Articles by Shahril Bahrom

Technology

Roblox: Innocent Game Or A Threat To Children?

Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter, or Telegram and WhatsApp channels for the latest stories and updates. Video and online games, particularly Roblox, is getting some serious mention time in local online conversations these past few days due to an incident in Johor. A six-year-old was said to have sustained neck injuries allegedly inflicted by his nine-year-old brother in Batu Pahat. Police are not discounting the possibilty that the incident was influenced by Roblox. According to a report by Sinar Harian, initial findings by the police suggest that the older brother might have attacked his younger sibling because the points he had collected in Roblox were lost after his phone was damaged. Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad explained that the older sibling allegedly became enraged when his mobile game session was disrupted, causing him to lose approximately one million points. Additionally, investigators suspect that the child may have experienced hallucinations due to excessive gaming. “The elder brother is believed to have experienced hallucinations at night as a result of the game and seemed to be ‘instructed’ to harm his family members before attacking his brother with a knife found in the house,” Rahaman said. On 29 October, a new development unfolded as the Batu Pahat Magistrate’s Court ordered a two-day remand for the boys’ parents to assist with ongoing investigations under Section 326 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing grievous hurt using a dangerous weapon and Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for negligence. The shocking case has ignited national concern about the possible risks of unsupervised gaming among children. Experts have previously cautioned that overexposure to online games featuring violence or competition can lead to desensitization in young individuals and a blurring of the boundaries between reality and virtual situations. As investigations continue, this case serves as a chilling reminder for parents and guardians to keep an eye on their children’s gaming habits and online exposure. What is Roblox? Roblox is an online gaming platform and game creation system developed by Roblox Corporation. It lets users play games created by other users or make their own using the company’s engine, Roblox Studio. It was officially launched in 2006, but exploded in popularity in the late 2010s and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when millions of kids began using it as both a game and a virtual social space. Roblox and pedophiles In the earlier days of electronic games, players are usually limited between two to four on one single machine. The only people you play with are people you know, who are sitting right next to you in the same room. These days however, online gaming places millions of players together in a game, and video games have chat rooms now where players can communicate with each other even if they’re on the other side of the world. Now, this can be an issue when it comes to underaged children who enter a virtual world where adult players are present as well. All they know is that they want to play a fun game, but they might not realise they’re being groomed by adults with ill intentions. Hindenburg Research, a U.S. investment research firm, claimed that Roblox’s games exposes children to grooming, pornography, violent content and abusive speech, as reported by UK news outlet The Guardian on 15 October 2024. The firm called the game an “X-rated pedophile hellscape” with users attempting to groom their avatars, groups openly trading child pornography, widely accessible sex games, violent content, and extremely abusive speech — all of which are open to young children. Bloomberg also published a special report on a Roblox game creator named “Doc”, who allegedly posted rape jokes frequently and even referred to the young girls who helped him develop his most popular Roblox game as “sex slaves”. The other problem: Robux Beyond pedophiles and child grooming, the game also poses one more problem for children: money. The game’s microtransactions could lead kids to spend money unknowingly or excessively. In Roblox, players use an in-game currency called Robux. These are used to purchase cosmetic items to furnish avatars with. Players can earn Robux by earning it through making and selling avatar clothing or building and publishing their own games. These are methods that require no real life money. The other way is to purchase Robux with credit cards through the Roblox Store online. If you’re not keen on linking your card to the site, there are also Robux gift cards available on trusted marketplaces. So, is Roblox fun? It could be. Is it safe for kids? Potentially not. Parents who let their kids play online games need to know the risks of having them interact with strangers and monitor their communications. Moderating game time is also a good idea as too much of a good thing is not good. At the end of the day, children will be children. In the digital age, kids will want to play a video game at some point but their safety is the responsibility of parents. READ MORE: Mother Discovers Disturbing Texts In Mobile Legends Chat Share your thoughts with us via TRP’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Threads.

