Touch down Bandung

Arrived in Bandung (again) at around 9 am, the flight from KL was delayed, not by the passenger but by a late flight engineer. We had breakfast at the airport, a side cafe charged us Rph 48,000 for 2 bowls of soto/mee and we took a taxi to New Sany Rossa Hotel, 2 minutes walk from Rumah Mode. Just make sure you get a cab from the office as the price is fixed (Rph 35k).

The hotel was recently refurbished and it was reflected in the price, we only managed to get the Deluxe room at Rph 400k per night (weekday 20% cheaper). If you are hungry the 24hr McD outlet is right in front of the hotel or if you want Pizza Hut it is 1 minute across the road too. IF you want a nice Sunda restaurant, the Sari Sunda is about 10 minutes walk up Jl Setiabudi, past Rumah Mode and Real Factory Outlet. O nice Sundanese restaurant.. try the sate kambing and gepuk.

At least 5-6 factory outlet are within 5 minutes walk of the hotel. The flashy Romah Mode at 41 Jl Setiabudi.. a bit expensive but you can see why it is expensive as the fabric is of a higher quality and the surrounding area of the complex is tastefully decorated.. even in the toilet. Unfortunately they don't stock up too many of the large size. Ok I bought Yasin (my poffice mate) his R'Lauren Polo t-shirts at Rph 120k apiece and a few Guess and other stuff for the kids but only a Nike Tiger Woods t-shirt for me.. argh.

the Real Factory Outlet is where you go for the cheap stuff, price starting from Rph 10k. Right behind it is the Gazeebo, the handbag shop and we were lucky as they are offering buy 1 get 1 free during our stay there. So.. apalagi big crazy sale on the bag, with so many bags on display, even the Jimmy Choo's, I don't think we gonna finish this in 30 minutes. Desperate measures came into play... let me choose :) final damage.. about 6 bags.. Rph 500k... sounds big but it is only RM200.

Marketiva - trading forex from as little as USD 1

I came across this site while researching for website that allow us to trade forex direct without having to have huge capital outlay. You can click here and you will be directed to the site;

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Joining Marketiva is a 2 step process. First, fill out the application form to join and then you need to download Streamster from the Marketiva website to gain acess to their trading platform and live chat.

No more fast food advert?

Support for ban on fast food ads (The Star)

SRI AMAN (Sarawak): The Information Ministry is willing to stop fast food advertisements from being aired over Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) stations.Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin said it was not a matter of profits, as RTM, being a government body, has a social responsibility. He was commenting on a proposal by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek for such advertisements to be banned to discourage unhealthy eating habits. Dr Chua described fast foods as “silent killers” and said they were in the same league as liquor and smoking.

I personally belief that the decision/choice should be left to the consumers. Malaysians are mature enough to decide for themselves what is good/bad for them. Better not to treat the public like a school kid and telling them what is good or bad. It would be much better to use the money received from the advert and use it for Road Safety or even courtesy campaigns.

Grandad

Another old photo, this one I believe from the 50's. I am gussing the one far right is Uteh, Anjang is next to him, Atuk, Nenek with Acik or Mak Usu on her lap with Andak on the far left

Trading upsurge HYIP

What about this one, I ve been on this for about 12 days now and so far it is paying 2.7% consistently direct to my e-gold account.

Once you've made a deposit, you will get 80 payouts during next 80 days. Each payout equals 2.7% of your initial deposit. So, you will finally get 216% of your initial deposit.

The minimal sum for investing in our program is $3 and the maximal one is $20000. Hehehehe so far so good may be I will actually get the 216% return on it.

Word of advice though, only put in the money that you can afford to lose.

