It was a passion that started several years ago. Lee Jii Zia started playing the guitar as he was inspired by personalities who could play the musical instrument.
His passion for strumming the guitar and singing turned out to be a good outlet to de-stress as the national shuttlers have been confined within the walls of Akademi Badminton Malaysia since June.
“It’s been demotivating, even depressing as without any competition, there’s no target to look forward too,” said Lee, the nation’s top singles player.
“Music has kept me going. I’ve kept busy by recording myself and posting it on Instragram.
“I have an audio interface to help with the recording. I’ve been getting good response from my fans.”
Before returning for training at Bukit Kiara, Lee was stuck in his hometown in Alor Setar throughout the Movement Control Order that was imposed in March.
“I was at home for three months and it was the longest I’ve ever been with my family since I picked up badminton seriously at the age of 13.
“My parents were so happy. We even celebrated my birthday and that of my grandparents,” said Lee who turned 22 on March 29.
He was glad to have celebrated the birthdays of his grandfather, Lee Yong Hooi, 72, and grandmother Leow Sue Choo, 70.
The badminton player said that upon returning to Bukit Kiara, it was just training, eating and sleeping.
“I needed to get motivated. Also, it’s a great way to relax,” said Lee who enjoys listening to acoustic covers of songs and rap as he singled out American rapper Travis Scott.
Lee said he was thankful for the BA of Malaysia (BAM) which had tried to make life at the national academy less stressful.
“Some of my friends here love singing and we used to go out singing before the Covid-19 pandemic. BAM provided us a karaoke machine. There’s also table tennis at the lobby.
“The national body is trying to do what it can to make life better for all here.”
But Lee has regained his fire to perform on the court after it was announced that the Thailand Open will be held in January.
“There’s a big chance that we will play and at least I now have a target. This will allow me to regain my focus and motivation and be on the right track.”
Will Lee and his colleagues start a band soon?
“Well, there a few friends who love singing and (national mixed doubles shuttler) Lai Pei Jing is learing to play the piano. So who knows?” he said in jest.
Here’s the round-up of The News Normal today.
STRICT SOPs FOR DEEPAVALI
Deepavali celebrations will proceed with strict adherence to SOPs. Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the SOPs were set after consultation between the government and Hindu religious heads.
Ismail Sabri said Hindu temples in Recovery Movement Control Order and Conditional Movement Control Order areas can hold prayers only on the first day of Deepavali. There must not be more than 30 devotees in the temple and only five prayer sessions can be conducted between 7am to noon.
Homes in RMCO and CMCO areas cannot have more than 20 people for landed properties, 10 (for high-rise properties below 1,500 sq ft and 15 people (for high-rise properties above 2,500 sq ft) at any given time.
Temple prayers are not allowed in areas under Targeted Enchanced Movement Control Order (TEMCO). Homes in TEMCO areas are not allowed to have guests.
ONLY 80 MPs ALLOWED FOR DEWAN RAKYAT SITTING
Only 80 MPs will be allowed for the Dewan Rakyat sitting beginning tomorrow, including at the tabling of Budget 2021.
Only 41 MPs representing the government and 39 opposition and independent lawmakers will be allowed in to ensure the safety of lawmakers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Political parties will have to decide on the MPs attending the tabling of the Budget. A special card will be issued to these MPs but all MPs will be allowed to enter the Dewan Rakyat to vote.
Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said the government is studying the proposal to hold Dewan Rakyat sittings virtually.
He said the matter is possible if the Dewan Rakyat Standing Order is amended.
MORE CLONE FIRMS USING PLC NAMES
The Securities Commission Malaysia has cautioned the public on the sharp increase of clone firm scams.
The commission said the scams are perpetuated by companies that impersonate an entity, including misusing the name and logo of a public-listed company (PLC) to dupe investors and to solicit funds.
These clone firms offer non-existent investment opportunities, promising unrealistically high returns within a short time.
The latest cloning scams include PLCs in the medical, glove and property sectors that had garnered investor interest during the Covid-19 pandemic.
HOW TO FEED 10 PEOPLE FOR ONLY RM88
Chef on Wheels owner Seet Wai Song has been helping those in need get hot food since the start of the Movement Control Order (MCO) in March.
He is now expanding his ‘Sponsor A Meal’ programme and is searching for more kind souls to help out.