Technology

“Trump Not Welcome” Protest Planned During Trump’s Visit This Weekend

Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter, or Telegram and WhatsApp channels for the latest stories and updates. A protest titled “Trump You’re Not Welcome In Malaysia” is being arranged by a coalition of Malaysian civil society and political groups this Sunday (26 October) at Ampang Park in Kuala Lumpur. The rally, scheduled to begin at 9am and end at 12pm seems to be aimed at expressing opposition to Donald Trump, the President of the United States of America, who is attending the 47th ASEAN Summit at KLCC Convention Centre on the same day. Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Malaysia shared on Instagram details of the demonstration. The rally appears to be backed by more than 20 participating organisations including Youth Party Muda, former Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad’s Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang), Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia) and more. Also included in the post is a “Legal Info Toolkit” that acts as a guide for participants to know their rights if they are questioned, arrested, or required to give a statement to the police. The advisory also reminds protestors to stay calmed if detained and contact a designated legal hotline for assitance, and to avoid signing blank statements. View this post on Instagram What is Trump going to do at the summit? Trump’s official agenda on his visit to Kuala Lumpur this weekend is to sign a peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia — dubbed the Kuala Lumpur Accord — for a lasting cease-fire and removal of heavy arms and land mines from the border, with Malaysia acting as mediator and host. The accord is being brokered by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (as Malaysia is ASEAN-chair this year), while the US is playing more of a facilitation role. Thailand and Cambodia are fighting due to a long-standing border dispute that has intensified recently over ancient temples and surrounding land, such as the Preah Vihear Temple. READ MORE: Malaysia Helps Broker Thailand-Cambodia Ceasefire, Trump Claims Credit As “President Of Peace” Aside from the signing of the accord, the further purpose of Trump’s visit is anyone’s guess, as the US President’s full 47th Asean Summit itinerary (e.g. meetings, events, bilateral talks) is not fully revealed. Road closures during the 47th Asean Summit Road closures and traffic diversions will be implemented in stages, particularly during the arrival and departure of VIPs and delegates. In a Bernama report dated 17 October, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said roads will be closed in stages at specific times and not for 24 hours in a full lockdown. “It’s not a lockdown, and it’s not a permanent closure. For example, if a head of state is travelling from the airport to Kuala Lumpur, the route will be closed temporarily. “Once the convoy has passed, the route will be reopened. So, the closure is not 24 hours, and it’s certainly not a lockdown,” he told a press conference. According to a report by The Star, some of the key roads and expressways to watch out for are major expressways including ELITE Expressway, New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE), Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE), MEX Highway, KL–Seremban Expressway. Meanwhile, major urban roads in Kuala Lumpur to avoid are: Jalan Ampang Jalan Sultan Ismail Jalan P. Ramlee Jalan Binjai Jalan Tun Razak Jalan Parlimen If you’re travelling in or around Kuala Lumpur this weekend, especially between the airport (Kuala Lumpur International Airport / KLIA) or Subang and the city centre, allow extra time for your journey. Some roads may be closed temporarily for motorcade use – you may face delays or be diverted mid-route. It’s a good idea to use public transport (LRT, MRT, monorail) or avoid routes listed above if possible. READ MORE: KL Goes On “Lockdown” 23-28 October, Here’s What’s Happening Share your thoughts with us via TRP’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Threads.

Technology

Malaysian Pianist Vincent Ong Wins Fifth Place At Prestigious Chopin Competition In Poland

Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter, or Telegram and WhatsApp channels for the latest stories and updates. Malaysian pianist Vincent Ong has done the nation proud once again, clinching fifth prize at the 19th International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, Poland, when the winners were announced last Monday (20 October). The 24-year-old, who is currently based in Berlin, Germany, emerged among the top performers in one of the world’s most prestigious and demanding classical music contests. He stood out among 162 young artistes who entered the preliminary rounds, with 84 pianists from 19 countries advancing to the main competition. The winners were selected by a 17-member international jury, chaired by celebrated American pianist Garrick Ohlsson, himself a former Chopin Competition laureate. On the audience poll, Ong collected the second most votes (11,547 votes) after Piotr Alexewicz from Wroclaw, Poland (19,961 votes). This year’s event saw 640 applications submitted from across the globe, with China contributing the largest number of participants at 28 competitors. Ong’s achievement adds to his growing list of international accolades. Earlier this year, he captured first prize at the 19th International Robert Schumann Music Competition 2024, further solidifying his reputation as one of Malaysia’s most promising classical pianists. Celebrating Chopin’s Legacy The Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, held every five years since 1955 (and first inaugurated in 1927), is among the most esteemed events in the classical music world. Uniquely, it is dedicated entirely to the works of one composer — Frédéric Chopin, the legendary Polish pianist and Romantic-era composer whose music continues to inspire performers and audiences alike. Many of its past winners—such as Martha Argerich, Krystian Zimerman, and Seong-Jin Cho—have gone on to enjoy illustrious international careers. For Ong, this latest recognition places him among an elite group of pianists who have left their mark on the global stage — and further highlights Malaysia’s growing presence in the international classical music scene. Who Was Fryderyk Chopin? Fryderyk (Frédéric) Chopin was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist of the Romantic era, celebrated for his poetic and emotionally rich piano works. Born in 1810 near Warsaw, Chopin spent most of his life in Paris, where he composed some of his most famous pieces, including the Nocturnes, Etudes, Waltzes, and Ballades. Renowned for his delicate touch and deep expressiveness, Chopin’s music continues to be a cornerstone of classical piano repertoire. His legacy lives on through generations of pianists—and through competitions like this one that celebrate his enduring influence on the art of piano performance. Share your thoughts with us via TRP’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Threads.