Compiled by C. ARUNO, FARIK ZOLKEPLI and R. ARAVINTHAN

       KUMQUAT trees, which are often used as decorations during Chinese New Year, are 10% more expensive now due to a shortage in the market, reported China Press.

       A survey in Kuala Lumpur found that a three-foot grade B tree now costs between RM100 and RM150 whereas a four-foot tree costs between RM200 and RM300. Grade A trees, which are priced above RM400, have mostly sold out.

       According to Chen Hua Feng who has been running a plant nursery for the past 20 years, his stock of kumquat trees are from Cameron Highlands and are 10% more expensive this year.

       Despite passing on the increased cost to customers, he still had many takers for the plants, he added.

       “Many customers booked their trees since last year. Those who did not make reservations and had walked in were only able to buy trees that weren’t decorated with red ribbons.

       “Those who are not able to get themselves kumquat trees, known also as lime trees, will often choose to buy flowers as substitutes,” he said.

       According to Huang, a trader in Klang, the increase in price was due to labour shortage and a rise in the cost of fertilisers and pesticides.

       > A retired tractor operator in Bentong received praises from local residents after he managed to fix their sewing machines which had been damaged during the recent floods, reported China Press.

       Not wishing for the machines to be thrown away, He Jin Run, 58, agreed to help his neighbours despite not having any experience fixing sewing machines.

       His first test was a sewing machine belonging to an 88-year-old neighbour.

       “I spent some time cleaning my home (which had been flooded) and after that, I started on her sewing machine.

       “I cleaned off all the mud, added some lubricant and it was able to work a few days later,” he said.

       As the old woman was very close to him, he did not ask for payment.

       After hearing of his success, other neighbours began asking him to repair theirs too. So far, he has been successfully at fixing several mechanical and electrical sewing machines.

       “When I see my neighbours’ sewing machines working again, I feel joy in my heart,” 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.