Lower Back Pain Prevention During & After Pregnancy

Lower Back Pain Prevention During & After Pregnancy

By Chan Yin Keen, D.C | B.HSci (Chiro), M.Clin.Chiro
One Spine Chiropractic, D27, 3rd Floor, Center Point Sabah, Kota Kinabalu.


Lower back pain is a common problem that the majority of us have experienced before. The causes vary, whether due to lifting something heavy or repetitive stress or even sitting in a chair for too long, we have all been there at one point or another. Pregnancy is also known to cause lower back pain, sometimes lasting even after birth.

In the case of pregnancy, a woman typically gains a few extra kilograms which the back has to support. This is coupled with hormonal changes that relax and loosen the ligaments around the pelvic area to allow for the eventual birth. The same hormonal changes that allow for the loosening of the ligaments in the pelvic area can also affect the ligaments supporting the spine, which leads to instability and pain.

The other cause for lower back pain occurring during pregnancy is the shift in one’s centre of gravity as the baby grows, which will cause a change in posture as one’s body adjusts to the extra weight. Changes in our posture are a little harder to notice, but do add up as months of poor posture can lead pain and discomfort.

So what can one do to help prevent or reduce back pain while pregnant? 

Being mindful of our posture is one way. Keeping your ear lobes in line with your shoulders, pulling your stomach in, trying to not tilt your pelvis too far forward or backwards and avoiding slouching will do wonders for your posture when standing. Incidentally all this also applies when not pregnant. To avoid slouching the easiest way is to just pull your shoulder blades back, and chest forward.

In addition to putting less strain on your shoulders and back, you will look more confident and take in more air while breathing compared to when you are slouching.

The other thing I mentioned was trying to avoid having your pelvis tilted too far forward or backwards. Typically, we find a bit of anterior pelvic tilt going on, where the pelvis is rotated forward. To give us an idea of what it looks like, people with an anterior pelvic tilt will have an increased arch in their lower back, their belly jutting forward and a bum sticking out.

Now some might find the idea of an increased arch and pronounced figure appealing, but what an anterior pelvic tilt introduces is muscle imbalances, weakness and low back pain.


What we want to do is prevent swayback or anterior pelvic tilt posture from arising, and we do that with exercise. Pelvic tilt exercises, core exercises, pelvic stabilisation and gluteal strengthening exercises are the kind of exercises that should be done before pregnancy to give your body a stable base to work with. Depending on the kind of exercise, it can even be continued with during your pregnancy.


On the topic of exercise, other exercises one can do when pregnant include mostly low impact exercises like walking, swimming or using a stationary bike. These exercises keep one active, aren’t stressful for the back, and in turn help us stay healthy and pain free. As always though, seek professional medical advice if you intend to do exercise while pregnant.

Other things that can be done during pregnancy to avoid unnecessary back pain would include not bending over to lift or pick things up when pregnant. This is solid advice even for those who are not pregnant. A lot of people experience back pain due to lifting things with their back instead of their legs.

Squatting, keeping your back straight while bending at the knees and hips to pick things up is fine as it does not put a strain on our back. For those who are heavily pregnant, having someone else pick things up off the floor is also an acceptable alternative!

Having adequate rest is important for soon-to-be mothers, thus one should be getting proper sleep. Sleeping on your back is generally not the best position at the best of times, more so when pregnant. This is due to the baby’s weight possibly affecting venous flow from the lower limbs back to the heart, as well as causing lower back pain too. I think it goes without saying that lying on your stomach during pregnancy should not happen as that puts pressure on the baby and possibly reduces blood flow.

Ideally, you want to be sleeping on your side. A proper height pillow to rest your head, and your knees bent with a pillow or bolster between them will help reduce any strain in your back. All these tips should help prevent or minimize the risk of having lower back pain during pregnancy. Back pain after pregnancy can and does happen; as the hormonal changes during pregnancy that loosened the joints and ligaments did not happen overnight, likewise the return of strength to muscles and tone to ligaments will take time.


Typically if a woman has had lower back pain before or during their pregnancy, they are likely to continue to have back pain after as well. Adding the strain of pushing during delivery, bending down to pick up your newborn and even holding them to breastfeed or rocking them to sleep can cause postpartum back pain if you are not careful with your posture.

