Selangor Review

Comedy Court: Goodbye Sam

2012-01-28T14:12:00.004+08:00

This funny video by Comedy Court is about Sam (Samy Vellu), the former President and strongman of MIC (Malaysian Indian Congress) who lost his Sungei Siput seat to a new comer, Dr. Xavier Jayakumar in the Malaysian 12^th General Election which had been popularly referred to as a political tsunami.

Samy Vellu is much hated by the majority of Malaysians especially for his arrogance plus his association with the corrupt UMNO/BN government and his exit is greatly welcomed.

Thus this parody of Sam (Samy Vellu) is one of many parodies of political figures by Comedy Court. Enjoy.

Comedy court presents Executive Spa (Chinese Parody)

2012-01-28T14:04:00.001+08:00

Comedy Court presents Executive Spa (Chinese Parody) in 12 parts. Enjoy

Executive Spa (Chinese Parody) 1/12

Executive Spa (Chinese Parody) 2/12

Executive Spa (Chinese Parody) 3/12

Executive Spa (Chinese Parody) 4/12

Executive Spa (Chinese Parody) 5/12

Executive Spa (Chinese Parody) 6/12

Executive Spa (Chinese Parody) 7/12

Executive Spa (Chinese Parody) 8/12

Executive Spa (Chinese Parody) 9/12

Executive Spa (Chinese Parody) 10/12

Executive Spa (Chinese Parody) 11/12

Executive Spa (Chinese Parody) 12/12

Finding a pair of spectacles that fit

2011-08-19T11:41:00.005+08:00

In my younger days, I always had problems with my spectacles which frequently caused eyes aches then followed by headache. That was until I found Metro Optic Care Sdn Bhd, ground floor PKNS complex in Shah Alam near my place of work who fitted the first pair of spectacles to correct for my myopia (short-sighted) without the accompanying eye ache followed by headache.

However, as age caught up and I have problems reading, I have to start wearing bifocal/multifocal lenses. I can't remember when, but I started to be more comfortable reading without glasses and have been managing with just glasses for myopia. That was when the problem of misplacing and often losing my spectacles when I take off the spectacle for reading and then forgot about where I placed the spectacle.

I am now retired and hardly go to Shah Alam. That's when I heard about Malaya Optical, the eye experience boutique and that was the first time my eyes were screened for many things including glaucoma, cataract and retina problems with many sophisticated and expensive equipment.

I then decided to try using multifocal spectacle again and got one fitted at Malaya Optical @ Damansara Uptown. Yesterday was the first day I used my new multifocal spectacle and I am happy to report that it was OK the moment I put it on. I didn't even need a period of adjustment. No eye ache, no headache.

Damansara Uptown Free Shuttle Bus

2011-08-17T13:37:00.003+08:00

There is now a free Damansara Uptown shuttle bus to ferry passengers around Damansara Uptown starting from the multi-storey carpark to 7 other locations around Uptown.

The stops are as follows:

Stop 1: multi-storey carpark

Stop 2: Uptown 5

Stop 3: Uptown 1

Stop 4: Uptown 2

Stop 5: Malaya Optical

Stop 6: Perodua
Stop 7: Station 1 Cafe

Stop 8: Public Bank

Map showing scheduled stops

(click map to enlarge)

How to apply for US Visa

2011-07-04T16:52:00.000+08:00

There are 10 steps to apply for a U.S. Visa. You are first required to apply online:

Step 1: Obtain a visa photo. See www.ustraveldocs.com/my/my-niv.photoinfo.html for requirements

Step 2: Complete the visa application at ceac.state.gov/genniv/. Print the Confirmation Page when finished.

Step 3: Pay the fee at any Malaysian branch of Standard Chartered Bank. Bring your passport and the printed confirmation sheet. (if you have a Standard Chartered account, you can pay online. See www.ustraveldocs.com/my/my-niv-paymentinfo.html

Step 4: Go to www.ustraveldocs.com/my to make an appointment for an interview at the Embassy, or call 03-2302 3988. (you must wait at least 4 hours after paying the fee). When making an appointment, you will also choose where you want your passport sent.

Step 5: Come to the Embassy on the appointed day. Plan to arrived at least 15 minutes early.

Step 6: If your visa is approved, it will be returned to you at the address you chose in Step 4.

Further information is available at www.ustraveldocs.com/my

US Embassy:
376 Jalan Tun Razak
50400 Kuala Lumpur
klconsular@state.gov

GPS Coords: (3.1555138086939785, 101.72284126281738)

Location map:

View Larger Map

Facebook: Is it Unhealthy for Families?

2011-06-22T17:29:00.001+08:00

17th June 2011

Dear friends

Invitation to Participate at a Public Forum “Facebook: Is it Unhealthy for Families?”, 25th June 2011

We are from EMPOWER (Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor), a
non-governmental organisation whose main concern is to improve the awareness and welfare of marginalized communities, especially women and girls. Empower, working in partnership with Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO), Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and Sisters
in Islam (SIS) is organizing a public forum titled “Facebook: Is it Unhealthy for Families?” We would like to invite you and members from your organisation to participate in our forum.

Recently, Dato’ Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil remarked at the Dewan Rakyat on 29th March 2011 that, “in the context of family and marriage, extensive use of social websites can bring about unhealthy implications” [http://komunitikini .com/kl-selangor /ampang/shahriza t-facebook-can-bring-unhealthy -implications] .

Given that the 2008 statistics show that Malaysia has a total of 15 million internet users, this forum will act as a platform for the public to engage with policy and law makers to discuss the implications of any actions that may be taken on social media. The forum will give feedback to policy makers on the impact of social media on family, accessibility, freedom of information,
human rights and personal safety and privacy.

The details of the forum are as follows:

Date: Saturday, 25th June 2011
Time: 9.30 am – 12.30 pm
Venue: De Palma Seminar & Conference Centre
15th Floor, Menara PKNS
Jalan Yong Shook Lin
46050, Petaling Jaya
Selangor

The tentative program is as follows:

0930 – 1000 Arrival of Guests, Refreshments & Registration
1000 – 1010 Welcoming note by Empower
1010 – 1025 “Social Media, Family and Online Security” – Mr. Aziz Adam from Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia
1025 – 1040 “Social Networking, Freedom of Information and Right to Information” – Mr. Hasnol bin Hassan Ariff from CyberSecurity Malaysia
1040 – 1055 “Facebook, Social Media and Impact on the Family” – Ministry of Women,
Family and Community Development (tbc)
1055 – 1110 “The Use of Facebook, Internet Security and Impact on Young People” – Mr. Sean Ang from Southeast Asian Centre for e-Media
1110 – 1230 Open forum & closing, followed by lunch We look forward to your positive response. Attached is a copy of the registration form which you can fax to us at 03-77844978 or email to <empower05@gmail. com> by 20th June 2011.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at 03-77844977 or 016-220 8784 for further information on this forum.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Maria Chin Abdullah
Executive Director

Longest Chap Fan Stall in the world?

2011-04-19T14:30:00.000+08:00

Is this very long array of Chinese dishes the longest chap fan stall in the world?

That very long array of chap fan dishes belongs to Restoran Soon Teck at the Sungei Wang Plaza, Bukit Bintang and I estimate it to be some 30 feet long and is the longest chap fan stall I ever saw.

So would that qualify it as the longest chap fan stall in the world?

UH (PPUM) Food Court Price Review

2011-04-19T14:29:00.000+08:00

There are 2 major food courts at PPUM (Pusat Perubatan University Malaya) often referred to by its older name UH (University Hospital), one of them near the entrance above A&E (Accident & Emergency)

This is a review of the food prices at UH. Take for example this plate of mee (noodle) and beehoon with boiled egg and kopi o (coffee sans lait or coffee without milk.

For this average tasting simple lunch set, the price was RM6.50 which to me is on the high side as compared with the food prices at HUKM Cheras where the food is better, more variety and prices much more reasonable. This particular outlet Home Food Warisan Sajian Harian is owned by Emita Addri Catering Sdn Bhd.

There is another food court inside the main building wholly run by Besta Corporation and the prices are even more expensive.

Not only that, they charge an extra 20 sens for a plastic cup which probably cost them less then 20 sens plus they save on labor costs for washing. By right they should pass on the saving on washing labor cost and absorb the cost of the plastic cups.

Please do leave your comments as to whether you agree with the above price review or not especiallly if you have eaten there before.

Location map PPUM Open Food Court

View UH Open Food Court in a larger map

Damansara Uptown Directory Revies

2011-04-19T14:27:00.001+08:00

The Damansara Uptown Directory has withing a short period has already listed most of the retail outlets, clinics, restaurants and other businesses operating in the busy commercial center of Damansara Uptown including listing the many buses passing through Damansara Uptown.

The directory also have a blog, the Damansara Uptown Blog which will complement the Damansara Uptown Directory with news, gossips and reviews although at the moment it does not have many posts yet.

There is another Damansara Uptown Review website whis is a sub-domain of Selangor Review which started earlier and thus have more posts and articles.

Malaysia Income tax return season - IRB weekends open

2011-04-19T14:25:00.002+08:00

It is the time for filling in your income tax return again this time for 2010. For employees not doing business, the deadline both for filing the BE form is 30^th April, 2010. For those using e-filing, the following weekend at the various Inland Revenue Board (Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negara) offices would be opened for your convenience:

Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah: open on April 22, 23, 29 and 30
Other states: April 23, 29 and 30.

IRB Hotline number: 1-300-88-3010
Website: www.hasil.gov.my

Tablets galore at CES 2010 show

2011-01-04T13:09:00.004+08:00

Competition will be getting stiffer for Apple IPad at this year's CES (Consumer Electronics Show) with many competing tablets being revealed.

Many Android tablets will be launched at CES to give Apple IPad a run for its money.

Among them is the Toshiba tablet which will include two cameras for video chatting and taking photos, a high-definition screen that is larger than the iPad's and the upcoming Honeycomb version of Android that is more optimised for Tablets.

Samsung Electronics Company is also offering their Samsung Galaxy Tab

TV maker Vizio is also making an appearance with

And Motorola present tablet evolution starting with the ancient Egyptian hierographic tablets evolving to the present days Apple and other competing tablets:

Motorola Tablet Evolution

Tragedy: Demolishing Jaya Supermarket Petaling Jaya

2010-12-29T12:31:00.003+08:00

The multi-storey mall and car park which every Petaling Jaya residents refer to as Jaya Supermarket was the first mall and supermarket in Petaling Jaya which many consider historical, especially when the first effort to demolish it with numerous excavators for rebuilding resulted in a tragedy. The structure collapsed prematurely and 2 workers were buried alive and died.

See below some historical photos and videos of this second demolishing:

3 excavators in process of demolishing the historical Jaya Supermarket

A worker spraying water to control dust

Historical video of the demolishing of Jaya Supermarket

Kelana Jaya LRT time between 2 station

2010-12-28T07:14:00.002+08:00

If you ever have to budget for time when traveling using the LRT (Light Rail Transit), it will be useful for you to know that the LRT coach takes approximately 2 minutes to travel between 2 neighboring station. So to estimate the time to travel between any 2 station, count the number of stations and multiply that by 2 minutes to estimate the travel time.

Note: This estimate is based on measurement of actual time taken of 13 minutes to travel from Amcorp Mall station to Pasar Seni LRT station. From Amcorp Mall onward, the LRT stations are Universiti, Kerinchi, Abdullah Hukum, Bangsar, KL Sentral and Pasar Seni, a total of 6 stations. Thus time taken between 2 stations = 13/6 = 2.17 minutes

Yap Ah Loy Rockefeller comparison

2010-12-27T19:10:00.002+08:00

Tay Tian Yan did a very interesting comparison between Yap Ah Loy the Kapitan of Kuala Lumpur and John D. Rockefeller of USA and below are tabulated the similarity and differences between the 2 historical figures.

Yap Ah Loy	John D. Rockefeller
Born 1837	Born 1829
Very difficult childhood - cowherd	Very difficult childhood – raised chickens
Suffered humiliation while travelling from China to Malaya	Suffered humiliation before getting first job as assistant bookkeeper
Got first tin mine when age 20s and started to make rapid career advances	Got first oil well and started to make fortune
Became one of the most powerful and wealthy person in Malaya	Became richest man and greatest philanthropist in US
Family of Yap Ah Loy has declined	Rockefeller family still very wealthy

Alternatively read in full what Tay wrote about the 2 historical figures below:

Yap Ah Loy and Rockefeller – Tay Tian Yan

I inadvertently discovered that Chinese Kapitan in Malaysia Yap Ah Loy and American oil magnate John D.Rockefeller were figures of the same Age.

Yap was born in 1837 and Rockefeller was born two years later. Both had experienced very difficult childhood. Yap was a cowherd while Rockefeller raised chickens.

When Yap was travelling all the way from China to Malaya, Rockefeller had to suffer humiliation before getting his first job as an assistant bookkeeper.

Yap got his first tin mine in his 20s and started to make rapid advances in his career; while Rockefeller got his first oil well and started to make fortune.

Yap had become one of the most power and wealth concentrated people in Malaya while Rockefeller rose as the richest man and the greatest philanthropist in the US.

There are so many similarities between Yap and Rockefeller but at the same time, there are also great differences between the two of them.

Today, the Yap family has declined but the Rockefeller family is still so wealthy with more than US$300 billion assets. It is expected to continue being wealthy in the foreseeable future.

The objective of such a comparison is not to belittle the Yap family.

On the contrary, I have full appreciation of Yap’s great grandchildren who are open-minded and contented with the ordinary. However, the contrast still tells us some life principles.

Perhaps, Yap was limited to his personal factors and had neglected the management knowledge of sustainability. He had also failed to grasp the transformation trend of social change and as a result, his wealth turned zero.

Meanwhile, Rockefeller started from oil exploitation and expended his business to the oil refining market, as well as the financial and manufacturing industries, reaching all aspects of the US economy.