Seven arrested in connection with robbery at Subang Parade

News Update by LOURDES CHARLES of The Star,Sunday February 4, 2007

SUBANG JAYA: In less than 10 hours, Selangor police arrested all the armed robbers involved in the Subang Parade shopping complex goldsmith shop robbery and recovered the loot as well. The robbers consisted of six Thai nationals, including a woman, while the seventh person was a local. Police also recovered at least six firearms including a M4 assault rifle (older version of a M16). Last night , the robbers caused panic at the shopping complex after killing two security guards at the Poh Kong Goldsmith Shop and escaping with 11 trays of jewellery.

Kudos to CID chief Datuk Christopher Wan for the swift action of his men.

Police success: About 8kg of jewellery and an assortment of firearms recovered from suspects involved in the Poh Kong gem heist in Subang Parade on Saturday night. Standing behind the haul are, from left, Selangor CPO Datuk Ismail Omar, IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan and CID chief Datuk Christopher Wan. Photo from the Star

What the police did was a morale booster to the whole of police force. What with all negative allegations against the police force, this is what they need to counter those bad publicity.

The diagram is from Kim Hooi blog who was there to shhot some photos (the actual photos are on his site. Click to enlarge: Poh Kong (red), Tomei (yellow), the bodies (blood)

High Yield Investment Program Scam

125 - 145% after 1 day
Plan	Spent Amount (US$)	Profit (%)
Plan A	$5 - $100	125.00
Plan B	$101 - $200	130.00
Plan C	$201 - $500	135.00
Plan D	$501 - $1,000	140.00
Plan E	$1,001 - $5,000	145.00

160 - 180% after 2 days
Plan	Spent Amount (US$)	Profit (%)
Plan A	$15 - $200	160.00
Plan B	$201 - $500	165.00
Plan C	$501 - $1,000	170.00
Plan D	$1,001 - $2,000	175.00
Plan E	$2,001 - $7,000	180.00

My first experience of being scammed on the internet High Yield Investment Program, its called http://i-techinvest.com/. Well the figures above looks really interesting for an investor right? ASB giving 8% per annum and this HYIP offering 25% after 1 day.... hehehehe so stupid of me to believe it and part with my USD 10.

Balance:	$0.00
Waiting For Withdraw:	$50.00
Total Paid:	$0.00
Total:	$50.00

until today I am still waiting for the above withdrawal. Oh just forget it

Nizam's wedding..

Selamat Pengantin again En Nizam. This was at Masjid Shah Alam.

Southern Malaysia hit by the heaviest rains in 100 years

Southern Malaysia has been hit by the heaviest rains in 100 years this week and resultant flooding has forced about 30,000 people to flee their homes, news reports said on Wednesday.

The floods have cut off main roads and disrupted train services in the southern state of Johor, the worst-hit state which is also a major rubber and palm oil producing region."More than 28,000 people have been evacuated," Johor chief minister Abdul Ghani Othman was quoted as saying by the online edition of the Star newspaper. "We expect the number of evacuees to increase."So far, there are no reports of casualties.The floods came after two days of incessant rains, the highest rainfall ever recorded by the state in 100 years, the weather bureau said.

Annual rainfall in total was usually about 240 centimeters, but in just one day on Monday, the state received 35 cm of rain, it said.Malaysia's national news agency Bernama said the floods have spread to the neighboring states of Negeri Sembilan and Malacca, forcing some 2,600 people to be evacuated.Source: Reuters

Photo:Victims use a boat through the flooded southern town of Kota Tinggi, in the state of Johor.

Gosh I wonder what is going on. The Johor people said the last time the big flood happened was in the 50's. Now the paper said said this is the 100 year flood, well I can calculate too but this is not supposed to happen for at least another 40 years. Maybe its a sign from the higher being that we are doing something wrong to the country, especially Johor? Who knows.

Bukit Bendera

It must be about 25-30 years since I went up Bukit Bendera, Penang. And why not, the last train that was used in my previous journey up the hill is now in the museum (see photo). Nice place, windy but not necessarily hot.

