18 Malaysians who have received international recognition in 2020 Share
Despite the dark cloud cast by the pandemic, Malaysians shined brightly on the world stage this year. From innovative scientific breakthroughs to thought-provoking art and inspiring conservation efforts, it is time to take a closer look at the winners, inductees, and finalists that make the world a better place, and the nation proud.
Dr April Camilla Roslani (Photo: Twitter)
University of Malaya’s Professor Dr April Camilla Roslani is a colorectal surgeon and medical oncologist. She was the only female surgeon to be presented with an Honorary Fellowship from The American College of Surgeons (ACS) this year of the nine Fellowships awarded to prominent surgeons. Based entirely on merit, only existing Fellows may nominate peers for the prestigious award. Dr April was unaware she was under consideration, delighted and humbled by the recognition.
Need to do some last-minute Christmas shopping? You can’t go wrong with a good book.
Here are Malaysian books published in 2020 that would make terrific Christmas gifts. With a mix of fiction and non-fiction, and a wide variety of genres, there’s probably something here for everyone. No matter if you’ve been naughty or nice!
The Girl And The Ghost
Author: Hanna Alkaf
Fancy a spine-chilling Christmas? Readers young and old alike will probably enjoy
The Girl And The Ghost, a middle grade novel about an unlikely friendship between a girl and a ghostly spirit. Young Suraya receives a pelesit, a spirit in the form of a cricket, from her witch grandmother. Suraya names the spirit Pink, and the two bond. Pink’s dark nature, however, soon causes problems for Suraya, and they end up going on a journey to uncover the pelesit’s dark origins. Here s a moving tale of friendship and courage. This novel was a 2020 Kirkus Prize Finalist for Young Reader’s Literature.
Bookseller Anthony Koh Waugh, however, rarely does what people expect of him.
It opened in Beach Road mall City Gate, near Golden Mile Complex and arthouse cinema The Projector, on Tuesday (Dec 15) and will run for three months until next February.
Mr Koh, 47, says he hopes Chio Books - its name is a pun on chio bu , Hokkien for pretty girl - will attract not just converted readers but also people who do not typically read books to begin with.
Chio Books, a dim space lit by the pulsing neon glow of LED furniture, has the vibe of a chill after-hours bar. Bubblegum pink and cool mint-toned posters of models holding books adorn the walls.