He was specialised in using levering power to expand the industrial development under his business group and from industrial production, he accumulated capital to control the financial network.

Rockefeller’s success was the success of the US capitalism. He said that: “If I am broke and thrown to a desert, I can still rebuild the dynasty as long as there is a camel caravan crossing.”

Rockefeller and Western enterprises believe in professionalism and industrial power, that is why their wealth and status can be maintained. This is the condition lacked by Yap and many Chinese entrepreneurs.

The Rockefeller is able to pass its wealth to the sixth generation and it is actually closely related to its family education.

Although he is the richest man in the United States, Rockefeller still required his children and grandchildren to do house work in exchange for their pocket money. His eldest grandson recalled that his first business trade was made when he sold his rabbit to a scientific laboratory.

Rockefeller told his son that the starting point is not the end.

Regardless of a person’s origin, his success or failure in the future lies on his own efforts.

Therefore, his children and grandchildren do not use the family wealth to buy British castle, French manor or Italian fine arts. Instead, they accumulate the money and made contribution to hospitals, universities and global philanthropy.

Rockefeller’s story of success and wisdom of life do not only educated his children and grandchildren, but have also affected the values of the Americans.

From the decline of the Yap family and the attitude of a parvenu’s son in China who hit a person to death with his car but still said arrogantly that: “My father is Li Gang”, we know where the problems lie. – mysinchew.com

Source: Yap Ah Loy and Rockefeller – Tay Tian Yan

Selangor Times Issue Number 2

2010-12-10T20:15:00.003+08:00

The Selangor State Government has at last taken advantage of a provision for a state government to publish a newspaper without the need to have a publishing license and below is the second issue of Selangor Times. Click Fullscreen to enlarge and Escape to return to this post.

Some issues cover:
KLORR (Kuala Lumpur Outer Ring Road)
Putrajaya mum over water issue
Talam's assets handed over to PNSB to recover debts
Klang Municipal Council to sue over allegations
3000 summons issued to assessment defaulters
Subang Jaya take measures to eradicate rats
and more

ST Issue No 2

Kuala Lumpur flood prone areas - 9 December 2010

2010-12-10T18:37:00.005+08:00

The following areas in Kuala Lumpur were flood after a heavy downpour on Thursday 9 December 2010 and as a result of Klang River and Gombak River swelling:

Jalan Klang Lama, Jalan Panggung and Jalan Hang Kasturi. This caused long traffic jams in Jalan Mahameru Highway, Federal Highway and Damansara-Puchong Highway.

Related posts:
Flood prone areas in Kuala Lumpur

Location map: Jalan Panggung, Kuala Lumpur

View Jalan Panggung off Jalan Sultan in a larger map

Location map: Jalan Hang Kasturi, Kuala Lumpur

View Larger Map

Flood prone areas in Kuala Lumpur

2010-11-17T18:18:00.002+08:00

The following areas are flood prone areas in Kuala Lumpur and if you are looking for properties to buy and is concerned about global warming actually raising the sea level, it will be better to avoid these areas:

Jalan Masjid India,
Jalan Ipoh,
Kampung Baru,
Kampung Chubadak,
Sentul,
Dataran Merdeka,
Jalan Tun Razak,
Jalan Ampang,
Jalan Dang Wangi and
Jalan Kampung Pandan

Location map: Jalan Masjid India

View Larger Map

Location map: Jalan Ipoh

View Larger Map

Location map: Kampung Baru

View Larger Map

Location map: Kampung Chubadak

View Larger Map

Location map: Sentul

View Larger Map

Location map: Dataran Merdeka

View Larger Map

Location map: Jalan Tun Razak

View Larger Map

Location map: Jalan Ampang

View Larger Map

Location map: Jalan Dang Wangi

View Larger Map

Location map: Jalan Kampung Pandan

View Larger Map

DBKL ready to face floods, says Raja Nong Chik
November 17, 2010

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 17 — Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is ready to face the possibility of floods in the national capital, Federal Territories and

Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin said.

He said that DBKL enforcement personnel, assisted by teams from agencies such as Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan, Welfare Department, Fire and Rescue Department as well as Civil Defence Department, would be deployed round-the-clock to assist city dwellers in the event of floods.

He was speaking to reporters after attending the Lembah Pantai Umno Aidiladha celebration at Madrasah Nurul Huda, here today.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department forecasts a wet weather throughout the month and next month which may cause floods.

The last time Kuala Lumpur experienced massive flooding was on Jun 10, 2007 with several areas inundated by about one metre of water.

Among the badly affected areas then were Jalan Masjid India, Jalan Ipoh, Kampung Baru, Kampung Chubadak, Sentul, Dataran Merdeka, Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Dang Wangi and Jalan Kampung Pandan. — Bernama

Review: Potential F1 star driver veizhi

2010-10-28T21:41:00.004+08:00

Have a look at this video: Honda Civic EK racing round the Sepang racing circuit. So fast but safe because that Malaysian "Michael Schumacher" veizhi says when he drives, it is like he is like a part of the car. And often tries to anticipate ahead and do the necessary. Plus he says he ONLY race in a safe environment like the Sepang racing circuit. He said that racing on ordinary public road is like committing suicide.

What are his achievements? Can't remember exactly what but he has done credibly in some time trials (I think he called it Time Attack) beating many other competitors with car engine capacities much more powerful than his. Well look at the video of him driving below:

Wanted: Factory at Kota Kemuning 1-2 acre for sale

2010-10-26T15:45:00.004+08:00

WANTED: URGENTLY FACTORY FOR SALE
LOCATION: KOTA KEMUNING
AREA: 1 - 2 ACRE

Contact Peter at 016-2050 319 or email me via my contact form

Blood Donation & Health Care Campaign - Chempaka Buddhist Lodge

2010-10-20T23:13:00.005+08:00

Chempaka Buddhist Lodge invites you to their Blood Donation cum Health Care Campaign

Event: Blood Donation & Health Care Campaign
Date: 24.10.2010 Sunday 9.30am to 3.30pm
Venue: Chempaka Buddist Lodge
Jalan SS23/25
Taman Sea
47400 Petaling Jaya (see location map

EYE SCREENING TEST (free)
Conducted by Centre for Sight, Taman Megah, Petaling Jaya

GENERAL HEALTH CARE (free)
1. Glucose Test
2. Blood Pressure Test
3. Weight Check
4. Bone Scan
5. Bone Density Check
6. Cholesterol Check
7. Fat & Muscle Analysis
8. Body Mass Index (BMI) Test

CHIROPRATIC CHECK (free)
Conducted by Family Chiropratic Petaling Jaya

FULL BLOOD TEST - 65 TYPES (free)
Conducted by Grosiz Lab

WOMEN HEALTH CARE CAMPAIGN (Special Offer)
1. Pap Smear Screening for Cervical Cancer RM25
2. Breast Examination

CERVICAL CANCER VACCINATION (Special Offer RM540)

INFLUENZA H1N1 (BIRD FLU) VACCINATION) (Special Offer EM60)

Click to enlarge poster:

Location map: Chempaka Buddhist Lodge, Taman SEA Petaling Jaya

Budget 2011 - Change or Continuity (public forum)

2010-10-19T19:01:00.002+08:00

Please be informed that the office of State Assemblywoman for Subang Jaya, Hannah Yeoh, will be holding a public forum on the Budget tomorrow, details are as follows:

BUDGET 2011 - CHANGE OR CONTINUITY?

Date: 20 Oct 2010 (Wed)
Time: 8pm
Venue: Poolside Cove, Sunway Lagoon Club, No. 3, Jalan Lagoon Timur, Bandar Sunway (see location map

Speakers:
MP for PJ Utara, Tony Pua
Chief Executive of Selangor Economic Advisory Office, Rafizi Ramli
MP for Klang, Charles Santiago
MP for Kuala Selangor, Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad
Political analyst Dr. Ong Kian Ming
Admission: Free

Enquiries: 019-2865858

Location map: Sunway Lagoon Club, Jalan Lagoon Timur, Bandar Sunway

View Larger Map

Map: http://maps.google.com.my/maps?q=sunway+lagoon+club&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&hl=en&hq=sunway+lagoon+club&hnear&z=16&iwloc=A

Kashmir Cafes University Garden PJ wifi

2010-10-19T17:38:00.006+08:00

While looking for an eating place with wifi, chanced upon Kashmir Cafes in University Garden, SS3 Petaling Jaya (see location map and GPS coordinates). Ordered banana leaf rice set with 3 vegetables plus dry mutton varuval. The boss told me that the set comes with 3 vegetables and 1 meat, but on paying for the food, found out that the meat is only included with the banana leaf rice set from Monday to Thursday. Friday and weekend you would have to pay for the meat.

So how was the taste? Well, it is tasty enough but I told the the lady boss my son who is very fussy about food is my official food taster and I will be coming with him another day for his food review.

Banana leaf rice sets with chicken and mutton varuval

So to me, what is the best about Kashmir Cafes. Without doubt it is the wifi and the electric power outlet that are conveniently located on one of the wall alongside the long bench chair as you can see from the photo below:

Electrical power socket conveniently located near table

Notebook computer surfing the net

More photos:

Couple enjoying their banana leaf rice set

Man enjoying his banana leaf roti canai

Kashmir Cafes address and GPS coordinates

Address: 58, Jalan SS3/31, 47300 Petaling Jaya Selangor D.E.
GPS Coordinate: 3° 5′41.72″N 101°36′41.83″E

Location map: Kashmir Cafes, University Garden, SS3 Petaling Jaya

View Larger Map

Straddling bus - Cost Effective Public Transport?

2010-10-18T13:53:00.013+08:00

Is this China innovation, the straddling bus, the cost effective answer to the world's cities very critical traffic and public transport problems? Watch Inventor Song Youzhou present his STRADDLING BUS innovation in the video below or if short of time, read the transcript.

Song Youzhou's straddling bus is a 2 lane wide bus with 2 legs along its sides running on dividing lanes on the road surfaces itself, straddling above the in-between 2 lanes thus allowing vehicles to drive under it. Looks like an interesting concept and probably the most cost effective rapid transit concept. I had initially thought that pedestrian safety might be an issue but on second thought, the bus probably be running on highways and expressways which are devoid of pedestrians who would take overhead pedestrian bridges instead.

Transcript of inventor Song Youzhou presenting the Straddling Bus innovation with photos

What you can see from video is traffic jams. What you can hear is noise and there is also visible air pollution. At present, there are mainly 4 types of public transit in China - subway, light rail train (LRT), BRT (Bus rapid transit) and normal bus. There are advantages and disadvantages. For example, subways cost a lot and take a long time to build. VRT takes up road spaces and produce noise as well as pollution to the air. How can develop environmentally friendly public transportation

Straddling bus provides a solution. Let's watch a demonstration. This is what the interior looks like: It has huge skylight that will elimate passengers' sense of depression when enter. The straddling bus combines the advantages of BRT (Bus Rapid Transit), it is also a substitution for BRT and subway in the future.

Sensors warns for motorist underneath it when they get too close to its side. It has sensors all over the place to ensure motorist are aware of its height constraint.

As you all know, the majority vehicles on the road are cars, the shortest vehicles are also cars. Normally our everpass is 4.5 to 5.5 meter high. The highlighting innovation of straddling bus is that it runs above cars and under overpass. Its biggest strength is saving road spaces, efficient and high in capacity.

There are also 2 ways in dealing with station platform. One is to load and unload through the sides; the other is using the built-in ladder so that passengers can go up to the overpass through the ceiling doors.

The bus can (achieve) speed up to 60km/hr carrying 1200 - 1400 passengers.

There are 2 parts in building the straddling bus. One is remodeling the road/ The other is building station platforms. Two ways to remodel the road: we can go with laying rails on both sides of car lane, which save 30% energy; or wen can paint 2 white lines on both sides and use auto-pilot technology in the bus, which will follow the white lines and run stable.

Another strength of straddling bus is its short construction life cycle: only 1 year to build 40 km. Whereas building 40km os subway will take 3 years at best. Also, the straddling bus will not need the large parking lot that normal buses demand. It can part at its own stop without affecting passage of cars.

Straddling bus is completely powered by municipal electricity and solar energy system. In terms of electricity, the setting is called direct current electrification. The bus itself is electrical conductor, 2 rails built on top to allow the charging post to run along with the bus, the next charging post will be on the rails before the earlier leaves, that is why we call it relay charging.

The set here is super capacitor, a device that can charge and discharge and store electricity quickly. The power it stores during the stop support the bus till the next stop where another round of charging takes place, achieving zero toxic gas throughout the process.

Nowadays many big cities have remodeled their signaling system, to prioritize pubic buses, that is to say when a bus reaches a crossing,red light on the other side of the fork will turn on automatically to give buses the right of way. Our straddling bus can learn from this BRT method.

The bus is 6m in width and 4 to 4.5m high. How will people get off the bus if an accident happens to such a huge bus? Here I introduce the most advanced escaping system in the world. In case of fire or other emergencies, the escaping door will open automatically. I believe many of you have been on a plane. Planes are equipped with inflated ladder so people can slide down on it in emergency. I put the escaping concept into the straddling bus.

The bus can save up to 860 tons of fuel per year, reducing 2,640 tons of carbon emission.

Presently we have passed the first stage demonstration and will get through all of the technical invalidation by end of August. Beijing's Mentougou District is carrying out a eco-community project, it has already planned out 186 km of our straddling bus. Construction will begin at the year end.

Thank you.

Beijing Mentougou District location map

View Larger Map

BOH Cameronian Gold Blend Teabag review

2010-09-22T20:36:00.010+08:00

BOH Cameronian Gold Blend tea described by its producer as a true masterpiece, aromatic, delicate, smooth which uses only the tender shots of the and Rajghur jats tea bags is one of many products of BOH Plantation Sdn Bhd, the Cameron Highlands Tea company (the tea with the UMMPH!).

