normal for any teenager,” she reveals.

Even to this day she has moments when she’s uncertain about herself. “But we’re so lucky that we live in a world that really promotes mental health, body confidence and just being happy with what you have so I think this just comes with maturity. I wouldn’t say that I’m super confident; I can be and portray myself as that individual but I do have moments when I’m not as confident as I appear. Given my occupation, I try to be a competent person because I want to show other women that you just have to be happy with what you have, regardless of your imperfections. And that’s really the message that I’m trying to convey.”

It’s obvious when you watch Kiehl work at a photo shoot that she has done it a hundred times over, having perfected every pout, pose and angle. The hairstylist, makeup artist, stylist and photographer team that we engaged for the shoot, is familiar with what she likes and doesn’t. Together they work seamlessly, floating between shots and outfit changes while making quick modifications to her hair.

Similarly, Kiehl knows what she wants and how to get it when it comes to her career, morphing from actress to singer to philanthropist (she’s an ambassador for anti-violence against women and children) and most recently dabbling in beauty and fashion with her own line of skincare and sportswear releasing early next year. “Everything I do caters to empowering women and making sure they feel beautiful and confident,” she says. Her two singles Vida and Caliente were just released this year and she flew to Kuala Lumpur in November to perform for e-commerce platform Lazada’s 11.11 show. On the acting front, Kiehl’s latest movie, a horror flick titled Jeritan Malam, is due for release soon. She plays a character that is her complete opposite in reality.

You wouldn’t know that Kiehl has self-doubt, especially when you scroll through her Instagram feed (with 7.1 million followers, and counting) and see the poised, glamorous pictures and videos posted there. Unbelievably, she also doesn’t think she’s sexy. “I’m just very honest about who I am,” she states. “I think a lot of people now know that I live a very healthy lifestyle and I enjoy exercising and when I do, I tend to wear a sports bra and tights and I think that’s normal.”

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Having lived in the United States for eight years has made her comfortable in her own skin and the fact that everyone who works out wears similar clothing normalises it. “If some of my shoots may be sexy, I think it’s still done in an elegant and tasteful way. So as long as it’s appropriate to the environment, I don’t think there’s a problem with that,” she explains.

In a conservative country like Indonesia where Kiehl’s career first took off, it might be a no-no for some to see a celebrity parading midriff-baring tops and skin-tight sports bras. Kiehl says that she thinks it’s important for people to be able to express themselves however they want to, whether conservative or liberal. “Indonesia is a pluralistic nation with various different cultures. No matter what your beliefs are, no matter how you want to present yourself, no matter what you look like, you should be free to express yourself the way you want to.”

There is a misconception about Indonesia being a Muslim country, but it’s not. “It’s a Muslim-majority country, but you can’t neglect the fact that there are still other people who have various religious beliefs and ethnic backgrounds. The national creed does state that this country is a pluralistic nation and that we should respect one another because at the end of the day, we’re all united under one flag.”

“I WANT TO SHOW OTHER WOMEN THAT YOU JUST HAVE TO BE HAPPY WITH WHAT YOU HAVE, REGARDLESS OF YOUR IMPERFECTIONS.” Another enviable quality of creative entrepreneurs is that they are disciplined. And the 26-year-old Oh Baby actress and singer’s to die for abs are a testament to her dedication and hard work. “When I’m being really, really good, I exercise five to six times a week. If I am trying to reach a certain goal like I did back in July when I was filming my music video Vida, I would work out 10 to 12 times a week, meaning twice a day because I’ve always been an athlete growing up and I like to push myself even on a physical level,” she notes.

Her diet too, is a main factor in maintaining her lean physique. “I would eat predominantly vegetables, protein, and fat – fish, chicken breast and fruits and I wouldn’t eat dessert, rice, potatoes, pasta or bread.” And we say, if you’ve got it, flaunt it.

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iehl’s foray into entertainment came by chance when she was 12 and recovering from appendicitis. She was a school athlete who was involved in every sport and was encouraged by her dance teacher to enter a modelling competition. As fate would have it, she won and was cast by one of the judges who happened to be one of Indonesia’s biggest directors, to star in the “equivalent of an Indonesian telenovela” Cinderella: Apakah Cinta, Hanyalah Mimpi, as she describes it.

Was there any pressure in making the move? “No and that once it happened and my career flourished, everything was truly in my own hands. My parents never forced me to do anything. As long as what I did made me happy, they were happy for me. It just so happened that I, by chance, stumbled into the entertainment industry, I found out that I was very passionate about film, music, and everything entertainment-related, so I think it was a blessing from God. It was fate because I truly believe that I was meant to be in this industry.”

Starting out young meant that she had to juggle school, sports, filming and personal life, but Kiehl says it didn’t feel like a job to her. “It felt more like part of what I was meant to do on a daily basis. Never did I ever think, ‘Oh, this is a job, I need to make money.’ I don’t think money even occurred to me.”

She learned to manage her time, become extremely organised, multitask like a pro. It forced her to do everything to the best of her capabilities. “Even though I was in school, I never missed a day of it. I was a varsity athlete, in the national honour society and I had a TV show that aired on TV every single day. Eventually I also delved into music because I sang the soundtrack for my first movie Oh Baby, which was released in 2008. I was 14.”

While many celebrities choose to pursue the limelight rather than further their education, Kiehl pulled an Emma Watson and nabbed a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and German Literature cum laude from Colombia University. She pushed herself to attend an Ivy League Institution and instead of graduating in the usual four years, she managed it in just three, and with honours. Her parents never pressured her and were very supportive of what she wanted. “If anything, growing up, my parents, especially my mum had to tell me to stop studying. She’d be like, ‘Stop doing your homework, just relax.’ And I’d be like, ‘No, I have to get the best grades’,” she laughs. “I wanted to be in the city, but also have a strong, challenging education. They always knew that I was going to come back to the entertainment industry because the only reason I went to university was that I felt like it was important to have at least a bachelor’s.”

It seems like Kiehl is putting her degree to good use in her work, since actors constantly need to play different characters. Everyday she meets plenty of people and it would be advantageous to be able to size them up quickly. After all, she has been warm and forthcoming during our interview and she has been quick to work with all the questions thrown at her.

How much of her degree is put to use daily? “I think there’s this big misconception whereby people think that individuals who study psychology can read minds. At the end of the day, it’s all theoretical. It’s important to have good analytical skills and be an observant individual,” she notes.

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“I think studying psychology helps you understand why people behave the way they do. But if you as an individual aren’t observant enough and don’t have good common sense, then you’re not going to be able to understand other human beings. I studied psychology because I was genuinely interested in the subject and I felt it would be very beneficial to my acting career.

As an actress, you pretend to be somebody else all day so the more you’re able to understand your character, the better it is. Being in the industry has also helped me so much because I meet different people every single day and I like meeting different people; learning how to deal with different people allows you to be a more observant and conscientious person.”

SHE PUSHED HERSELF TO ATTEND AN IVY LEAGUE INSTITUTION AND INSTEAD OF GRADUATING IN THE USUAL FOUR YEARS, SHE MANAGED IT IN JUST THREE, AND WITH HONOURS. While on the subject of psychology, we asked Kiehl, who dreams in English and believes that the language one dreams in is the one you are most comfortable with, which animal she relates to the most. She admits that she wants to say a dog as they are loyal, sweet and loving, but thinks she is more like a cat to people. “At first glance when I’m not comfortable in my environment, I definitely come off as very quiet and I seem distant, although I don’t try to be. But once you get to know me, I’m very warm and accepting and caring. So if a dog and a cat can have a baby (laughs)...I know it sounds creepy, but I’m referring to their attributes.”

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NEWSMAKERS of her friends who have benefited from sessions and she personally had seen one in the past when she encountered a bad experience herself. She explains matter-of-factly, “If you think you really need help, and it’s either threatening your life or preventing you from living your daily life, then absolutely, you need to see someone but if you’re just throwing around that term lightly and not willing to work on yourself and try to improve as an individual, then I don’t think you should see one.”

I

n Southeast Asia, celebrities with a mixed race look or Caucasian features tend to be exalted and Kiehl is well aware of that. Her dance teacher who prompted her to join the modelling competition when she was 12, said that she would win because she was “mixed”. “I find that oftentimes people still very much like that look,” she notes. “There’s nothing wrong with that, but I always feel like Asian beauty is so beautiful; your everyday Indonesian or Southeast Asian are so gorgeous. I think it’s important that they also focus on local beauty, so to speak.”

“...AT THE END OF THE DAY WE ARE RUNNING A BUSINESS, IT’S IMPORTANT TO BE VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD AND HONEST WITH WHAT YOU DISLIKE AND LIKE, AND I THINK IT JUST HELPS MAINTAIN EFFICIENCY.” With her German and Indonesian background, Kiehl who cites Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher as an inspiration, says she is torn between East and West when it comes to communicating at work in Indonesia due to some cultural differences. While she credits her German side for her discipline, organisational skills and meticulousness, and her Indonesian side for making her compassionate, caring and considerate.

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is incredibly straightforward, honest and direct while Indonesian culture dictates that people be handled in a “softer” manner. She elaborates, “You’re more considerate in the way you use your words and the way you approach things, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that, it’s just a different way of handling issues. That’s a big obstacle I face, having to dim down my very fast-paced and straightforward work ethic.”

Kiehl’s growing up years were spent in several countries including Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia, Germany, Indonesia and finally the United States as her father worked in the hotel industry. She considers Indonesia her home but admits LA and New York have her heart. “The world’s becoming more globalised, more international. I think it’s important to be an adaptive individual capable of living wherever you are placed.

But at this point in my life, I would also consider LA and New York home because all my best friends reside in those two cities. At the end of the day, home is where the heart is. So I love Indonesia, I love Jakarta; it’s where I found my passion, it’s where my fan base is and where I have so many people who love me. But at the same time, I can’t neglect the fact that on a personal level, I also have so many friends and people I call my second family who reside in the US.” After graduating from Columbia, Kiehl attempted to pursue an acting career in the US where she was introduced to several influential people in the industry. She was immediately signed to a talent management that opened up a world of opportunity to audition for movies and TV shows like Scream Queens, Star Wars, Fantastic Beasts, Paper Planes, Shadowhunters and The 100. Rather than experiencing bigotry or bias in Hollywood, Kiehl says that ironically, she’s called bule (Caucasian) in Indonesia, whereas in the US, they often can’t figure out where she is from.

“The most common guess is that they think I’m from Latin America – Puerto Rican, Colombian, sometimes from Southern Europe, Italian or Spanish. When you’re of mixed race, oftentimes you do end up looking Latina because you are darker, but have European bone structure. So I get why people in the US can encounter such misunderstandings because it’s such a melting pot.”

Despite that, Kiehl believes that her mixed race background has helped rather than hindered her because of the recent Hollywood trend of being more inclusive. She has had to ground herself and reframe her mindset to thrive in the US regardless of her achievements in Indonesia. She had to start from the bottom to prove that she has the talent and capabilities to make it. “If anything, it has made me a stronger person and it has made me appreciate what I have here so much more,” she declares. “I’m so glad that I spent eight years in the US, three years to study and the remaining five to pursue my career there because it’s given me a lot of knowledge and insight into the entertainment industry there. It’s allowed me to implement all the knowledge that I’ve obtained back here and it’s become very useful. It has humbled me so much...”

It’s because of how Kiehl was brought up and her life experiences that we won’t be labelling her a diva. She affirms this, saying, “I personally don’t think I am because my parents were very strict. Growing up, despite the fact that I lived a JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

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t is often remarked that Kiehl bears a striking physical resemblance to Angelina Jolie, someone whom she is “obsessed with”. “Obviously, we all know she’s gorgeous but I love her humanitarian work with the United Nations and I think she’s an absolutely talented actress. She’s someone I aspire to be in the industry one day, I’d love to shoot a movie with her (laughs). I always joke around and say she’s my real mum.

That’s how much I love her,” she says, laughing as she plays up Jolie’s physical attributes with her pouty lips, lush hair and prominent cheekbones.

Kiehl is obviously driven, as evident by how she has managed to juggle everything in her life thus far. She confides that “something in me just has always been very competitive, has always wanted to achieve a lot in life. I don’t know if this would be my personal quote, but I always told myself that whatever happens, whatever I end up doing in my life, I don’t want to live a mediocre life. Whether I remain in the entertainment industry or one day delve into a different industry, I want to make sure that I’ve created a huge, positive impact on the world.”

Creating a positive impact with the work she does is something that brings Kiehl joy. What makes her happy on a profound level is knowing that whatever she is doing in her 40

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career may benefit others or change lives. “I have a couple of fans who’ve been with me from day one since 2007, and I know that some of them have now become extremely successful people; they told me that because of me they have really pushed themselves to become well-educated people who speak English fluently and who end up working at big corporations. It’s not only allowed them to move up socio-economically but has also helped their families and they feel like they’ve become better people.”

“PEOPLE TRY TO USE YOU, MANIPULATE YOU. IT’S IMPORTANT TO KEEP YOUR GUARD UP.” Upon probing deeper into the real Cinta Laura, she agrees that she can seem cold and distant at first before warming up, while close friends would see her as goofy and talkative. “I’ve heard someone call me Ice Queen before which I’m fine with.

I actually don’t mind that term at all because I think it’s important to not let people in so easily, especially in this day and age. People try to use you, manipulate you. It’s important to keep your guard up. But that is not to say that you shouldn’t respect others and be polite. So in that regard, I do think people know that I’m distant, but courteous and polite. I respect other people’s time. It’s a known fact in this industry that I’m very punctual and very professional so that’s good. If I have to describe myself, people view me as someone who’s very leftbrained, very logical, analytical and straightforward, which I don’t mind. On a personal level, and I’ve heard this also from my closest friends, they realise I’m quite goofy and very talkative. I’m very loyal, very caring, and I put others ahead of myself. And I prefer that I have a very small circle of friends over having many friends but not being quite sure as to who you can really rely on.”

