The long Raya weekend is just around the corner, and the atmosphere is abuzz with anticipation. As some of us prepare to balik kampung and some of us take advantage of the deserted city, what do the rest of us with no plans do? Well, Astro will be screening a selection of heartwarming shows to up the patriotic spirit this Raya. So sit back, dig deep into a jar of pineapple tarts and watch some TV.
Mishal Husain meets - Datuk Mazlan Othman
Sat Aug 18, 9.30am BBC World News (Ch 512)
BBC presenter Mishal Husain comes face to face with astrophysicist Datuk Dr Mazlan Othman, the man behind Malaysia’s Space Programme. Dr Mazlan talks about being appointed the Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs in Vienna. At the forefront of Malaysia’s space effort, her work saw to the launch of famed astronaut Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor.
Siti Nurhaliza
Sat Aug 18, 9pm BIO (Ch 731)
Malaysia’s sweetheart Siti Nurhaliza broke into the music scene at age 16, then a just a novice with big dreams. The journey to celebritydom for the Pahangite was a rough one. Striving to support her family, Siti took on the difficult task of working while studying. Her claim to fame came when she won the 1996 Anugerah Juara Lagu together with the awards for Best Performance and Best Ballad. Watch as Siti’s life story is told to the public in this documentary.
Back to the Streets – Hari Raya Special
Sun Aug 19, 11.30am AFC (Ch 703)
Join Chef Malcolm Goh, Tham Zher Peen and the Berjaya University students in this mouth-watering episode of ‘Back to the Streets’ as delectable Raya dishes are whipped up. Learn distinctively Asian recipes from spiced marron noodles to sambal rice stuffed chicken to impress your relatives with.
1941: The Fall of Penang
Sun Aug 19, 10pm HISTORY (Ch 555)
In this documentary, delve deep into the rich history of Penang Island during World War II. The Union Flag flies high on the early morning of September 11, 1941. Caught unaware, Penang is attacked by the Imperial Japanese Air Force who unleashes a myriad of bombs, leading to the Japanese occupation of the strait settlement. The citizens of Penang are subsequently abandoned by the British forces. Watch as the survivors of the ordeal relive their untold story.
Passage to Malaysia: Feast in the East
Tue Aug 21, 10pm TLC (Ch 707)
This series explores Malaysia’s lush maritime culture. Host Denise Keller embraces the Sarawakian lifestyle, where copious amounts of delicious food await. She indulges in Sarawak laksa and sago then proceeds to search the Rejang River for the elusive Empurau freshwater fish. The Kadazan-Dusun tribe then welcomes her with open arms during the annual rice harvest, Kaamata.
If you'd rather not watch TV, see how else you can spend your holiday.