Here is a photo of a cup of water with the teabag immersed for a few seconds in hot water:

You can see the dark brown color slowing spreading as the tea is being brewed. I have often wondered if the color is the natural color of the tea leaves or (hopefully not) some artificial coloring added to give it the visual UMMPH!

Here is a photo of the packaging from which the teabag was taken for identification purpose:

I remembered sending a query to BOH regarding this matter but did not get a response. Let me try once more at their contact form and see if this time I get a reply. Will update accordingly so do check back later.

Update 24 September 2010: BOH Plantation Sdn Bhd responded today with test result certification plus this message: "Thank you for writing in to us.

With regards to your query below, we would like to assure you that there is no artificial colouring in BOH Cameronian Gold Blend Tea. The tea colour in BOH Cameronian Gold Blend occurs naturally and it does spread in the way that you mentioned. Of course this is the colour that is naturally present in the tea. The idea of steeping the tea bag in the cup is for the natural colours and flavours to be infused. And if the tea bag is sitting idle in the cup, it is quite normal for the colour to spread this way.

Also for your info, we do send our products to independent/certified laboratories periodically in order to test various parameters. Pls find the attached relevant certification of the result analysis on the color parameters for BOH Cameronian Gold Blend.

If have any enquiries about our products in the future, pls forward them to info@boh.com.my and we would be pleased to answer your queries."

Certification of analysis results by laborities

COLORS OF TEA INFUSION

Anyway, found this video about "Reading Black Tea Infusions" in which there are numerous references to the color of black tea infusions:

Reading Black Tea Infusions

A dark green color in black tea means that the leaf was over fermented. Learn more tips for evaluating black tea in this free tea video about how to taste tea.

bright with a bit of green tnt - under fermented
dark green tint - over fermented and not withered long enough
green or yellow tints - pungency

Video Transcript

"Okay, we're going to talk about what to look for in a weak infusion of black tea. So I'm going to go ahead and put just a little bit of hot water over my tea leaves, and when I say weak infusion, I know I'm adding just a little water but what I'm really referring to is that it's not steeping for very long, not necessarily that we're using just a little bit of water. So, as you watch it infuse over the next thirty seconds or so, I'm going to let you know some specifics to look for. First look at the water. If it looks bright with a bit of a green tint, it probably means the tea was under-fermented. A dark green tint means over-fermentation and that the leaf probably wasn't withered long enough. Green or yellow tints usually indicate pungency, which is a word we'll define in our glossary later on. But over all, still looking at the water, a good black tea will look thick, and then, as you're examining the weak infusion, you want to look at the leaf, or the leaves. If they're dark, it usually means you're working with a low quality tea and that, yeah, your leaves just are low quality. So if the leaves turn kind of red, it's a sign that you've got a good quality tea and it looks like a few or our leaves in this tea actually are reddening or showing their redness as they unfold. And a golden leaf shows high quality which is also a term that will be defined later - quality. And quality basically denotes a great cup of tea, and if you're dealing with an oolong, the water will actually turn cloudy as the tea cools down, and if you use a small amount of water you can actually see it because the water will be in the cool down."

Read more: Reading Black Tea Infusions: Tea Tasting | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/video_2334681_reading-black-tea-infusions.html#ixzz10Gdt4aLS

Source: eHow: Reading Black Tea Infusion

South American flute music at Pasar Seni

2010-09-21T09:59:00.004+08:00

Listen to the haunting music of South American plus contemporary music played by a visiting South American playing on his flute at KL's Pasar Seni (Central Market, see location map)

Here is the first one, title of the song unknown. If you know, please do leave a comment:

El Condor Pasa on a flute:

Hey Jude on a flute:

South American saying some words to the Pasar Seni crowd:

Location map of Pasar Seni or Central Market

View Pasar Seni (Central Market) Kuala Lumpur in a larger map

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir & Batin

2010-09-10T14:01:00.002+08:00

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri
Maaf Zahir & Batin

Selamat aidil fitri
Kepada saudara serta saudari
Setahun hanya sekali
Merayakan hari yang mulia ini

Di masa bulan Ramadan
Kita berpuasa hingga sebulan
Pabila Syawal menjelma
Hari raya disambut dengan gembira

(Korus 1)
Miskin kaya memakai baju baru warna-warni
Mengunjungi sanak kaum famili
Sungguh hebat pemandangan di hari raya ini
Tua muda wajah berseri-seri

Selamat hari raya
Pada saudari saudara semua
Marilah dengan gembira
Merayakan aidilfitri yang mulia

Di sana kelihatan
Bermacam kuih ketupat dan rendang
Mintak bu kuih sepotong
Saya mahu makan kerna perut kosong

Dam dam dum bunyi mercun
Kanak-kanak segera datang berduyun
Dam dam dum mercun berdentum
Semaraklah hari raya ini tahun

(Korus 2)
Maafkanlah jika ada terlanjur perkataan
Diharap supaya jangan disimpan
Kuberdoa selamat panjang umur murah rezeki
Semoga Tuhan akan memberkati

Selamat hari raya
Hari untuk kita bersuka ria
Selamat mari ucapkan
Untuk kita hingga sampai tahun depan

Selamat hari raya!

Ideas to change Malaysia

2010-08-31T11:18:00.004+08:00

Be the change you want!

Event: Ideas to Change Malaysia
Date: Wednesday September 2010 ·
Time: 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Venue: Blue Ocean Strategy (BOS) Hall,
UCSI North Wing
98-130 Jalan Choo Lip Kung,
Taman Taynton View
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

PARTICIPANTS WILL BE SELECTED THROUGH APPLICATION FORMS

GO HERE TO REGISTER: http://www.ucsi.edu.my/tedxucsi/register.asp
...

CLICK FOR MAP: http://www.ucsi.edu.my/tedxucsi/images/contact/map.jpg

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________

The overall theme for the series of TEDxUCSI events which we have planned for is ‘Ideas to Change Malaysia’, building on the TED motto ‘Ideas worth spreading’. Each speaker who is invited will be invited on the basis of exhibiting an idea or more than one idea to change Malaysia is his or her own field of expertise in big ways and small. Each speaker will be asked to elaborate on ONE IDEA which they have that will CHANGE MALAYSIA (or has changed Malaysia).

The launch event for TEDxUCSI focuses on ‘Ideas to Change Malaysia’ in the field of media and entertainment. We have the pleasure and honor of having only one, or two, or three but FOUR exciting, entertaining (we hope!) and insightful (cross fingers) speakers in this field.

Panelist:

1. Fahmi Fadzil
2.Sreedhar Subramaniam
3.Amir Muhammad
4.Rizal Kamal

--
If you cannot express yourself you are already behind bars - Mbana Kaitako

Location map UCSI Taman Taynton (Google Map)

View Larger Map

Teaching women to save their own lives

2010-08-25T11:21:00.002+08:00

Free workshop: Teaching women to save their own lives
Date: Saturday 28 August 2010
Time: 9am - 11am
Venue: Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) auditorium in Pandan IndahLocation map at bottom:

A woman living in the city is exposed to all sorts of threats daily. Snatch thieves, robbers, rapists and even Peeping Toms. There is no denying that women are seen as “easy targets.”

Now two men — Pandan MP Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and safety activist Captain K. Balasupramaniam — want to help teach women how to survive in the city.

Ong is organising a free workshop on city survival skills this Saturday in his constituency, together with non-governmental organisations Yayasan Bakti Nusa Malaysia and Persatuan Belia Rakan Nusa.

Balasupramaniam said that the all-women workshop this Saturday would centre on things like voyeurism, snatch theft, house burglaries, rape, sexual harassment and even how to withdraw money safely from an ATM machine.

He pointed out that the workshop was restricted to women as some men may misuse the training to hurt women instead.

“We will teach them how to detect two-way mirrors in changing rooms and what to do if a man drags you into a room (to rape you),” said Balasupramaniam, who has trained over 100,000 women in the past 11 years.

Balasupramaniam added that he would even share basic safety tips like describing a taxi driver and noting down the number plate of the taxi aloud to a friend on the phone when travelling alone.

“If you do all that, do you think the taxi driver will dare abduct you?” asked Balasupramaniam.

The city survival skills programme will be held at the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) auditorium in Pandan Indah this Saturday from 9am till 1pm. Admission is open to females aged 13 years and above.

Source: Malaysian Insider

Location map: Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya)

View Larger Map

Location map - Church of the Good Shepard, Setapak

2010-08-14T19:03:00.002+08:00

Church of the Good Shepherd (1964) (Location map)
8, Jalan Air Putih,Setapak,
53200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel/fax : 03-4023 4786

Parish Priest : Boudville, Patrick
PPC Chairperson : Mr Ronald Lee
Saturday Sunset : 6.30pm
Sunday Masses : 8.30am(E), 10.45am(C),6.30pm (2nd &4th Sunday in Tamil)

Location map, Church of the Good Shepard, Setapak

View Larger Map

DAP elected representatives meet SS3 residents August

2010-08-04T23:34:00.002+08:00

DAP elected representatives are planning a "Meet the constituency" session on a Wednesday evening 25^th August 2010. Watch for update in the blog for more details.

Voter Registration Exercise: August

2010-07-30T06:45:00.000+08:00

There will be voter registration exercises at the following churches:

1. Venue: Klang Wesley Methodist Church
4 Jln Bukit Jawa,Klang (Location map 1)
Date: 8 Aug ( Sun )
Time: 10 am - 3 pm

2. Venue: Church of The Sacred Heart Of Jesus
152, Jln Peel, KL (Location map 2)
Date & Time
1) 14 Aug ( Sat ) Novena at 6 pm followed by Sunset Mass at 7 pm.
2) 15 Aug ( Sun ) 8.30 am - 12.30 pm.

3. Venue: St Anthony's Church, Jalan Robertson, Pudu. KL (Location map 3)
Date: 21 & 22 Aug (Sat & Sun )

4. Venue: St Gabriel's church (Anglican Church)
5 Jln Intan, Off Sungei Besi, KL (Location map 4)
Date; 29 Aug ( Sun )
Time: 10.30 am - 2 pm

5. Venue: Taman Midah Lutheran Church
2 - 4 , Jln Midah 10 A Taman Midah, Cheras (Location map 5)
Time: 10 am - 4 pm
The church is organising a blood donation drive cum registration for the community in Taman Midah.

Location map, Klang Wesley Methodist Church

View Larger Map

Location map: Church of The Sacred Heart Of Jesus, Jalan Peel, KL

View Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Jalan Peel, Kualalumpur, Malaysia in a larger map

Location map

View Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Jalan Peel, Kualalumpur, Malaysia in a larger map

Location map: St. Gabriel's Church, Jalan Intan, off Jalan Sungei Besi, Kuala Lumpur

View St. Gabriel's Church in a larger map

Location map: Taman Midah Lutheran Church, Kuala Lumpur

View Larger Map

Land for sale: Semenyih 15 acres converted premium paid

2010-07-24T17:52:00.003+08:00

15 acres of converted premium paid leasehold land opposite Bandar Semenyih, Taman Sri Tanjung for sale at RM5.0 million.

Interested call Peter: 016-2050319

Land for sale: Gombak 1.65 acres freehold

2010-07-24T17:46:00.003+08:00

Announcing a great piece of land for sale, freehold, 1.65 acres, development potential for 24 unit of 3 sty super link houses at Gombak, all surrounding development residential fully sold out.

First come first serve! Cheap !!

For further info, pls call Peter 016-2050319

Development land for sale: Semenyih, opposite Taman Sri Tanjung

2010-07-23T21:27:00.003+08:00

15 acres converted premium paid leasehold opp. Bandar Semenyih Taman Sri Tanjung for RM5.0 Million. Interested contact Peter HP: 016-2050319 or email me at Contact Me form.

Location map: Taman Sri Tanjung, Semenyih, Selangor

View Larger Map

Very sick girl seek AB blood type donor

2010-07-22T20:54:00.002+08:00

The message below from an email forward tells of the desparate search by Chen Siew Cheng: Tel 02-23708099 Fax 02-25507098 for a bone marrow donor with AB blood type for a very sick girl. Will appreciate if you pass the message to anyone willing to listen:

A simple forward this mail to others will be a meritorious deed, and it doesn't waste much of your time.

Thank you for doing that in advance. Please act as soon as possible.

Chen Siew Cheng : Tel : (02)23708099, Fax : (02)25507098. Please forward to the person who has AB blood type of bone marrow and hope everybody will forward the mail to your friends so that they can have the opportunity to find the 'right person' to help.

The success rate maybe very slim, that's why we used the e-mail method hope to find the right person. It may not be the smart method, but to us, this is final chance.

To the family member of the leukaemia (blood cancer) patient, every second counts. We anxiously need a AB blood type of person to donate his/her bone marrow, and although it only have very little chance to match, but we still have hope for it. Because of your loving kindness to pass the mail along, she may stand a chance to recover.

So, please put a little effort, the little girl may have chance to live because of you.
Thank you very much and a thousand words cannot express our appreciation.

Lim Seong Boon
Keng Tobacco Trading Sdn. Bhd.
Seremban
012-6083783

Selangor Philharmonic Society free concert

2010-06-23T16:42:00.009+08:00

Click on poster below to enlarge or go to Invitation to free concert to read details:

Click to enlarge poster

Invitation to free concert by Selangor Philharmonic Society

Dear all,

On behalf of the Philharmonic Society of Selangor, I would like to invite you and yours for this FREE concert at Civic Center Petaling Jaya (location map)

Music is not only a great healer but also a terrific morale booster, and we believe that music should be made accessible to ALL members of society and the joy it brings should be shared with everyone, not just those who can afford it.

Please forward this invitation to as many friends, family and colleagues as possible :)

The Committee and Members of the Philharmonic Society of Selangor invite you to come hear a community in harmony!

