Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by estacado

It would only take 30mins to get Sirul back here.

estacado — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 23:36:35 +0800

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/...tion-says-ex-ag

PETALING JAYA: Two lawyers have urged the government to bring home convicted killer Sirul Azhar Umar from Australia to reopen the “unresolved” murder case of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu, who was shot and had her body blown up in 2006.

Former attorney-general Tommy Thomas said it would take only 30 minutes for Malaysia to ensure that Sirul could be extradited from Australia, where he fled in 2015.

“Malaysia just needs to give an undertaking to Australia that Sirul won’t face the death penalty on his return. The foreign and home ministers and the attorney general must sit together and write a letter to their counterparts in Australia,” Thomas said.

“It’s as easy as that — a letter that can be written in half an hour. I think there is no political will. They’d rather it be part of history and want everybody to forget about it. But it can’t be forgotten.”

The Altantuya case captured headlines as details emerged linking the woman to Abdul Razak Baginda, an aide to then defence minister Najib Razak, speculation about her involvement in a submarine deal between France and Malaysia, and messages between Razak and Musa Safri, another aide to Najib.

Thomas and lawyer Sangeet Kaur Deo, who represents Altantuya’s family, said Sirul’s extradition would allow Malaysian authorities to verify claims about the killing that Sirul made in a statutory declaration while being held in detention by Australian immigration.

Speaking to satellite broadcaster Al Jazeera in a two-part documentary “Murder in Malaysia – Justice for Altantuya” aired today, Thomas and Sangeet said Sirul’s claims in his statutory declaration — and those by his accomplice Azilah Hadri in a separate declaration — must be verified in order to reopen the case.

Thomas and Sangeet said the two men should face action for making false declarations if their claims were not true.

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Former German Spy Chief Arrested For Treason

estacado — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:19:24 +0800

https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/fo...rts-2026-10-06/

BERLIN, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Former ‌German spy chief August Hanning was detained on Tuesday on suspicion of attempted treason in a case that ranks among Germany's biggest intelligence scandals since the Cold War.

Prosecutors accused him of paying for secret documents and using them in an analysis for a foreign spy service. They did not identify the intelligence service and it was not immediately clear whether the analysis reached its intended recipient.

The arrest of a former head of Germany's foreign intelligence is unprecedented and could damage the country's intelligence relationships with allied nations, according to a senior security lawmaker.

"Hanning is strongly ⁠suspected of treasonous espionage, obtaining state secrets, attempted treason and espionage," the prosecutor's office said in a statement.
Hanning did not respond to a request for comment from Reuters. The chancellery declined to comment.

Five years after his seven-year tenure as head of the BND foreign intelligence service ended in 2005, Hanning agreed with a former BND office manager to receive confidential intelligence information in exchange for payment, according to prosecutors.

The office manager, identified as Manfred D. in line with privacy rules, was also arrested on Tuesday, and both were due to appear before a judge at the Federal Court of Justice.

Manfred D. served as office manager to successive BND presidents until March 2026, potentially giving him access to some of Germany's most current intelligence at the time that prosecutors say documents were being siphoned from the service.

'NO COMPROMISES'
Prosecutors said D. is suspected of having supplied around 2,000 documents over the years, including classified material intended ‌solely ⁠for internal use within the BND and senior-level intelligence briefings at the chancellery.

Those included documents relating to the Iranian nuclear programme and the Russian military, as well as highly sensitive material classified as secret by allied intelligence agencies in other countries, Sueddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) newspaper reported.
Prosecutors said Hanning had used classified information supplied by D. to prepare an analysis for an officer of a foreign intelligence service and for years shared political information with a representative of the spy agency.

The case does not involve Russia, ⁠according to information obtained by Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

Conservative security expert Roderich Kiesewetter told the Handelsblatt newspaper on Tuesday that the case could strain relations with Germany's intelligence allies, saying espionage cases of this kind were "particularly burdensome for trust and particularly damaging for Germany".