Postpartum back pain typically resolves itself after a few months; it is important to note that back pain in itself is fairly common and not something to worry about. Know when to seek professional help for your back pain, especially if it is severe pain, sudden severe pain, or having numbness or pins and needles down your extremities. When in doubt, give your local medical professional a call and seek their advice. It is better to have as much information as possible in your hands about any pain or discomfort that you may be experiencing, so you can make the best decision for your health.

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Should you need more information regarding back pain in pregnancy or related topic, kindly contact Chan Yin Keen at 013-810 0373 or visit his clinic One Spine Chiropractic located on the 3rd Floor of Centre Point, Shopping Mall Sabah. One Spine Chiropractic offers chiropractic solutions for people with musculoskeletal problems.

What's Next After SPM?

WHAT'S NEXT AFTER SPM?

Written by Jasmine Leong

Executive Director of IEC, School of English Language and Further Studies Consult

So, SPM results are out! Now what? Every year, thousands of 17 year olds all across Malaysia wait with baited breath for their SPM results, pushing aside all plans of what lies beyond, almost as if their whole life was dependant on these results and nothing else.

But guess what? There IS life after SPM! All of a sudden, students are rushing to apply for universities in haste, looking at courses available, picking their future careers, usually all within a matter of 3 months. And then they are off, leaving for the next 3 to 4 years of university study, to study, learn and become skilled citizens of the world!

Now let’s take a step back, take a big breath and see how we can unravel one of the most important decisions of a student’s life. What shall I study at university? Where should I go? What will the cost be?

The first decision the student will need to make is what he or she would like to study. Usually at this stage, we have parents on the one hand pressuring the student to decide whilst the student is bombarded with one too many choices and may feel paralysed at the decision of this magnitude. I would suggest looking at the broader perspective, especially since there is still one more step to take before embarking on a university degree.

Pre- University

Most countries including Malaysia will need the student to complete one to two more years of pre university studies before embarking on a university major degree.

Options:

1) STPM / Local Matriculation

2) A-levels

3) International Baccalaureate

4) Foundation

So which one? If you hope to enter into one of our local government universities then the STPM or local matriculation would be the best route. However, if you wish to spread your wings and look outside of Malaysia then there are a few options to consider:

Option 1>>> A-LEVELS

What are the A-levels? It is the UK curriculum exam which has been outsourced to Malaysia and typically students do either the Cambridge or Edexcel syllabus exams. The A-level programme can be studied in private colleges in Malaysia, international schools or even as a private candidate in KK.

It is an 18 month programme course and usually revolves around 3 or 4 subjects at most. It is considered quite a tough exam especially if you have not been brought up under the British IGCSE / O – levels syllabus and get thrust into the A-level system. So it is not an exam for the faint-hearted.

For students looking at studying Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science in the UK, the A-levels is one of the few routes available. A typical 6-term A-level fees can be anywhere between £21,000 - £30,000 depending on which college you choose in the UK. Malaysian colleges A-levels are of course slightly less at around RM20,000.

Option 2 >>> INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA

The IB Diploma has been gaining popularity since it began in Europe and has been said to be a more well-rounded curriculum than the A-levels. It requires the student to be an all-rounder and has additional subjects such as the Theory of Knowledge, Extended essay and creativity, activity, service. 

It is an excellent preparation for university studies and life after university. IEC represents a few IB schools in the UK and Australia, so do connect with us if you wish to find out more. Fees for the IB overseas are around the same as the A-levels in the UK.

Option 3 >>> FOUNDATION

The Foundation programme which can be studied within Malaysian private colleges and universities overseas has been hugely popular as it is only an 8 month – 1 year duration and usually streams the student into a university degree immediately. Many parents feel that the Foundation route sometimes locks the student’s choices too early.

However, I would advise that as long as the student already has an inclination of the subjects they wish to focus on, the Foundation pathway could be a better and more direct pathway into university. It also teaches subjects which are relevant to the university degree without the unnecessary depth of A-levels or the breadth of the IB Diploma.

Typical cost of a Foundation course would be cheaper than an A-level due to the duration. In the UK Foundation fees are between £10,000 - £18,000, Australia it is typically around A$25,000 and in Malaysia around RM18,000 per year.

IEC represents ALL Foundation programmes available for international students in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. So feel free to connect with us once you have your SPM results! The options are boundless! What about the USA and Canada you ask? Yes, you can enter with SPM directly into certain US universities without the required SATs or 12 years of secondary study. 

