{
  "id": 12736126,
  "title": "Click, clack, connect: ‘Jom Mahjong’ brings people together",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/click-clack-connect-jom-mahjong-brings-people-together-12736126",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-07T23:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2026/10/08/click-clack-connect-jom-mahjong-brings-people-together"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Jom Mahjong, Malaysia's first social mahjong club, is bringing people together for the joy of playing the traditional tile game of skill, strategy, and luck. Established in April, the club aims to introduce Malaysians of all backgrounds to the game, promoting mental and social skills. The idea for the club came to founder and president Zed Lee during a company trip when he played mahjong with colleagues from diverse backgrounds. Lee believes the game can help break down social barriers and foster connections. Recently, Jom Mahjong organized a \"Brain Health & Mahjong Day\" event at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, held in conjunction with World Alzheimer's Month, to destress and socialize. The event featured the familiar click-clack of mahjong tiles as participants of all ages played, laughed, and shared memories. Mahjong has seen a resurgence in popularity worldwide, particularly in the US, fueled by the success of movies like \"Crazy Rich Asians\" and a post-pandemic desire for in-person socialization. At Jom Mahjong, the focus is on the game's mental and social benefits rather than gambling. Lee emphasizes that the club welcomes players of all races and cultures, and regardless of experience level, everyone is welcome to join and enjoy the game.",
  "summary": "The social club devoted to this traditional tile game aims to bring Malaysians of all ages together, one pong at a time.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Click, clack, connect: ‘Jom Mahjong’ brings people together",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/click-clack-connect-jom-mahjong-brings-people-together",
        "published": "2026-10-07T23:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}