Presenting *Music from Movies & Musicals 3*

In line with The Philharmonic Society of Selangor’s objectives of bringing the joy of music to the community, and with the support and endorsement of the Mayor of Petaling Jaya and Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ) and Tourism Selangor, Music from Movies & Musicals 3 is a 2-hour concert with over 80 singers and dancers, backed by a live band, performing songs from Disney movies (Little Mermaid, Aladdin) and children’s TV shows to music from musicals such as Beauty and the Beast, Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Starlight Express, Miss Saigon, West Side Story, Mamma Mia, Wicked, etc. e welcome back on stage Phil alumni Nicole Ann-Thomas, Victor Chua, Ho Soon Yoon with guest artiste Ida Mariana who will be performing alongside many new young talents.

Music from Movies & Musicals 3 is part of the Selangor Musical Extravaganza 2010 program, organized by Tourism Selangor.

This is a *FREE* concert for the general public, staff, residents and volunteers of NGOs and school choir. Seats will be allocated for donors (minimum RM30 donation per invitation). Please visit http://www.thephil.org.my/mmm3/ on how to donate.

There will be 2 shows:
Saturday 10th July 2010 at 8:30pm
Sunday 11th July 2010 at 3:00pm*

The duration of the show is just over 2 hours.

Both shows will be held at Dewan Sivik MBPJ, Jalan Yong Shook Lin, Petaling Jaya

For more infomation, please visit www.thephil.org.my or email mmm3rsvp@gmail.com

Children are welcome. Attire: Smart Casual

We look forward to see you there!

Yours in Harmony,

The Philharmonic Society of Selangor
email: selangor.phil@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PhilharmonicSocietyofSelangor
Website: www.thephil.org.my

Location map, Petaling Jaya Civic Center

View Petaling Jaya Civic Center in a larger map

EM mudballs to treat Penang waterways and seafront

2010-06-14T23:38:00.008+08:00

EM mudballs treat Penang waterways seafront

by Yap Soo Huey

Should EM Mudballs Be Used for Treating Rivers and Seafro

The 5th National Congress of Integrity

2010-05-07T12:11:00.002+08:00

Dear Friend,
You are invited and you are free to invite your friends. Please register your invites vide the forms directly now on the website of OHMSI. Keep the goal of a mix of invitees to include others different than yourself. We will close registration when we hit 300attendees.Thanks.
Registration for Part 1 (13-May-2010 Common Ground Dialogue) is now open - CLICK HERE to begin Registration.

The 5th National Congress of Integrity

The National Congress on Integrity (NCOI) has been organized annually since 2005 by the NGO, OHMSI Sdn. Bhd. This year the 5th NCOI on 16th September will be on the theme: Truth Matters: Integration with Integrity. The event this year will be co-organized by UCSI, IAIS, MAFa and a growing list of civil groups with common ground concerns.

Common Ground Dialogue – 13th May 2010

In preparation for the Congress, a Common Ground Dialogue session will be held on 13 May to evolve a very clear problem definition of the challenge of UNITY in Malaysia.

The theme for this dialogue session will be: The Challenge of Forging Unity in Malaysia. The objective is to create a civil society initiative which will be to seek to clarify the current Government’s 1Malaysia Agenda and work towards a common ground of unity in thoughts and deeds, or intents and actions at least amongst the participating key stakeholders.

The main outcome will be a priority listing of the top 5 common issues of concern pertaining to unity in Malaysia. These issues and concerns will then be subject of discussion at the Congress on 16th September, from which a summary of recommendations will be compiled for submission to the Government as a Civil Society document of the policy issues related to the challenges of forging unity in Malaysia.

It is anticipated that the summary document representing the considered deliberations of a multiethnic citizenry within a common purpose and ground will provide real alternatives for future action in the growth and development of our nation.

Please find details of the Dialogue and register electronically by going to www.OHMSI.net and clicking the 5th NCOI.

Organizing Committee of the 5th NCOI,
c/o MiDAS @ UCSI University
Faculty of Economics and Policy Science,
UCSI University.

26th April 2010.
--------------------------------------------
Registration for Part 1 (13-May-2010 Common Ground Dialogue) is now open - CLICK HERE to begin Registration..
PARTICIPATION (Part 1)
We welcome individuals from all ethnic groups to be part of this peoples’ conference where people of like mind and heart with a sincere love for Malaysia come together to explore our common concerns and dialogue for solutions. A small contribution of RM10 per participant is requested to assist in covering costs*. The NCOI is wholly organized and sponsored by non-partisan civilian groups. If you wish to participate or invite your like minded friends and contacts, kindly respond by sending the following information to patnunis@gmail.com no later than 3rd May 2010.
EVENT: COMMON GROUND DIALOGUE ON UNITY
DATE: 13TH MAY 2010
TIME: 8.30 am – 5.30 pm (Registration begins at 8.00 am)
VENUE: CONFERENCE HALL, INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED ISLAMIC STUDIES (IAIS)
Jalan Elmu, off Jalan Universiti, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, KUALA LUMPUR‎ - 03-7956-9188
(within the grounds of INTAN Wilayah Persekutuan Office)

* Your contribution will be collected at the door on the day of the conference.
SCHEDULE
8.30 – 8.50 am Registration
8.50 - 9.15 am Table Activity – Getting to Know You
9.15 – 9.30 am Opening Ceremony
Welcome Speech
Keynote Address
Announcements by MC
9.30 – 9.45 am Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah (tbc)
9.45 – 10.00 am Blogger Art Harun
10.00 – 10.15 Dato Marina Mahathir
10.15 – 10.30 Dato Ghazali Dato Yusof
10.30 – 10.45 Saudara Anas Zubedy (tbc)
10.45 – 11.00 Tunku Zain Al-'Abidin Muhriz.
11.00 – 1.00 pm Exchange of Views at Roundtables
1.00 – 2.00 pm Lunch
2.00 – 2.15 pm Review of Morning / Process Announcements
2.15 – 3.45 pm Kopitiam Conversations at Roundtables
List 3-5 Challenges in Forging Unity in Malaysia
Poster Mount Listing
3.45 – 4.15 pm Gallery Walk / Tea Break
4.15 – 4.45 pm Plenary: Random Table Reports
4.45 – 5.00 pm Delegates Feedback and Close

--------------------------------------------
PART 1: COMMON GROUND DIALOGUE
THE CHALLENGE OF FORGING UNITY IN MALAYSIA (13TH MAY 2010)

This 5th National Congress on Integrity focuses on Unity in Malaysia. Since her inception, the Rukun Negara epitomises the ideal situation desired by all Malaysians of every ethnicity and creed. It is our national value statement.
THE RUKUN NEGARA

Our nation, Malaysia, is being dedicated:
• to achieve a greater unity of all her peoples;
• to maintain a democratic way of life;
• to create a just society in which the wealth of the nation shall be equitably shared;
• to ensure a liberal approach to her rich and diverse cultural traditions;
• and to build a progressive society which shall be oriented to modern science and technology;
We, her peoples, pledge our united efforts to attain these ends guided by these principles:
• BELIEF IN GOD
• LOYALTY TO KING AND COUNTRY
• UPHOLDING THE CONSTITUTION
• RULE OF LAW
• GOOD BEHAVIOUR AND MORALITY
OBJECTIVE OF THE 5TH NCOI:
With the Rukun Negara as our ideal, this NCOI initiative is intended to delineate key challenges in forging unity in Malaysia or the Unity is Strength belief statement on our national crest.
KEY OUTCOMES OF THE NCOI
PART 1: COMMON GROUND DIALOGUE – 13th May 2010
A prioritized list of not more than 5 key issues and challenges that need to be addressed for forging unity in Malaysia will be identified by the Common Ground Dialogue.
PART 2: THE NATIONAL CONGRESS ON UNITY – 16th September 2010
The second part of the 5th NCOI will focus on the issues identified on the 13th May, and consider policy options for resolution and submission to Government.
Registration for Part 1 (13-May-2010 Common Ground Dialogue) is now open - CLICK HERE to begin Registration..

Location map, INTAN, Jalan Universiti, Petaling Jaya

View Untitled in a larger map

Penang: I Can Live Green Campaign

2010-04-24T17:28:00.003+08:00

I Can Live Green Campaign

Sunday 25 April 2010 8.00am

Taman Jajar
Medan York
Penang
(Next to Sri York Condominium)

Nama Saya Jaja
Come Join me to Heal the Mother Earch for US and for our CHILDREN

Program
8.00am Soul Awakening Aerobics
9.00am Official Launching by Exco YB Phee Boon Poh & Tree Planting Together
9.15am Talk on How Effective Microbe (EM) Can Treat Rivers and Trees
9.45am Make and Throw EM Mudballs
10.00am Children Drawing Competition
12.30am Prize Giving and Lucky Draws

Breakfas & Lunch will be served
Program is subject to change.

Introduction

With the current threat of Global Warming and other environmental problems that is affecting all Malaysian and the whole world, we at JCI Tanjung Bunga are commited to take action to help alleviate the global environment problems. We are launching the 4-month project called "I CAN LIVE GREEN" to share knowledge on how to live a Green lifestyle that protects the environment and benefits us in terms of

Home and family comfort
Saving household expenses
Physical and mental health

ACTIVITIES IN THIS CAMPAIGN

1. Campaign Launching on 25th April 2010
2. Rehabilitate Taman Jajar and part of Sungai Air Itam
3. Conduct environmental demo on Green Living in Youth Park twice every month
4. Make Taman Jajar into a food compost maintained park
5. Setup recycling system in residential area
6. Create a source of income for the disabled and aged

VOLUNTTERS NEEDED

The intention of this campaign is for the good of mankind ang the Mother Earth. If you are keen to make a POSITIVE CHANGE to our environment and wish to lend us a hand, COME AND JOIN US AS VOLUNTEERS. Together we can make a difference

For more information and updates on I CAN LIVE GREEN Campaign:

Website
www.icanlivegreen.org.my

Facebook:
Taman Jajar

Contact us:
Seng Chye 016 428 4008
Tung NF 012 487 1213
Leay Fong 019 516 3850
Sue Yie 016 410 82=388
Goh KG 012 466 3633

Penang Speakers' Square Launching

2010-04-24T08:59:00.003+08:00

The Penang State Government will be launching the SPEAKERS' SQUARE on Monday, 3 May 2010 at 9.00AM

Venue : Millennium Square, Esplanade, Penang

Location map, Esplanade, Penang Island

View Larger Map

Penang Botanic Gardens guided walk

2010-04-23T09:21:00.003+08:00

The Friends of the Penang Botanic Gardens Society will be organizing a guided walk through the Botanic Gardens up to the Waterfall this Saturday, 24th April 2010 from 9 am - 11 am.

Meeting at: Botanika Outreach (opposite Moongate)
673A, Jalan Kebun Bunga, 10350, Penang
Fees: RM 5/ members RM 10/ non-members

For registration, please contact Miss Lim Keng Pheng, Outreach Coordinator at Tel: 2279915, from 8.30 – 4.30, Tuesday to Saturday or email – botanika(@}tm(.)net(.)my

Location Map

View Penang Botanic Gardens Jalan Kebun Bunga in a larger map

Accident Taman Kanagapura Old Klang Road

2010-04-21T07:37:00.001+08:00

There was an accident at the Old Klang Road yesterday 20 April 2010 at the traffic light leading to Taman Kanagapura. A car suddenly slowed down and stopped to make U turn. A Perodua Kelisa car following managed to stop in time but the taxi following did not and collided into the back of the Kelisa.

Location map of Taman Kanagapura, Old Klang Road

View Taman Kanagapura Old Klang Road in a larger map

Ex-NSTP staff trip Bali Beijing Shanghai

2010-04-04T12:19:00.004+08:00

Ex-NSTP staff {New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad retirees) will be leaving for Bali on 20^th of April this year.

Their next destination will be Beijing and Shanghai during the third quarter of 2010.

Jeya Dev the retired General Manager of Advertising says for a healthy, happy and active lifestyle, you should join the group. Jeya Dev can be contacted at 013-3308961

Former NSTP staff are welcome to attend the NSTP Retiree Club which meet every first Tuesday of the Month at the Royal Selangor Club, Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur. This means that the next meeting will be this coming Tuesday, 6^th April 2010. See Location map, Selangor Club:

Jeya Dev, former General Manager, New Straits Times Press

Location map, Royal Selangor Club (Kelab Diraja Selangor), Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur

View Larger Map

Announcement: Penang Forum 2 "2 years after March 8

2010-03-05T20:10:00.004+08:00

The Working Group for the Penang Forum is holding a public forum “Penang Forum 2″ from 9.00am to 5.00pm at the Caring Society Complex along Jalan Utama on Sunday, 7 March.

All Penangites are invited to participate, share their views and make suggestions to realise this vision for Penang. Those interested should contact 04-6585251 or aliran (at) streamyx (dot) com to register. (Registration fee is RM10, senior citizens and students, RM5.)

Penang Forum 2 Program: Has Anything Changed After 2 Years?

Sunday, 7 March 2010, Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang,
Organiser: Penang Forum Working Group

8.15-9.00am – Registration

9.00-9.10am – Welcome

9.10–10.40am – Overview of the Challenges

Chair: Ahmad Chik

Federal-State relations: Francis Loh
Budget and Economy: Lim Mah Hui
What has been Achieved: Lim Kah Cheng
Missed Opportunities: Anil Netto
Open Discussion (30 mins)

10.45-11.15am – Coffee Break

11.15-11.45am – The Penang Forum Experience: James Lochhead

Chair: Loh-Lim Lin Lee Open Discussion (15 mins)

11.45-12.30pm – Transport: A Case Study: Ahmad Chik

Chair: Laurence Loh Open Discussion (30 mins)

12.30-2.00pm – Lunch

2.00-3.00pm – Seberang Prai Issues

Chair: Kris Khaira

Housing and Flooding: Sarajun Hoda
Environment and Youth: (to be confirmed)
Development and Labour: T Jayabalan
Open Discussion (20 mins)

3.00- 4.00pm – Local Democracy & Local Plan: Peoples’ Involvement

Chair: Loh CK

Opportunities for Local Democracy: Lim Kah Cheng
Examples of Local Democracy in Selangor: Ong Jing Cheng
The Penang Local Plan: Goh Ban Lee
Open Discussion (20 mins)

4.00-5.00pm – Moving forward

Facilitators: Soon Chuan Yean and Prema Devaraj

Group Discussion (30 mins)
Open Discussion (30 mins)

5.00pm Tea and Close

The Penang Forum is an informal network of some 40 Penang-based NGOs and concerned individuals who came together in April 2008 to chart a possible way forward for Penang.