There were performances as it was a holiday break and many tourist were expected up the hill and yes we had to wait for 2 hours before we board the train mind you. Udin had his hand in trying to be a magician's assistant. He was quite pissed when he found out some of the tricks were not not magic at all.... hehehe....."dia tipu la abah, Udin nampak" was what he said.

Then there was a performance by the son of the late Malaysian Ali Khan Samsuddin who was known as the "King of the Snakes" until one ferocious cobra decided it was time for a coup. His son performed some dangerous tricks including kissing the king cobra.

Some facts about Penang Hill:
Also known as Bukit Bendera, Penang Hill is the highest peak on Pulau Pinang. At 830m above sea level, it is one of the best places to catch a bird's eye view of the island's expanse, including the panorama of George Town, the Penang Bridge and the Straits of Melaka.

One of the peaks on Penang Hill called Flagstaff Hill, is accessible via a healthy hike up via several hiking trails, including one from the Penang Botanical Gardens. Alternatively, visitors may also opt for a more leisurely trip up via the Penang Hill Railway which stretches just over 2km long and departs from the station at Air Itam, a mere 10 minutes' walk from the Kek Lok Si Temple. The 30-minute ride on the funicular railway takes place every 30 minutes and makes its way up a thrilling, at times near-45 degrees angle, with spectacular vistas along the way before reaching the top hill station at 701m above sea level.

x-mas shopping at Mid Valley

Wowie Malaysia got snow meh... that was the impression I get when I was at Mid Valley. You see people in fur lined coat and we are not talking about Santa here. So the complex was redecorated ushering in X-mas and new year. I wonder if there is really that many Christians in this country because the celebration and decoration is like so 'over' or is this just the ugly hands of commercialism rearing its head.

Cukur jambul

I went to my cousin's place for the "Cukur jambul" ceremony for her baby. It is a Traditional Malay Ceremony celebrated for a new born baby.

This occasion is celebrated by Malay Community with a "Kendury" of "Aqiqah" . In this celebration if the baby is a boy, 2 goats will be cut while only one goat for a baby girl. In that ceremony the parents of the baby will invite all neighbors from the village for Quran recital and sumptuous feast.The peak of the celebration is whereby the baby will be pass from one person to another in their arm cradled cutely in the big circle and the baby will be sprinkled with holy water with "bunga rampai" , a certain portion of the baby's hair will be cut (cukur Jambul). While the above occasion is taking place, there will be a singing of " Marhaban" (singing praise for prophet Muhammad pbuh). After that, all invited guests will be invited for brunch or high tea and these guests will be given "Bunga Telur "as a gift while leaving the occasion.

Kopi Tiam - Uncle Lim

Another Kopi Tiam at Sunway Pyramid - Uncle Lim.

Uncle Lim’s Cafe is a modernized Kopitiam bringing you the best wholesome and traditional homegrown fare. Uncle Lim’s is also about nostalgia; it is about extending history and it is about preserving our unique culture. Kopi Kau in thick porcelain cups and sucers with the green floral motif, charcoal toasted bread with fragrant kaya and butter, half-boiled eggs, fragrant nasi lemak, laksa are some of the specialty available at Uncle Lim’s Cafe.Customers can enjoy Uncle Lim’s kopi in different ways, i.e. thick (kau), thin (pok), black (O), with condensed milk, with evaporated milk (si), iced (peng) or even mix it with tea (cham)!

Not bad but personally this can't beat Chong Kok kopi tiam in Klang. (read my earlier blog on Chong Kok)

Sg Kelah again

After the wedding my family went to the Sg Kelah resort again.. this time we went to both the mountain spring and the hot water section. We stayed at the Trolak Country Resort... well the facilities are OK lah for Trolak, good enough to sleep in.. clean room, air-cond and clean shower with hot water.

Just an insight to what is available: web site

Hot Springs Swimming Pool, Cold Pool & Therapeutic Pools -make full use of the natural Hot Springs Swimming Pool or the classic Cold Pools swim alone or with family and friends. Try the Giant Octopus Water Slide and the pools are Large and spacious, the pools offer an entertaining diversion from the hustle and bustle of your everyday routine.