Having that level of sensibility, vulnerability and ambition is highly unusual, which sets Kiehl apart from many celebrities out there who are only chasing the spotlight. With many more years to come into her own, while she feels she has achieved a lot in her life, there is still much more she needs to do. Not one to rest on her laurels, she doesn’t believe that she is at the top of her game, saying, “I’m still so young and I still have a lot of life to live if the higher power permits. There are so many more things I need to accomplish to be where I need to be in the future.” Be it conquering Indonesia or Hollywood, Kiehl has what it takes to do it all and succeed.

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STYLING BY ALVA SUSILO; MAKEUP BY BUBAH ALFIAN. SHOT ON LOCATION RAFFLES JAKARTA.

good life and was provided with everything I needed, my parents taught me the value of money, time and the importance of respecting other people.”

If she has ever been called a diva at all, it has been due to how frank she is when it comes to expressing what she thinks and what she wants. “I think that can be misconstrued as being a diva. But I think in essence, it is not at all diva behaviour, it’s just honesty. Given the fact that at the end of the day we are running a business, it’s important to be very straightforward and honest with what you dislike and like, and I think it just helps maintain efficiency. It’s better for people to know exactly what you want.”

When asked if she has heard any misconceptions about herself, she tells us that she has been labelled sombong (arrogant) before. “I’ve gotten used to it,” she replies. “But I think again, it’s in part due to the fact that when I first meet people, I don’t open up immediately. And in this culture, and specifically in Indonesia, it’s very easy for someone to call somebody else sombong if they’re not immediately like, ‘Hi, how are you? Oh, my god, you look so good.’ And I just can’t do that.

It’s fake and I don’t want to be fake. It used to bother me a lot but now I honestly don’t care because that just shows me that they’re quick to judge and that they’re not the type of people who are willing to get to know another person well enough.

People have choices to make and people have the right to make their own judgments. If that’s what they want to say, that's cool with me because at the end of the day, I know that my close circle know who I truly am.”

This may be an oblique reference to Kiehl’s minor photo scandal earlier this year which was related to a previous relationship, a topic which her manager has declared “off limits” during this interview. As there was so much ground to cover, her previous liaisons or current relationship status did not seem like the most important facet of her life at the moment.

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T H E WAT C H L I S T

NADIRA Nadira Ilana is part of the vanguard of filmmakers from East Malaysia bringing its stories to the rest of the nation. The 32-year-old was the first East Malaysian to receive the Justin Louis Grant for The Silent Riot, her documentary on the 1986 Sabah riots, and currently advises the government on film in Sabah and Sarawak. Nadira spoke to us recently about her decade as an independent filmmaker.

by M I K H A C H A N

How did you get started as an independent filmmaker? Like a lot of people who started making films, I just loved cinema.

It wasn’t until much later that I discovered Southeast Asian cinema while studying abroad, and realised that I really wanted to tell stories that were of home. However, I found many Malaysian stories were centred on Peninsular Malaysia. When I made The Silent Riot, it was the first time that I had ever seen a Sabahan on the big screen… and it was because I had made the film myself. That started my exploration of identity, and why it was that even as a young Kadazandusun person, I grew up not learning my language or anything about my heritage.

What difficulties have you faced introducing East Malaysian stories to other Malaysians? I think that people who saw my stories felt a little conflicted. People had such strange expectations of what an East Malaysian story is or should look like because they were so used to sort of seeing us in the context of tourism advertisements. Living in the jungle, that kind of thing. It was unimaginable for many of them to see us in an urban setting. I put together an East Malaysian short film programme, which was screened at the Urbanscapes festival a couple of years ago. That was the first time some people said that they watched Sabahan and Sarawakian short films back-to-back. It was only there that people realised that East Malaysians have a voice of our own.

People have described you as “aggressive” in fighting for representation. How has this affected you? Another word for it would be “passionate”. People who are on the receiving end will think I’m aggressive, obviously, but these things have to be said. The oppression to me and my people is just

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so direct and in-your-face. I remember when I first started, people were saying, “What is Malaysia Day? Why do we have to celebrate Malaysia Day? Malaysia Day is just for Sabah and Sarawak”. That is very offensive to me because, well, I am Malaysian. I grew up singing Negaraku. I grew up with the Rukun Negara, and listening to all the Malaysian bands anybody else has listened to here. To have my own industry tell me that I don’t belong as part of this nation’s narrative is very hurtful.

I believe everybody deserves to have a voice. At the end of the day, I hope as a filmmaker that anybody of any status and heritage, even if they’re refugees or immigrants – LGBT, even – can find room to tell their stories. Yeah, because Malaysia sudah Merdeka, so why not? That’s really the true spirit of independent filmmaking.

Would you tell stories from Peninsular Malaysia as well as from East Malaysia? I’ll go wherever the story takes me. Two years ago, we did a story called Anak Pokok, which followed a couple of recruits for an NGO that teaches young village people about the conservation of Malaysia’s rare species of trees. The problem with film here is that mostly only certain people of privilege get to tell their stories through film, but I like the idea of being able to shine the lens on the real heroes doing the conservation work. Titled in English as Saplings, Anak Pokok was screened at the South by Southwest community screening, where we got second prize. The coolest thing is that one of the judges was Richard Linklater, who did the Before Sunrise and Before Sunset series. I grew up watching his films, he watched our film from Malaysia and gave us a prize for it. So no issues telling stories in West Malaysia. A good story is a good story.

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A CQ U I R E D TA S T E OUR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF’S PICKS Rockstar Red Pumps VALENTINO’S ARE FOR WHEN YOU NEED POWER IN YOUR FEET. THESE STUDDED RED HEELS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAGICALLY TRANSPORT YOU HOME, BUT THEY SURE WILL LOOK FIERCE ON THE DANCE FLOOR FOR THAT VALENTINE’S DATE. zalora.com.my PHOTOGRAPH: VALENTINO GARAVANI VIA ZALORA

Anything Goes Sunglasses WHAT BETTER WAY TO TURN THOSE HATERS INTO LOVERS THAN TO LOOK AT THE WORLD THROUGH THESE ROSE-COLOURED LENSES FROM QUAY. NOT ONLY WILL IT BLOCK OUT THE SUN BUT IT’S SURE TO REPEL THE DAGGERS THEY’RE GLARING. zalora.com.my PHOTOGRAPH: QUAY VIA ZALORA

THE COLOUR IS RED

FOR HER Not only is it the love month it’s also Chinese New Year. It’s the season to get decked out in the colour of January – red.

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Printed Silk-Twill Dress

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PHOTOGRAPH: ALEXANDER MCQUEEN AT NET A PORTER

PHOTOGRAPH: GUCCI AT NET A PORTER

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Pach Tach Earrings THAI-SWISS JEWELLERY DESIGNER SOPHIE PACHAREE ROGERS’ STUNNING CORAL AND PEARL EARRINGS ARE ABSOLUTELY PERFECT TO SPRUCE UP A SINGLE COLOUR OUTFIT. WEARING THE OCEAN ON YOUR EARS HAS NEVER LOOKED SO FASHIONABLE. ARIEL, EAT YOUR HEART OUT. net-a-porter.com PHOTOGRAPH: PACHAREE AT NET A PORTER

MatteTrance Lipstick THE ELSON SHADE OF THE MATTETRANCE LIPSTICK IS JUST ANOTHER NOTCH ON PAT MCGRATH’S BELT WHEN IT COMES TO FANTASTIC MAKEUP. IT’S A CLASSIC SHADE WITH A BUTTER SMOOTH FORMULA THAT BLURS IMPERFECTIONS, DRAWING YOUR LOVER TO THOSE PERFECT KISSABLE LIPS. net-a-porter.com PHOTOGRAPH: PAT MCGRATH LABS AT NET A PORTER

Ophidia Mini Bucket Bag IT’S GUCCI AGAIN BUT SUBTLER THIS TIME. FOR THOSE NOT INTO THE MONOGRAM LOOK OF THE ORIGINAL GG CANVAS DIAMOND PATTERN, SLIP ON THIS GORGEOUS RED SUEDE VERSION OF THE OPHIDIA MINI BUCKET BAG. PERFECT FOR A STROLL OR A NIGHT OUT IN TOWN. net-a-porter.com PHOTOGRAPH: GUCCI AT NET A PORTER

Asymmetric Crepe Maxi Dress FAMILY IS SOMETHING YOU NEED TO BE PRESENTABLE FOR. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR LESS FLAIR AND MORE POLITE NEATNESS, THEN PROENZA SCHOULER HAS GOT THE LOOK. IT’S BRIGHT RED ORANGE BUT ITS CLEAN LINES AND A GOOD SKIRT LENGTH SO AS NOT TO OFFEND ANY AUNTIES. AN ANY AGE DRESS, ITS VERSATILITY IS ENDLESS. net-a-porter.com PHOTOGRAPH: PROENZA SCHOULER AT NET A PORTER

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Red Fleece Novelty Belt ANOTHER PEEK OF RED IS THIS WOVEN BELT WITH LEATHER TRIMS. DON’T MATCH IT WITH THE RED TROUSERS, THAT’S A LITTLE TOO EXTREME. FOR SPRUCING UP A BORING BROWN OR BEIGE LOOK, THIS BELT WILL HOLD UP. EASY TO BUCKLE AND EASY TO REMOVE, IT COMES IN HANDY FOR VALENTINE’S NIGHT. zalora.com.my PHOTOGRAPH: BROOKS BROTHER VIA ZALORA

Red Briefcase WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE BLACK? MAKE A STATEMENT AT WORK WITH THIS POP OF COLOUR BRIEFCASE THAT IS ALMOST FERRARI RED FROM DIOR. IT’S NOT SO FLASHY THAT IT’S OBSCENE; JUST ENOUGH TO CATCH THE ENVIOUS EYE OF ANYONE WITH A BORING OL’ BROWN CASE. zalora.com.my PHOTOGRAPH: DIOR VIA ZALORA

THE COLOUR IS RED

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R1-S Lacquered Metal Razor and Stand UNKEMPT BEARDS AND FACIAL HAIR IS A NO-GO, ESPECIALLY FOR DATE NIGHT OR CNY. KEEP BABY-SMOOTH WITH BOLIN WEBB’S MOST POPULAR RAZOR IN RACER RED. NAMED AFTER A FAMED MOTOR RACING TRACK IN ITALY, THIS BLADE WILL GLIDE OVER YOUR SKIN LIKE A FAST CAR ON A TRACK. mrporter.com PHOTOGRAPH: BOLIN WEBB AT MR PORTER

Striped Stretch Cotton-Blend Socks DRESSING UP AN OUTFIT WITH SUBTLE TOUCHES CAN BE TOUGH FOR THE GUYS, UNLESS YOU’RE GOING ALL OUT WITH THE GOLD CHAINS. THESE MAGNIFICENT STRIPED PAUL SMITH SOCKS WILL PEEK OUT FROM BETWEEN YOUR SHOES AND TROUSERS LIKE AN ENTICING STRIP OF RED. mrporter.com PHOTOGRAPH: PAUL SMITH AT MR PORTER

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Toby Brogue Boots RED DOESN’T ALWAYS HAVE TO MAKE A STATEMENT BY BEING BRIGHT. THESE GORGEOUS BURGUNDY BOOTS FROM GEORGE CLEVERLEY ARE THE BEST EXAMPLE OF THAT. THROUGH MASTER BRITISH CRAFTSMANSHIP AND SUPERIOR MATERIALS, EVEN GRAYDON CARTER OF EX-VANITY FAIR FAME IS PLEASED WITH THESE SHOES. mrporter.com PHOTOGRAPH: GEORGE CLEVERLEY AT MR PORTER

Double-Sided Functional Leather Jacket IT’S NOT EVERYDAY YOU FIND A MULTIFUNCTIONAL LEATHER JACKET THAT IS AS STYLISH AS THIS. THE GAY GIANO JACKET HIDES ITS RED INSIDE UNTIL YOU’RE READY TO STRUT YOUR STUFF AND RUFFLE YOUR PEACOCK FEATHERS FOR THE GIRL YOU JUST GOTTA HAVE. zalora.com.my PHOTOGRAPH: GAY GIANO VIA ZALORA

The Energy Booster LOOKING FRESH AND READY TO GO DOESN’T ONLY MEAN SPRUCING UP THE CLOSET. THESE NEXT FEW MONTHS WILL TAKE ITS TOLL ON YOU ENERGY-WISE, SO GET PEPPY WITH THE INNERMOST ENERGY BOOSTER IN DELICIOUS PINEAPPLE. mrporter.com PHOTOGRAPH: INNERMOST AT MR PORTER

Tomi Tapered Corduroy Trousers FOR THE RED TROUSER FANS, MAN 1924’S TAPERED CORDUROYS ARE A STYLISH FLASH FOR YOUR WARDROBE. THE BRIGHT RED IS MUTED

BY THE CORDUROY PATTERN TO MAKE THIS PAIR SCREAM A LITTLE LESS. THERE’S EVEN DRAWSTRINGS ON IT SO THAT WHEN THE CNY DINNER GETS TOO MUCH, YOU CAN LOOSEN THE TROUSERS FOR SOME BREATHING SPACE. mrporter.com PHOTOGRAPH: MAN 1924 AT MR PORTER

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PHOTOGRAPH: AFP.

Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge celebrates as he crosses the finish line at the end of his attempt to bust the mythical two-hour barrier for the marathon in Vienna.

SPORT

INCREDIBLE FEET Nike knows how to put a spring in your step, but is technology getting out of hand when it comes to running shoes? Andrew Leci has quite a few words on the subject.

