Malaysia - Happy New Year 2011

SELAMAT TAHUN BARU 1 MALAYSIA

1Malaysia - AFF SUZUKI CUP 2010

WE WON! MALAYSIA BOLEH!

The AFF SUZUKI CUP is a biennial football competition organised by the ASEAN Football Federation and contested by the national teams of Southeast Asia. The 2010 AFF Cup, sponsored by Suzuki and officially named the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, are taking place on December 1–29, 2010. It was a great game marred only by the green laser incident. Bad supporters!!! So, when we won the match, they would blame it on the lasers. - Sorry No Hard Feeling. Good Match.

Malacca - Duck tour of Malacca

“Quack Your Way Around Melaka Historic City”

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam

Datuk Seri Haji Mohd Ali bin Mohd Rustam is the current Chief Minister of the state of Malacca in Malaysia. MELAKA MAJU 2010, ONE MALAYSIA

Malacca - Museums in Melaka

Malaysia Youth Museum

Malay & Islamic Worlds Museum

UMNO Museum

Samudera Museum

Agricultural Museum

Malacca - Seri Tanjung Homestay

Experience the real kampung way of life at Seri Tanjung Village. Twice winner of National beautiful competition, Seri Tanjung offers accommodation for visitors under Homestay concept. The village is in Alor Gajah district, situated at 24km away from Malacca Historic City.

This program is run by organisation under the administration of the Malacca State Government and the Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia.

Visitors will stay with host families, the villagers of Seri Tanjung. As such, visitors will experience the essence of village life in Seri Tanjung unique way, an experience which is becoming variety nowadays.

Visitors will surely be struck by the beauty of living in harmony with nature, with traditional houses tucked loosely among coconut trees and a variety of greeneries. If the visit coincides with local fruits season, visitors will be able to pluck these delicacies right from the trees.

Malacca - Kampung Hulu Mosque

The mosque, built in 1728 during the Dutch Occupancy, is the oldest mosque in the country. Its unique architectural style is a unique blend of Sumatran, Hindu and Western architecture.

All of the building's original wooden structures except the four main pillars and the roof structure were replaced with concrete. Within the mosque compound, you can find the grave of Sayyid Abdullah Al-Haddad, a famous religious teacher, whom many regarded as a "Wali" (Saint).

A good way to see the Kampung Hulu Mosque is to include it as part of your walking tour of nearby Jonker Street. The Mosque is set just one street back from the famous street.

Malacca - Melaka River

Melaka River is a river which flows through the middle Malacca Town in the Malaysian state of Malacca. It was once an important trade route during the heyday of Malacca Sultanate in the 15th century. It has lost most of this function in the present and is a mere tourist attraction.

Malacca - ASEAN Malaysia Mini Park

The Taman Mini Malaysia cultural park is located a few kilometres outside of Melaka, near the town of Ayer Keroh. If you have an interest in traditional architecture and ways of life, this is a great place to go exploring. Each of the homes represents the architectural style of the 13 states in Malaysia and is furnished with various items, arts and crafts which depict the culture of each state.

Inside each house, you can find a range of genuine handicrafts originating from each state or county. The life-like figures 'inhabiting' each charming home on stilts are garbed in their respective traditional costumes.

Other attractions in the park include weekly cultural shows and traditional games. Basically, this is an opportunity to see all Malaysian architecture and heritage in a short all-encompassing outing. And it's a nice break from the hustle and bustle of nearby urban Melaka.

Portuguese Settlement

Here is where the descendants of the Portuguese who conquered Malacca in 1511 live today. The settlement, located just southeast of the city centre, consists of tidy rows of mostly wooden houses leading up to the Portuguese Square (Malay Medan Portugis) and Hotel Lisbon (sorry, unlike its Macau namesake, there is no casino here) on the waterfront. The people here may look Malay but peer into their houses and you"ll see the characteristic altar with status of Jesus and Mary perched high on their walls. Inferring strong affinity to Portugal, this place has been called Mini Lisbon. Located only 5km from the Melaka Town at Ujong Pasir, Melaka. There are 1,500 people from 116 families who live in the Portuguese Settlement, established in 1930. This settlement encompasses 13 acres with eight acres occupied by dwellings, the rest being taken up by a school, playing field and children playground. There is an unique survival of 16th century Portugal kept alive through language, customs, songs and dance forms.

Malacca - Taming Sari Tower

The latest addition to Malaysia"s stable of skyscrapers. The 110m-tower seats 66 people at a time, taking them on a 7-minute ride offering breathtaking 360-degree views of the historic city and the coastline.