Water Reflexology Course & Natural Hot Springs Boardwalk - unique experience on its own. Reflexology is known to mainly improve and enhance blood circulation in the body and improve overall general health and well-being. As you walk the path of smooth stones, the hot springs water that runs the course provides warmth and greater relief to aching feet and joints. Feel a new sense of fresh and rejuvenation after your relaxing walk.

Family Baths & Hot Springs Egg Boiling Activity - try out the family baths and enjoy the privacy of this special treat. And try the hot springs egg-boiling experience. Many come to the park, some with baskets full of eggs which they then boil in the natural hot springs for its therapeutic properties. The world’s egg-boiling world record was achieved at this very park! 50,480 eggs were boiled here in the hot springs over a span of 43hours in 2006!

There are exclusive villas available in the Sg Klah resort and come with the choice of one-bedroom or two-bedrooms ready with facilities that include a natural hot spring jacuzzi tub, but with a price lah kan.. I think its about RM 800 a night.

Directions to Sg Klah: Drive about 1 ½ hours North on the PLUS highway and exit at Sungkai. This is in Perak, after the Tanjung Malim, Behrang and Trolak exits.

From the Toll Plaza, turn LEFT onto the trunk road. Proceed down the road until you see the first left turning at some food stalls. There will be signs for “Sg Klah Hot Springs Resort”. Turn left and follow the road and the signs. You will pass through a FELDA kampung etc etc but there are sign leading to the resort. From the toll plaza it will take about 10-15 minutes.

Wedding in Sungkai

Laila invited us to join her family for her sister's, A Teh, wedding in Sungkai. Oh I can't say NO to the prospect of having Kok-Kek (large prawn with tempoyak) on my plate, oh so yummy and the beef in the black sauce, I don't know the name but I do love the taste, yum yum. We gave the wedding cake as a present, look at the cake in the pic.... not the normal cake you can find at the cake shop ok. Really beautifully done with all the deco.

Oh not to forget the night before the actual wedding they had the bersanding ceremony accompanied by the local 'band', I think its called 'hadrah' singing Quranic verses.

Wedding at Putrajaya

19 Nov 2006, my bro in law wedding at Putrajaya. His wife is from Bangi maybe a good idea to have the wedding ceremony in Putrajaya. It seems that every precinct has its own community hall equipped with swimming pool and other facilities... not bad.. lucky them government servants.

Prize giving day

Aini and Aina was made busy during their school prize giving day. Aina missed out on the academic prize being number 4 she just missed the cut. However she was on stage for a nasyid performance. Aini did better as she was in the top 3 in her class.

me.. 1966-7

2 hospitals, 2 relatives

What was supposed to be a Raya Open House visit turned out to be our visits to 2 hospitals today. First we went to Pantai Pandan Hospital. My sister in law is down with blood infection and warded in ICU. Next to General Hospital KLumpur to visit Mak Long who is semi paralysed waist down for quite some time now and she is really weak and she can't seems to remember much beyond the 1990's. She kept asking about the funeral of aruah Ucu (that was in mid 90's), about have we paid for the batu nesan, all of them are there now.. even abang is there, maybe tonight selesailah.... sent a chill on my spine. So sad that I can't bear to be there long.

Insyaallah, I hope everything will be OK very soon.