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had an idea once. Being bored with Formula 1, I thought it might be a good idea to test the actual ability of drivers by putting them all in the same car – well, not exactly the same car, that would make them look like clowns – but the same model with the same specifications and the same potential performance.

This, in my opinion, would make a race a proper race, not an examination of the spending power of a team.

Those who can splash the cash don’t have to splash and dash when it comes to fuelling the machine that makes for a successful constructor’s outfit. If you have tons of money you can afford to do more research and, perhaps more importantly, employ better technicians and specialists that will make a car go faster. This is, in itself, putting ruts and furrows in a playing field that is distinctly uneven.

My idea was never taken up. No surprise. The constructors gain leverage from having the best car because it enables them to sell more on the global market. Lewis Hamilton has just secured his 6th world championship title in a JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

Mercedes, and the positive publicity and brand identification this creates is worth its weight in the kind of diamond earrings Hamilton favours. He needs to get some bigger lobes, I feel, to do their caraty heft justice. At least he has one in each ear, but this is probably only to prevent himself from leaning to one side with the option of falling over. I digress.

Hamilton drives a Mercedes and, therefore, who doesn’t want to buy one?

Who wouldn’t want to feel like Lewis Hamilton when they’re sitting in traffic?

While Formula 1 teams will claim that the playing field is indeed level, notwithstanding spending power – everyone has access to the same materials and it’s the expertise that makes the difference – the same cannot be said for other sports, and there’s a debate raging in the world of athletics concerning shoes, believe it or not, and a potentially unfair advantage for certain athletes.

Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge ran the world’s first sub-two-hour marathon in October 2019. It was one of those milestones in athletics that many people believed would never be reached in their lifetimes, and for those of them who died

in September of that year, they were right. I digress.

Kipchoge’s Viennese whirl (he did it in Vienna; it’s a patisserie gag, just go with it) was a remarkable achievement, although not recognised as a new world record (he already holds that) because it was a special event and he was allowed fluids galore and pacemakers (not for his heart; that is clearly in good shape).

It wasn’t a proper race either because no one else was invited to participate.

He did it anyway, smashing the twohour mark by 20 seconds, and he did it on a pair of Nike prototype running shoes – specially created for him by the company that boasted a revenue of US$36.4 billion in 2018, and is the world’s biggest brand of sports apparel, accessories and equipment.

“Not fair!” screamed the people for whom a marathon is a chocolate bar that turned into Snickers. Snickers; sneakers – a coincidence? “He has an unfair advantage over other runners because his shoes are so good,” they might have droned on, before enquiring as to where they could get a pair.

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Eliud Kipchoge with the Nike AlphaFLY.

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just in case you want to look it up) that any “technical device that incorporates springs” is outlawed. Neither the Vaporfly nor the prototype AlphaFLY that Kipchoge wore in Vienna (a sneakers peek, if you like) has springs as such, but they do have rather special carbon-fibre midsoles, and it is these that have become the centre of attention.

A running shoe is all about maximising shock absorption and reducing energy loss, and Nike have ascertained that carbon-fibre plates are ideal for this exercise. The Vaporfly has one plate, the AlphaFLY has three. Most running shoes have soles that are an inch thick, while the Vaporfly comes in at 1.4 inches, which is a considerable difference. Surely it’s no coincidence that, according to The New York Times, the five fastest male marathon runs in history have been achieved on Vaporflys. Or should that be Vaporflies? Who knows? I digress.

Vaporflys are freely available…at a price. There are various models and they seem to range from about US$300 to US$1,200. That’s an expensive pair of

shoes, but if the performance is commensurate, it’s a cheap price to pay for the kind of serious athlete who won’t be paying for his or her shoes anyway.

What do we say to basketball players... who couldn’t slam dunk because they were too short?

Grow a pair?

According to an independent study carried out in 2017, the shoes can increase athletic performance by as much as 4% by lowering the “energetic cost of running”. For a very good marathon runner who could, for example, clock two hours and 10 minutes, the improvement on time could amount to three and a half minutes, which is way more than “significant”. That’s the difference between winning a marathon with a new world record and merely receiving a shiny blanket at race’s end. There is little doubt that technology is playing a big part.

Something similar happened in the world of aquatics back in 2008. At the Beijing Olympics, no less than 25 new world records were set and some of the existing records smashed like cheap glass. 98% of competitors were wearing Speedo’s LZR racer swimsuit – full-bodied, made from polyurethane and designed to mimic shark skin. As we all know, sharks are pretty good swimmers. Records are meant to be broken, that is accepted, but the progress in performances in Beijing was unprecedented, and it could only have been down to one thing. Technology.

The suits compressed the swimmers’ bodies into a more streamlined shape, thereby reducing pressure drag. They had a textured surface that reduced viscous drag, and trapped air within the suit that enhanced buoyancy, enabling the swimmer to be higher in the water and concentrate more on propulsion.

They worked well.

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PHOTOGRAPH: INSTAGRAM.

is setting tongues wagging and causing consternation among the athletics fraternity, with many people suggesting that too much technology in foot attire is equivalent to “doping”.

Characteristically perhaps, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) is suitably vague on the matter and has yet to take a stand – on either foot. Running shoes cannot, they say, confer an “unfair assistance or advantage” to an athlete and have to be “reasonably available” – whatever the hell that means. I would imagine that “reasonable availability” would have different interpretations in, say, New York City and Mogadishu. Once again, the IAAF has proven itself most adept at being unreasonably vague on issues that they probably never thought would emerge and that they didn’t have the imagination to foresee.

Kipchoge’s shoes for the Vienna event were specially created for him – a version of the Vaporfly that is very much designed by Nike to put a spring in your step. IAAF rules clearly stipulate (144.2,

PHOTOGRAPH: AFP.

Michael Phelps liked his suit – it enabled him to set seven world records in the eight events he competed in. He had a lucrative sponsorship deal with Speedo, and they gave him a US$1 million bonus after the games, which he donated to charity. While detractors suggested “technology doping”, reasonable people countered that if all the competitors had access to the same equipment (which they did) then ultimately the winner would be the best swimmer anyway.

The issue seemed to be that with so many records being broken, the feats and exploits of previous generations of competitors were undermined. But hey, that’s progress…isn’t it? What are we going to say to golfers who hit the ball a country mile because of developments in golf clubs? Take it easy?

Legends are going to be pissed off that you’re outdriving them with a 5-iron?

And for that matter, what do we say to basketball players of the 1960s who couldn’t slam dunk because they were too short? Grow a pair?

The swimsuits were banned in 2009, with full effect taking place in 2010, and fluid flow optimisation had to seek another route to greatness. Will the IAAF be taking the same measures with Vaporflys and AlphaFLYs that FINA (the International Swimming Federation) thought fit to take with the LZR? The answer is, probably not, as long as Nike take steps to ensure that even the AlphaFLY is available and on sale… somewhere. The fact of the matter is that unlike the LZR, the Vaporfly/AlphaFLY only gives out what the athlete puts in. Even an element that creates a certain amount of “spring” cannot create the energy on its own. It’s the loading and unloading that makes all the difference, and it’s the athlete that does the loading. The better the athlete, therefore, the more he or she’s going to get out of his or her footwear of choice (or the choices their sponsors encourage them to make).

Would we suggest to the world’s best golfers that the technology in their equipment needs to be taken down a notch so that they can’t hit it quite as far? While golf equipment manufacturer and Boeing are free to collaborate on “computational flight dynamics” to increase the effectiveness of a driver, why JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

United States swimmer Michael Phelps in his Speedo sponsored swimsuit as he dives off the block during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

shouldn’t we allow Nike to get their boffins to create a better shoe?

There is an argument, I suppose, to create a regulation that limits the thickness of a sole, but even that would probably be superfluous. As every runner will tell you, surface contact is all important when gauging a race and establishing tactics – particularly over long distances, so a six-inch sole, for example, isn’t going to work and is going to make runners look a bit stupid (as though wanting to run 42km on a regular basis isn’t stupid enough to your average couch potato for whom ambling to the fridge is sufficient daily exercise).

The world moves on, as does technology – from microchip processing power to sports equipment – and there’s

little or no use in trying to stem the tide.

While it would be nice to see all marathon runners wearing the same pair of shoes – well, not exactly the same pair, that would make them look as much like clowns as 20 Formula 1 drivers emerging from the same car – it’s not going to happen in the febrile world of competition among sports goods manufacturers.

Let’s just embrace the situation and look forward to more great performances and world records, while sparing a thought for someone like Finland’s Hannes Kolehmainen. He broke the world marathon record in 1920 and had he replicated that time at the 2016 Olympics, he would have finished in 130th place. But then he didn’t have the goddess of victory to provide support.

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CRIME

A demonstrator stands outside federal court during a bail hearing for Jeffrey Epstein.

THE AGE OF

INNOCENCE SHATTERED . . .

PHOTOGRAPHA: AFP.

Of paedophiles, princes and power.

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I

t was the meme of the year. Public scrutiny of paedophilia among the rich and powerful reached a new zenith last year with the arrest and eventual suicide/murder of financier Jeffrey Epstein. And for better or for worse, the public has never been more convinced than it is now that – you’ve definitely heard this one – “Epstein didn’t kill himself”.

Epstein’s death is the “most pervasive conspiracy theory” of 2019; people everywhere from the populace at large to politicians are quoting the theory.

Republican rep Paul Gosar embraced the viral craze in November; a series of tweets he posted during the first day of public hearings in the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump spelled out “Epstein didn’t kill himself”.

ABC news anchor Amy Robach was recorded saying she believed “100%” Epstein was murdered. Trump himself suggested in a tweet that Epstein may have been murdered, and a former Navy SEAL invited onto Fox News randomly blurted out “Epstein didn’t kill himself” at the end of his segment.

There is reason for the madness. The circumstances surrounding the premature expiration of Epstein have been murky at best. It was officially ruled a suicide by the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation, State Department, and the Metropolitan Correctional Cen-

tre in Manhattan where he was held. The official coroner’s report said he hanged himself with his bedsheet, and The New York Times reported that he knelt on the floor of his cell with the bedsheet around his neck and used it to hang himself while the two guards tasked with overseeing him slept.

If that story sets your narrative bones tingling, you’re not alone. Scepticism bubbled around the news, with a forensic pathologist hired by Epstein’s brother in a separate investigation suggesting that the way his hyoid – a U-shaped bone in the front and middle of the neck – broke is more indicative of strangulation. There’s also the matter of the somnolent guards; on 19 November, the duo were arrested and federally charged, accused of failing to check on Epstein that night and of falsifying prison records.

However, a study has raised the point that sex offenders who are publicly exposed for their crimes are more likely to commit suicide; the new will Epstein signed two days before his death could be interpreted as premeditation.

Toval Noel and Michael Thomas, the two guards at the Manhattan prison, were overworked, having been working overtime due to staffing shortages. A small window in Epstein’s cell could ostensibly be how he saw his opportunity to slip off the mortal coil.

In any case, public opinion on the

US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey Berman announces charges against Jeffrey Epstein on 8 July 2019 in New York City.

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presence of foul play in his death has remained largely unswayed; nearly everyone with an opinion on the matter still believes that Epstein didn’t kill himself.

New developments coming every day, such as the announcement late last year

by England’s Prince Andrew, a known associate of Epstein, that he is withdrawing from his public royal duties in the wake of the uproar, keep conspiracy theorists’ torches burning.

A RENEWED EYE ON RICH PAEDOPHILES High-profile paedophiles have not, of course, been confined to the circles of opulent high society. Anyone with a passing interest in global news will know of the Catholic Church, its priests, and their infamy for decades of hidden sexual abuse of young children.

Cases of sexual abuse in the church only became prominent from the 1990s onwards, receiving significant media attention from news organisations and through television documentaries, particularly in areas with a high population of Catholics, such as the United States, Australia and Ireland. State investigations in Ireland, for example, uncovered decades of abuse, documenting “tens of thousands of children from the 1940s to the 1990s” who suffered abuse in at least three dioceses.

These children suffered quietly for decades, carrying trauma well into adulthood, and even when their abusers were accused, many of these cases still took years to end in any meaningful action. Seen side-by-side with the attention received by people such as Prince Andrew in recent months, one wonders how these people got away with their crimes as long as they did.

Rhetorically, anyway. The common point here is the power these people had to hide their crimes, whether it was by virtue of a twisted support system that enabled them, such as seen in the Catholic Church, or the ability to throw money at their problems until they went away, the modus operandi of people like Epstein and Prince Andrew.

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CRIME as they have largely bought or connived their way out of trouble with the authorities. Epstein was no exception, tackling every suit that came his way prior to his final arrest with hefty outof-court settlements, also benefiting from the help of several powerful associates. It would not be much of a stretch to say that his arrest set off alarm bells among peers who panicked and needed him silenced.

Epstein first made his name as a sex offender in 2008 when he pleaded guilty to one of two state prostitution charges and was sentenced to 18 months in prison, 13 of which he served. This was part of a non-prosecution deal with federal prosecutors in Miami, which placed the guilty plea to the state charge in lieu of federal charges. This plea deal came under renewed scrutiny after Miami Herald investigative reporter Julie K. Brown published a series on Epstein, his victims, and the powerful people who advocated for him to receive a more lenient sentence over a decade ago. And yet, this did not deter Prince Andrew from visiting the convicted sex offender in New York for four days.

His arrest in July last year was the culmination of several years’ worth of suits from various women that he and his associate, socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, had perpetrated and facilitated the sexual assault of countless women,

many of them underage. He was arrested aboard his private jet upon returning from Paris; the same day, federal agents raided his mansion in New York City and seized a trove of lewd photographs of young-looking women or girls. Epstein was later charged with one count of sex trafficking of minors and one count of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of minors.

