Intan_Maizura_Ahmad_Kamal

IN a world where art is often seen as a luxury, seasoned artist Jane Tan Giok Tjeng aspires to defy convention by using her talent to inspire change and uplift those in need. At 77, the Kuala Lumpur-based Tan is already the master of her craft, but she wants to do more: To channel her passion for painting into meaningful charitable work.

IT’S a sweltering afternoon in leafy Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. The bright sun appears to hang like a silent sentinel high in the sky, casting an unrelenting warmth over the streets. The tranquillity is punctuated by the raucous squawking of crows flitting from tree to tree, their raucous chatter mingling with the hum of peak-time traffic along the bustling Lucky Gardens.

IN the heart of the country’s capital, a celebration of the local artistic soul is taking centre stage as Maybank Foundation unveils the Cultural Art Showcase and Bazaar (CASB).

IN the heart of bustling Klang Valley, an inspiring transformation is taking place. What was once an underutilised urban space in Section 12, Petaling Jaya, is now teeming with green life, thanks to a collaboration between FedEx, one of the world’s largest courier companies, and the local non-profit organisation Treat Every Environment Special (TrEES).

IMAGINE a lively court filled with laughter, friendly banter and rhythmic thwack of paddles against a plastic ball. No, it’s not a scene from a high-energy sports movie but a snapshot of pickleball, the game that’s taking the world – and also the elderly community — by storm.

CHRIS Cheng Lai Peng, or better known as Chris, a spirited 66-year-old with an infectious enthusiasm for pickleball, has channeled her passion for the sport into a heartfelt charity drive, aiming to make a difference for wheelchair-bound athletes.

“C’MONNNNN bang Safaaaaa!” My voice echoes through the vibrant buzz of the Tun Razak National Tennis Centre in Kuala Lumpur. The arena is alive with the energy of the Skechers KL International Pickleball Tournament 2024, organised by the Kuala Lumpur Pickleball Association (KLPA). All around me, courts are abuzz with players locked in fierce competition across various categories.

AS twilight descends, the sultry grip of George Town’s afternoon heat retreats, giving way to a balmy evening that breathes new life into the air. The sky, an expanse of serene, slate gray, stretches above without a cloud to mar its tranquility. A gentle breeze whispers through the trees, setting their leaves into a soft, rhythmic dance, and the atmosphere is one of perfect, soothing respite.