Malacca - Jonker Walk (Hang Jebat Street)

Jonker Walk is an open air night market held every weekend (and recently extended to eve of public holidays) evening to late night. Have a leisure stroll along the street, observing the locals' life, catching a free performance and shop for some local souvenirs can be a wonderful and unforgettable experience.

Malacca - St. John Fortress

Malacca's other fortress located on top of St John's Hill in Bandar Hilir, south of the city. Pretty views of the surroundings from the top.

Malacca - The Stadthuys Municipal Hall

The Stadthuys is located at what is now called the Dutch Square, on Jalan Kota. In front of the Stadthuys is the Clock Tower, Victoria Fountain and nearby is the famous Christ Church. The Stadthuys is one of the most famous tourist spot in Melaka. The word Stadthuys stands for ‘Municipal Town Hall’ in Dutch language.

Built by Dutch in 1650s, after having taken over from the Portuguese, this architectural structure is the oldest Dutch building in the East. The Dutch were first to introduce bricks of well burnt clay. The British, however, replaced Dutch Bricks with British Bricks in their constructions.

The Stadthuys, Melaka

The Dutch used this building as official residence of their Governors and important government officers. One can find in the building a nice antique furniture, like Dutch blackwood cupboard made bearing the monogram of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). Just beneath the Stadthuys building is a superb drainage system that flows into the nearby Melaka River. Only the underground drainage system beneath the building is of the Dutch origin. Dutch arranged and planned the drainage system before they started to build the Stadthuys building. A well made of sea stones was discovered beneath the building. Another well was discovered outside the building. One well constructed by the Dutch and a building site was also discovered adjacent to the Stadthuys. THE RESTORATION OF THIS STADTHUYS CITY – CLERK The Stadthuys is located at what is now called the Dutch Square, on Jalan Kota (Kota Road).

Malacca - St. Paul Hill (A' Famosa)

The Portuguese colonised Melaka from 1511 to 1641. The first thing they did was build a fort overlooking the river, calling it A'Famosa. As Melaka was the centre of struggles between super powers of the time, and suffered the constant threat of attack, the A'Famosa fort was critical in Portugal maintaining its colonial foothold in the Far East. Within the fort walls were housing and food stores, a castle, a meeting room for the Portuguese Council and five churches. A seven-month attack by the Dutch just about destroyed the entire fortress, leaving only the entrance façade and the structure of a church at the top of the hill.Go for a stroll up St. Paul's Hill on a cool late afternoon and wander among the majestic trees and historical remnants. Here, you can almost imagine the glories and miseries of the besieged lives the Portuguese would have led right here all those years ago...

Malacca - Malaysia's Historical City

Malaka is known as a historical rich state and is recognised as one that epitomised the spirit of a nation, forged through the crucible of a tumultuous and intricate history.

Malaka was founded by Parameswara (or Raja Iskandar) the last Malay ruler of Temasik (ancient Singapore) in 1396 when he and his followers retreated up the straits to Muar, then tu Sungai Ujung before settling at Bertam near the estuary of Malaka River.

Finding the place is of strategic location, he decided to make a permanent settlement there, naming it "Malaka" after the name of the tree he leaned against.

The Malaka Sultanate occupies a special position in the history of Malaysia. Its inauguration marked the beginning of the emergence of a new Malay empire. The birthplace of the Malay Sultanates and Malaysia's historic city, Malaka provided the stage on which the Portuguese, Dutch and English played out their roles in shaping history.

Malaka emerged as a strong maritime trading state under the industrious Parameswara and his chiefs. Malaka also began to be noticed by Muslim traders from West Asia and India, who until that period, had been concentrating their activities in Aru, Pedir and Pasai en-route to the East, especially China. Because of its strategic location straddling the Straits of Malaka, it thrived as a port-of-call and a centre of entrepot trade with ships and merchants from China, Japan, India, Arab and South Africa.

In 1511, it fell to the hands of the Portuguese, followed by the Dutch in 1641 after a fierce battle. In 1795, Malaka was given to the British to prevent it falling to the French when the Netherlands was captured during the Napoleonic Wars. It was returned to the Dutch in 1818 under the treaty of Vienna but was later exchanged by the Brisith for Bangkahulu, Sumatra. From 1826 onwards, the British East India Company along with Singapore and Penang governed it, under the Straits Settlement administration in Calcutta.