Election of Yang Di Pertuan Agung

Got this in my mailing list, maybe not many of us know about it.. in relation to the announcement that the Sultan of Trengganu Sultan Mizan will be the next YDP Agung come December 2006;

Actual election of YDPertuan Agung berasaskan selection hanya pernah berlaku pada awal Ogos 1957 di mana YDPB N.Sembilang (ketiga senior) dipilih Majlis Raja-raja sbg YDPAgung dan sbg TimbalanYDPA Sultan Selangor (keempat senior) mengikut tarikh naik-takhta di Negeri masing-masing terpilih, mendahului Raja-raja yg lebih senior iaitu Major-general Sir Ibrahim Abubakar (Sultan Johor) yg naik takhta pd 1895dan Sultan Sir Abu Bakar Phg. yg naik takhta pd 1932.Kedua-dua baginda tidak berkenan utk seterusnya selepas 1957. Jadi Raja Perlis (1945), Trgganu.(1946),Kedah (1958),Sultan Yahya Petra Kelantan.(1960), Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang.(1974), Sultan Mahmud Iskandar Johor(1981), Sultan Azlan Perak (1984) mentakhtai Kerajaan Malaysia secara bergilir.

Secara tak rasmi kitaran mengikut susunan tsb disambungkan pada kitaran kedua Maka YDPB NS menjadi YDP I > X, Selangor II > XI, Perlis III > XII, Trg IV > XII.Pilihan kena dibuat sebab Perlembagaan menghendakinya sbg syarat mutlak. Pada amalannya seseorg Raja itu akan memaklumkan sang Penyimpan Mohor Besar Raja-raja, samaada baginda berkenan utk dipertimbangkan utk jawatan YDPA atawa TYDPA. Kalu tak berkenan, maka tidak akan dipertimbangkan.

YDPA akan bersemayam selama maksimum tempoh 5 tahun kecuali kalu mangkat lebih awal atawa disingkirkan oleh Majlis Raja-raja. Itulah gamaknya sebab Majlis Raja-raja bermesyuarat setiap kali dua hari di mana hari pertama tak dihadiri YDPA. Mana tahu kut-kut agenda yg termasuk penentuan kedudukan YDPA, mungkin berpuncakan kpd kedudukan/kesesuaia n mental fizikal perilaku dan seumpamanya. Dalam kes tertentu, seperti keperluan YDPA berada di luar negara (selain drpd melakukan Lawatan Kenegaraan) melebihi 15 hari, Timbalan akan melaksanakan tugas-tugas YDPAgong. Yg dmkn itu telah berlaku ketika almarhum YDPA XI gering dan berada di Singapura dan Sultan Trg memangku jawatan YDPA hingga 12 12 2001.

More issue on Tambak Johor?

it started with Tun M, then the Sultan...

Sultan of Johor causes stir (from the STAR Saturday November 4, 2006)

JOHOR BARU: Johor Sultan Iskandar Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail caused a stir during his address at the launch of the South Johor Economic Region (SJER) today when he digressed from his written text and said the Causeway should be removed. To the shock of the 2,000 people present and thousands of viewers at home of the live telecast over RTM 1 and TV3, the Ruler said it was built by colonialists who had used dirty tactics to deceive his ancestors.

He said the building of the causeway was to deliberately prevent ships from passing local waters, resulting in the development of Keppel Port in Singapore instead. "The causeway has to be removed to allow ships to pass," the Sultan said before launching the multi-billion SJER. At this juncture, the audience broke into laughter and applauded.

In his address the Ruler, who was clad in a T-shirt, said that he would not "give face" (bagi muka) to the foreigners (Mat Sallehs)and urged the people not to hold them in high regard. He also reminded locals and their children to be wary of them as they were vultures. This is the second time the Sultan had created a controversy within two weeks.

Last month, after performing Hari Raya prayers he said that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had already retired and should not interfere in the Government. In the impromptu speech at the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, he called on Johoreans to continue supporting the Government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

and then Pak Lah replied...

Causeway to stay, says Abdullah (from the STAR Monday November 6, 2006)

ISLAMABAD: The Johor Causeway will remain, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said. “It’s obvious that ships will be able to pass through the Johor Straits if the Causeway is removed. “But we are concentrating on developing South Johor into a quality trade and investment centre. “This will also provide economic opportunities for not only Johoreans but all Malaysians. More spin-off activities can also be derived for the benefit of the country,” the Prime Minister told the Malaysian media here yesterday on the sidelines of the World Islamic Economic Forum hosted by Pakistan.