The indictment said that between 2002 and 2005, he ran a trafficking enterprise that saw hundreds of dollars paid in cash to girls as young as 14 to have sex with him at his Upper East Side home and his estate in Palm Beach, Florida. He worked with employees and associates to lure the girls to his residences and paid some of his victims to recruit other girls for abuse.

“In this way, Epstein created a vast network of underage victims for him to sexually exploit, often on a daily basis,” said Manhattan US Attorney Geoffrey Berman.

Many prominent people have allegedly benefited from this vast network. A court document filed in 2014 said that his “sexual abuse ring” lent underage girls to “prominent American politicians, powerful business executives, foreign presidents, a well-known prime minister, and other world leaders”. In 2015, 31-year-old American Virginia Roberts (now Giuffre) alleged that Epstein and

Actor and director Woody Allen tells press that he was falsely accused of molesting his two youngest adopted children in a scheme by his ex-lover, actress Mia Farrow, to retain custody.

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Maxwell had held her as a sex slave since she was 17, trafficking her to people that included Prince Andrew and retired Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz.

Prince Andrew, naturally, denied ever having sexual relations with her, but his recent withdrawal from his public royal duties do nothing to dispel the notion that he has “benefited” from his association with Epstein.

Unfortunately, child marriage and the implicit sexualisation of minors is still fairly entrenched in Asian culture.

FEELIN’ THE FULL HEAT It has only been in the past decade that rich paedophiles are finally feeling the full heat for their actions, now brought further to the forefront with the arrest and death of Epstein, given his role as a facilitator for the depraved rich and powerful. Until now, prominent people such as Roman Polanski and Woody Allen had largely gotten away scot-free over the years. Polanski escaped justice for raping a 13-year-old girl in 1977 by fleeing to France; Woody Allen used his considerable position in Hollywood to divert attention from his sexual abuse of his stepdaughter Dylan Farrow in 1992.

Celebrities haven’t been the only ones apparently immune to consequences. Many sexual deviants and perverts across the social landscape have escaped concrete consequences for their actions. We should be very familiar by now with stories of boys and men having their crimes excused by reason of their “bright future” in sport, education or career, or just being rich enough to wriggle their way out of trouble; AmerJANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

Harvey Weinstein arrives to court for arraignment over a new indictment for sexual assault on 26 August 2019 in New York City.

ican athletes in basketball and football come to mind, among others.

Malaysians were particularly outraged by the case of Nur Fitri Azmeer Nordin, the 27-year-old student who was jailed in the United Kingdom for possessing 30,000 child pornography videos and images, but came back to Malaysia after serving his sentence, to be welcomed

by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) which said he deserved a “second chance” to further his studies without the scrutiny Malaysians argue he deserves.

Of course, if you’re not rich or smart, then you go the way of Richard Huckle, the Brit who was arrested for 71 counts of serious sexual assault while posing as a teacher in Malaysia – and was later stabbed to death in prison in October last year while serving 22 life sentences for his offences. In other words, stabbings and/or unwanted prison attention are very much on the cards for you unless your perversion happens to be backed by privilege, wealth or brains. For the most part, anyway.

Privilege notwithstanding, we can probably find a measure of comfort in how retribution and justice for silenced victims have become a very real possibility in the wake of the #MeToo movement. We seem to have reached a tipping point in our social history where even a mere association with known offenders will result in public scrutiny and real JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

consequences. The public downfall of powerful men like Harvey Weinstein and Bill Cosby have set a precedent for concrete action; the attention garnered by Epstein’s death will (hopefully) keep the world’s eyes trained uncomfortably on deviants everywhere.

PAEDOPHILIA’S CULTURAL ROOTS One should keep in mind that until the last decade or so, it was fairly normal for older men to date or marry young girls, at least until the Internet facilitated discussion of it and its censure, especially on social media. Ironically, even as the Internet has facilitated the increasing public backlash against paedophiles, it has also enabled their rise. The dark web is a common platform for trading sexual content involving minors, and social media websites have had to erect safeguards against the sharing and sexual commodifying of children in recent years. It was through dark web platforms that people such as Huckle and Nur Fitri shared and obtained the massive amounts of pornographic material they had amassed; it is on these same platforms that darker crimes, such as child trafficking, happen.

Unfortunately, child marriage and the implicit sexualisation of minors is still fairly entrenched in Asian culture.

A study prepared in 2018 for Unicef not-

ed that despite strong public opposition to the practice in Malaysia, existing evidence indicates that child marriage is still practised, with what little available data showing some 15,000 girls married before the age of 15 as of October 2010.

The data showed 5,215 cases of married non-Muslim female children (16 to 18 years old) from 2005 to October 2015, and 6,584 cases of marriage among Muslim children from 2011 to October 2016.

Any Malaysian, should you ask, will point you in the direction of Peninsular Malaysia’s East Coast. States like Kelantan and Terengganu are infamous for child marriages and attendant cases of sexual assault. Under Islamic law – the ruling legal model in Muslim-majority states such as these – a male has to be 18 years of age and a female has to be 16 in order to be legally married, but a syariah court judge can give permission for either gender who has yet to reach this age to marry, depending on circumstances.

Kelantan syariah courts approved 10 underage marriages between January 2018 and January 2019; on average, at least one underage marriage took place almost every month in the state. In theory, marriages such as these are supposed to only have the best interests, usually economic, of the young wife at heart. Activists argue, however, that they really only empower elderly perverts to sexually abuse children. The numerous cases of rape and sexual assault of minors that come from these states make it hard to refute this argument.

The psychology behind crimes such as those perpetrated by Huckle, Nur Fitri, and on a larger scale, Epstein and company is one seen in such cultural practices. Children and minors are not viewed as people with actual, individual agency; they are viewed as commodities to be bartered and used. Repulsive mechanisms of power are at play in such relationships, displaying themselves in how Epstein and Maxwell regularly coerced and threatened their victims into satisfying them and their clients sexually.

And now that crimes like these are coming to light, all we can do is to keep the ball rolling. Keep the lights trained not only on the perpetrators of these crimes, but also on the ways the world has, until today, largely turned a blind eye to them.

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O B S E R VAT O R Y

Lunar New Year Around Asia The Chinese aren’t the only ones celebrating this prosperous holiday this time of year. It is called Chunjie in China, Tet in Vietnam and Seollal in Korea. Discover how Asian communities celebrate the auspicious occasion according to their unique traditions.

by M A R L I N A A Z M I

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O B S E R VA T O R Y

Vietnam Tet Nguyen Dan or Tet is the most important and popular holiday and festival in Vietnam. It is the Vietnamese New Year marking the arrival of spring based on the Lunar calendar. As per other festive celebrations, there are a lot of customs practised during Tet like visiting a person’s house on the first day of the new year (xông nhà), ancestral worship and giving “lucky money” to children. The weeks leading up to the actual celebration are as bustling as the New Year Day itself.

PHOTOGRAPHS: AFP & GETTY IMAGES.

Naturally, the streets and markets are full of people. As the shops will be closed during Tet, everyone is busy getting their shopping done. Vietnamese homes usually have a family altar to pay respect to their ancestors. Five fruit variations called Ngũ Qu are placed on the altar. Traditionally, the three kitchen guardians for each house return to heaven on the 23rd day of the 12th month of the lunar calendar to give their yearly “assessment” on family members to the Jade Emperor. Their departure is marked by a modest ceremony where the family offers sacrifices for them to use on their journey.

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Taiwan The small hillside town of Pingxi is home to a Taiwanese tradition that has turned it into a hugely popular tourist destination over the years. Around the time of the first full moon, sky lanterns are released to the heavens carrying wishes, dreams and prayers into the night skies. Historically, the lanterns were used as signals for villagers to let their families know they were safe and sound during war or invasions. The festival has been around for over 100 years, and the New Taipei City Government has been officially hosting it since 1999.

Pingxi is the only place sky lanterns are allowed in Taiwan, as the mountains and water prevent them from flying too far away.

Folk performances, street carnivals and riddle contests set the festive atmosphere until it’s time to release the beautiful lanterns. Last year, patrons in their 20s experimented with flying environmentally-friendly lanterns made entirely of paper. Preserving cleanliness during this festival is the main priority of the locals. There’s also a recycling programme to prevent the mountainside from being littered with lanterns. Residents can exchange used lanterns at shops for items such as detergents and toilet paper. There are also hikes organised for patrons to retrieve lanterns that land on the mountains.

O B S E R VA T O R Y

South Korea Jeongwol Daeboreum is an ancient Korean festival that celebrates the first full moon after Seollal, Korea’s Lunar New Year. The festival is rooted in Korea’s agricultural history. Back then, it was traditionally celebrated to encourage good harvests, fertile fields, health and a prosperous year ahead. Jeongwol Daeboreum was briefly banned in the 1970s as part of a government fire prevention campaign.

However, it was reinstated in 1997 due to popular demand and continues to be widely celebrated all over the country, including a number of locations in Busan.

PHOTOGRAPH: AFP.

The main focus of Daeboreum is the Daljip ritual. This is a huge bonfire made of straw or twigs. In Busan, the bonfires are built on beaches, as far away from buildings as possible. To replicate a “house” for the rising moon to enter, the Daljip is piled in a triangular shape. As the moon rises, the Daljip is set alight to ward off evil spirits and bring luck for the coming year. As it burns, Koreans stamp on the ground in a ritual called Jisin-balgi, which is performed to comfort the god of the earth and encourage fertile harvests. Another tradition that creates the prettiest night pictures is Jwibulnori. On the night before the festival children will fill cans with charcoal to be lit on fire. Kids will swing these cans around in circles for fun and to promote crop growth.

Malaysia Pai Thnee Kong is one of Penang’s most significant cultural events for ethnic Chinese to celebrate the birthday of the Jade Emperor (Thnee Kong) which falls on the ninth day of the Chinese Lunar New Year. Known as Thnee Kong Sei in Hokkien, it is essentially a Taoist celebration, but up north, where most Chinese are predominantly Hokkien, it’s steeped in cultural and religious beliefs.

Thousands of devotees flock to Chew Jetty in Weld Quay before midnight where a 36.5m altar is constructed to make offerings that range from roast pigs to fruits to the Jade Emperor on the eve of his birthday.

The grand celebration of Thnee Kong Sei dates back to the year 879 when a rebel tried to overthrow the Tang imperial government in China. The Hokkiens tried to escape persecution on the first day of Chinese New Year and hid in a sugarcane plantation. When they emerged nine days later, the threat was over.

The day they emerged coincided with the Jade Emperor’s birthday, and the Hokkiens believed they had been saved by him. In respect to the Jade Emperor they build altars in their houses with special tables used only on this night and arrangements of mee koo (adorable tortoise pau) ang koo (bean paste cake), pineapples and much more. Most important are the sugarcane stalks strapped to either side of the castle built at the end of the table for the Jade Emperor.

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THE OVERVIEW

February is the month for love, the romantic epicentre of the year for celebrating your feelings for your significant other. As cultures vary, so do the ways they express their love; not everyone adheres to the traditional romantic criteria set out by the commercial companies cashing in on this special day.

by Z O E I B R A H I M

DENMARK On this romantic day, the Danes do a number of things. Instead of the traditional flower of love, the red rose, they give out beautiful little white flowers called snowdrops, to friends, family and lovers. Along with these flowers, some might send out Gaekkebrev or joke letters, to their crushes. The name of the secret admirer is signed off in dots for the recipient to guess. If they manage to guess who the sender is, then they get an egg on Easter; if not, then the sender (whose identity is made clear) receives an egg from them.

ITALY Although the Italians celebrate their love all year round, they do have traditions for this one day. An older Valentine’s tradition was for unmarried women to wake up before dawn on the day. They say the early bird catches the worm and the worm in this situation is the man who would be their future husband. It was the belief that the first man she saw on the day would be the man that she should aim to marry within the year. It’s like fishing blind; you never know what you’re gonna get.

FRANCE Back in the day, there was something called the loterie d’amour or “love lottery”. Singles on the day would gather into two different houses and the men would shout out the name of the woman they’d like to pick. A rather ineffective method of matchmaking as the men were allowed to reject the woman if she came out and did not meet his expectations.

In retaliation to this, the spurned women would create a bonfire where they would hurl insults and incinerate images of the men. It’s no surprise that the French government banned this tradition.

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WALES In contrast to the chocolate and rose-filled events of other countries in celebration of love, the Celts hand out spoons. Not just any spoons though; these special creations of adoration are lovingly carved by men to be gifted to their lovers.

Though the earliest lovespoon found in Wales dated back to the 1600s, the tradition likely dates back further than that. The spoons are now crafted for weddings or occasions and given widely as gifts to couples or partners.

The designs range from simple heart carvings to elaborate works of art with vines, anchors and even whole fish for some spoons.

JAPAN The Japanese take their Valentine’s Day seriously; there’s no skimping on this holiday. It’s the women who give presents in this country, be it chocolates, cookies or other functional items. There are three different types of gifts that women need to prepare for the day – Honmei Choco, Giri Choco and Tomo Choco, which are love chocolates, obligation chocolates and friend chocolates, respectively.

On 14 March, which is White Day, men are expected to return the gift of chocolate from that woman, except that his gift should be worth three times more than hers.

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SOUTH KOREA

CHINA The Chinese celebrate Qixi Festival, meaning “Evening of Sevens”, a day observed on the 7th of the 7th month in the Chinese Lunar Calendar. This festival honours the ancient tale of star-crossed lovers Niulang (a cowherd) and Zhinu (a weaver girl) who were restricted from being with each other by the Goddess of Heaven, Zhinu’s mother.

Women would go to the shrine on this day to pray for skills in weaving and at night sit with their needlework and gaze at the star, Vega. In this day and age, most couples just have a nice dinner.

This country has too much love to give out so instead of having just one day to honour it, they have 12 days in the year.

These days are celebrated on the 14th of every month and a different kind of love or appreciation is observed for each day. One day that does stand out from the others is Black Day on 14 April.