For Canada, IEC represents two universities Simon Frasier University in Vancouver and University of Manitoba that has a special international foundation for students with SPM or IGCSEs qualifications. The cost of living and fees in USA and Canada can range anywhere from RM90,000 (in Manitoba) to about RM180,000 (in American University, Washington), depending on which part of the US or Canada you apply to. Singapore private institutions also offer a range of pathways from SPM and Malaysian private institutions offer Foundation, A-levels and Diplomas as well.

Private institution tuition fees in Singapore are about a third of Australian fees and a student can manage to live and study in Singapore with about RM90,000 per year.

So what results do I need to enter pre-university, you ask? All you need is a minimum of 5 credits in academic subjects. There are slight variations depending on which course you are taking up but 5 credits will generally get you into most Foundation programmes.

What if I do not want to study anything academic? Well then, have you thought about the hospitality line? Master Chef on TV has had a huge impact on the hospitality, tourism and culinary arts industry. Entry requirements into a Diploma of Hospitality in BHMS Switzerland or Le Cordon Bleu only require a student to be 18 years of age and have completed high school. Their courses are also structured differently, for example a student studies for 6 months, and gains practical work experience in the next 6 months. Hospitality school fees and cost of living are typically €29000 per year.

So there you have it, a comprehensive guide to your options after SPM. It is not as daunting after all right? Remember our doors are always open here at IEC if you need a calming hand and a reassurance that there is a pathway suitable for you.

About the writer>>>

Jasmine Leong is the Executive Director and Senior Education Consultant at IEC. IEC offers free advice, counselling and application procedures to over 100 colleges and universities in Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA, Canada, Switzerland, Europe, Singapore and Malaysia. Call 088 212939 for your appointment time and bring along your SPM results.

Should you need help for your children on their next education journey, do contact Jasmine Leong at IEC for consultation. She is a very helpful, not to mentioned friendly too!

Since 1981 IEC has been offering English Language courses and Further Studies Counselling and Application Services to over 100 colleges and Universities
Address: Sunny Garden, Mile 1 1/2, Tuaran Road
Telephone: 088-212 939  Website: www.iec.com.my
Facebook: www.facebook.com/IEC.GRP

Preparing Our Students For The Future World of Work

Source: Kinabalu International School

PREPARING OUR STUDENTS FOR THE FUTURE WORLD OF WORK.

Written by Mr Alan Connah, Principal of Kinabalu International School

The workplace that our children will enter will be vastly different to the one we are used to. Emerging technologies, a trans-disciplinary approach to jobs, artificial intelligence and social changes, such as the increase in remote working from any geographical location, are just some of the areas that will affect the workplace of the next generation.

As educators at Kinabalu International School (KIS) we have a responsibility to ensure that both the core curriculum and extra-curricular activities offered by the school are giving students what they need to succeed in the future.

While the workplace of today is increasingly collaborative and often focused on solving complex problems through team work, a recent study by the World Economic Forum has cited a marked change in the top 10 skills companies will be looking for in 2020, compared with 2015.

Source: Future of Jobs Report, World Economic Forum

Complex problem solving skills, critical thinking and creativity develop over time, through practice and engaging in human interaction. Therefore, we believe our educational environment at KIS should support not just the development of academic knowledge, but also provide students with a wide variety of opportunities and scenarios in which to develop and test these skills.

In the rapidly changing world of work, employees are expected to continue learning new knowledge and gaining new skills throughout their lives. It is our responsibility to establish a love of learning in our students, from the youngest to the oldest. Students engage in lessons delivered in a variety of different styles which encourage them to develop both their knowledge and skills in ways that challenge them individually.

Source: Kinabalu International School

The highly qualified and experienced teaching team at KIS are experts in identifying how best a student learns and supporting them to build on their individual strengths and weaknesses. Students are pushed to learn resilience and persistence in order to master the challenges which they face both inside and outside of the classroom.

The leadership and teaching team at KIS benefit from the school’s membership of the Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA) through having access to professional development opportunities in the region. Each year staff have the opportunity to attend workshops and conferences that further develop their skills and knowledge in delivering the most appropriate curriculum and using the latest teaching methods to assist our students in achieving their full potential.