BND President Martin Jaeger said the agency had launched extensive internal investigations as soon as ⁠suspicions emerged, adding, "There can be no compromises on internal security."

PAST SPY SCANDALS
Hanning's arrest is the latest in a series of notorious espionage scandals in Germany.
West German Chancellor Willy Brandt was forced to resign in 1974 after it was revealed that an East German spy had worked as his close aide ⁠for nearly two years. In 1990, senior West German counter-intelligence official Klaus Kuron was exposed as a Stasi spy and later convicted of treason.

More recently, former domestic intelligence chief Hans-Georg Maassen said in 2024 he was now being monitored by the security agency he once ran over alleged right-wing political extremism, which he denied.

Reporting by Friederike Heine, Andreas Rinke and Holger Hansen; editing by Linda Pasquini, Alexandra Hudson and Gareth Jones

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I hv managed to get most downvoted comment ever

estacado — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 18:10:40 +0800

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https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinteresting/...elted_the_logo/

Please congratulate me.

Filipino Defense Sec smackdown CCP on stage

estacado — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 17:53:00 +0800

[reddit]/r/Philippines/comments/1wagv7p/the_actual_video_where_defense_secretary_gilberto/[/reddit]

PMX can say things like this or not?

New investigation into Princess Di's death

estacado — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 03:06:59 +0800

What really happened?

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Kang is now a ktard

estacado — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:22:09 +0800

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Will it be banned here?

Nothing (phone company) posted this stripper video

estacado — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 01:19:43 +0800

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Channel got hacked?

Supergirl is meh.

estacado — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:45:58 +0800

The director want to tiru James Gunn, but he's just not James Gunn. I give 6/10. Just save your money for Odyssey and Spiderman next month.

Putin may have pic of Trump blowing Bubba.

estacado — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 01:07:31 +0800

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How long before AI mockups appear?

This is not AI.

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Pluribus sucks. Supposed to be scifi,

estacado — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 03:57:38 +0800

I watched the first 2 episodes. Supposedly by the guy who wrote x-files before breaking bad. Episode 1 has good scifi setup. But by episode 2, it looks like the focus will be on wokeness women empowerment. No more scifi. There's no mystery hook to keep you watching next episode. I will give episode 3 a watch, but if it stays on the wokeness route, I'm out.

The Most Exotic Meat You Can Eat

estacado — Sun, 09 Nov 2025 22:23:15 +0800

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You know hungry ghost story about spirit coming

estacado — Sun, 02 Nov 2025 15:10:39 +0800

You know hungry ghost story about spirit coming back one day to help, well somebody made a whole movie about one of those story. The story is a bit slow, but cinematography is good. About a gambling addict getting a second chance.

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I just watch Superman

estacado — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 14:22:40 +0800

It's ok la. Nothing mind blowing. The weakness is the action scenes,. James Gunn should outsource the action scenes to someone else. Everything else is ok.

Crippling blow to WOKE! Trans is not real "woman".

estacado — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 01:59:54 +0800

London CNN —

The United Kingdom’s highest court ruled that the legal definition of “woman” excludes trans women, in a case with sweeping consequences for how equality laws are applied.

Britain’s Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the definition of a woman in equality legislation refers to “a biological woman and biological sex,” sparking celebrations outside court among gender-critical campaigners but warnings it was a “worrying” development for transgender people.

The case centered on whether trans women with a gender recognition certificate (GRC) – which offers legal recognition of someone’s female sex – are protected from discrimination as a woman under the nation’s Equality Act 2010.
TOPSHOT - US President Donald Trump signs the No Men in Women's Sports Executive Order into law in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 5, 2025. President Trump on Wednesday is signing an executive order to ban transgender girls and women from competing on sports teams that match their gender identity, marking his latest move targeting transgender rights. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Related article Two transgender girls sue to challenge Trump’s executive order banning them from girls’ school sports

A group of campaigners in Scotland brought a challenge in 2018, arguing that those rights should only safeguard those assigned as women at birth. But the Scottish government said that a trans woman with a GRC is legally a woman and should therefore be afforded the same legal protections.