It’s a day for all the single ladies and gents that don’t get to join in on the red love of Valentine’s or White Day to enjoy some jjajangmyeon (black sauce noodles) or other black-coloured foods to wallow in their single status.

PHILIPPINES It’s all about that special wedding day and that special day is Valentine’s, especially in the Philippines. Mass weddings are commonplace here, but on Valentine’s Day, couples gather to tie the knot and exchange vows in the hundreds. The government knows that many can’t afford to celebrate the day like everyone wants to and thus sponsors the wedding cakes, rings, flowers and even banquets for this day. All the bride and groom have to do is turn up in their finest outfits.

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T R AV E L

Delightful New Orleans, home to Creole cooking, jazz, historical mansions and of course, Mardi Gras.

NoLa is undergoing a cultural transformation. Mix in the hip designer shops, buzzing cafes as well as the avant-garde art scene, and the city is distinctly living in the Now!

by Z A H A R A S H A H R I M A N

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T R AV E L

ew Orleans is an ethereal dream of a city, with a past as meandering and convoluted as the Mississippi River that flows next to it.

As soon as you arrive in this sultry city, steeped in history with its French, Spanish, African and American ancestry, a tantalising mixture of vibrant energy and seductive mysticism hits you.

Maybe it’s the intoxicating sounds of jazz slowly drifting its way past famed venues. Or the soul-soothing rich, spicy cuisine, or the sweet, fragrant air of honeysuckle clinging to its ornate buildings. Or even yet, possibly its voodoo magic at work. New Orleans is unlike any other city in the United States – which is why I can’t get enough of the Crescent City and have made two long, tortuous journeys here from Kuala Lumpur in four years.

Like most tourists visiting New Orleans for the first time, I stayed in the city’s architectural and historic centre, the French Quarter. While parts of this neighbourhood such as Bourbon Street is packed with rowdy crowds, tacky souvenir shops and neon lights, there are more than enough reasons to base myself in this lively area. One of them is my hotel, the beautifully elegant and utterly charming Soniat House, which is located in one of the quietest and prettiest streets in the neighbourhood.

It was love at first sight the moment I set eyes on its intricate wrought iron balconies, starched-uniformed staff and ornate four-poster beds.

On that first trip, I hit all of the Quarter’s must-do sights. I had breakfast at Café du Monde on Jackson Square with a cup of café au lait and a plateful of beignets, gawped at the pristine St. Louis Cathedral, walked along the riverfront and peeked into intimate courtyards, galleries and antique shops on the Chartres and Royal streets. I bought trinkets at the French Market and gave spare change to the street performers I stumbled upon at every street corner. I made sure to tour one of the house museums, such as the Spanish colonial-style Cabildo or Hermann-Grima House. I even paid my respects to voodoo queen Marie Laveau at her House of Voodoo, on one fun but total rip-off afternoon.

For lunch I patiently queued for a po’ boy sandwich at Johnny’s Po-Boy, a spicy gumbo at Coop’s Place and a sticky pecan pie at K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen with all the other tourists clutching our Yelp recommendations. Later in the evening, I made my way through the narrow streets to art gallery turned music venue, Preservation Hall, to listen to some evocative jazz music, and to the Palm Court Jazz Cafe for something more classic.

A tram ride away from this bustling neighbourhood, I spent hours at the New Orleans Museum of Art with its 40,000-piece-strong permanent collection, including works

by Picasso, Sargent and Magritte as well as its world-class sculpture garden. I enjoyed a quiet stroll at Lafayette Cemetery, one of dozens of hauntingly beautiful graveyards – or cities of the dead as they’re often referred to – scattered throughout the city. I craned my neck to have a better look at the elegant mansions draped by shady magnolias and leafy palms straight out of an Anne Rice novel in the Garden District and made reservations at the iconic Commander’s Palace for a simmering bowlful of turtle soup and pecan-crusted gulf fish.

AS MUCH AS I love that first trip to New Orleans, I realised that this city has so much more to offer than its renowned museums, cobblestone squares and historic architecture. As I criss-crossed the city by foot (at least 15,000 steps daily) and creaking street cars, I noticed off-beat neighbourhoods, cool little cafes, cute vintage stores and chic boutique hotels that I was itching to explore but simply didn’t have the time for. I vowed that the next time I visit New Orleans, I would be less of a tourist and more of a traveller.

This year I finally had my second chance to discover this alluring city after a planned holiday to Mexico fell through. The first decision I made was to stay at the more residential Marigny neighbourhood at the edge of the French Quarter. I had passed through this funky, bohemian area with its kaleidoscope of colourful Creole cottages, cute cafes and eclectic shops on my last trip and thought “this would be a great place to mingle with local residents” who I imagined to be a mixture of web designers, musicians, writers and artists. I especially love that it’s an easy 15-minute walk to all the insanity of the French Quarter, yet a quick escape when it gets too much.

I totally recommend the chic Hotel Peter and Paul, a former 19th-century Catholic church, school house, convent, and rectory that has been repurposed into a gorgeous ecclesiastical boutique hotel. Service is all smiles and southern charm, and if there is another reason to book, it’s that the hotel is home to an ice cream parlour, Sundae Best, as well as The Elysian Bar, which serves French-meets-Southern dishes such as chicken liver toast with stone fruit mostarda and confit chicken leg. Just a lazy stroll from the hotel is Marigny Brasserie, which serves delicious Creole comfort food, from crawfish fritters with aioli to crawfish cakes and the 24/7 dive bar Buffa’s which serves rib sticking food like chicken wings and home-made tamales.

As soon as you arrive in this sultry city, a tantalising mixture of vibrant energy and seductive mysticism hits you.

1 Street musicians are all over the French Quarter’s streets. 2 A decorative balcony is adorned with flowers and good cheer in New Orleans.

3 The Lafayette Cemetery No 1, founded in 1833. 4 Pubs and bars with neon lights in the French Quarter.

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T R AV E L As luck would have it, Marigny has its own, less rowdy Bourbon Street in the form of Frenchman Street, which attracts a mix of locals and travellers to its intimate music venues and restaurants. Frenchman’s heavyweights include the top class Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro, a one-stop space for good food, drinks and jazz, and the divinely weathered Spotted Cat Music Club, rightly described as the quintessential live jazz music venue.

One morning, I decided to walk all the way to neighbouring Bywater, the city’s gritty, hipster neighbourhood which is gentrifying at breakneck speed. Apart from the trendy restaurants and cafés that have opened there – such as the organic Satsuma Cafe, whose terrace is the perfect spot to stay caffeinated, and The Joint, which serves the best brisket and peanut butter pie in town – the best part of this neighbourhood is the St. Claude Arts District with its art galleries, cooperatives and alternative art spaces. There’s also Crescent Park, a recently developed green space that stretches out alongside the banks of the Mississippi River.

I also finally had the chance to explore the full length of Magazine Street, passing through the uptown neighbourhoods of Central Business District, Warehouse Arts District (check out the Contemporary Arts Center) ending at the Garden District. This street, which follows the curving course of the Mississippi River, is made up of clusters of shops, interspersed with charming homes and a mix of renovated warehouses, cafes and restaurants. Practically every shop is one-of-a-kind, but I especially like Leontine Linens for hand embroidered duvets, sheeting, towels and table linens, Marion Cage for delicate rings and necklaces, Century Girl Vintage for beautiful vintage dresses and Aidan Gill for men’s shaving and grooming accessories.

Whenever my energy flagged between shopping and sightseeing (the street is nearly 10km long!), I would simply make a detour into one of the nearby restaurants or cafes and watch the city go by. Stand-outs include the quaint La Petite Grocery for the New Orleans version of a lobster roll made out of gulf shrimp, Turkey and Wolf for delicious sandwiches served on vintage McDonald’s commemorative plates and District Donuts Sliders Brew for doughnuts which taste as yummy as they look.

On my very last evening in New Orleans, I decided to let loose at the eclectic and extremely instagrammable Jack Rose Restaurant at the Pontchartrain Hotel where I snacked on small plates under the watchful eye of New Orleans-born Lil Wayne’s portrait. There I contemplated how the city, as has happened so many times during its history, is in the midst of a cultural transformation. Everywhere I go I find the latest

things to see, the most exciting restaurants to try, the dreamiest streets to explore, the quirkiest characters to chat with and the funnest things to do.

CREATIVITY LURKS around every corner and its eccentric charm hangs in the air like a warm breeze. However, for me there are a few things that I will always appreciate no matter how many times this city renews itself: I can’t get enough of Southern charm. It is the most delightful thing to experience.

Everyone is so incredibly polite, lovely and helpful; nothing can beat the taste of a crunchy, batter fried oyster po’ boy, although I can happily give jambalaya a miss. The musical scene in the city isn’t a gimmick; it’s totally authentic and a pure joy to be around. And lastly, the wrap-around porches which remind me of breezy days relaxing on swings. They will always make me fizz with joy.

DON’T MISS THIS

There’s a wealth of scenic and cultural interest to be found outside of New Orleans, so make time for a couple of day trips. You won’t regret it.

Travelling an hour outside the city, appreciate the incredible and often harrowing history of America’s “Deep South” by taking a tour of one or more of Louisiana’s plantations. One of the most beautiful is Oak Alley Plantation with its alley of stately 300-year-old oak trees and expansive lawn. However, as I was guided through this beautiful antebellum mansion and its stunning grounds, I found that l learned much about the privileged lives of its white French Creole owners and too little about the brutal reality of slavery. A missed opportunity, I think.

Less grand but infinitely more inspiring is the Whitney Plantation, the only plantation museum devoted to slavery in Southern United States. Explore the original slave cabins, Baptist church, 1790 owner’s mansion, memorial and grounds of this plantation to honour the over 100,000 people held in slavery in Louisiana. I was given another perspective of plantation living at Laura Plantation, which gives an interesting insight of a traditional Creole plantation run by four generations of Creole women.

Take a surprisingly fun and spiritually uplifting swamp tour of the Louisiana Bayou, a 45-minute drive from New Orleans and get a glimpse of alligators and other wildlife including boars, bald eagles, herons and turtles as well as some spectacular scenery. I recommend taking a swamp boat for a more serene experience compared to an airboat which is smaller and faster but incredibly noisy and distracting. Beware – I also saw more alligators in the warmer months!

I had breakfast at Café du Monde on Jackson Square with a cup of café au lait and a plateful of beignets.

1 Oak Alley Plantation House in Louisiana. 2 A beautiful white antebellum house with a porch in the historic Garden District.

3 Beautiful and mysterious cypress swamp. 4 Close-up of a slave hut at the Oak Alley Plantation.

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PHOTOGRAPH: MARCUS WONG, MV PERSPECTIVE.

ART TO ART

a ppr eci at i ng

Art curator and gallerist Jaafar Ismail lays down the real deal behind art appreciation in Malaysia.

by M A R L I N A A Z M I

as an

* The Malay word ‘ilmu’ is derived from ‘ilm’, Arabic for ‘knowledge’.

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There was this Garden Ismail Zain Acrylic on canvas 161cm x 161cm 1986

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ART TO ART

Siri Nusantara Fatimah Chik Batik Painting 96cm x 126cm 1990

Managing an art gallery isn’t as straightforward as displaying works of art for all to admire and potentially purchase.

For some, it is an avenue to invoke more interest in the arts through various methods and mediums. That includes creating a platform for budding artists to unleash their creativity.

Fergana Art founded by Jaafar Ismail is one such establishment that follows through those goals.

More than just a gallery, Fergana has been championing the art cause since 2013. A corporate figure in the 90s, Jaafar turned to his passion for art when his friend, respected photographer and educator Ismail Hashim tragically died in an accident. He resolved to set up Fergana to manage the artist’s assets and honour his legacy with a posthumous exhibition, Unpack – Repack. Organised alongside the late Ismail’s family, the exhibition ran for two months in 2014 at the Whiteaways Arcade in George Town, Penang, before making its way to the National Art Gallery the following year.

A monograph published by Fergana in conjunction with the exhibition was an unprecedented effort to preserve, document, and critically examine Ismail’s life and work. It was JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

a first of its kind in Malaysia and it was produced in hopes to inspire others and for it to be used as research material for artists and photographers. Jaafar describes himself as a “cultural agitator”. “I publish books on literature, journalism, stories about Malaysia and our artists. All these subjects are key components of the intellectual narrative of a country,” he explains.

From day one, through Fergana, Jaafar has been on a mission to encourage people to treat art as a form of knowledge, and not just a hobby or a pastime. The components he stresses on are just as important as science and technology. “The intellectual narrative has always revolved around the arts - creative arts, visual arts, literature, theatre, writing and journalism. They form part of the intellectual narrative of any country. And my role is to try and be an agitator to mix and meld them together.”

The lack of appreciation for art he says, cannot be justified with the excuse that it isn’t easily accessible or just limited to a niche and elite crowd. Malaysia’s modern art history has a lifespan of over 100 years, but the existence of art itself has been part of our daily lives since day one. “When people say UNRESERVEDMEDIA.COM

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Homage to Melevich Redza Piyadasa Acrylic on wood, incorporating actual wall surface 105cm x 77cm 1971

fine arts is for the elite, this is in reference to the additional acquired knowledge and research that is needed to understand certain aspects of art,” Jaafar says.

“It allows you to understand ideologies like symbolism,” he continues. Citing the words of the late Ismail Zain who once said, “seni harus dipersenangkan”, Jaafar stresses that arts and crafts has to be easy and accessible. The notion that art must be a very large framed painting that is hung on the wall is slowly dissipating. Anything, however small or big, has value.