The Dutch, who held Malaka for over a century, left many fine buildings marking their heritage. The most imposing relic of the Dutch period is the Stadthuys, a strikingly pink town hall which is today the oldest Dutch building in the Far East. Right next to it stands the bright red Christ Church, constructed with pink bricks imported from Holland and covered with local red lacerite. Today, these buildings together with the ruins of the Portuguese built A' Famosa and St. Paul's Church are the most prominent reminders of the Europeans presence in Malaka.

After World War II, anti-colonial sentiment bred in the country among the nationalists, the result of which was the proclamation of Independence by Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, Malaysia's first Prime Minister, at the Padang Pahlawan (Warrior's Field) at Bandar Hilir, Malaka on 20th February 1956.

Johor - Tanjung Piai

Tanjung Piai is a cape in Johor which is the southernmost point of Peninsular Malaysia and thus the most southern point of mainland Asia. The skyline of Singapore is visible across the Johor Strait from the point. It features seafood restaurants, perched on wooden jetties that are surrounded by a rugged and rarefied coastline of unspoiled mangrove forests.

HOMESTAY KUALA SG BARU, MELAKA

Traditional Rumah Limas Melaka by the beach, suitable for family outing,group retreat,friends reunion and private functions.

Pls also add FB

- Roslina N Rahman
- Search Kuala Sungai Baru

- Homestay Administor.

Call for Reservation
Hp +6 012 250 1262 or
Hp +6 013 665 6780

Senawang, Kuala Lumpur, Seremban (SKS)

Those interested in trying out or stocking on Mak Pon’s gravies, can contact Shaiful Hafiz Bin Yahya (tel: 012-9789529). rempah2u.blogspot.com

1 Malaysia - Senawang - Seremban - K.Lumpur

Senawang 2 Kuala Lumpur 2 Seremban (SKS)

The Star - Mak Pon’s gravies

Factory and shop: Abdul Hamid Abu Hassan’s shop house where he produces the gravies under Mak Pon’s labels.

Our products: Abdul Hamid Abu Hassan’s assistant Mohd Shah Baba showing the gravies for the different dishes.

Cookout: Abdul Hamid Abu Hassan (left) and two shop assistants cooking gravies for asam pedas and mee rebus at his shop along Jalan Junid.

A contractor finds success in producing traditional ready-made gravies and pastes.

A FORMER building contractor, who found the construction sector crowded with too many new contractors six years ago, decided to become an entrepreneur in a totally different field.

From doing road works, renovating buildings and even building houses, Abdul Hamid Abu Hassan began making gravies for mee bandung, mee rebus, asam pedas, rendang and soto, as well as rojak paste.

However, it was not smooth sailing for Abdul Hamid, 42, from Jalan Junid in Muar, to start his venture as he did not know anything about making gravies for popular food varieties.

“I told myself if Maggi Mee is popular among the people, why don’t I make gravies for food which is already popular, especially among the locals?

“I thought about mee bandung and asam pedas, the two food varieties which Muar is famous for, and I asked my mother-in-law for her recipes,” he said at his shop, busily stirring away the ingredients in one of the many cauldrons over the fire.

According to Abdul Hamid, his mother-in-law, Pon Mahmud, is a very good cook and family members as well as their neighbours loved her mee bandung.

He said his mother in-law, now aged 84 and very ill, did not believe he would leave the construction sector to become a gravy producer.

He said she felt that there was no future in such a venture and she also thought no one would want to buy ready-made pastes to cook their meals as people usually made their own gravies.

He pestered her for the recipes and even promised her that if the venture did not turn out successful, he would return to constructing buildings.

He said he was also very fortunate that his wife, Rafiah Marof, was very understanding and supportive, and encouraged him to try the new venture with an open mind.

Using their hard-earned savings, Abdul Hamid invested in the business, buying the necessary utensils, including stoves, cooking gas, big frying pans, cooking pots and grinding machines.

“Initially, we cooked the gravies in the kitchen of our house and packed them, testing the market by promoting them to friends and neighbours,” he said.

After a few weeks, people started coming to Abdul Hamid’s home and began enquiring about the ready-made gravy pastes, which were named Rencah Mee Bandung Mak Pon.

He went on to turn his home into a small factory.

Abdul Hamid’s products began to gain popularity by word of mouth and traders around Muar began stocking up on his items, with hawkers and restaurant operators placing orders and using his products as the base of the food sold in their outlets.

This success, he said, saw the expansion of his business and the list of items made by his factory with gravies for asam pedas, mee rebus, soto and even pastes for rojak joining the Rencah Mak Pon line.