Even though the case stems from a dispute over Scottish laws designed to increase the number of women sitting on boards, the outcome on Wednesday will shape the increasingly fractious and polarizing debate over transgender rights across the UK.

The UK’s ruling Labour party said the ruling brought “clarity and confidence” while the opposition Conservatives called it a “clear victory for common sense,” urging the government to amend existing guidance.

The five judges ruled in favor of For Women Scotland (FWS) – which proposed that not linking the legal definition of gender to biological sex would have repercussions on designated single-sex services, including changing rooms, hostels and communal accommodation.

“The terms woman and sex in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex,” Lord Patrick Hodge told the court in London. “The provisions relating to sex discrimination can only be interpreted as referring to biological sex,” he added.

“Interpreting ‘sex’ as certificated sex would cut across the definitions of ‘man’ and ‘woman’ and thus the protected characteristic of sex in an incoherent way,” a summary of the ruling said, which added that transgender women could be excluded from same-sex facilities such as changing rooms if “proportionate.”
Campaigners celebrate on Wednesday, after Britain's top court delivered unanimous judgement that the definition of a woman under equality law refers to "biological sex."
Campaigners celebrate on Wednesday, after Britain's top court delivered unanimous judgement that the definition of a woman under equality law refers to "biological sex."
Henry Nicholls/AFP/Getty Images

If transgender women with a GRC were afforded the same protected characteristic as biological women under the Equality Act, Hodge said, they would possess “greater rights than those who do not,” citing provisions relating to pregnancy and maternity leave.

The justice insisted that the court’s interpretation of the Equality Act 2010 “does not remove protection from trans people,” with or without a GRC document. A trans woman could claim discrimination on the grounds of gender reassignment, and because “she is perceived to be a woman,” added Hodge.

Britain’s government “has always supported the protection of single-sex spaces based on biological sex,” a spokesperson said, following the ruling.

“This ruling brings clarity and confidence, for women and service providers such as hospitals, refuges, and sports clubs,” the spokesperson added. “Single-sex spaces are protected in law and will always be protected by this Government.”

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/16/uk/uk-su...intl/index.html

Atuk got his own podcast now

estacado — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 03:33:34 +0800

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The Conclave beginning soon?

estacado — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 05:01:27 +0800

Pope Francis on breathing machine after suffering sudden respiratory episode

Rome CNN —

Pope Francis suffered a sudden episode of respiratory difficulty and was put on a breathing machine on Friday, according to the latest medical update from the Vatican.

The episode was complicated by vomiting, some of which he aspirated, the Vatican said. Medical staff treated the aspiration issue before putting the pope on mechanical ventilation, it said.

The Vatican added that the pontiff “remained alert and oriented at all times.”

A spokesperson later noted that he is not considered out of danger at this point.

Francis was first admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital two weeks ago, after being plagued by a string of lung-related medical struggles, including bronchitis and then pneumonia. His current hospitalization is his forth, and now longest, stay since he became pope in 2013.

The pontiff has suffered from lung-related issues for much of his life. As a young man, he suffered from severe pneumonia and had part of one lung removed.

The Vatican has been releasing twice daily updates on the pope’s health. On Thursday, it said that Francis’ condition was “improving” but his prognosis remained unclear.

The Argentinian leader’s schedule has been cleared to accommodate his intensive medical treatment.

Earlier on Friday, the Vatican announced that the pope will not lead next week’s Ash Wednesday service, marking the start of Lent, for only the second time in his 12-year papacy. A cardinal is expected to lead the service instead.

