Compiled by MANJIT KAUR, C. ARUNO and R. ARAVINTHAN

       IT’S a case of “Sleepless in Marang” for a Terengganu couple who are anxious about the safety of their precious ornamental yam plant collection.

       The Colocasia, worth between RM10,000 and RM35,000, are known as “keladi kayangan” as they are highly sought after, Harian Metro reported.

       In fact, there have been reports about theft due to their high value.

       Zaini Zakaria, 40, and her husband Mohd Saad Madhsham, 52, have built up a collection of more than 100 plants since 2019.

       The couple spent about RM50,000 to acquire them.

       “In my collection is the ‘colocasia midnight’ which I bought for RM24,000,” Zaini said.

       Other plants in her collection were the alcocasia golden black stem variegated, mojito, white lava, milky way and topeng firaun.

       She said these plants could fetch a much higher price than their seeds or tubers.

       “For example, I bought the black stem variegated for RM18,000. Its offspring can be sold for RM24,000 and the mature plant for RM38,000,” she added.

       Zaini said she was not surprised that thieves were eyeing them.

       “However, this will not deter me. I have even installed CCTV (close circuit television) cameras to prevent their theft,” she added.

       > Dangdut singer Baby Shima, who got much flak from netizens over a picture of her seemingly kissing a man at a nightspot, has received supportive messages from Indonesian celebs who told her to stay strong, Harian Metro reported.

       Singers such as Pasha Ungu, Zaskia Gotik and Yuri Republik Band have given her their backing.

       Pasha wished her well and told her not to be sad.

       “I hope you (Shima) will come to Indonesia soon as we still have one single (recording) yet to be made.”

       Zaskia advised Shima not to worry about what netizens were saying.

       “You are well known. Focus on your career and ignore what is being said. Strengthen your spirit and don’t become weak,” she added.

       The 28-year-old Shima, whose real name is Nor Ashima Ramli, was recently accused of seeking cheap publicity when pictures appeared on social media of her seated near a man in a nightspot.

       However, Shima clarified that it was a scene from her latest music video titled Lalai and that she was unaware of how the images got circulated.

       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.