After the 2008 event, a Penang Forum Declaration was submitted to the state government calling for a new partnership with the Penang people based on the principles of popular participation, transparency, accountability, sustainability and social justice.

Location map, Jalan Utama, Penang

View Larger Map

Pinos Pizza & Pasta OUG Klang Road

2010-02-28T22:01:00.012+08:00

Wah, would you believe it? An Italian chef by the name of AJ opened a pizza stall in a typical Chinaman coffee shop in OUG (Oversea Union Garden or Taman OUG). Now at last you can eat like you eat in Italy, at the roadside where you can watch your pizza being prepared and baked right in front of your eyes, then served piping hot direct from the oven to your table.

OK here it is:
Pinos Pizza and Pasta,
4 Jalan Hujan Rahmat 2,
Taman OUG, Klang Road,
Kuala Lumpur,

See the banner in the photo below? It has the Italian flags. Real Italian food?

If not all of your group of hungry people wants Italian pizza or pasta, no problem. You can mix and match. Next to it, the corner shop house is another restaurant serving all kinds of food. See the road signboard below. At the background, you can see a sign which says in Chinese and with pictures, porridge with frog legs? I have seen a table with pizzas plus some claypot, probably claypot chicken or something.

Menu for Pinos Pizza and Pasta

Pinos Pizza Menu

PIZZAS
Margherita Pizza RM10
Super Special Pizza RM20
Tony Special Pizza RM20
Hawaiian Pizza RM15
Siciliana Pizza RM15
Calzone RM20

Pinos Pasta Menu

Pastas
Carbonara Chicken RM12
Marinara Seafood RM15
Beef Meatballs in tomato herbs sauce RM10
Chicken Meatballs in tomato herbs sauce RM10
Spicy Olio Seafood, capsicum, olives RM10
Spicy Olio Chicken Ham, capsicum, olives RM10
Spicy Olio Bacon, capsicum,olives RM10
Roast Chicken Pasta in tomato sauce
Aglio Olio, chilli & garlic tossed in olive oil, capsicum & olives RM8

Rich and Creamy Pastas
Creamy roast chicken in creamy sauce RM12
Alfredo chicken ham in creamy sauce RM12
Carbonara, beef bacon, parmesan in creamy sauce RM12

DRINKS
Iced green tea RM2
Iced peach tea RM2

Here are the food we tried out, Aglio Olio and Pizza Siciliana. My official food taster gave 5 star (best) for the Aglio Olio while Pizza Siciliana scored between 3 star to 4 star. The Aglio Olio was so spicy (hot), it made my nose run. However, you can order them less spicy:

Pinos spicy Aglio Olio

Pinos Siciliana Pizza

If you need directions on how to get there, it is at the opposite end of the row of shop houses from Steven Corner, OUG:

Location map to Pinos Pizza & Pasta, Jalan Hujan Rahmat 2, Taman OUG, Kuala Lumpur

If you need directions on how to get there, it is at the opposite end of the row of shop houses from Steven Corner, OUG.

View Pinos Pizza & Pasta in a larger map

If you are still unsure of how to get there, here is a map pinpointing Pork Mee, Tama OUG (pin A, the only pin):

View Larger Map

And here is a video of a staff making the pizza right in front of customers' eyes:

http://www.google.com/support/youtube/bin/answer.py?answer=92709

Email Me

2010-02-27T16:42:00.000+08:00

The BN government and Security Companies

2010-02-27T14:38:00.007+08:00

Unfortunately, the current BN (Barisan Government) Federal Government is not governing Malaysia with blatant abuses of power including using the PDRM (Polis di Raya Malaysia or Royal Malaysia Police) as witnessed by selective harassment and persecution of the opposition Pakatan Rakyat MP (Member of Parliament) and ADUN (Ahli Dewan Undang Negara or Member of the State Assembly) while blatantly ignoring police reports lodged against the people associated with the ruling coalition. Worst, police personnel are wrongly deployed with a large majority in administrative work, used as a tool of the ruling political while neglecting real and especially serious crime like snatch thieves, robbery, house break-ins, etc.

The Malaysian public has never been as fearful and most have turned to private security companies to protect them their families and homes. I have surveyed the houses in my city and found many signboard stuck on the facade of houses proclaiming "Secured by ADT" (or something to that effect) which I suspect is the provided by ADT home security

The public is so fearful and disgusted with the widespread corruption and the now judiciary and police of ill repute that many are migrating to the United States of America, with most preferring to go to California and Florida because of similar weather.

Apparently there are also ADT in Florida as well as ADT in California.

While previously whenever people asked me if I would abandon Malaysia and emigrate elsewhere, my answer had always been no, this is my home for life. However, because of worsening of the political situation, my response now is, looks like I need to consider it seriously.

However, there are mitigating factors. While previously, there are very few Malays
who would oppose the current discredited BN Government and voice out their protests and opinions, now they are many. So perhaps I will still stay.

But for those who are already in California and Florida, it would be great if they would leave their comments and voice out their opinions of ADT in FL and ADT in CA.

Open House Chinese New Year Selangor 2010

2010-02-20T13:19:00.006+08:00

The Pakatan Rakyat Selangor State Government will be holding their Chinese New Year open house at the Dong Zen Buddhist Temple, Jenjarom on the seventh day of Chinese New Year, Saturday 20^th day of February, 2010. Dong Zen Buddhist Temple, Jenjarom, is famous for its annual lantern and flora festival. It will be officiated by Selangor Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) Abdul Khalid Ibrahim. The following VIPs, Khalid, Selangor state exco Elizabeth Wong and top Buddhist leaders, will grace the occasion.

Location map of Jenjarom, Selangor

View Larger Map

Najib's Chinese New Year Open House

Meanwhile, on the same day 20km north of Jenjarom, at Kampung Baru Pandamaran Pandamaran New Village which is the second largest Chinese New Village in Malaysia, the BN (Barisan Nasional) will hold their national level open house.

Location map of Jalan Chan Ah Choo, Pandamaran, Port Klang, Selangor

View Larger Map

COMMENTS:

by A - 36 minutes ago
Celebrations should be carried out sincerely and not merely for the sake of "showing" themselves as being appreciative of the other cultures. This trend was noticed even in the Thaipusam celebration. A big cut out - something we usually see only in Tamil movies was placed to welcome Najib, this too was hazardous to safety. They tried to do the same in Klang. If they are truly sincere, they should have one event and have all member of the state and parliament for Selangor present. Put aside the political differences and reach out to people genuinely. As for now, all these so called state level celebration turns out to be just another PR exercise for the respective parties. What Police did in Batu Caves citing State setup stage as security hazard was also not proper. But then again , they just menurut perintah! This nation will prosper only when leaders are genuine in their intentions to serve the nation!

by B - 39 minutes ago
The rival political leaders meeting and feeding the people once a year during festive times is NOT important. Instead they must see that the needy and the poor are not always remaining poor and deprived of basic necessities in the country.There are thousands in this country who don't have 2 square meals a day. The leaders of whichever party must make sure the economy develops and the people of all races have their basic needs satisfied. People can no longer be woodwinked with once a year niceties given by politcal leaders to catch votes.

by C - 44 minutes ago
Wa! bNow Najib can go celebrate Chinese New Year among the Chinese and Rosmah can cuddle a Chinese baby. The moon must have turned really blue. Whate ver it is my goose pimples popped out like mushrooms each time I see the hipocrisy in their behaviour.

Announcement: Public Forum on “Strengthen Local Democracy and Restore Local Government Election”

2010-02-06T07:24:00.004+08:00

Invitation to Public Forum on “Strengthen Local Democracy and Restore Local Government Election”

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) and Penang Chinese Town Hall Youth Section cordially invite all residents to attend our public forum on “Strengthen Local Democracy and Restore Local Government Election” (in English) on .

The participation of the Penang Chinese Town Hall Youth Section in this event is in support of the project entitled “A 20 Year Plan of Action for Malaysia” by the Federation of Chinese Association of Malaysia (Hua Zong).

The panelists are:

Y.B. Chow Kon Yeow, Penang State EXCO for Local Government and Traffic Management;

Mr. Baljit Singh, Legal and Human Rights Bureau Chief of Penang State GERAKAN;

Mr. Jeffrey Phang, Vice President of Friends of Kota Damansara (FOKD), a coalition of 17 residents’ association in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya. FOKD is coordinating the “Sustainable Development and Environment Taskforce” within Coalition for Good Governance (CGG);

Maria Chin Abdullah, as a Chairperson of Coalition for Good Governance (CGG).

This is the second time Y.B. Chow has accepted SUARAM's invitation as a government spokesperson to exchange views with the people. This forum offers a golden opportunity for the present government, opposition and civil society to come together to exchange opinions, and make positive suggestions on how to improve good, democratic governance in Penang. This will help make Penang a much, much better place for us all.

Kindly to contact Mr. Ong Jing Cheng for further information at 012-7583779 or jingcheng85 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Warm regards,
Ong Jing Cheng
Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM )
Penang Branch Coordinator,
63B-01-07, University Heights,
Jalan Sungai Dua,
11700 Penang.
Tel / Fax: 04-6582285
E-mail: suarampg (at)gmail (dot) com
Suaram Penang

Location map of KOMTAR, Penang

({A} KOMTAR tower, {C}KOMTAR Bus Terminal)

View Larger Map

Crime alert: Blatant theft at Sunway Pyramid

2010-02-06T07:11:00.003+08:00

Powerpoint presentation of crime from CCTV recordings

From an email forward, a crime alert at Sunway Pyramid, Petaling Jaya:

Guys, just be aware of your handbags (ladies) and bags (guys). There are opportunists wherever we are.

Have a look at this and be careful with your handbag…
******
My handbag was stolen last week and you can view the power point of the pictures taken off the security camera of Sunway Pyramid.

Xandria and I were at a private function at Thai Thai Restaurant seated at the VIP table in a private area of the restaurant and yet my rather big hand bag which was placed on the floor between my seat and Xandria's was stolen. We did not move away from our seats at any point of time.There were 8 other people at our table and another 2 tables of VIP guests and journalists in the same room and none of us noticed anyone coming near us except the waiters serving our table. It's really incredible how that happened.

They look like a middle eastern couple.

This is to remind everyone to be very careful as these are professionals and it can happen to anyone. Please send the power point to all your families and friends as this may help prevent further such incidences.

Regards,
Susan

Powerpoint presentation of crime from CCTV recordings

Security Bridge at Thai Thai

Location map, Sunway Pyramid, Petaling Jaya

View Larger Map

Help find missing girl Lee Xiang Yuee

2010-01-26T11:58:00.002+08:00

Appeal for help to find missing girl

Anxious parent desperately seeking help to find their missing 14 year daughter, Lee Xiang Yuee. If you know where to find Lee Xiang Yuee or the suspected boy who may have taken her away (photos below), please call

Joanne: 012-4787 323 or 016-4407 889
Kian Soon: 012-4787323 or 012-4787323

Message from parent of missing girl

My daughter Lee Xiang Yuee age 14 was missing from home since 20th Dec 2009. She never call back and the last sms I received was on 22nd Dec. Her handphone no016-4699023 not able to locate her. Hope you all can help me to spread the photos and news .. attached photos my daughter and suspected boy who took her away. If anyone sees them bring her to police station and we can be contacted at 012-4669399/0164407889 (Joanne) and 012-4787323 012-4787323 (Kian Soon). We want our daughter home.

Thanks for your help.

Home renovation tips - change address

2010-01-20T16:39:00.003+08:00

This will be the first of the series of tips for home renovation based on my experience of renovating my house in Malaysia. As such, the tips will be most relevant to renovating homes in Malaysia, but many will be relevant in renovating for anywhere in the world.

This house renovation tip is not applicable to minor renovations where you continue to stay in the house, but for major renovations where you need to shift to a temporary adobe. This first tip relates to snail mail - letters, especially letters from banks and other financial institutions aw well as other important letters. Now when renovating, I do not believe you will constantly be at the site plus there will be many non family members. You would not want to risk the possibilities of them intercepting your sensitive mails and registered letters etc. will you?

A cheap solution would be to change the address of financial institutions and other sensitive sources of your mails to your temporary home or trusted relatives. However, this will involve you going to many places, but if you don't mind, I supposed it is OK.

May I suggest an easy and not expensive solution - get a post box (peti surat) from the Post Office and instruct the Post Office to sent all mail addressed to the site to the post box. Then you don't have the hassle of going to multiple places to change address.

I did that in a Selangor Post Office. The process is not instantaneous. You will have to apply, the application will be sent to the Selangor Central Post Office which is in Shah Alam. If approved, they will then send an invoice to the Post Office where you applied. I do not know if they will inform you when the invoice arrive, but you will then have to pay the RM50 for the annual fee plus a refundable RM30 as deposit for the key. You will then have to wait for the person in charge to change the lock (I am not 100% sure if they actually do) before you get your key.

I could not wait, so what I did was to go the the Shah Alam Post Office with my application and I got the invoice on the same day. Even after returning to the local post office and paying on the spot, I could not get the key because the person in charge of changing the lock was not around and I had to return the next day.