Source: Kinabalu International School

Consequently, the learning environment at KIS is one where students are challenged, nurtured and supported. The students are motivated to learn and grow. This is apparent through the high levels of academic success consistently achieved throughout the school.

If you would like to find out more about our school, please contact our Admissions Officer, Tina Koroh, to arrange a tour and explore the opportunities available for your child.

Written by Mr Alan Connah, Principal of Kinabalu International School

Mr Connah joined KIS in August 2015 bringing with him over 25 years’ experience of teaching, with the past 13 spent in Leadership positions. A father with two sons at university, he is passionate in his desire to provide students with an education that enables them to develop their full potential, academically, culturally, physically, morally and aesthetically, so that they are able to engage successfully as global citizens.

Get in touch with Kinabalu International School today!

Address: Off Jalan Khidmat, Bukit Padang, Kota Kinabalu

Telephone: ++(60) 88-224 526

Website: www.kis.edu.my

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kinabaluinternationalschool/

A Dilemma: Cord Blood Banking

Written by Dr. Alagammai Ramanathan
Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu Hospital

What is cord blood?
This is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta once the baby is born when the cord is clamped. This is discarded as medical waste after the birth of the baby. Banking your baby’s umbilical cord blood means having it saved and stored for (potential) future use.

Why can’t we give all the blood to the baby instead of discarding it as medical waste?
It is given to the baby when it is deemed necessary, example in premature baby, anaemic and so on (delayed cord clamping) it is not advisable in all term babies as it does have its advantages and disadvantages which needs to be discussed on case to case basis.

Can I choose to do delayed cord clamping and cord blood banking?
Yes. Delayed cord clamping allows blood from the umbilical cord to return into your baby’s system, reducing the risk for iron deficiency. The World Health Organization suggests that delayed cord clamping for 1-3 minutes. Medical staff only need about 25% of umbilical cord blood for storage, and at 3 minutes, only half of the blood in your child’s cord has filtered back into their body. This means doctors can delay cord clamping for several minutes and your child should still have more than enough stem cells left over for banking.

What is cord blood storage and the cord storage? Is it the same?
Umbilical cord is made of 2 arteries, 1 vein and surrounded by the Wharton’s jelly. The blood (cord blood) is from the vessels, it is rich in Hematopoietic stem cell(HSC) and the Wharton’s jelly (from the cord lining) is rich in mesenchymal stem cells.

HSC has the potential to differentiate mainly into blood components as red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets which means it is used in diseases such as Thalassemia and leukaemia. These diseases are sometimes treated with high doses of chemotherapy, which destroy the immune system.

Cord blood transplantation or bone marrow transplantation is then used to rebuild the immune system. Cord blood is increasingly being used as an alternative to bone marrow transplantation. MSC has a potential to differentiate wide range of cells and tissues such as bones, nerves, liver and etc.it has a potential to treat heart disease, Parkinson’s and etc.

How much of blood will be collected?
About 80 to 100ml of blood will be collected.

If I opt to store it, is it a guarantee that it will be stored?
No, it depends at birth, if there is a medical emergency, the baby and mum will be given the priority. If the baby looks anaemic (lack of blood) this will be given to the baby as much as possible.

How is cord blood collected?
Collecting a baby’s cord blood is quick and painless. Immediately after the birth of the baby, the umbilical cord is cut and the baby separated from the placenta and mother. The placenta is delivered a few minutes later.

The portion of the umbilical cord still attached to the placenta is clamped and cleaned. A sterile needle is inserted into the umbilical vein and the placental blood is drawn into a sterile blood collection bag containing anticoagulant, which prevents the blood from clotting.

What are the options for storing cord blood?
In Malaysia there are two options for storing cord blood. You may donate to the public cord blood bank (kl) or pay for the services of a private cord blood bank.

In Sabah two options of private banking CryoCord and StemLife. Both collects the blood here and stores it in West Malaysia. You have the options to store stem cells either in bags or vials then store in a vapour phase liquid nitrogen tank at -190°C in West Malaysia.

Is it available in the government?
Yes, it is available in the government set up but it is decided by the doctor in charge....if the need be, the patient is to be sent to Kuala Lumpur and delivery has to be there at a government set up, blood will be stored at the public blood bank. This is only done on special occasions and with the doctor’s approval.

On rare occasions, a hospital will collect and store a baby’s cord blood for a family member who has a medical condition that can be treated with cord blood transplantation.