This story has been updated. https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/28/europe/p...intl/index.html

New search for MH370 - Why This Time is Different

estacado — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 04:38:44 +0800

After 11 years of unanswered questions, the investigation is back on, thanks to a number of people, including our guest for this episode, Jean-Luc Marchand. Marchand shares detailed insights from their investigation that convinced the Malaysian government to resume the search.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro Trailer
01:39 Breaking & Exclusive News on MH370
02:38 The Resumed Search
04:40 How Jean-Luc Started Investigating MH370
06:12 New Evidence January 2024
07:35 MH370 Flew into ATC "Dark Zones"
12:32 Why Do Airplanes Crash?
14:00 Where Did MH370 Go After Disappearing?
20:41 "The Perfect Spot If You Want to Disappear"
24:52 What Likely Happened Inside the Plane
26:08 MH370 Flew Near 2 Other Planes That Night
27:50 Copilot's Mobile Phone Connected
30:12 How and When Did the Passengers Die?
31:33 The Extra Oxygen Bottles
33:40 Other Countries SAW MH370 That Night
40:11 Evidence of An Active Pilot to the End
45:42 Flight ID Was Erased by Someone
49:00 Debris Evidence Explained
52:30 Vincent Lyne's Theory
55:35: Black Box Recovery
1:03:29 Strange Gap in the Pilot's Medical Record
1:05:29 Ending

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Isr@el hostage happy with HAMas

estacado — Sun, 26 Jan 2025 11:49:28 +0800

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Muslim Choice™ new standard to rival Halal Jakim?

estacado — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 01:28:04 +0800

I stumbled upon this restaurant that has "Muslim Choice™" logo on it. The "™" got me curious, and it seems that this is a body that wants to be an alternative to the Jakim's Halal mark.

https://muslimchoice.org/

Went to their website, the whole main page is an act written acrobatics of trying convince you that they ensure "halal"ness without mentioning the word "halal" even once. It also seems they are affiliated with Majlis Tindakan Pengguna Negara.

Found an article about it:
https://johor.chinapress.com.my/20240403/mu...9D%83%E7%9B%8A/

Translation:

As the world's Muslim population increases, in order to protect the consumer rights of this group, the Muslim Friendly Watch (MFW) organization , affiliated with the National Consumer Action Council, was established in January last year. It uses the Muslim Choice system to provide consumers and businesses with a reliable reference platform.

To date, more than 100 businesses have successfully passed the Muslim Choice System audit and received certificates of recognition issued by the system, making their products and venues more recognizable and suitable for use by the Muslim community .

In an interview with China Press, the National Consumer Action Council (NCAC) national president, Datuk Paduka Dr. Yang Guowei, admitted that the NCAC is a multi-ethnic group and neither the Chinese nor the Indians are suitable to oversee the Muslim selection system, so the council appointed members of the pure Muslim community to form the Muslim Friendly Watch organization.

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“Let the above organizations take full charge of the Muslim selection system and ensure that the system works smoothly in a way that Muslims protect Muslims .”

He stressed that at this stage the system is not just about protecting the rights of Malaysian Muslims , but the global Muslim community.

He explained that above the National Consumer Action Council, there is a World Consumer Association, which has connected with consumer associations in 189 countries. They will promote the Muslim Choice system globally, allowing qualified companies to obtain Muslim Choice recognition, thereby boosting the tourism economy.

Norman, chairman of Muslim Friendly Watch , pointed out that the organization's purpose is to promote, guarantee and monitor the Muslim choice system to ensure that businesses comply with quality, hygiene and safety standards and protect consumers.

He cited the example of the KK socks incident that caused a lot of controversy a few days ago. The organization or the Muslim system will be able to supervise businesses and avoid such situations from happening, so the organization and system are absolutely necessary.

Yang Guowei demonstrates the range of Muslim Choice System product categories.
Yang Guowei demonstrates the range of Muslim Choice System product categories.
Divide into two categories: products and places to issue selection approval certificates

The Muslim Choice system will identify two categories for consumers, namely products and places, whether they meet halal requirements, and issue Muslim Choice recognition certificates, making iteasier for Muslims to make correct consumption decisions.