“We began small but now we operate from a shophouse in Taman Lembah Padang in Jalan Junid and our gravies are sold all over the country.

“We also export the gravies to Singapore, Brunei and the Middle East. Recently, a trader took some to Beijing to promote them in China,” he said.

According to Abdul Hamid, he makes two versions of gravies for mee bandung – a standard gravy and the Power gravy, which contains more shrimps.

Those interested in trying out or stocking on Mak Pon’s gravies, can contact Abdul Hamid.

Kuala Lumpur Shopping

Kuala Lumpur offers visitors a chance to shop for amazing cultural souvenirs and products. Also check out the way locals shop in 'Pasar Malams' or Night Markets, shopping mall and more.

Known as the ultimate shopping area in the city, Bukit Bintang presents a wealth of options that would appease even the shrewdest shopper. Some of the city’s major shopping centres can be found here, suiting every budget and need, from premium malls to speciality outlets. Offering six floors of retail therapy under one roof, Suria KLCC houses major international brands as well as those which are exclusive and elusive, making it the perfect one-stop destination for shopping. Located just across the street is another lifestyle mall, Avenue K.

Chinatown’s most well-known shopping area is undoubtedly located along the stretch of road called Petaling Street.

D1M - Happy Father's Day

Father's Day is a day honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. It is celebrated on the third Sunday of June in 55 of the world's countries and on other days elsewhere. It complements Mother's Day, the celebration honoring mothers. It is a widely known celebration.

Colours of 1 Malaysia 2010

Well known as Colours of Malaysia, this year with the 1Malaysia branding it is now called Colours of 1 Malaysia. Colours of 1 Malaysia, our nation’s premier cultural extravaganza, is back. Featuring concept of “Street Performance 1 Malaysia”, It’s going to be a spectacular night of traditional performances and colourful parades, which will include showcase of Faces of 1 Malaysia, Homestay, Food & Fruits Fiesta, Mega Sale and Shopping Paradise, Golden Beaches and Eco Tourism. Get ready to dance the Malaysia rhythm.

Johor - Batu Pahat Malaysia

Batu Pahat is a district in the state of Johor, Malaysia. It lies south-east of Muar, south-west of Kluang, north-west of Pontian, and south of Segamat and the new Ledang district. The capital of the district is Bandar Penggaram,Batu Pahat.

Johor - Muar Malaysia

Muar, also known as Bandar Maharani is a town geopolitically situated in the Muar district in the region or area of Muar in northwestern Johor, Malaysia. It is the main and biggest town of the bigger entity region or area of the same name, Muar which is sub-divided into the Muar district and the new Ledang district, which was upgraded into a full fledge district from the Tangkak sub-district earlier. Muar district as the only district covering the whole area formerly borders Malacca in the northern part. Upon the upgrading of Ledang district, the Muar district now covers only the area south of Sungai Muar, whilst the northern area beyond the river is in within Ledang district. However, both divided administrative districts are still collectively and fondly called and referred as the region or area of Muar as a whole by their residents and outsiders.

Malaysia - Upin n Ipin

Upin & Ipin is a Malaysian television series of animated shorts produced by Les' Copaque Production, which features the life and adventures of the eponymous twin brothers in a fictional Malaysian kampung. Originally a side project for the blockbuster animated film Geng: The Adventure Begins, Upin & Ipin was introduced on TV9 in 2007 as a six-episode Ramadan/Eid special, to instil significance of the Islamic holy month amongst children. To date, the series has reached its fourth season, including another Ramadan special season in 2008, and, season three onwards, the year-long, secularly-themed Upin & Ipin and Friends, the series' international debut via the Disney Channel Asia.

Johor - Johor Circuit

Built in 1986, the Johor Circuit is the first international class motor racing circuit outside of the Klang Valley. It initially catered to the growing local enthusiasts but soon gained recognition not only regionally, but also internationally. Although it was then a comparatively new circuit, its challenging 3.86km configuration soon attained respect and admiration amongst the racing fraternity. In 1990, just four years after it was built, the circuit was upgraded to the strict FIM World GP homologation requirements. In 1998, it hosted the World Motorcycle Grand Prix Championship. Ever since then, it has been hosting regular local and regional events.

Johor - Pineapple Plantations

Johor still tops in pineapple. Workers transporting pineapple suckers for planting. E very day, some 800 workers toil under the sun to plant and harvest pineapples at Peninsula Plantations, dubbed the country’s largest pineapple plantation.

