Compiled by RAGANANTHINI VETHASALAM, C. ARUNO and R. ARAVINTHAN

       AFTER drawing flak for posting a video clip of a steamy scene from the upcoming TV drama Perempuan Itu (That Woman), Zul Ariffin seems to be back at work.

       Kosmo! reported that the 36-year-old actor uploaded a short video on social media in which he is seen in a blue suit in what appears to be a cinema hall. The Penunggang Agama star is also smirking as he shows a thumbs-up sign.

       “Back to work,” the caption on the post read.

       Last week, Zul uploaded the clip of a steamy scene with co-star Siti Hariesa from Perempuan Itu, which has since been taken down.

       Deemed inappropriate for the fasting month, the video drew widespread criticism from many, including Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Datuk Idris Ahmad.

       The 30-episode drama also starring Mimi Lana is set to be aired next month on TV3.

       > The prospects of commercialising ketum leaves, including for medicinal purposes, should be studied by the government, Mingguan Malaysia reported Perlis state executive councillor Asmaiza Ahmad as saying.

       Asmaiza said locals have claimed that ketum is effective in preventing Covid-19 although this has not been scientifically proven.

       Ketum, she said, has been used in traditional medicine including in treating stomach ache, diarrhoea and tapeworms in children.

       “Villagers recommend soaking three ketum leaves that have been deveined in hot water before drinking. I have not tried it as I don’t dare to.

       “But those who have tried it said their fever subsided after drinking it,” she said, adding that no other ingredients were added.

       Asmaiza called for a study on the legalisation of ketum as she said planting it can become a source of income for villagers.

       She also said ketum can be commercialised for medicinal purposes, like what some countries have done.

       “Ketum can be put under the auspices of the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry, like tobacco and now kenaf.

       “Kenaf comes under the ketum family, so why don’t we work with those who plant ketum for medicinal purposes for it to be used in a controlled and proper way?” she said.

       > Volunteers in Lipis, Pahang, have planted 2,000 trees at the Tanum Forest Reserve in conjunction with National Forest Day, according to Berita Harian.

       Lipis district Forest Department official Nor Shahrini Nordin Ahmad said 1,000 species of rare plants such as the perah tree, petai and kerdas tree were planted.

       Nor Shahrini added that the fruits can be harvested in five to seven years.

       Apart from that, 1,000 species of high-quality timber such as meranti tembaga and meranti sarang punai, which can become a source of income for the state government, were also planted.

       “This programme had the participation of 200 volunteers from 15 government agencies and the local community including the Orang Asli,” he said.

       The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.