Muslim Friendly Watch vice-chairman Shahada said under the Muslim Choice system, the organisation's officers will identify whether products and places meet halal standards.

“In the product category, we will identify whether the products are halal or not based on the categories of daily necessities, beauty and health care, food and beverage products, medicines and transportation. The venues are divided into food and beverage venues (restaurants, kiosks, food courts), service venues (hair salons, gyms, beauty centers) and warehouses or factories for identification to ensure that Muslims can go to these places to enjoy the services, etc.”

She stressed that Muslim Choice is a recognition of the halal services of merchants, but it is different from Halal certification (HALAL). The two are completely different things and she hopes that everyone will not confuse them.

She pointed out that the Muslim Choice System will review whether the operating procedures of the applicant merchants comply with halal standards. For example, they will also check whether the water filters used by merchants contain animal ingredients to avoid violating halal standards.

She said that businesses that gain Muslim Choice recognition will be able to increase customer loyalty, enhance credibility and gain a competitive advantage.

The slogan chosen by Muslims is "Empowering Life".
The slogan chosen by Muslims is "Empowering Life".
The Muslim Choice system will provide a trusted reference platform for consumers and merchants.
The Muslim Choice system will provide a trusted reference platform for consumers and merchants.
Complete the appraisal quickly in 21 days and conduct operation process inspection every six months

If a business is interested in applying for recognition under the Muslim Choice system, it can apply to Muslim Friendly Watch , and the organization will complete the assessment for the business within 21 days.

If all system standards are met, the merchant will receive a Muslim Choice Certificate with annotated validity period, a Certificate of Certification and a Letter of Commitment.

Merchants who meet all the Muslim Choice System standards will receive a certificate with an expiration date, a certification letter and a letter of commitment.
Merchants who meet all the Muslim Choice System standards will receive a certificate with an expiration date, a certification letter and a letter of commitment.
Merchants that meet halal standards will receive relevant certificates issued by the Muslim Choice System.
Merchants that meet halal standards will receive relevant certificates issued by the Muslim Choice System.
Deng Jiewei, Secretary General of the World Consumers Association, also agrees with the Muslim Choice system. At the same time, he also called on consumers to act as the eyes and ears of the National Consumer Action Council and report if they find that businesses approved by Muslim Choice have violated halal standards or the ingredients of their products have appeared.

Norman pointed out that as long as any business violates the halal standards, they will immediately withdraw their approval, and they will conduct an operational process inspection for businesses applying for Muslim Choice Approval every six months.

MS FrozenFood received the Muslim Choice Certificate of Approval this year.
MS FrozenFood received the Muslim Choice Certificate of Approval this year.
“At the same time, after local businesses apply for Muslim Choice Recognition, the relevant certificates must be renewed every two years, while foreign businesses need to renew them every year.”

Norman: More than 100 businesses have successfully passed the Muslim Choice System audit and obtained relevant recognition certificates.
Norman: More than 100 businesses have successfully passed the Muslim Choice System audit and obtained relevant recognition certificates.
Norman (2nd from left) led Muslim Friendly Watch members to visit the Federal Territory Religious Affairs Department (JAWI)
Norman (2nd from left) leads Muslim Friendly Watch members to visit the Federal Territory Religious Affairs Department (JAWI).
Muslims choose logo to help improve tourism image

Yang Guowei hopes that the Muslim Choice logo can replace the "No Pork No Lard" logo.

Yang Guowei admitted that some restaurants in our country that do not have halal certification will display relevant signs to attract Muslim customers if they also provide Muslim food .

He pointed out that the "No Pork No Lard" slogan was actually not elegant, and the birth of the Muslim Choice logo was a positive move to achieve unity and maintain the community's respect and sensitivity for their respective religious and cultural beliefs.

Shahada added that some restaurants with the "No Pork No Lard" logo may not actually meet halal standards, as halal restaurants must also follow halal procedures when slaughtering animals. The Muslim Selection System will review this aspect of restaurants to ensure that Muslims choose the right restaurants to dine in.