Can I do cord collection in government and store it at the private cord banking?
Yes, but is also on case to case basis, which needs the attending doctor’s prior approval and counselling.

How long can I store cord blood cells?
Researchers believe cord blood cells will remain useable indefinitely. The longest-stored unit of
cord blood is several decades old, and the cells are in perfect condition.

If I have multiple children, should I save cord blood for each?
Yes. Your children can use each other’s stem cells for treatment, and having access to more cells means you have a greater amount of treatment options in the future.

If my family has a good medical history, should I still store cord blood?
It depends on the family. With new treatments emerging every year, your family has a chance of using cord blood cells during their lifetime. Even with a perfect medical history, choosing to bank your child’s cord blood is still a safe decision. Certain illnesses, like leukaemia, are not hereditary and can happen at any time.

How does cord tissue banking work?
After cord blood is taken from your baby’s umbilical cord, up to 8 inches of cord are cut and stored in a medical container. This piece of tissue travels – along with the cord blood – to a storage facility, where the cells are removed and put into cryogenic storage.

Which treatments use cord tissue?
Cord tissue specifically works in the spinal cord, brain and cartilage. Clinical trials are currently underway for treatments using cord tissue, and new therapies may only be a few years away. However, most research for cord tissue is still untested.

FACTS TO CONSIDER

a) Many experts insist that it is very unlikely that anyone in your family will ever need your baby’s cord blood. Dr Sarah Buckey, Australian GP estimates the likelihood of low-risk children needing their own stored stem cells is 1 in 20,000. So it is like an insurance... you can get it and hopefully not use it for our own. The exception is those families who already have a child with an illness that could be treated with cord blood from a newborn sibling.

b) Cost of treatments: Approximately RM70,000 for the blood diseases which can be done in Malaysia’s semi government hospitals.

c) However, apart from blood disorders, the use of cord blood for other diseases is not a routine clinical modality and remains a major challenge for the stem cell community. Storing your baby’s cord blood is a personal decision that only you can make.

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For more information about Cord Blood Banking or related to pregnancy and birth, you may contact Dr.Alagammai at Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu Hospital. Call 088-518 888 or visit them at Sembulan@Riverson.

Learn more about the endless benefits of your baby's stem cell and cord blood by contacting our Cord Blood Bank partner at StemLife Berhad. Call 03-2166 3636 (Kuala Lumpur) or 016-832 9392 (Lisa, StemLife Consultant based in Kota Kinabalu)

For more information on StemLife, visit www.stemlife.com

Educating a Gen Z Child

We used to live in a much simpler world, some would argue. No internet and technology meant that children got to play in the playground, develop their motor skills and have an all-round education rather than just a thumb war with the computer / ipad / iphone etc.

So how do we educate our children in the 21^st century? Generation Z , ie., those born after the year 2000, who have never known a time without technology. They hold information at the tip of their fingers. There is now no excuse not to know! They are the most well informed, tech-savy generation and will probably grow up to have careers that have not even been invented yet! So, how do we prepare our next generation for a future that seems so uncertain? A future with Brexit, the Trump Presidency and global terrorism?

I may not have all the answers, but what I have come to realise in my 15 years as an education counsellor, is that there is very little we can guarantee about the future. All we can do as parents and educators is to prepare the next generation with skills that will hopefully equip them to take on whatever the future holds. There are no longer secure lifelong jobs that our parents and grandparents used to have. A person going into the workforce in 2016 is predicted to have at least 17 career changes! A little too unstable for my liking but these are the stats!

In Kota Kinabalu alone, we now have alternative education to consider. Home-schooling has become quite the norm, and the rise of private and international schools has shown that parents in KK are looking for alternative education.  There are still parents who will send their little ones off to boarding school in the UK, Australia, Canada or USA but for most parents who cannot ween them off too early, then international school or private home schools would be the option.

So how do we choose?  Let us break it down here:

Public School – let’s start with the obvious. We are very blessed in Malaysia to have primary and secondary school choices in 3 languages. So if you are comfortable with the Malaysian education system which is now mainly in the Malay-language medium from secondary school onwards, then we definitely have enough government schools in KK to apply to. It is also important as a Malaysian to have your SPM certificates for many government posts as well as professional accreditation should you wish to work in that field in the future.