Location map of Shah Alam Post Office (Selangor Central Post Office)

View Shah Alam Post Office in a larger map

Selangor - Saturday no plastic bag day

2010-01-11T10:20:00.002+08:00

Kudos to the Pakatan Rakyat Selangor State Government for being the very first Malaysian government authority to introduce a no plastic bag day on every Saturday. It is gratifying to see some supermarkets and hypermarkets observing the no plastic bag day.

It is even more gratifying to see a small environmentally friendly restaurant giving away free reusable cotton shopping bags thus helping spread awareness of the need to reduce the use of throwaway plastic bags.

Environmentally friendly civic conscious Restoran Wei Yip

2010-01-10T10:53:00.006+08:00

Yesterday night I had dinner at the Restoran Wei Yip again and got surprised. Yes, more than 1 pleasant surprises.

As mentioned, I got some gifts for eating at that restaurant on Christmas day. Yesterday, I received another one - an environmentally friendly reusable all cotton shopping bag from www.becomeasia.org, very handy for shopping and helping us to break that bad habit of using throwaway plastic bags.

The reusable cotton bag opened up:

It was a Saturday and I remembered that the very responsible Pakatan Rakyat Selangor state government had dedicated Saturday as the No Plastic Bag Day and it looks like Restoran Wei Yip has adopted the No Plastic Bag Day. Ah a civic conscious small restaurant is adopting CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility).

Then I noticed an interesting light fixture:

I asked one of the owners, are those LED lights? I was told they are. Another environmentally friendly feature - low electricity consumption LED lights. How much? RM 60 plus (about USD$18). Wow, there are 18 of them in one fixture. That is 18x60 = RM 1080. Not only that, it seems the restaurant owner made the light fixture himself.

And the final surprise, we were served a small cup of Chinese tea each, no charge. And the cost of a plate of what seems to me to be fried chicken with lettuce for 2 and 2 bowls of rice plus 1 glass iced Chinese tea - RM10.90.

Contact details and location map

Restoran Wei Yip
No. 32A-1 Jalan PJU 1/3D
SunwayMas Commercial Centre
47301 Petaling Jaya.
Tel/Fax: 03-7880 3173
email: weiyip@nanoworld.com.my

BECOME Sdn. Bhd.
No 21 Jalan PJU 1A/12
46050 Petaling Jaya
Selangor
Malaysia

Telephone: +603 - 7845 1122
Facsimile: +603 - 7845 1133
eMail: info@becomeasia.org

Honda cars and the EK series

2010-01-01T09:00:00.000+08:00

My son has a fascination with Honda cars. When his friend wanted to buy a car, he recommended to her the Honda EK. This Honda model is so popular that when she had to leave for another country for further education, her Honda EK was sold with a small profit even after being used for a number of years.

When my son stopped depending on his Mini Minor car for general transport and bought another car, guess what car he bought? No price for the correct answer - it was another Honda EK.

I asked him what is so special about the Honda EK? He said that the engine is so good that in car races it often put other cars of bigger engine capacities to shame. I guess he proved it because he showed me that website which proved that he actually came out second ahead of many cars of bigger engine capacities.

When my sister-in-law came back after her post-graduate education in France, guess what car she bought? It was another Honda car - the Honda Accord.

Well, any car however good cannot escape the inevitable - car repair and maintenance. If you happen to reside in California, take a look at San Francisco auto repair.

One major item for regular maintenance is the timing belt. Timing belt wears out with constant use and if not replace in time, may break. Timing belt snapping while the engine is running will cause horrendous damages to the engine requiring major and very expensive repairs. So do change your car timing belt at recommended interval even if your car happens to belong to the amazing Honda EK engine series.

Restoran Wei Yip fish head noodles at Sunway Mas Commercial Center

2009-12-26T11:53:00.008+08:00

Here is a restaurant where owners take the trouble to not only interact with customers, but also give away gifts. I chanced upon Restoran Wei Yip Famous Fish Head Noodles while exploring Dataran Prima, Aman Suria and Sunway Mas Commercial Center on Christmas Day and decided to have my brunch there. Part of the reason why I settled on Restoran Wei Yip fish head noodles was because of these "Santarinas":

Here is what I ordered for my Christmas day brunch - fried Sung fish head noodles (RM6.50):

Here are some unexpected goodies, not 1 but 3, all gratis (free) courtesy of the restaurant owners:

foo juk (dried soya bean curd) barley drink

Nijigenki tongue cleaner

Nijigenki PocketPik (interdental toothpicks)

Contact details and location map

Restoran Wei Yip
No. 32A-1 Jalan PJU 1/3D
SunwayMas Commercial Centre
47301 Petaling Jaya.
Tel/Fax: 03-7880 3173
email: weiyip@nanoworld.com.my

View Larger Map

Monier Mediterrano roof tiles colors

2009-11-25T18:15:00.004+08:00

Here are some photos showing Monier's Mediterrano roof tiles of various colors from different angles:

One tile is missing - black (Provence Truffle). Also, the above photos are spoilt by reflection of light from the camera flash. I will upload more photos tomorrow.

Neodles - less fattening noodles USM innovation

2009-11-11T11:12:00.004+08:00

USM (Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang) has come up with dried yellow gastro-resistant noodles which they named neodles from coining together two words - neo or new and noodles. The 100% vegetable based Neodles are said to be less fattening and makes you full longer so that you eat less. Neodles are targetted at the "diabesity" (diabetes and obesity) market and also for the slimming market.

Monday morning basketball court SS3 PJ

2009-10-12T22:54:00.003+08:00

Pathmanathan, the usual resident of SS3 Petaling Jaya, is indisposed, and this Monday, 7am to pm, Alan Lai and assistants is leading the SS3 community in its healthy hour long exercise.

Alert - Avoid fresh sugarcane juice

2009-10-11T08:18:00.004+08:00

避免饮用新鲜甘蔗水
Avoid Drinking Fresh Sugar Cane Juice

请花２分钟来读这篇报道，这是我朋友传给我的，他爸是在新加坡的卫生局工作。
Please take 2 mins to read this. This email was sent by a friend whose father is working with the Ministry of the Environment in S'pore.

健康报道 - 有关甘蔗饮料
Health News - About Sugar Cane Drinks

朋友的父亲替政府卫生检查工作，是他把这项信息传开的。他们的工作就是要检查小贩的卫生（包刮食物，环境卫生等等）。他们发现甘蔗水是最不卫生的，它含有超标的细菌。
A friend whose father works for the government health inspection passed on his info.
Their job is to inspect all hawkers, their cooked food, their store hygiene, etc.
They found sugar cane juice has the highest content of bacteria among all food. In fact, it has exceeded the set limit.

从此，他们必须找出原因。他们去了所有的甘蔗摊子查看小贩们怎么处理甘蔗，洗杯子与及整个过程。
可是查不出什么来。

Hence, these guys had to find out why.
They went round all sugar cane stores and watched the way the hawkers handled
their sugar cane, wash their glasses, their entire procedure.
But they couldn't find the problem.

有一天，他们逗留直到摊子收摊，结果发现骇人的事实。
One day, they stayed till closing time and discovered some shocking facts!

每当摊主在收摊后就会用洗洁剂来洗地板。想想，其余的甘蔗多数是竖立的放在摊子旁边，它的下部肯定是接触到地面。甘蔗是多孔的，可想而知，甘蔗就会吸收所有周边的水。除了肥皂水，小贩们鞋底的污物，猫的尿尿等等，都会被吸收。到了第二天，老板就会拿那些渣成水来卖。

Whenever, the hawkers closed their stores, they would wash the floor with detergent..
As we know, the remaining sugar canes will be placed at the back of the store,
vertically standing and as sugar canes are very porous, they tend to absorb whatever liquid around them. Besides the soapy water, the dirt on hawkers' boots, cats' urine, etc, will all be absorbed??

看了这篇文章，每当我在小贩中心进食，我都会劝告我的朋友关于甘蔗水的事，我还会停止饮用我最爱的～甘蔗水。

Now, whenever I eat at a hawker centre, I would warn all my friends about this and of course I stopped drinking my favorite sugar cane juice.

还有一个超爱喝甘蔗水的朋友，她怀孕了，还时常喝甘蔗水。有一天，她流产了，而且胎儿已经六、七个月。当医生做尸检以找出胎死腹中的原因，医生发现有大量化学物质的痕迹亦出现在猫尿。

A friend, who loved sugar cane juice, was pregnant. She was always drinking sugar cane juice. Anyway, one day she miscarried and the fetus was already like 6 or 7 months old. When the doctors did an autopsy to find out why all of a sudden the fetus had died inside her. They found traces of some chemical substance, which was found in cat urine... Large traces of it.

当它不会对成人构成危害，但对婴孩却是有毒的。更何况胎儿？ While it would not be able to harm adults, it was extremely toxic to babies, what more a fetus?

所以他们尝试确定为何这些猫尿会出现在胎儿。这意味着猫尿被母体吃进并消化了，不是吗？他们得出的最逻辑结论就是小贩把甘蔗放在潮湿且肮脏的地板，而不可能假设杂散的猫尿尿在甘蔗上或其周围。所以，下次你购买最爱的甘蔗水前，想清楚。。。

So they tried to determine how this cat urine thing could have ended up in the fetus.
This meant that it had to be digested by the mother, right? And the only logical conclusion they could come up with was that since these sugar cane juice stall holders just leave the canes lying around on the wet and dirty floor, it would not be impossible to think that stray cats could have peed on those sugar canes or near those sugar canes. So think carefully the next time you order that favorite sugar cane juice!

请转发给所有新马的朋友。一起行动让这世界变得更好及安全，以迎接下一代的到来。。。

Please pass this on to everyone you know in S'pore & M'sia. Let's take action to make this world a better & safer place for all of us & the generations to come..

Price increase 103 TM Directory Maxis

2009-09-26T19:08:00.002+08:00

I have received information that Maxis recently increased its charges for calls to Telekom Malaysia's Directory Services 103 via Maxis network from 30 sens (RM0.30) to RM2.00. That is a hefty 700% increase.

Line dancing, ballroom dancing & karaoke at SS3 PJ

2009-09-20T11:31:00.003+08:00

The Cancer Society Selangor & FT is hosting ballroom and line dancing plus karaoke sessions in SS3 Petaling Jaya every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Petaling Jaya SS3 Community Hall. Here are the schedules:

Monday: 10am to 1pm: Karaoke practice

Wednesday: 10am to 12pm: Karaoke and ballroom dancing
Wednesday: 12pm to 1pm: Line dancing

Friday: 10am to 11.30am: Karaoke singing
Friday: 11.30am to 1pm: Line dancing

Instructor Ivy will be on hand to guide you through the steps.

Location map of SS3 Community Hall

View SS3 Petaling Jaya Community Hall in a larger map

Videos: Line dancing lessons in SS3 PJ

Health checks blood donation Damansara Utama

2009-09-09T11:07:00.000+08:00

There will be a health camp (health checks) cum blood donation at Dewan Serbaguna Damansara Utama (Damansara Utama Community Hall) on Sunday, 13^th September, 2009, from 9.30am onward. Light refresh will be served, courtesy of Dr. Cheah Wing Yin, ADUN Damansara Utama (Ahli Dewan Undang Negeri or State Assemblyman of Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya). Get your blood tested for cholesterol, diabetes, blood pressure, etc. for free.

Event: Health camp cum blood donation
Place: Balairaya Damansara Utama (Dewan Serbaguna Damansara Utama)
Time: 9.30am onward, Sunday 13th September 2009

Location Map Balairaya Damansara Utama

View Larger Map

Pendet - dance from Bali, Indonesia

2009-08-30T13:01:00.000+08:00

A simple dance can be the source of friction between 2 countries. Tourism Malaysia commissioned an advertisement to promote Malaysia and those given the task had included Pendet, a dance that originated from Bali, Indonesia. Indonesia threw up a huge hue and cry claiming Malaysia is stealing Indonesia's intellectual properties.

It should be noted that many of the current Malaysia's Malays can trace their ancestry to Indonesia, just as many Chinese can trace their ancestry to China and Indians to India. The lion dance which originated from China has been taken to be as part of Malaysia's cultural heritage and no one from China objected. Malaysia after all is a melting pot and that is why Tourism Malaysia is promoting Malaysia as "Malaysia, truly Asia" as in Malaysia, a visitors can experience the culture of the 3 major cultures - China, India and Indonesia. There should be nothing wrong in including Pendet in Tourism Malaysia's advertisement.

Anyway, below are some videos to show you what exactly is the Pendet dance:

Dayabumi Complex, Kuala Lumpur

2009-08-29T21:43:00.000+08:00

Dayabumi Complex in Kuala Lumpur consists of a podium housing a shopping mall plus a 36 storey tower housing various offices among which is the Malaysia Intellectual Property Corporation or PHIM (Perbadanan Harta Intelek Malaysia). PHIM is the body which patents, industrial designs, trademarks and geographical indicators.

Dayabumi is the first Malaysian skyscraper which was built using the fast track steel frame construction method instead of the slower reinforced concrete which enabled the building to be completed in 26 months when the conventional construction method would have taken at least 44 months.

Location map of Dayabumi Complex, Kuala Lumpur

View Larger Map

Penang Tanjung Bunga homestay

2009-08-02T14:32:00.006+08:00

Jalan Tanjong Bunga is a long street along the northern shore of Penang Island which continues into Jalan Batu Ferringghi, both popular with holiday makers. Below is a location map for Jalan Tanjung Bunga:

View Larger Map

There are lots of things you can do at Tanjung Bunga, one of which is to go parasailing:

Tanjung Bunga is like the rest of Penang, a food paradise with plenty of hawker's fare lined all along the road:

where you can enjoy delicious food like the roti canai below:

Homestay at Tanjung Bunga

There are lots of hotels along Tanjong Bunga and Batu Ferringghi, but if you are looking for a more enjoyable homestay, you can try Rumah rehat di Tanjong Bunga.