The Muslim Choice logo will help enhance the country's tourism image. Tourists from all over the world will be able to choose consumption places based on unified standards, which can protect the rights and interests of the Muslim consumer group.

Yang Guowei encouraged vegetarian shops and hawker centres to apply for the Muslim Selection System. He also welcomed foreign units or organizations to contact them and work together to promote the Muslim Selection System to foreign markets.

Delicious Curry House successfully obtained the Muslim Choice Certificate of Approval.
Delicious Curry House successfully obtained the Muslim Choice Certificate of Approval.
Merchants and consumers who are interested in applying or understanding Muslim Choice’s accreditation can call: 07-3618924 or email: info@muslimchoice.org

Yang Guowei (from left), Norman, Shahada and Deng Jiewei welcome businesses to apply to join the Muslim Choice system.
Yang Guowei (from left), Norman, Shahada and Deng Jiewei welcome businesses to apply to join the Muslim Choice system.
Emphasis on 3 standards of hygiene, quality and safety

All businesses applying for Muslim Choice approval, regardless of their products or premises, must meet three standards: hygiene, quality and safety.

Hygiene standards include the merchant's product or venue level, management, methods, systems and specification processes, while quality is related to individuals, the environment, products and food. Finally, safety standards must ensure accuracy, safety, responsiveness and testability.

The Muslim Choice System requires businesses to show business licenses or registration certificates in food and places, and health notices must be posted in places that are easy to see. Pets are also prohibited at the entrance of the place. At the same time, the cleanliness of food and places is also very important, and they must be cleaned at least once a day to keep them tidy.

The system also requires businesses to ensure that there are no pests on the premises or in the food. If pests are found, they must be eliminated and handled immediately to avoid posing a threat to the food.

Yang Guowei: The Muslim Choice System can protect the rights of Muslim consumers.
Yang Guowei: The Muslim Choice System can protect the rights of Muslim consumers.
Waste disposal is also an important part. Businesses need to dispose of food scraps and garbage in a clean and environmentally friendly way to ensure that they are not affected by animals or pests.

Shahada added that the Muslim Choice System also requires food handlers to undergo training and obtain a food handler training certificate from an institution or company accredited by the Ministry of Health Malaysia. At the same time, food handlers are also required to be vaccinated against typhoid.

Noman (2nd from left) and Shahada (3rd from right) led members of Muslim Friendly Watch to visit TV Alhijrah.
Noman (2nd from left) and Shahada (3rd from right) led members of Muslim Friendly Watch to visit TV Alhijrah.
“Food handlers need to ensure that they maintain the highest level of hygiene so that diners and others can dine with peace of mind.”

In addition, the system also emphasizes that merchants must comply with the Sertu ceremony, which is a special cleaning requirement that meets the requirements of Muslims . The Sertu ceremony is to cleanse any items that are seriously contaminated with dirt. It should be cleaned according to Islamic cleaning procedures to meet the requirements of the halal industry.

The Muslim Friendly Watch organization will send staff to review whether businesses that apply to join the Muslim Choice system meet halal standards.
The Muslim Friendly Watch organization will send staff to review whether businesses that apply to join the Muslim Choice system meet halal standards.
The benefits of ablutions include health and hygiene, purification from gross impurities, preventing the spread of impurities to other objects, and ensuring that objects used for religious purposes or daily activities remain pure and free of dirt.

The Muslim Choice system strictly requires food handlers to maintain hygiene and will send people to check.
The Muslim Choice system strictly requires food handlers to maintain hygiene and will send people to check.

A Better Man no release in Malaysia?

estacado — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 03:23:01 +0800

Ayam Big RW fan. Looking forward to the movie, but tgv and gsc both no listing the movie on their schedule.

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All the reviews say it's great. 7.7 on imdb, 88% on rt.

RW outshines TS.

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Any of you t20s can influence cinema big shots to release the movie here, please do.

All other countries have release dates.

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