“The idea of displaying something framed on the wall is actually a Western aesthetic,” Jaafar says. For Southeast Asians, art traditionally has a utilitarian value. “Like when you carve the hulu (handle) of the keris, for example. That craft has a utilitarian value, it is ornamental, and the item itself serves a purpose,” he continues. Owning a gallery is a capitalist exercise that appeals to affluent individuals who can afford extravagant art pieces. Those with lower income buy ornamental items which are still as valuable. “The reach and accessibility is pretty wide across the board, it’s just how 74

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you treat it. Do you treat art as an investable asset, or do you buy it because you like it? There is no exact rule to it.”

The fundamentals of appreciating art as a form of knowledge boils down to education. “The Indonesians are a good example of a society appreciating art as an ilmu (knowledge) that is almost equivalent to studying physics or chemistry,” says Jaafar. Indonesia’s rich cultural history, on a more elevated level than Malaysia, sees the inclusion of arts in daily life. Painting, wood carving, dance, traditional music and puppetry are very much alive in both, but Indonesia has no boundaries when it comes to its cultural practices. The Kelantan state government only recently lifted its ban on the traditional dance theatre called Mak Yong, after more than two decades. The ban in 1998 passed by the Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Control Enactment of the state assembly also prohibited other local traditional performances such as menora, wayang kulit and main puteri, which were deemed “un-Islamic”.

“Indonesians are very comfortable with having objects around their house. My friend, for instance, is a devout Muslim JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

Untitled Ismail Mustam Oil on Masonite board 70cm x 125cm 1964

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Untitled Ahmad Khalid Yusof Acrylic on canvas 88cm x 107cm Circa 80s

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ART TO ART

Snatcher Emmanuel Garibay Oil on canvas 92cm x 66cm 1995

but has a sculpture of Ganesha in his house and has no qualms about it,” Jaafar says. Indonesia has the upper hand when it comes to the development of arts. Having established the modern art scene earlier than Malaysia, even their artists’ works are valued higher internationally. “I haven’t heard of a Malaysian artwork that has been hammered at a price of more than two million ringgit and that amount is considered small,” he laments. Last year, a painting by Indonesian master Raden Saleh broke a new record as the most expensive Indonesian piece of art sold at an auction in France when it went under the hammer for US$8.2 million.

“The challenge for the countries in this region is to actually value seni as an ilmu, and not purely utilitarian. So it’s very interesting to see Indonesia’s new education minister Nadiem Makarim stating that one of the biggest attributes of Indonesia is its love for art. And seni is going to be the big foundation for their people,” Jaafar stresses. As part of his speech Nadiem said, “Creativity and entrepreneurship are connected. Creativity and arts are the souls of business. Whatever we want to create, it must be developed at a young age.”

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All is not lost in the pursuit of championing the arts as part of seeking knowledge. Malaysia’s art scene is expanding.

Events like George Town Festival, Rainforest Music Festival and Urbanscapes are gaining traction with the masses. Consuming art in various forms can also educate and instil that appreciation. “In the 21st century, art has to be a spectacle.

Urbanscapes is doing so well because of it being a spectacle, otherwise people are not able to respond to it.”

“Millennials prefer absorbing visual content – bright lights, unique venues and a myriad of performances. Without those elements, the ‘painting’ will basically be deaf and nude,” he says. Art is a wide spectrum and different people appreciate it differently but Jaafar is passionate that it must play a more significant role to expand Malaysia’s creative economy.

in a pr il We explore the history and development of art in the region.

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FOOD AND DINING

Love Bites

by A M Y L I A H I L DA

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From the new and loved, to the ones needing some rekindling, we’ve rounded up the best restaurants in the region this Valentine’s for four types of couples.

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FOOD AND DINING

NEW BUT SHY

Cheek Bistro SINGAPORE

You may have heard of the wildly popular Michelin-starred Singaporean restaurant, Cheek by Jowl, which has since closed its doors. Known for its Australian food fare, fans of the popular establishment can now head to Cheek Bistro, its “cheekier younger sibling” opened by Chef Rishi Naleendra and his wife Manuela Toniolo, former owners of Cheek

by Jowl. Bringing a twist to the dining scene, Cheek Bistro also offers a platform for its young team of chefs to showcase their individual culinary skills, giving this place a fresh and playful vibe.

This is the perfect place for fuss-free dining, which is exactly what you should opt for if you’ve just started dating someone new. The laid-back interior and playful dishes bring a lightheartedness to the whole setup; the atmosphere is nothing too over the top, but offers just the right amount of luxe to show that you really like your dinner date. If you’re still getting to know your date, hearty dishes liked smoked organic duck breast, lamb ribs, burrata and T-Bone steak will suit all kinds of palates. For dessert, the cheese plate, which comes with fruit chutney, raisin jam and bits of cranberry and green apple will end the night on a perfect note.

Cheek Bistro 21 Boon Tat St Singapore 069620 Tel: +65 6221 1911 FOOD: SERVICE: AMBIANCE: TOILETS: 80

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R E K I N D L E T H AT F L A M E

Fook

KUALA LUMPUR

Although the name might bring something else to mind, Fook is the Chinese word for prosperity. If you’re looking to rekindle the flame between you and your partner, consider taking him or her to this seductive and very suggestive restaurant hidden away on a hilltop in Bukit Bintang; it’s a real treat for the senses. Previously, the menu was divided into sections such as “Fook Me”, “Fook You” and a side dish section called “Side Fook”. It offered a variety of innovative dishes inspired by East Asian culinary traditions. You can expect dishes such as steamed crab dumplings with spicy Thai sauce, and mains such as cod steamed in ginger and soy sauce, and wagyu pho with buckwheat noodles.

They have now adopted a more sustainable approach by revamping their menu to offer the freshest ingredients featuring local seasonal items, working closely with local organic farms in a bid to reduce food wastage. Rest assured, that the restaurant still lives up to its well-known tantalising offerings.

Add more spice to your night with farm-to-glass cocktails or Fook’s wide variety of organic wines, Asian spirits and a unique bespoke selection of liquors that will indeed give a truly sweet ending to your Valentine’s Day. Fook 19, Jalan Sultan Ismail Bukit Bintang 50250 Kuala Lumpur Tel: +603 2148 3700 FOOD: SERVICE: AMBIANCE: TOILETS:

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FOOD AND DINING R E K I N D L E T H AT F L A M E

Paste

THAILAND

Arguably, the glue that binds couples together is good food and what better way to strengthen the bond between you and your partner than with an indulgent meal at one of Bangkok’s most revered Michelin-starred restaurants, Paste. Located right in the middle of the bustling Ratchaprasong district, the restaurant offers authentic Thai cuisine that stays true to the country’s rich culinary heritage.

Chef and owner Bongkoch “Bee” Satongun and her husband Jason Bailey uncover classic Thai recipes. For those who need to spice up their love life, the tasting menu for two comes with dishes such as roasted duck, chive root salad with live lobster, lon gapi with grilled prawns and pomelo salad with chargrilled scarlet prawns. It’s truly an experience that both of you will savour and remember for a long time. The tantalising flavours will distract partners from arguing or getting bored with each other for at least the duration of the meal.

Paste 999 Phloen Chit Rd,Lumphini Pathum Wan District Bangkok 10330, Thailand Tel: +66 2 656 1003 FOOD: SERVICE: AMBIANCE: TOILETS:

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TO P R O P O S E

Corner House SINGAPORE

Named after British botanist Eldred John Henry Corner, the man who helped establish the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve in the 1930s, this fine dining establishment is steeped in history. Set in Corner’s former colonial home, the setting offers luscious views of greenery and makes the perfect spot for wedding proposals. We recommend booking a seat at the Whispering Corner where you can dine beneath a glazed verandah, an intimate spot that is romantically lit in the evenings.

Corner House’s cuisine is mainly European with an emphasis on botanical elements. Helmed by Chef Jason Tan who is inspired by French classic culinary methods, the oignon doux des Cévennes, showcasing the sweet and tender Cévenne onion, can be savoured in four signature dishes. Imagine how sumptuous the onion tart or onion confit made with thin hand-sliced onions slow cooked in butter for six hours and placed on crispy filo pastry topped with parmesan cheese, will taste in your mouth.

If proposal anxieties are rushing through your mind, the Corner House Experience Menu will get you sorted. It kicks off with an amuse bouche and comes with dishes like Gillardeau oyster and Maine lobster to ensure you’ll have a memorable meal to go along with your plan.

Corner House 1 Cluny Rd EJH Corner House Singapore Botanic Gardens Singapore 259569 Tel: +65 6469 1000 FOOD: SERVICE: AMBIANCE: TOILETS: JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

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TO P R O P O S E

Kayaputi ST REGIS BALI

Set the scene for the dream proposal by booking a table at the Kayaputi Restaurant located in the luxurious St Regis Bali where one can bask in the beautiful Indian Ocean views before finding the right moment to pop the question. The restaurant is inspired by “Nyegara Gunung”, a Balinese saying that means “from the mountains, to the beach”. This saying can be experienced through its PanAsian inspired cuisine in which some of the freshest locally sourced ingredients from the sea and the surrounding area are used to create the dishes.

The restaurant also offers an award-winning wine list to complement your meal. The stunning interior designs based on traditional Indonesian themes with all-white interior and wood furnishings are also a crowd puller. If you want privacy, book a table at the exclusive cabana where you can propose amid the romantic enclosure of your own personal dining area. Kayaputi is also famously known for its brunch menu and the Astor Diamond Champagne Brunch menu is its main highlight. It is an “all you can eat” a la carte concept that comes with fresh catch of the day and includes indulgent luxuries such as caviar and even a prime meat selection, especially seafood.

Kayaputi St Regis Bali Kawasan Pariwisata Nusa Dua, Lot S6 Bali 80363, Indonesia Tel: +62 361 3006786 FOOD: SERVICE: AMBIANCE: TOILETS: 84

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ON THE VERGE OF A BREAKUP

Dining in the Dark KUALA LUMPUR

If your relationship has come to the point where you can’t stand the sight of your partner, but still want to give it another go, then book a table at Dining in the Dark. The one-of-a-kind restaurant offers a “completely new sensory experience” as described on its website.

Located in the lively hub of Changkat Bukit Bintang, this restaurant wants you to savour your meal in a heightened experience. The menu changes seasonally but mainly serves European dishes with Oriental influences. You can expect to find dishes such as tempura battered avocado, shrimp on guacamole drizzled with cheese sauce and smoked lamb with glass noodle salad, and tantalising desserts such as deep fried nien ko with coconut sauce and fresh grated coconut in the menu. It’s been touted as the most romantic restaurants in Kuala Lumpur, and you never know, dining in absolute darkness might just offer a new perspective on your relationship.

Dining in the Dark 50A, Changkat Bukit Bintang Bukit Bintang 50200 Kuala Lumpur Tel: +603 2110 0431 FOOD: SERVICE: AMBIANCE: CAN’T REALLY TELL TOILETS:

Romantic restaurants aside, what could be more romantic than cooking together at home? These cookbooks are a must-have in your pantry. The one dish that we do recommend that will heat things up at the dinner table is by getting your hands dirty with a sumptuous plate of sticky ribs.

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THE PIAZZA Start the new year with these latest must-have goods from our vibrant marketplace.

MASERATI GRANTURISMO ZÈDA Maserati celebrated the end of the petrol-powered GranTurismo’s 12-year production run by building a one-off model called Zèda. The unique model designed by Centro Stile Maserati signifies the dawn of a new era through a new colour scheme. The end of production of the Maserati GranTurismo and GranCabrio marks the beginning of a new era for the Modena plant. The special one-off show car also signals the redevelopment of the Modena plant. It will be undergoing a total renovation that will see the facility devoted to the construction of the new super sports model, scheduled to be revealed to the world in 2020.

TIMBERLAND X MASTERMIND JAPAN CAPSULE COLLECTION Continuing where they left off in the last season, Timberland once again collaborates with pioneering Japanese streetwear brand, mastermind JAPAN, for a joint collection. This partnership has churned out another successful range of items that blend mastermind JAPAN’s signature dark aesthetic with Timberland’s vintage-inspired outdoor design. The collection features a series of retro outdoor items, such as the rare weather breaker jacket and waterproof bottoms that have been revived from the Timberland Archive. These items have been updated with a highcontrast black and white palette, reflective logo and metallic details. New additions include embroidered mastermind JAPAN branding, as well as reflective detailing throughout.

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PUMA X BALMAIN Iconic brands Puma and Balmain collaborate to debut their first collection created with famed English actress Cara Delevingne.

This collaboration features two limited-edition capsule collections, both designed by Balmain’s Creative Director Olivier Rousteing and his good friend and muse, Delevingne. They have worked on several projects together, with the actress fronting campaigns, closing runways, starring in videos and collaborating on the design of special-editions for the luxury brand. This new collection is at the crossroads of sport and fashion, with pieces inspired by traditional boxing gear and infused with Parisian couture.

GIVENCHY MINI-MYSTIC HANDBAGS Givenchy welcomes the new year with a scaled-down version of its iconic Mystic bag. The latest version retains a light, elegant shape and is versatile enough to complement outfits for both day and night. The quintessential Givenchy craftsmanship is easily recognisable in its hand-stitched details, hand-painted edges, and a stylized double-G clasp in a new, silky gold finish.

We love this beauty for its removable strap that allows the MiniMystic to be worn over the shoulder or crossbody, aside from being carried by hand or in the crook of the elbow.

AMOUAGE LOVE MIMOSA Amouage Love Mimosa is a homage to female empowerment.

Inspired by all the women who paved the way for future generations, Christopher Chong chose to work with a female perfumer to develop a scent that is brave and bold. It mimics the aroma of the mimosa hills of Tanneron in southeastern France. The fragrance opens with an aquatic tone accented by violet leaves and cascalone. Hints of pear add a juicy sweetness with a subtle fruity aroma that is light. Amouage’s signature glass bottles are introduced in a citrus yellow finish adorned with a yellow Swarovski crystal.