Contact person:
013-4358280 Hj Elias Othman
019-5289202 Pn Patimah Abd Manap

Internet and cheap flights

2009-08-02T11:25:00.004+08:00

Never in history has there being conditions so conducive to traveling around the world. When previously a traveler has to take a sea journey that take weeks plus being subjected to seasickness, now the same journey may be completed within hours with an airplane.

Travel time is not the only improvement over times of old. With the invention of the Internet and the World Wide Web, it is easy to search for cheap flights and purchase online cheap airline tickets without even having to leave the comfort of your home. With the Internet, it is very easy to do comparison shopping to get the best deal for yourself.

In addition to travel time and fare reduction, getting travel information has also become extremely easy. With the Internet, a few keystroke can get you all the relevant information you want.

Low cost airlines - cheap flights

2009-07-30T13:11:00.004+08:00

Malaysia has one thing to be proud of, one of the world's most successful low cost carrier (airline) - Air Asia currently based in KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airline). Air Asia have an easily remembered byline - Now everyone can fly.

Low cost carriers or low cost airlines are also called no frills, discount or budget carriers or airlines which offers cheap flight minus the pampering and the traditional services of full service airlines. The availability of cheap airline ticket is a real incentive to travel for you can now travel to many destinations for much less than before. It is now easy on the pocket to be bitten by the travel bug.

Bitten by the travel bug? It is good to do some research first by getting as much travel info before you start your planning or purchase your ticket.

Alert: stay away from Tenaga sub-station during rain

2009-07-04T20:47:00.006+08:00

From an email forward warning about staying away from Tenaga electrical sub-station during rain, some very grisly photos of a dead man, presumably from electrocution:

Scam alert: Mid-Valley Megamall carpark

2009-06-28T19:10:00.002+08:00

Here is a scam alert I received from an email forward. The incident took place at Mid-Valley Megamall carpark. Please take note and keep yourself and your loved ones safe:

Dear Friends,

I would like to share a life saving incident that all our loved ones needs
to be aware.

Last Saturday, 11th April 2009, my girlfriend and I were in Mid Valley “The Gardens” for a movie. We finished around 8.40pm. I had parked my car just right above the ‘GSC Signature Cinema’ on the 5th floor.. As we were getting into our car, we realized that the parking fee had not been paid. We decided to stop by the Auto pay station on the lower parking level to do the payment.

We drove 2 floors down and couldn't’t locate the Auto Pay Station. We decided to park our car at 2nd floor wondering if there should be a pay station in the mall at the lobby area. My girlfriend decided to wait in the car as she was on the phone. was walking into the mall looking for an Auto Pay Station, failing to find one, I decided to walk 1 floor down. About minutes time, my girlfriend called me on my mobile phone and she sounded terrified . She was shouting for help. She told me that there is a guy who is trying to get into the car. The guy was trying to get into the car very calmly, pretending getting into his own car. He failed to open and refuses to continue trying as he noticed that she was on the phone calling for help. Luckily, she had locked the door just right after I got out earlier. I run up as quickly as possible to reach her.

The moment I reached to the parking area, I saw the guy walking away slowly from the car. He was walking towards the ramp heading to the upper level. As I ran up the ramp, though I could still see him I realized that I was running away from my car again. It could be teamwork just to divert my presence from my car. I got back to my girlfriend quickly to calm her down.

We made an official report to the Mid Valley security management to investigate on the CCTV. It was a lesson learned for us to be more careful in the parking zones. I’m happy that my girlfriend is still here with me today. Please be watchful in parking zones.

Tips that we should be aware:

Never leave valuable items or your family members alone in the car at parking location.

Thank you.

Kind regards,

Name deleted for privacy

**** Service Manager

T-shirts Pasar Seni Kuala Lumpur sized

2009-06-07T16:32:00.009+08:00

On 2nd June 2009, the Publications & Quranic Texts Division of the Home Ministry raided Patrick Saw's T-shirt stall in Pasar Seni (Central Market) in Kuala Lumpur for the 3rd time and seized 83 shirts they claim are "obscene and contain Communist elements". This is ironic as Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak was visiting Communist China. You can view images of the sized T-shirts in the video below with or the screen shots below:

Kampong Jawa Melaka Arab Village

2009-05-09T18:55:00.006+08:00

Location of Kampong Jawa, Melaka

Kampong Jawa or Java Village, Melaka (Malacca), is located at Latitude. 2.1666667° and Longitude. 102.3166667° (source: Where is Kampong Jawa?).

Location maps of Kampong Jawa, Melaka

(click on map to enlarge):

Location of Kampong Jawa is indicated by a "pin"

About Kampong Jawa Melaka

Kampong Jawa was a 19th-century Javanese village in Melaka. Its name actually a misnomer as it is currently not mainly populated by descendants of Javanese from Indonesia, but have evolved over the centuries to a few rows of double-storey pre-war shoplots and semi-wooden premises offering a myriad of household items, clothing and other knicks and knacks for sale run by mainly Chinese. The only vestige (trace) of its Javanese-Malay origin is the presence of a 56-year-old surau (prayer house) next to the riverbank.

However this may not last as there are plans by the Malacca State Government to acquire this quaint "village" and turn it into an Arab village for tourists from the prosperous Middle East. So if you want to visit this heritage "kampong" you will have to do it soon before it disappear.

Appeal for AB blood type donation

2009-04-13T09:47:00.000+08:00

From an email forward:

A simple forward this mail to others will be a meritorious deed, and it doesn't waste much of your time.

Thank you for doing that in advance. Please act as soon as possible.

Chen Siew Cheng : Tel : (02)23708099, Fax : (02)25507098. Please forward to the person who has AB blood type of bone marrow and hope everybody will forward the mail to your friends so that they can have the opportunity to find the 'right person' to help.

The success rate maybe very slim, that's why we used the e-mail method hope to find the right person. It may not be the smart method, but to us, this is final chance.

To the family member of the leukaemia (blood cancer) patient, every second count. We anxiously need a AB blood type of person to donate his/her bone marrow, and although it only have very little chance to match, but we still have hope for it. Because of your loving kindness to pass the mail along, she may stand a chance to recover.

So, please put a little effort, the little girl may have chance to live because of you.
Thank you very much and a thousand words cannot express our appreciation.

Lim Seong Boon
Seremban

Penang International Food Festival 2009

2009-03-16T09:43:00.003+08:00

The Penang International Food Festival (PIFF) is being held at the Penang International Sports Arena (PISA) from 15 to 17 March 2009. PIFF is actually a combination of three events — the 12th Battle of the Chefs, the iFOODex expo and the 100-stall Penang Food Delights. Entrance to the Battle of the Chefs is RM3 while entrance to iFOODex and Penang Food Delights is free.

Location of Penang International Sports Arena

Penang International Sports Arena,
Jalan Tun Dr Awang,
11900 Bayan Lepas,
Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Location map of PISA (click map to enlarge):

Kidney Health Check at Hospital Serdang

2009-03-10T14:10:00.008+08:00

The National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia is sponsoring Kidney Health Check at the following locations:

Pusat Konvensyen Sungai Siput
Taman Tun Sambatan
31100 Sungai Siput
Perak
Tuesday 10^th March 2009
8.30am to 3.00pm

Hospital Serdang
PutraJaya
Selangor
Thursday, 12^th March 2009
8.30am to 3.00pm.

The following will be tested: Urine, Blood pressure, Albumin, Blood sugar/glucose, Height, Weight, BMI, Other: Random Total Cholesterol and waist circumference

Cost is only RM2 and the balance of the full RM37 cost will be sponsored by the National Kidney Foundation:

Location map of Hospital Serdang

Click on map to enlarge:

Location map of Hospital Serdang, Country Heights, Kajang Toll

Location map of Hospital Serdang, Country Heights, Kajang Toll, Mines Wonderland, UNITEN

Location map of Pusat Konvensyen Sungai Siput

Click on map to enlarge:

ASEAN song - Let Us Move Ahead

2009-03-01T11:17:00.005+08:00

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a geo-political, economic and culture-sharing organization of 10 countries located in Southeast Asia, which was formed on August 8, 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Its aims include the acceleration of economic growth, social progress, cultural development among its members, and the promotion of regional peace.

Website: ASEAN Organization

Members of ASEAN:
Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia
Indonesia
Laos
Malaysia
Myanmar
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
Vietnam

For the lyrics, go to ASEAN Song - Let's move ahead

Media Awareness Workshop - George Town, Penang

2009-02-25T19:47:00.000+08:00

Media Awareness Workshop:

Media, Democracy and Human Rights
Sunway Hotel Georgetown,
Lorong Baru,
10450 Pulau Pinang,
Saturday,7th March 2009 from 8.30am -5.30pm,
sponsored by the Canadian High Commission.

The workshop is primarily for young people, from upper secondary schools and colleges and higher learning institutions, given that this is the generation that is most exposed to and influenced by the media in their daily lives.

The workshop aims to raise the level of awareness of participants in 3 areas
· the various aspects of the media industry in Malaysia ,
· the laws and other restrictions that affect the media industry and democracy,
· how to critically ‘read’ the media.
The workshop is structured in a manner which will allow for input from the speakers as well as active participation by the participants. There will be break-up sessions to encourage participants ‘read critically’ the content of the media. Comparisons will also be made between mainstream media and the Internet media

It is hoped that such ‘media awareness’ or ‘media literacy’ would empower young people as active citizens of a democracy to demand real changes in the way the news is reported.

As places are limited, registration prior to the workshop is required. The registration fee for the workshop is RM10/- only. This can be given as cash or in a cheque made out to Aliran and sent to Aliran at 103 Medan Penaga, Jelutong 11600, Penang by the 28th of February, 2009.

For further information please contact Evelyn at the Aliran office at 04-6585251.

Location Map of Sunway Hotel, Penang

(Click map to enlarge):

Location map of Sunway Hotel, zoom in:

Forum: Perak Coup D'etat - What say you?

2009-02-15T19:15:00.001+08:00

Forum Perebutan Kuasa Di Perak, Apakah Pendapat Anda?

Perak Coup D'etat: What Say You?

Speakers: YB Ngeh Koo Ham, YB A. Sivanesan, YB Lim Kit Siang, YB Khalid Samad, YB Charles Santiago, YB Dr. Dzulkifli, Haris Ibrahim

Date (Tarikh): 17^th February 2009, Tuesday (Selasa)

Time (Masa): Dewan Hamzah MPK

Organizer (Penganjur): YB Charles Santiago

Enquiries (Pertanyaan): 016-2026300/016-6267797

Directions: From Federal Highway coming from Shah Alam towards Klang, go right to the end of Federal Highway, cross the Klang River via Jambatan Kota, along Jalan Jambatan Kota and go up the flyover to Persiaran Raja Muda Musa, turn left at Jalan Lebuh Turi, turn left again at Jalan Lebuh Siput.

Location Map of Dewan Hamzah MPK (Majlis Perbandaran Kelang): Click map to enlarge

Missing Person: Tan Chin Kieu. Klang

2009-02-15T18:51:00.000+08:00

Name of missing person: Tan Chin Kieu (aka Chin Wong Pin)

Age : 85

Height : 150 cm

Residence : Jalan Landasan, off Jln Bukit Kuda
Kampung Kuantan, Klang

Date reported missing : Mr Tan Chin Kieu left his house at around 2 o'clock on the afternoon of 11th Feb 2009 and has not been seen since. A police report has been made.

Clothes worn : long sleeved shirt, shorts and a white cap

Contact : Mr Tan (son) 016-281 3875

Mr Peter Tan (friend) 012-3322 999

Please help circulate

WHAT TO DO IF STOPPED BY MALAYSIAN POLICE

2009-02-05T07:07:00.001+08:00

WHAT TO DO IF STOPPED BY MALAYSIAN POLICE

This is is very useful information. Please pass it on to your friends and family.............especially the women folk!

The next time you are stopped by persons who claimed they are plain clothes police, you are under no obligation to answer their questions or follow their orders, lawyers said today.

'Policeman who is not wearing his uniform does not have the authority to stop anyone,' lawyer and human rights activist Sivarasa Rasiah said.

Procedures to follow in the event you are stopped by uniformed police Officers while driving:

1. Stop the car and wind down your window.
2. If the police officers ask for your documents, request to see their IDs first.
3. If you are satisfied about their identity, ask them if you are being summoned, and for what offence.
4. Produce your identity card and driver's license and wait to collect your summon ticket.

In the event that the police officers ask you to follow them to the police station:

1. Ask if you are under arrest and for what offence.
2. If you are not under arrest, you have the right to leave.

In the event you are flagged down by persons you believe could be plain clothes police:

1. Do not stop because plain clothes police officers do not have the authority to stop you.
2. Drive to the nearest police station and lodge a report. (The same procedure applies to pedestrians)

In the event the police come to your house:

1. Do not let them in before checking their IDs.
2. If you are not satisfied, phone the nearest police station and confirm if they had been sent to your house.
3. You are under no obligation to allow them into the house if they don't have a search warrant.
4. Do not go with them if you are not under arrest.

In the event persons who claimed to be plain clothes police come to your house:

1. Do not let him in because they do not have the authority to do so.
2. Lodge a report at the nearest police station.

Sivarasa was commenting on the alleged gang-rape of an 18-year-old Uni student by four men claiming to be police officers on New Year's Eve. The girl said that her car was stopped in Taman Tun Dr Ismail in Kuala Lumpur and were asked by the men to open the car bonnet. She was then told that she had committed an offence and ordered to follow the men to a police station. The girl was driven in her car along the North-South expressway to the Tapah-Cameron Highlands road before she was raped in an oil palm estate.

This incident, and many others, have sparked confusion over the procedures which motorists must follow when flagged down by the police. The most common problem is that most people take instructions without determining if the other person is really a cop,' lawyer Annie Santiago said.