Johor - Pulau Tinggi

Tinggi Island or Pulau Tinggi is one of the many captivating tropical islands that nestle the East Coast of Johor. Its stretches of white, sandy beach surrounded by alluring blue waters makes it a perfect haven for those who want to escape from the mundane world.

Johor - Pulau Sibu

The word for island in Malay is Pulau and big is besar so in actual fact Pulau Sibu Besar means Big Sibu Island. Pulau Sibu forms part of the Seribuat chain of islands and lies 12 kilometres off the east coast of the West Peninsular of Malaysia. Tanjong Leman is the boat pick up point for Pulau Sibu and is approximately 2 hours north of Johor Bahru on the Mersing road. The island is shaped like a triangular hour glass, about 6 kilometres long and never more than one kilometre wide it's whole length.

Johor - Pulau Pemanggil

Pulau Pemanggil is 1,036 ha ( 6.4 km square ). It has population of 109 people. The locals involve in tourism, fisheing and agriculture activities. The island has a small dam for their water supply. Located 85.5km from Mersing jetty and 59.5km from Tanjung Leman jetty. It uses solar energy system and genset for electric supply. Installation managed by TNB.

Johor - Pulau Kukup

Kukup, near the south-western tip of the peninsula, 20km from Pontian, is a well-known fishing village with most of its houses built on stilts. It is famous for its fish farms and several popular seafood restaurants which serve famous local delicacies like crab, fish and prawn. Visitors can tour nearby Pulau Kukup or Kukup Island by hiring boat operators to take them to the mangrove island which is as a significant ecological site.

Johor - Pulau Jawa

Pulau Rawa is a really beautiful island wonderfully covered with white coral sand shaded by tall palm trees. The island has many fascinating caves made for exploration and divine offshore coral reefs brightly lit by the many neon-coloured fishes and unusual marine life. And the breathtaking Rawa Island Resort, set amid all these, make Pulau Rawa a haven for fishing, scuba-diving, shell-collecting, lobster-hunting and underwater photography.

Johor - Pulau Babi Besar

There are a cluster of 3 islands just off the coast of Mersing in Johor which used to be overrun by wildboars. Nobody knows how the wildboars got across to inhabit the islands but these hardy creatures have been known to swim long distances. Perhaps, floating islands ie little clumps of land that had been torn from riverbanks during heavy monsoon rains could have carried them to these islands and thence multiplied as there were no known predators until man came along. Fisher folk named the islands , Babi Besar (Big Pig), Babi Tengah (Pig in the Middle) and Babi Hujong (Pig at the end) but 'Babi' was consequently dropped from the name and thus, today they are more popularly known as Pulau Besar, Pulau Tengah and Pulau Hujong. As with the name, the wildboars on these islands have also disappeared.

Johor - Pulau Aur

Pulau Aur, known locally as Aur Island, lies about 65 km east of Mersing, Johor, Malaysia. It is part of the Johor Marine Park. Its corals, lagoons and offshore pools make it a tourist attraction. It has for many years also always been a frequent stopover point for fishermen. There is also a smaller island close by, Pulau Dayang. Both islands are home to Singaporean diving companies, divers reach the island by chartered boats from Mersing or Singapore.

Johor - Orchid Valley

Located in the village of Kangkar Pulai, 30km northwest of Johor Bahru, Orchid Valley is a 40-ha. property at the foot of Gunung Pulai (Mount Pulai).

Orchid Valley is reputedly the largest tropical orchid farm in the world. It has beautiful and exotic orchids from over 80 varieties. It is also internationally recognised, with some hybrids registered with the World Orchid Society in London.

Since its opening in February 1996, the Orchid Valley has become a popular attraction among tourists and orchid lovers especially from Singapore. Here, visitors can buy cut flowers or potted plants of exotic orchid breeds at very reasonable prices. The cool, fresh air and the scenic views with undulating hills in the backdrop are a welome change for urban visitors.

The farm consists of an orchid plantation, an educational corridor, a tourist centre and a research laboratory. Other facilities for visitors include a restaurant, a children's playground and viewing terraces. Waterfalls, lakes and fountains create a soothing ambience, and a tram ride around the farm lets visitors enjoy the breathtaking sights in comfort.

The farm is open daily from 8.30am to 5.30pm. A small entrance fee is applicable.

For more information, please contact :
Orchid Valley
19th Mile
Pontian Road
Kukup, Johor
82300
Tel :+607-5271122
Fax :+607-5272913