Private School – Should you feel that public school may not give as much attention to your child as you would like, seeing that typically the ratio of teacher to student is 1: 50, then there are a number of private schools in Sabah that offer the government syllabus and lead you to obtain your SPMs but at the same time have a better teacher student ratio.

International School – This option has become increasingly popular over recent years with institutions sprouting out everywhere in Peninsular Malaysia. In Sabah too, we now have the option to study IGCSEs and A-levels which are the British equivalent to our SPM and STPM qualifications.

Alternative school – This option is where it can get a little more complicated as one has to ensure that they are studying a syllabus that is widely recognised and accepted for progression into tertiary education.

Home schooling / private tuition – There are a number of tuition centres now that are offering IGCSE / A-level private tuition, enabling students to register and take the IGCSEs or A-levels as a private candidate. This can be a great way to monitor your child’s own progress and be able to pace his or her learning according to his or her individual strengths. A number of state or national athletes have had to opt for this option due to their rigorous training regimes. Some have chosen this out of necessity if their child is a slow learner or may have other medical issues that makes it tough to assimilate into a mainstream school environment.

Overseas boarding school  - Finally, should you really wish to have an international education, then there are many boarding schools in the UK, Australia, USA, Canada and New Zealand open to receiving international students into their mix of local students. The environment of each country differs and at IEC, we always aim to find the right fit for the individual as education is really not a one size fits all.

What about the young ones?

Now that we have talked about the different education systems, mainly for primary/high school aged students; what about the Pre-Schoolers or Young Learners between ages 4-6?

YOUNG LEARNERS

The phrase for young learners nowadays is ‘information technology overload’! 

Their minds are absorbing at possibly the fastest rate of any generation due to the overload of information that is available nowadays. Technology has taken over so much of our daily lives that it seems strange to think back to how we managed back in pre-internet days.

So how do you choose the right pre-school for your young learner? 

I would highly recommend a young learners programme that has the right balance of play, creativity, fun as well as solid basics. Starting this coming Januray 2017, we at IEC are working to belp mould our young learners of today by creating a programme that will hopefully meet all of the above aspects and more! 

Any good pre-school learning centre should have the following categories: 

a) Language Skills: English, Malay and Mandarin are a must to learn in Malaysia and this is one of our key advantages as a country. The ability to master all three languages and communicate in them is something unique in our country and we need to continue ensuring our future generation are all 1 Malaysia citizens by teaching them all 3 languages.

b) STEM Skills: STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. These subjects tell us about how our world works and how we can improve and advance as a human race. We do not need to start only in primary school. There is so much to discover about our world early on as a young learner.

c) Creative Arts: If we just engaged the left brain and filled it with knowledge of mathematics and science and ignored the right brain; then the child will not develop fully to realise his or her full potential. Personally speaking, I feel schools focus too much on STEM subjects and ignore the importance of the arts and humanities.  Introducing Social Sciences, Speech & Drama, Dance as well as Creative Arts will balance the knowledge and development of the child as well as instil important communication, leadership as well as creative skills necessary for their future. 

So, before enrolling your child into a learning centre, do take time to go through their subjects, venue as well as teacher qualifications.  Hopefully by choosing the right young learner programme, we can channel all that 21^st century technology and information into constructive and conducive learning opportunities.

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Written by Jasmine Leong, former National Swimmer, is the Executive Director of IEC, a School of English Language as well as Further Studies Education Consultancy. She has 15 years of education service experience and is also passionate about performing arts, especially musical theatre and dance. Logon to www.iec.com.my to find out more about IEC’s courses and services. 

SEBANGGA AUTO LAUNCHES SUBARU

February 16, Kota Kinabalu – AA Capital Group of Companies concentrates on a variety of businesses ranging from engineering and construction to financial services. Sebangga Auto Sdn Bhd is the appointed dealer for the brand of Subaru in Labuan and the entire state of Sabah as proudly announced on last year May 19.

Where local used to import the cars and find difficulty in liaising after sales service, Sebangga Auto  runs three Subaru car showrooms in East Malaysia, located in Labuan, Sandakan, and Kota Kinabalu, while the company plans to expand to several more branches across East Malaysia over the next few years. The outlets also operate as 3S centers, offering the customer additional automotive services and after-sales assistance.