GLENFIDDICH’S LIMITED EDITION FESTIVE PACKS Celebrate Chinese New Year with Glenfiddich’s core range of single malts in limited-edition festive packs created by Shenzhen-based artist Rion Wang. His illustration is showcased across the 12-Year-Old, 15-Year-Old and 18-Year-Old editions where he explores the mystique of the distiller’s royal stag icon.

The brand’s icon appears on every bottle of Glenfiddich and this is the first time this majestic animal has been showcased so vividly. Wang was a student of traditional Chinese painting and his distinctly contemporary style makes him the best to tell the Glenfiddich story. These limited edition festive packs are available at selected grocery stores, supermarkets and duty-free outlets.

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They say time solves everything. We agree, especially if telling time looks this good.

HUBLOT’S FERRARI-THEMED POP-UP STORE IN PENANG People up north in Malaysia will get a taste of what Swiss luxury watchmaker Hublot has to offer with the opening of their first Ferrari-themed pop-up store in Gurney Plaza, Penang.

The high-end kiosk is designed to give guests a taste of their Art of Fusion concept that combines luxury, modernity, innovation and tradition. It highlights the brand’s long-term collaboration with Ferrari, whereby the two have been fusing fine watchmaking and automotive expertise by crafting fine timepieces marked by innovation, excellence and performance since 2011. The partnership has churned out over 50 collaborated pieces and watch enthusiasts can find out more about this unique collaboration at the pop-up store.

BELL & ROSS BR 01 LAUGHING SKULL This limited edition model by Bell & Ross will definitely get you loads of compliments. The elegant yet robust 46mm-diameter watch is defined by its stunning micro-blasted steel with a Clou de Paris design and a skeleton dial. The unique ivory alligator leather strap adds a playful touch and will liven up any old suit. You can even use this stunning creation as a party piece by mechanically winding up the watch to make the skull laugh. Best be quick to snatch up this beauty, as there are only a limited 99 pieces available.

CHOPARD L.U.C XP URUSHI YEAR OF THE RAT Usher in the Year of the Rat by wearing this charming creation on your wrist as a tribute to the new Chinese zodiac year. Adorned with eye-catching rose gold and powered by an ultra-thin movement, this masterpiece was crafted in the Chopard Manufacture workshops and is entirely handcrafted. The watch’s most distinguishing feature is the lacquer finish, made using the traditional Japanese lacquer method of Urushi, whereby lacquer and gold dust are combined to create a one-of-a-kind glittery finish. Another interesting feature is the hidden symbolism behind the design – the ear of corn under the golden rat symbolises abundance. Meanwhile, the pickled persimmon represents longevity and the three blue, gold and green flowers represent luck for the year ahead.

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GLASHÜTTE ORIGINAL PANOMATICLUNAR ROSE OPALINE The new limited edition Glashütte Original PanoMaticLunar comes in a one-of-a-kind velvety rose opaline, made as a result of a unique galvanisation technique that involves placing the dial for a specific duration in a galvanic bath under a constant electrical charge to get this stunning hue, a process done at the watchmaker’s in-house dial factory in Pforzheim, Germany. Limited to only 50 pieces, this timepiece features a calibre 90-02 automatic movement that can be gazed at through its sapphire glass back case. It also features an elegant moon phase display and striking sword-shaped hands with set blue accents that perfectly stand out against the dazzling warm rose opaline background.

PIAGET ALTIPLANO YEAR OF THE RAT Rats aren’t the most easily marketable creatures in the Chinese zodiac calendar, but the ones by Piaget are cute and sophisticated. This limited edition of only 38 pieces of the Piaget Altiplano was crafted in cloisonné “Grand Feu” enamel by artist Anita Porchet and pays homage to the Year of the Rat. Decorated with 78 brilliant-cut diamonds in a 38mm-diameter white gold case, this is a watch to wear for all seasons. The black alligator-skin strap with an ardillon buckle will match your entire wardrobe. The ultra-thin hand-wound calibre indicating hours and minutes also adds an elegant touch.

THE LONGINES EQUESTRIAN POCKET WATCH JOCKEY 1878 There’s something quirky about owning a pocket watch and no one makes them better than Longines, especially with their rich heritage in equestrian timekeeping. This exquisite model inspired by The Longines Equestrian Pocket Watch Jockey 1878 will definitely stand out in your collection. It comes in a dazzling 18-carat rose gold casing and a hand-wound movement and a column-wheel chronograph mechanism. Everything about this watch boils down to its mechanical precision such as the column-wheel chronograph that is activated via the crown, which acts as a push-piece. Meanwhile, fine features like the movement’s elegant blued steel column wheel are visible when you open the engraved cover. Clearly, this is a watch that was created to be admired.

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HAYLEY PAIGE Her ethereal wedding gowns have been donned by famous people around the world and her whimsical engagement ring collection with Hearts On Fire have decorated the fingers of many. Hayley Paige’s love for life is unmistakable in every design she creates and she can’t get enough of it – she lives and breathes romance. UNRESERVED caught a glimpse of Paige’s enchanting side as she reveals her inspiration, wedding must-have and much more.

Best honeymoon destination?

I would have to go with Hawaii. The island of Maui is just a little slice of hula heaven.

Favourite way to relax?

I’ve always used fitness and workout as a go-to method for redirecting my mindset. I also love enjoying a nice bottle of wine with my fiancé and playing with our bulldog, Winnie.

Jeans and a tee or a cocktail dress?

Ballgown.

Most memorable date?

4 May 2018 – when Conrad and I first met through a mutual friend! Funny story but that date has always been one of my personal favourites because I’m a big space nerd: “May the 4th be with you”.

The three things that describe your relationship?

Vulnerable, humour-filled and playful.

Favourite song?

Shine On You Crazy Diamond by Pink Floyd.

Are you a morning or night person?

Definitely a night owl! Hoot-hoot likes getting up early? Not me.

Favourite movie?

Sleeping Beauty, the 1959 Disney version, of course.

What would you spend the least on?

Perhaps the invitations? I believe in being sustainable where you can, so I would likely substitute fancy paper invitations for a digital message.

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What is your ideal bridal makeup look?

I love a good rose gold moment with winged eyeliner, flashy lashes, soft contouring, big blushing lips, and an unexpected splash of shimmer.

Flats or heels?

Gotta go with heels.

PHOTOGRAPH: HEARTS ON FIRE.

What would you spend the most on?

With regard to a wedding, I have to say the ring, the dress, and the cocktails for our guests.

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What inspires you?

I believe where focus goes, energy flows, so I try to focus on inspirations of joy and elation. Each engagement ring in this collection is inspired by an iconic Hayley Paige gown, so it’s all about those special nuances of design and personality.

A lover or a fighter?

Lover…forever and ever.

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Luxe Abodes Presenting a brand new section – UNRESERVED Property, your guide to the most desirable addresses in the region.

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From magnificent homes to cozy penthouses, picture yourself living in some of the most sought-after and luxurious properties on the market right now.

T H E Q U I N T E T, G I TA B AY U Designed by the highly talented Pentago Architects, The Quintet is a spectacular three-storey house with sleek architecture and landscaping that offers luxurious tropical living in the outskirts of Selangor. Located in the vast 118-acre gated and guarded homestead development in the ritzy Gita Bayu area, this resort-style home comes with access to a clubhouse that has a pool, jacuzzi, gym and two recreational lakes – perfect for the outdoorsy type.

Price: RM4.8 million

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CERUNAN TUNKU This charming two-storey detached five-bedroom house comes with impressive views of the KL city skyline and is tucked into the plush greenery of the Bukit Tunku enclave, offering cozy and functional contemporary living. Boasting a land area of 27,000 sq ft, the large landscaped garden makes a perfect playground for the kids to run around in, while the spacious terrace makes it the ideal spot for hosting family dinners. The gazebo and sparkling pool are perfect for sun seekers hoping to get their Vitamin D fix all year round.

Price upon request

21 BU K IT TU N K U Nestled in the “Beverly Hills of Malaysia�, this three-storey detached house in Bukit Tunku provides the ideal residence for those wanting to get away from the buzz of the city but not stray too far away from civilization. The highlight of this five-bedroom house is the abundance of natural light immersing the main floor where the living and dining rooms are connected to a spacious balcony. Adorned with large french doors, the balcony offers lush views of the surrounding woodland and the KL city skyline. For those who love entertaining, the lower level is perfect for a barbeque party with its immaculately landscaped garden, gazebo and saltwater pool.

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Z E P H Y R P O I N T @ DA M A N S A R A H E I G H T S Located in the affluent Damansara Heights area, Zephyr Point is a gated and guarded luxury residence that comprises of seven units, three luxury penthouse apartments and four bungalow villas. Set atop an elevated piece of land, the residences offer an impressive view of the King’s palace. The penthouse comes with over 9,000 sq ft of floor area that gives it an opulent feel. It is partly furnished with luxe fittings and appliances. Each unit has its own home office on a dedicated floor, offering a quiet area for work and study.

Price: RM13.8 million

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13 JA L A N BAY U, BA NGSA R H I LL This magnificent property set in the posh suburb of Bangsar comes with three floors, five bedrooms as well as six and a half bathrooms. Surrounded by abundant flora within a gated and guarded residential area, it makes for an ideal family home. The outdoor swimming pool and huge outdoor terrace connected to the living hall are just perfect for entertaining.

Price upon request

BAY U A NGK A SA @ BA NGSA R This 3,500 sq ft penthouse located in the affluent Bangsar neighbourhood is up for grabs – a rare opportunity on the property market. The grand four-plus-one bedroom penthouse is partially furnished with careful attention to detail to ensure an ultimately cozy environment, ready for you to move straight in. The residence is just a stone’s throw away from Bangsar Shopping Centre and Bangsar Village. It’s also well-connected to the city’s main highways, making it an ideal centralised location for bachelors and young couples.

Price: RM3 million PEKTHO LAM (REN No 22905) MOBILE +60 12 222 3364 TEL +60 3 2691 922 ext 259 EMAIL pektholam@rahim-co.com 96

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HOME BUYING 101

With vast experience in the Malaysian property market, Rahim & Co International has been guiding home buyers and investors to nab the perfect property for decades. Here are some of their tips for home buyers:

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ounded in December 1976, Rahim & Co International Sdn Bhd has grown to become one of the largest and most established real estate consultancy firms in Malaysia. With a nationwide network of 22 offices and an expanding staff of more than 400 people, the award-winning company provides a comprehensive range of services encompassing all aspects of real estate including valuation, estate agency, research and property, and facilities management. Backed by experience and a deep understanding of the property industry, the Rahim & Co team provides the highest standards in client care, servicing the needs of investors, owners and occupiers by offering clear-cut solutions via an integrated services consultancy.

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The old mantra of “location, location, location” may no longer be everything in property. The current market sentiment takes other things into consideration as well, especially the look and feel, branding, type of development, reputation of developers, and accessibility to transport and amenities.

Integrated developments and transport-oriented developments have also become popular.

Key things to look for when buying from a developer: Their reputation is first and foremost. The developer’s ability to complete and deliver quality projects should always be of importance on a purchaser’s mind.

It’s very difficult to tell apart speculative property from a solid new opportunity. As such, most people will rely on the track record of the developer to make the assessment. The type of development you are investing in is also important.

Some sectors of the market are overbuilt and facing an overhang situation, thus making them automatically speculative in nature.

Costs to consider: There are many costs involved in the purchase of a property. Most people don’t factor in the costs besides the initial down payment. Things to be mindful of would be legal fees, stamp duty, costs associated with Memorandum of Transfer, interest rates, legal fees, and stamp duty on the loan agreement.

Buying property for investment vs. personal stay: It is entirely a personal matter which has to be considered on a case-by-case basis. Property remains the best hedge against inflation. If you factor in that property is a long-term play, you’re almost assured of making capital gains. The smart investor will buy properties in a market that is consolidating and is prepared to wait for the next up-cycle. The real trick is to successfully gauge this timeline. A good property consultant can help you navigate the complex market.

The value that a good agent could bring to the table shouldn’t be underestimated.

The top five boxes you should tick when saying “yes” to a home: 1 Type of development 2 Location 3 Quality and track record of the developer 4 Access to amenities 5 Price The top five things that you should consider saying “no” to when buying a home: 1 Speculative development.

2 Poor location with little or no access to amenities and public transport.

3 Overpriced projects due to too many freebies thrown in by the developer.

4 Properties in the overbuilt sector that are facing an overhang situation.

5 Very low initial sales rate in the development as a whole.

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ENTERTAINMENT DI A RY Here in the tropics, it’s summer all year round. Sunshine has been proven to have a positive effect on your health and mood, so get out and about and add vibrancy to your life.

By

ART Singapore Art Week 2020 WHEN: 11 TO 19 JANUARY 2020 WHERE: ACROSS SINGAPORE

Art is all around, art is in the ground we walk on, the air we breathe and in Singapore, it’s in the giant five stones that can be found around the city during the week-long celebration of all things creative. Over 100 art events will take place across Singapore during the nineday festival. It’s time to open your eyes, ears and soul to immerse yourself in the innovative installations and pieces that can be found during this magical week.

Multi-sensorial exhibitions like the annual Light to Night Festival and Art After

ZOE IBRAHIM

Dark at Gillman Barracks should appeal to the night owls. For the early birds, the CBD Arts Trail and the State of Motion 2020: Rushes of Time are must-sees.

