TRP’s Top 7 Stories of 2024 Showcase What Makes Us Malaysian

Sign up for our FREE Newsletteror Telegram and WhatsApp channels for the latest stories and updates.

2024 has been an eventful year and we’ve been through ups and downs guys.

Before we gear up for the new year, here’s a roundup of the top 7 TRP stories in 2024, giving you a glimpse of what’s been on our collective minds.

1st: We love our smoke

No, it’s not about the smoke, but we just can’t part with cigarettes and/or vapes. This year’s headline news: “Sweden has just become the world’s first smoke-free country. Can Malaysia do the same?”

Malaysia’s path to a smoke-free society seems almost a Sisyphean task. Just when we think a decision has been made, the relevant authorities seem to turn it around and we begin our search all over again.

READ HERE: Sweden just became the world’s first smoke-free country. Can Malaysia do the same?

2nd: We park as if we own the road

The first place is taken by the article “The entire street of Cheras was fined according to residents’ complaints to the council.” As the name suggests, the authorities had to punish everyone who lives on the same street as kindergarteners. All for one and one for all!

The incident happened in Cheras after three neighbors complained about each other’s parking habits to the city council. Result? Parking fines totaling RM30,000 were issued to all residents living on the same street. Three Neighbors definitely didn’t win Neighbors of the Year this year.

READ HERE: An entire street in Cheras was fined after residents complained to the council

3rd: A Chinese tourist complained about the difficulty of getting around here

A Chinese tourist posted a complaint against Xiaohongsu (XHS), detailing how tourists were allegedly tricked into buying more expensive KLIA Express tickets. She also mentioned that the staff did not provide clear information about prices and there was a language barrier that made it difficult for her to navigate.

She also claimed that there is a discriminatory practice against international tourists, citing the lack of Chinese language signs.

However, she deleted her post after receiving backlash from Malaysians who disputed her complaints.

READ HERE: Chinese tourist deletes viral KLIA Express complaints after backlash from Malaysia

4th: We can be generous and we can also conduct honest business

A customer at Nasi Lemak Botak in Petaling Jaya accidentally overpaid and nearly gave the restaurant owner a heart attack.

The owner quickly posted an online announcement that they could refund the customer, adding that they do not operate omakase. The meal cost only RM26.60 but the customer paid RM2,660. Yes, that was an expensive typo.

Fortunately for the customer, the owner runs an honest business and the correct balance was returned quickly.

READ HERE: If you recently had Nasi Lemak Botak in Petaling Jaya, please check your bank balance asap!

5th: We mourned a young schoolgirl

When the news spread that 13-year-old high school student Kuen Chen had died, many expressed shock, disbelief and sadness.

The girl’s parents shared their grief online because the loss of a young life was unconscionable. They expressed their love for their late daughter and shared that they did not put any academic pressure on her.

The incident also reminded many people that life is short and that mental health issues can affect anyone, regardless of background.

READ HERE: Parents seek answers after their daughter’s tragic death at Kuen Chen High School

6th: We are enterprising

Mechanical engineering graduate Kavievanan Subramaniam started his mobile tea business, Tea Thambi, when he was just 27 years old. He quickly became popular because he only sold masala drinks for 1 malaysia ringtone and managed to earn an incredible amount of money.

Soon his business expanded and he opened two more cafes and five kiosks in Kuala Lumpur. His success was a story of resilience, hard work and innovation that continues to inspire many others to try and try again.

He was recently had fun other content creator, but Kavievanan proved that nothing beats hard and honest work.

READ HERE: Mechanical Engineer Turns 1 Malayalam Masala Tea and Coffee into a RM100,000 Lunar Empire

7th: This was the year of celebrity breakups

This year there were several famous couples who broke up. When rumors claimed that comedian Harith Iskander and Jesamine Lim were set to break up, many wondered if the news was true or just a rumour.

Harith and Jesamine met with TRP to clear the story and explain that it was a mutual decision with no hard feelings on either side.

READ HERE: (Exclusive) ‘I screwed up’ – Harit Iskander breaks silence on impending divorce

that’s not all! Here are three more stories to round out the top ten stories of the year. These stories showed that Malaysians have a strong passport and are all experiencing financial hardship.

8th: Did you know that Malaysian passport holders can travel to these countries without a visa?

9th: How much are Speedmart’s 99 employees really paid? The Chief Operating Officer clarifies

10th: (Watch) An Pou alarm: Aggressive scavengers in Klang demand a red envelope

Share your thoughts with us via TRP Facebook, Twitter, Instagramor Threads.