“We are proud that within a year of our embarkation in Labuan & Sabah, today marks the day of our new and bigger 3S centre and Sabah HQ to accommodate our beloved customers and to provide more efficient after sales support to all current and future Subarians”, said Mr.Syahrin the CEO of Sebangga Auto Sdn Bhd during his speech.

On behalf of Motor Image Subaru Malaysia, Mr.Andrew Lee, General Manager of Tan Chong, he announced that this is the 5th Subaru outlet for Sebangga Auto after having started operation in Kota Kinabalu (Harbour City), Labuan, Sandakan and Bukit Tinggi in Selangor last year.  “I am also pleased to announce that Sebangga is also expanding into the state of Sarawak with dealership and service centre appointments in Kuching, Bintulu and Miri this year”, he added.

Subaru is the automobile manufacturing division of Japanese transportation conglomerate Fuji Heavy industries, the twenty-second biggest automaker by production worldwide in 2012. The cars are known for the use of a boxer engine layout in most vehicles above 1500 cc. Most Subaru models have used the Symmetrical All Wheel Drive drive-train layout since 1972. The flat/boxer engine and all-wheel-drive became standard equipment for mid-size and smaller cars in most international markets by 1996, and is now standard in most North American market Subaru vehicles. The lone exception is the BRZ, introduced in 2012, which uses the boxer engine but instead uses a rear-wheel-drive structure. Subaru also offers turbocharged versions of their passenger cars, such as the Impreza WRX and the Legacy 2.5GT. The 2.5XT trims of the Outback and Forester also include a turbocharged engine.

The growth of Subaru in Malaysia owes to the great support from customers of their SUV model Subaru XV which they started to assemble here in Malaysia 5 years ago. Following the success of this popular model, Subaru launched the 2^nd locally assembled model in April last year with the renowned and larger Forester SUV.  Malaysians will be pleased to note that all the cars that roll out from their local factory meet the exact high quality standard and same design requirement set by the manufacturer in Japan; and for that, Subaru cars here have won numerous product awards, including SUV of the Year.

Excited to introduce their existing and new models, Sebangga Auto Sdn Bhd promise to deliver best performance and after sales service to cater the needs of their customers and through the great efforts in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) event - Sebangga Excellent Development Programme (SEDP) featuring Ann ‘Athena’ Osman, as well continue to bloom young talents of Sabahans and make things significant. 

Nando's Tingles Taste Buds with New Mango & Lime PERi-PERi!

Nando's has been grilling Malaysia's taste buds since 1998 and has since been the top purveyours of spice and flavour through its world-renoved flamed grilled PERi-PERi chicken. For the first time in Nando's 19 year history in Malaysia, it celebrates the New Year with a sweet zest for life by introducing a new PERi-PERi flavour for your Nando's meals!

The new Mango & Lime flavour stays true to its Afro-Portuguese roots and brings a new dimension to its range of PERi-PERi flavours. Imported from South Africa, the PERi-PERi flavours currently comes in 4 flaming options; Lemon & Herb, Mild, Hot and Extra Hot Now. Fans that are just beginning their spicy journey can enjoy Mango & Lime as it wiggles its way on to the Nando's PERi-ometer. Mango & Lime's mixture of flavours undoubtly appeals to Malaysian's love for all things sweet and spicy.

"Our flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken has proven to be a hit with our fans at home and abroad. With our new flavour, we hope to welcome new fans through our doors and ignite Nando's lovers with sweet, tangy and zesty flavours but with quirky Nando's PERi-PERi twist. We are always on the look out to spice up the Nando's experience while staying true to our identity and the fun combination of Mango & Lime fits the bill perfectly," said Stephen Chew, CEO of Nando's Malaysia.

Nando's paris Mango & Lime with a new designer drink, Tropical Fruitea, to complete the tantalising experience. A thirst-quenching tropical medley of Mango & Lime infused with orange juice and lemon tea makes the perfect partner in crime to the Mango & Lime PERi-PERi flavoured meal.

Since its tangy and zesty introduction, Mango & Lime has proven to be a hit in various countries across the globe including United Kingdom and Australia and is now a staple at all Nando's Malaysia outlets as part of its permanent menu. Be it with the flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken, sides or appeteasers, it's time to give your taste buds a tongue-tingling time with the Mango & Lime flavour!

To find out more on the new addition to the family, log on to www.nandos.com.my or visit Nando's Malaysia Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nandosmy.