Abdullah said this when asked to comment on a remark by the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Iskandar Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail, at the launching of the South Johor Economic Region (SJER) in Johor Baru on Friday.

“Causeway tu, bukakan ... baru negri Johor ni maju (the Causeway has to be demolished, only then will Johor develop),” the sultan had said before launching the project.

Young Malaysians honoured for daring to dream

Proud to say that my friend Dr Fikri is one of them


Sunday November 5, 2006

KUALA LUMPUR: Success may never come easy, but dare to dream and never give up on your goals.

These words of encouragement come from internationally-renowned singer and composer Michael Wong, who is the Cultural Achievement Honouree recipient of The Outstanding Young Malaysian Awards (TOYM) 2006.

The Awards are a project of Junior Chamber International Malaysia (JCIM) and organised by its Kuala Lumpur Mandarin chapter.

Open to youths aged between 18 and 40, the awards, which have been around since 1985, are the Malaysian leg of The Outstanding Young Person’s (TOYP) World Programme.

It recognises achievements in 10 different categories – including business, cultural and entrepreneurial accomplishment.

Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai, who presented the awards, said the TOYM programme served as an excellent motivational and acknowledgement vehicle for young Malaysians.

“The need to excel should inspire everyone to go into unchartered waters and think outside the box. Youths must be bold, confident and adventurous. The sky is the limit,” he said, adding that RM4.1bil was allocated under the 9th Malaysia Plan for skills development.

Dr Mohd Fikri Abdullah, who was recognised for his cardiovascular medical innovation, said one should always give back to the community regardless of achievements in life.

Local actor and producer Rosyam Noor stressed on the importance of remembering God in everything as “if you don’t remember God, you will not succeed.”

ROLE MODELS: Recipients of the TOYM Awards 2006 in the Honouree and Certificate of Merit categories posing for a group picture with organising chairman Alexis Choo (seated fifth from left), Liow (sixth from left), JCIM president Senator Tony Hsing (seventh from left) and JC KL Mandarin chapter president Eric Chin (eight from left). Wong is seated fourth from left, Vun is at far right and Dr Chong is standing in the back row (fourth from left).

Go toon's army

YSB 10 years celebration

We were invited to a celebration dinner last nite to commemorate the 10th anniversary of YSB Yayasan Sultanah Bahiyah or Sultanah Bahiyah Foundation, a charitable organisation which takes its name after its founder and first royal patron, Almarhumah Tuanku Bahiyah Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman. Incorporated 20th August 1996, the Yayasan is managed by a Board of Trustees and the present Chairman is YTM Dato' Seri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz binti KDYMM Tuanku Sultan Haji Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah.

The foundation performs two key roles. The first function is as an agency of change through our work in the community through education, community development, health, youth and training initiatives. The second function is to colloborate with other non-governmental organisations and private companies on social projects. We also provide financial grants to other non-profit organisations in Kedah to help them conduct their activities. All programmes are financed by its fund-raising efforts and donations received from the public. Our projects and activities cover a broad spectrum and involve all age group.

The Sultan and Sultanah Kedah together with the Kedah kerabats were there. We were honoured to be invited by theChairman as her personal guest and after performances and dinner we adjourned for supper till late. Had a chance to meet my idol (during my younger days) Bro Ramli Sarip (I met him at the lounge after that, shook hands with him and told him that I skipped school 20 years ago to go to Ipoh to watch Sweet Charity perform hehehe) who performed 3 songs and even got the chance to take photos with Adibah - what a powerful voice. I was waiting for her 'Kau yang teristimewa' song. Managed to buy a signed copy CD after the show from her. Way to go Adibah.I think the dinner was a success and thanked the chairman for her invitation. Hopefully I will be able to help a bit in their good cause.