18@8 Turning Point

WHEN: UNTIL 15 JANUARY 2020 WHERE: WEI-LING CONTEMPORARY

Wei-Ling Contemporary takes you on a journey to the past. The stellar artists whose artworks are exhibited at the gallery include the likes of Anurendra Jegadeva, Cheong Kiet Cheng, Chin Kong Yee, Choy Chun Wei, Hamidi Hadi, Ivan lam, Rajinder Singh, TOPY, Wong Chee Meng and Yau Bee Ling. Find out what shaped each of them into the artist they are today through the various artworks

The Yearning Realm, acrylic on canvas (2019) by Wong Chee May.

that reflect the philosophical and physical changes that they might have undergone in their surroundings or at national level. Step into someone else’s shoes and be surprised by what you may discover. weiling-gallery.com Pre-Heaven

WHEN: 16 JANUARY 2020 ONWARDS WHERE: CHAN + HORI CONTEMPORARY, SINGAPORE

Transferring feelings, thoughts, emotions and soul onto a painting is something that we humans have been doing since the days of the Neanderthals.

Ruben Pang focuses his energy on expressing his psyche onto aluminium canvas through his oils and alkyd resin.

What is important to him is the start; he places that first stroke of paint and let the painting take him where it needs to be.

The imagery that develops from this process has definition but is also fluid. Wisps take shape in some places and blend into the background in others. A photograph does not do this artist justice, which is why Chan + Hori Contemporary is celebrating Pang’s creativity with his first solo exhibition gracing their gallery. chanhori.com

LISTEN Yevgeny Sudbin Plays Rachmaninov

WHEN: 11 AND 12 JANUARY 2020 WHERE: DEWAN FILHARMONIK PETRONAS, KLCC

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Superstar conductor Stanislav Kochanovsky will bring audiences through JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

an evening filled with some fantastic Russian classics. From Sergei Rachmaninov to Anatoly Lyadov, the concert promises to carry the sound of fantasy in each piece. Two of Lyadov’s best pieces, From The Apocalypse and The Enchanted Lake, will haunt the audience with their captivating notes. The composer won acclaim for these orchestral miniatures that earned him stature within the Russian Romantic music community.

Rachmaninov is celebrated here with his Piano Concerto No.2 which signified his coming out of that dark hole he was stuck in for years after the disastrous reception of his first symphony. Listen to Yevgeny Sudbin do justice to the piece with his skilled fingers. mpo.com.my

ON THE SMALL SCREEN Star Trek: Picard

WHEN: JANUARY 2020

He’s back to save the world, the bald man who boldly went to explore the universe and then retired. Jean-Luc Picard apparently now owns a vineyard in the middle of nowhere with a lovely little house to live out the rest of his retirement. But he should know that retirement is not something that sticks with the Captains of Starfleet.

The series picks up years after the end of Star Trek: Nemesis where Picard lost his

WARNER BROS

Get ready for a wild ride from start to finish, because this is Harley Quinn’s emancipation.

most trusted friend, Data. Distraught by this, he isolated himself and cut himself off from Starfleet; some speculate that it could be because of the Romulan evacuation mission going awry. The ever-serious Picard is joined by a new cast including battle-ready Romulan refugee Elnor played by Evan Evagora and strange girl Dahj played by Isa Briones who drags himz into a new mess.

ON THE BIG SCREEN Birds of Prey

WHEN: JANUARY 2020

On the journey towards the second Wonder Woman movie is this little beauty. Looking like a lot more fun than Suicide Squad (we’re still waiting on the second squad), this gem is a telling tale

Something for the Trekkies who didn’t click with Star Trek: Discovery.

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of explosions, Margot Robbie’s wonderful Quinn’s accent, and a whole bunch of other DC characters not previously introduced to the big screen. In what seems to be the tale of Harley Quinn going solo from under the Joker’s long reach is also a movie that introduces us to the larger DC world. Unlike Suicide Squad, there are actually some heroes here in this superhero/antihero movie.

Mary Elizabeth Winstead stars as Huntress, minus her iconic purple ensemble.

From Danny Torrance to sleazy mobster villain, Ewan McGregor plays Black Mask, the main baddie of the show.

The King’s Man

WHEN: JANUARY 2020

There’ll be no Taron Egerton in the next installation of the Kingsman series because this time it’s all about the past.

Unfortunately, there will be no Colin Firth either, but fear not, the cast for this installment is so huge you’ll need to look up the names in a Hollywood directory. Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Rhys Ifans, Matthew Goode, Tom Hollander, Harris Dickinson, Daniel Brühl, Djimon Hounsou and Charles Dance are just some of the stars to grace the screen for this exciting new adventure. This time there isn’t just one villain, there are several of the worst people in history to battle, including little ol’ Rasputin who wouldn’t die.

One man is set up against all this evil to save the day as is the way with the Kingsman.

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UNRESERVED’s veritable guide to all the binge-worthy shows and movies.

1965 TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX

Julie Andrews as the singing goddess in the mountains of our childhoods.

The Sound of Music CAST: JULIE ANDREWS, CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER, CHARMIAN CARR, NICHOLAS HAMMON, HEATHER MENZIES, DUANE CHASE, ANGELA CARTWRIGHT, DEBBIE TURNER AND KYM KARATH

Although it’s primarily a musical about kids and the family’s eventual escape from Nazi occupation, The Sound of Music is a love story as well. Julie Andrews plays babysitter to seven children and somehow manages to melt the snow in Christopher Plummer’s heart as well. What more could you ask for?

CAST: RACHEL WARD, JEFF BRIDGES, JAMES WOODS, ALEX KARRAS, JANE GREER AND RICHARD WIDMARK

fall into a spiral of crime and confusion when he falls in love with her instead. It’s against all odds that this couple would be able to survive everything that’s thrown at them.

Bridges’s appearance and age in this movie was used to create the CGI version of himself in Tron: Legacy 2010.

An ageing footballer is sent by a gangster to find his girlfriend only to

IMDB: 6.9/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 64%

yourself when projecting your hopes on a romantic conquest.

IMDB: 6.4/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 41% Against All Odds

More like a telenovela in story twists, Jeff Bridges must wade through the gangster mess to get his girl.

IMDB: 8/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 84% He’s Just Not That Into You CAST: GINNIFER GOODWIN, BEN AFFLECK, JENNIFER ANISTON, DREW BARRYMORE, JENNIFER CONNELLY, KEVIN CONNOLLY, BRADLEY COOPER, SCARLETT JOHANSSON, KRIS KRISTOFFERSON, JUSTIN LONG AND NANA KAGGA

We always make assumptions about what other people think, especially in matters of the heart. This rom-com based on the self-help book of the same title shows us exactly how these assumptions lead us awry. It’ll remind you to take a step back and check 100

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Body Heat CAST: WILLIAM HURT, KATHLEEN TURNER AND RICHARD CRENNA

It’s all about what happens behind closed doors in this movie. Matty Walker and Ned Racine begin a torrid affair behind Walker’s husband’s back that leads to murder, which is only the start to the many twists that are revealed later in the movie.

IMDB: 7.4/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 98% Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind 2004 FOCUS FEATURES

It’s not as simple as forgetting all that heartbreak, because love is deeper than that.

When Harry Met Sally CAST: BILLY CRYSTAL, MEG RYAN, CARRIE FISHER AND BRUNO KIRBY

The movie that flipped the genre on its head, instead of a typical romance where boy meets girl, they hate each other and then they fall in love. This is boy meets girl, they lose touch, repeat and then they become friends.

Eventually, you get to the good stuff, between Harry and Sally.

IMDB: 7.6/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 90%

CAST: JIM CARREY, KATE WINSLET, KIRSTEN DUNST, MARK RUFFALO AND ELIJAH WOOD

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you could just erase an ex from your mind? This is the answer to that question, but the answers may surprise you. Winslet and Carrey dance around each other through the throes of their forgotten memories.

IMDB: 8.3/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 93%

a woman’s sheets. In this fantastic comedy directed by and starring Barbra Streisand, it’s the flip side. Jeff Bridges’ Gregory swears off physical relationships only to meet Streisand’s Rose. Then things get complicated.

IMDB: 6.6/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 56% American Gigolo CAST: RICHARD GERE, LAUREN HUTTON, HECTOR ELIZONDO, NINA VAN PALLANDT AND BILL DUKE

Who doesn’t want to see Richard Gere seduce women on screen? But it isn’t just seduction that’s on the plate for Gere’s character Julian, it’s murder too. Accused of a crime he says he didn’t commit, Julian finds help in the unlikeliest of places.It’s tough when your only alibi is a married woman.

IMDB: 6.2/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 68% It’s steamy, sensual and scandalous all wrapped into one.

The Mirror Has Two Faces CAST: BARBRA STREISAND, JEFF BRIDGES, PIERCE BROSNAN, GEORGE SEGAL, MIMI ROGERS, BRENDA VACCARO AND LAUREN BACALL

In most rom-coms, men only care about one thing and that’s getting in under

2006 COLOMBIA PICTURES INDUSTRIES

The dialogue is witty, the characters are charming and the romance is well earned.

1989 COLOMBIA PICTURES

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BR AND STORIES

INDULGENCE IN THE CITY Artistic and luxurious with top class service, Raffles Jakarta has everything the refined traveller needs.

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tep foot into the lobby of Raffles Jakarta and it becomes apparent that it is all in the details, from the vibrant artwork by late Indonesian artist Hendra Gunawan displayed on the main wall, to the front of house staff who are at the ready to greet you with a smile and attend to your every need.

Located conveniently in the commercial hub of Kuningan, Raffles Jakarta is connected to Ciputra Artpreneur centre, a landmark development celebrating art and theatre. The hotel marries Indonesian elements with international influences to give guests a unique and luxurious experience. There are 173 opulent rooms and suites, some of the largest in the city. The floor-to-ceiling windows in every room frame the ever-bustling city of Jakarta, while sliding panels separate the bedroom, bathroom and lounge area, giving it the feel of a junior suite.

A notable detail of the Raffles Jakarta service is their butler service.

Your room will be prepared with a fresh fruit bowl daily; if it’s your birthday, a special slice of cake, personal note, and quick butler service via mobile with your personal requests regarded in detail and they are even a step ahead of you each time. Now that’s service!

There is undoubtedly a fine selection of restaurants and a bar within the hotel. The Writers Bar, just like the one in Raffles Singapore, is a tribute to famous novelists who have stayed at the hotel and reinterprets Indonesian art, history and literature in its interior. Gunawan’s fondness for colour and nature is reflected in the design, with a ceiling covered in showering crystals and a lavish custom-made carpet with swimming fish.

Arts Café by Raffles offers all-day dining in a space that seats up to 186 guests with an ample variety of PanAsian and European selections. Breakfast is served here with a buffet concept, open cooking stations and selected foods recommended daily by the chef and options from a curated menu.

Taking their food seriously is a first of its kind concept that has recently been unveiled called The Dining Room. Guests are able to experience new trends and

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culinary concepts with the latest culinary technology integrated in the show kitchen. There is even a walk through kitchen so you can interact with the chefs for a unique and interactive dining experience. Celebrity chefs from world-renowned restaurants who have served at The Dining Room include Chef Richie Lin of “Mume” Taipei, Chef Julien Royer from Odette Singapore, and Chef Thierry Drapeau from France.

For those who enjoy their privacy, the Raffles Club located on Level 12 is a by-access only sanctuary. Access to the club includes exclusive breakfast service, afternoon high tea, evening cocktail hour and unlimited non-alcoholic beverages throughout the day as well as compli-

mentary two-hour usage of two boardrooms. It’s ideal for those who want some private time or need to host a quiet business meeting.

No hotel is complete without a spa and the Raffles Spa is one of the most comprehensive in the city. There are six treatment rooms, swimming pools including a children’s pool and play area, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, yoga terrace, tennis courts and 300-metre jogging track through the lush garden, inspired by Gunawan, of course.

Officially opened on 16 March 2015, Raffles now has 14 hotels and resorts in Singapore, China, Cambodia, the Philippines, Seychelles, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Paris, Istanbul, Maldives and Warsaw.

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103

CURIOUS CATS

by S H E R E LY N G O H

W

here Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day are concerned – especially since this year both dates are merely three weeks apart – questions from well-meaning relatives are bound to fly, even if you’ve clarified in previous celebrations that you’re either not interested or very happily single. Heck, being unattached is so 104

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great that they’ve even turned it into a shopping celebration so one can spend all their hard-earned money purchasing things they don’t really need or to fill up one’s time.

But I digress. Relatives are so concerned about the single/attached but unmarried ones for fear that they might just die alone because they aren’t capable of fending for themselves. We al-

ways need someone by our side, or so they think. “Single? Why haven’t you found the right one yet? Are you being too picky?” Or “Why haven’t you received a marriage proposal yet? You know you’re not young anymore and the clock’s ticking if you intend to have children!” Apparently a “good” way to battle these questions is to say that you are inclined towards people of the same gender. They then tend to leave you alone. There are also a bunch of snarky but hilarious comebacks people have been sharing online (“No, I’m not. I’m waiting for you to expire” or something along those lines). But these probably don’t go without some level of shock and looks of horror on their faces. I’m not willing to be the cause of someone’s heart attack yet.

If you feel up to it, you might just be matter-of-fact and reply in a way that you hope can be understood by your relatives, but those replies aren’t enough sometimes. I once said hastily to an aunt who commented that I should “start soon because there’s not much time left” that I wasn’t interested. I don’t have anything against anyone who wants children – everyone should be free to pursue what they want, children or sans them, but it wasn’t something that was exactly in my life plan, not with the whole shebang of bloating, sleepless nights and the constant worrying, not to mention just how costly it is these days. She was shocked that I didn’t want to. When I asked why she insisted I should, she said it was because “you have to”. Hmm...not a good enough argument for it, if you ask me.

And it still hasn’t changed my stance on it; I’m perfectly happy with life.

We all know that the questions never stop coming even if you’re happily single, just dating someone, gotten married or had a kid or three. Nope, not anytime soon. If the retorts and explaining your side of the story don’t work, the best thing to do is to smile, nod and just play nice for the hour or so that you’re a guest. And then change the subject to focus on them while you’re at it.

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PHOTOGRAPH: JOEL HERZOG.

THE L AST WORD