However, if you are stopped by a uniformed policeman, then you are required to stop. But you need not get out of the car because you are not expected to do so, Santiago said. He other rule to follow is to provide your identity card only when you are asked to do so. 'Even then, you should get his ID first to confirm if he is a cop. There is no harm in calling the relevant police station to verify if he is supposed to be on duty that day,' Sivarasa said.

Both lawyers said that motorists should never follow an officer to the police station unless one is under arrest . 'If you are not sure, and your instincts tell you that something is wrong, then drive off to the nearest police station and lodge a report,' Sivarasa said.

In response to the alleged gang-rape of the 18-year-old, Women's Aid Organisation executive-secretary Ivy Josiah called on the police to launch an education program to teach the public about their rights to prevent them from being victimised by bogus police officers.

PLEASE PASS IT ON..........

Source: From an email forward.

UAE-Malaysia relations, expats in UAE

2009-02-04T09:20:00.006+08:00

United Arab Emirates and Malaysia

United Arab Emirates more commonly referred to as UAE is a federation of seven states situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Southwest Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman and Saudi Arabia. The seven states, termed emirates, are Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain. The country is fossil fuel (oil and natural gas) rich and compared to the other Arab countries, is much better developed and has a relatively high Human Development Index for the Asian continent, ranking 39th globally, and had a GDP purchasing power parity of $293.5 billion in 2009 according to the IMF. It is a prosperous country.

There is much similarity and affinity between UAE (United Arab Emirates) and Malaysia as both are Muslim majority countries with UAE having 96% of its population belonging to the Islam faith while other religions including the Christians and the Hindus being allowed to practice their faith. Just like Malaysia, religions other that Islam is illegal to proselytise to the Muslim.

Economy and demography

As UAE is an oil rich country, it is highly prosperous and has a rapidly growing economy with a high GDP per capita and energy consumption per capita.
The GDP (Gross Domestic Product) per capita is currently the 14th in the world. Just like Malaysia or perhaps to a greater extend, UAE attracts foreign workers (expatriates) in drove.

The UAE population has an unnatural sex distribution consisting of more than twice as many males as females. UAE has one of the most diverse populations in the Middle East.[8] 19% of the population is Emirati, and 23% is other Arabs and Iranians.[9] An estimated 74% of the population is comprised of non-citizens, one of the world's highest percentages of foreign-born in any nation. In addition, since the mid-1980s, people from all across South Asia have settled in the UAE. The high living standards and economic opportunities in the UAE are better than almost anywhere else in the Middle East and South Asia, This makes UAE a magnet for expatriates or expats in short. The expats in United Arab Emirates UAE.

Newly arrived expats to UAE will have an enviable opportunity to stay in the world tallest tower, the famous Burj Dubai or the Burj Al Arab, Dubai, namely the Burj El Arab hotel:

Photo of Burj Dubai courtesy of Catsper

Photo of the Atrium Al Arab Hotel courtesy of David Lisbona

In Malaysia, the term expat conjures up image of well paid Caucasians, but many expats in the UAE are relatively lower paid workers who may not want to stay in the expensive Burj Al Arab, Dubai hotel, but will look for Cheap Dubai Hotels like the Dubai Nova Hotel:

Photo of Dubai Nova Hotel courtesy of CheaperThanHotels.com

Staying in hotels on a long term basis is an expensive affair. Newly arrived expats to UAE are thus likely to eventually start looking for Abu Dhabi Accommodation not too long after arrival.

Line Dancing SS3 PJ Community

2009-01-18T15:10:00.000+08:00

The Cancer Society holds weekly line dancing sessions at the Petaling Jaya SS3 Community every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning. Below is a video of a group of beginners learning line dancing, pretty for beginners may I say so:

The Instructor is Ivy. Here she is again leading the line dancers as they danced to the tune of a Hokkien song:

Scam alert - mobile credit card reader

2009-01-18T15:00:00.000+08:00

Below is a scam alert I received from an email forward:

Hi everyone,

I want to let you all know that (name deleted for privacy) and I have been the victims of credit card fraud this week and felt I should warn you all about the clever scam. It works like this:

Last Wednesday I had a phone call late morning from Express Couriers to ask if I was going to be home as he had a delivery for me. He said he would there in roughly an hour. He turned up with a beautiful basket of flowers and wine. I expressed my surprise as I wasn't expecting anything like this and said I was intrigued to know who was sending me such a lovely gift. He said he was only delivering the gift and the card was being sent separately (the card has never arrived). There was a consignment note with the gift.

He went on to explain that because the gift contained alcohol he has to charge the recipient $3.50 as proof that he has actually delivered to an adult, and not left it on a door step if the recipient is out, to be stolen or taken by children. This seemed logical and I offered to get the cash. He then said that the company required the payment to be by Eftpos so he's not handling cash and everything is properly accounted for. Frank was there and got his credit card and "John" swiped the
card on this small mobile machine that also had a small screen upon which Frank entered in his pin number. A receipt was printed out and given to us.

Between last Thursday and Monday $4,000 was withdrawn from our credit account at ATM machines in the north shore area. It appears a dummy credit card was made using the details in the machine and of course, they had Frank's pin number.

The Bank has stopped our cards and I've been to the Police this morning, where they confirmed that it is a definite scam and many households were hit during the first 3 days of October.

So PLEASE be wary of accepting a gift you're not expecting especially if the card is not with it. We've all received gifts like this and would never dream that it could be such a despicable act. Please also let other female friends and relatives know. Hopefully, these fraudsters have ceased this activity by now but you never know. I wanted to warn all my friends.

(Name deleted for privacy)

P.S. I don't think I'll ever drink the wine - I'd probably choke
on it!

Travel luggages Hartmann Vera Bradley

2009-01-18T03:13:00.005+08:00

Anyone ever thought why those bags we use to put our clothing, toiletery, towel, etc. are called luggage. The word luggage comes from the root word lug which mean to drag, pull, carry laborously and that is exactly what you need to do when you travel, lug your stuff around. Definitely not a pleasant task. It is hard work, especially if you belong to the weaker sex. To facilitate the laborous lugging of heavy luggages, one can get a wheeled upright like the Hartmann Luggage which have wheels to allow the luggage to be effortlessly rolled aroung and an extensible handle to provide the grip to pull the luggage to wherever you desire.

As the fairer sex are fashion conscious, plain utilitarian type of luggages are not likely to appeal to them. That is where designer luggages like the Vera Bradley luggage with the beautiful Vera Bradley print.

If one travel involves flying and are not carry a lot of things, it would be good to use Carry-On Luggage which one can carry into the airplane cabin. At disembarkation, you will not need to go to the luggage carousel and wait to get your luggage. Instead you will straight take your hand luggage and proceed to the custom and immigration section for clearance to exit.

Carry-on luggages are also useful to carry valuable stuff which you don't want to risk losing or which you may need to use in the cabin.

Last Minute Air Flight Hotel

2008-12-31T11:16:00.002+08:00

The relationship between Malaysia and Australia with many assorted ties. Many Malaysians have friends and relatives in Australia and many have studied in Australian institutions of higher learning. While many who have studied there have returned to serve Malaysia, many others have opted to stay put in Australia. Many parents here too have children studying in Australia. Thus it is no surprise to see that many are traveling from Malaysia to Australia and vice-versa.

Many Malaysians have the bad habit of waiting till the last minute to do something like catching last minute flights or seeking last minute accommodation. Malaysian are incorrigible bargain hunter so it is also no surprise to see them seeking cheap flights

It is the start of a new year 2009 and there is one more task that need to be done which I hope no one will wait for the last minute, and that task is to submit their Income Tax return form. Make sure you have submitted your Income Tax return form before you fly off to Australia at the last minute.

Let us help you face coming recession

2008-12-17T17:20:00.000+08:00

US is in recession. Europe is in recession. Singapore is in recession. And recently Japan too fell into recession. Malaysia is not exempt. Recession will soon be upon Malaysia. Are you prepared? Let us help you face the coming recession. Call Peter Chen 016-2050319

7th Malaysian International Trade & Consumer Fair

2008-11-06T22:04:00.004+08:00

Expo cintai malaysia 2008

Title: The 7^th Malaysia International Trade and Consumer Fair
Date: 3-7 December 2008 (Wednesday to Sunday)
Time: 11am to 9pm daily
Venue Malaysia International Exhibition & Convention Centre (MIECC)

For details of how you company can participate without having to pay cash, call Peter Chen, H/P: 016-2050319

Objectives:

Further expand or tap into the enormous Asia Pacific market of over 2 billion population

Promote intra-regional trade amongst countries in the region, thus avoiding over-dependence on certain country or market

ECM serves as a learning platform for both local and foreign exhibitors, catalyst for business networking or smart partnership as well as springboard to international market

Through interaction between local and foreign exhibitors, they can complement each other by sharing/distributing limited resources to attain maximum economic results and avoid unhealthy competition which in turn will benefit all parties concerned

Organizer: The Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Kuala Lumpur & Selangor (KLSCCCI)
Endorsement Organizations:

Ministry of Agriculture & Agro-based Industry

Ministry of Domestic Trade & Consumer Affairs

Ministry of Health

Ministry of Housing & Local Government

Ministry of Information

Ministry of Plantation Industries & Commodities

Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovations

Ministry of Tourism

Ministry of Transport

High Commission of India, Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE)

Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (Malaysia)[Kotra]

Support Organization:

The Association of Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia

Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce

Branding Association of Malaysia

Size of exhibition space: 12,600m² (ground floor), 4000m² (upper floor)

Total no. of booths: Estimated 515 booths
Upper floor (MPH and Chinese bookstore estimated 100 booths)

Exhibition Profile:

Agro-based products

Automotive & Spare Parts

Building Materials

Education

Electronic & Electrical Products

Food & Beverage

Furniture & Furnishing

Garments

Handicraft

Hardware

Information Technology

Insurance

Leather Goods

Machinery

Metal Products

Plastic Products

Pottery

Property

Sport & Games

Tourism

Official Opening (proposed): YAB Dato' Seri Abdullah Badawi (Prime Minister of Malaysia)

For more details call Peter Chen 016-2050 319

Caution note: Surgipack and Osim Hot/Cold Pack

2008-11-02T19:10:00.003+08:00

The following products, Surgipack Soft Hot/Cold Pack Large, Surgipack Soft Hot/Cold Pack Small, Soft R&R ColdHot Pack M, Soft R&R ColdHot Pack L, Osim uBaby Fever Band, Osim Shoulder PAd, Osim uKids Fever Band, Osim Face Mask, Osim Eye Mask and Osim Hot/Cold Com- press, contains ethylene glycol, a highly toxic liquid. Users of the above products are advised to exercise great care.

Interfaith dialog: Women in the eyes of God

2008-10-28T13:21:00.004+08:00

The will be an interfaith dialogue titled Women in The Eyes of God.

Speakers are representative from all each religion (Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islamic).

The dialogue will be opened by YB Ong Kok Foi (EXCO Wanita Kerajaan Pulau Pinang, Belia & Sukan, Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga & Komuniti).

Others VIP from MCA, DAP, PAS and UMNO are invited too.

This dialogue not subject only to women but men also are encourage for come.

The entry is free. Interested parties please give your Name, IC no & contact# by phone or SMS to Norhidaya at 016-2362672 for reservation. Seats are limited!!!! So hurry!!! Register now…!

Date: 1st November 2008
Time: 2pm to 5.30pm
Venue: Hotel Seri Malaysia Bayan Baru

Location map of Hotel Seri Malaysia Bayan Baru:

Directions:

* Penang is connected to the mainland and the North-South Expressway by Penang Bridge, one of the longest bridges in Asia.
* After Penang Bridge toll plaza, turn right.
* Turn left before Bukit Jambul Shopping Complex.
* Go straight along Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah.
* Turn right at the 1st junction.
* Drove all the way to Jalan Mayang Pasar. It should be on your left.
* Look out for Sunshine Square Shopping Complex.
* Follow signs direction towards Hotel Seri Malaysia Bagan Lalang.

Public Seminar - Improving Urban Environment

2008-10-27T15:22:00.003+08:00

With regards to the matter above, the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), Penang Branch, is pleased to invite you or your organisation members to the above mentioned half day seminar at USM Penang.

Details are provided as below:

Date : 1hb November 2008 (Saturday)
Time : 8.30 am to 2.00 pm
Venue: Dewan Kuliah 'B' USM, Penang

The objective of this free seminar is to create public awareness on the importance of a healthy and sustainable urban environment, to provide information on the role of the public and to inculcate understanding and love for the environment.

Refreshments and lunch will be served and a participation certificate will be awarded to all participants. To book places for the seminar or for any inquiries on this seminar, please contact:

Kanda Kumar at 013-4537992 or email: kandakum at tm dot net dot my
Dr Foong Swee Yoke, Tel: 6533888 ext 3511 or e-mail: foong_sy at yahoo dot com

Saturday 1st November 2008
Time: 8.30 am to 2.00 pm
Venue: Dewan Kuliah B, Universiti Sians Malaysia, Penang

lOCATION MAP OF USM (click on map to enlarge):

Draft Programme: Improving The Urban Environment

Programme
8.30am to 9.00am - Registration
9.00am to 9.15am - Welcome Address by MNS
9.15am to 9.45am - Jabatan Alam Sekitar (Environment) &
Opening)
9.45am to 10.15am - Topic No.1: Pests (Prof Abu/Prof Lee Chow
Yang)
10.15am to 10.45am - Tea break
10.45am to 11.15am - Topic No.2: Trees & Parks (Dr Leong Yueh
Kwong)
11.15am to 11.45am - Topic No.3: Water (Prof Chan Ngai Weng)
11.45am to 12.15pm - Topic No.4: Urban Buildings (Dr Badaruddin)
12.15pm to 12.45pm - Topic No5: Nature-Fauna (Kanda Kumar)
12.45pm to 1.00pm - Closing
1.00pm to 2.00pm - Lunch
2.00pm END