Compiled by IYLIA MARSYA ISKANDAR and C. ARUNO

       A LAKSA lover emerged as the winner of the “big bowl” challenge in Kuala Kangsar, Perak, when he consumed a kilogramme of laksa placed in a small basin, Utusan Malaysia reported.

       Muhammad Anuar Abd Ghoni, 29, from Hutan Melintang who drove 135km just to participate in the contest, took home a cash prize of RM300 and the title of Hantu Laksa.

       He said this was the first time he joined the challenge and he could not believe he managed to lap up the dish that quickly.

       “When the whistle blew, I immediately took the spoon and the first taste was so delicious that I smiled as I finished it without looking at the other participants.

       “All I heard was the sound of people cheering and when my food was all gone, I saw them clapping and the host informed me that I was the first person to finish,” he said when met by reporters after the competition at Kuala Kangsar Arena.

       The laksa eating challenge was held in conjunction with the Temasya 99 Laksa Kuale games organised by the Kuala Kangsar Municipal Council (MPKK).

       > Singer and entrepreneur Suffian Suhaimi said he is ready to become a husband and is open to getting to know suitable candidates, Harian Metro reported.

       The 30-year-old said he was not fussy about his “dream woman”, but says he was not in a rush either.

       “I never put any special criteria on a wife candidate but preferably it would be best if she has good manners.

       “For now, I just want to focus on my career as a singer and grow my business further,” 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.