Apple Tree

I was at the Kiwanis Careheart Centre just now. Looking for the apple tree http://ardentindulgence.blogspot.com/2013/11/sunflowers-and-apple-tree.html. But the apple tree was no longer there.  

However it was a very fulfilling day.

Shella bought some "kangkung", "bayam", brinjal and mushroom. It costs only RM10.  We really love this place. It's filled with vibrant energy.

I also handed over some books to the centre. This gives me the opportunity to de-clutter my space as well as indulge in the joy of sharing and giving.

I want to keep raising my vibrational frequency. Like a magnet, one's vibrational frequency attracts energy of the same vibrating frequency.  

Smooth Sailing

Everything was smooth sailing. I wish there could be more days like this.  There will be because if your inner world changes, your outside world also changes.  Be the master of your mind. 

A good day calls for a celebration, so I ordered myself a kampung chicken, vegetables stir-fried with garlic, and fried prawns for dinner. The chicken costs RM22, veggie RM8 and prawns RM30.

Today 1,200 Parti Keadilan Rakyat candidates took part in the party polls out of a total of 12,000 members  throughout Johor.  The article in the New Straits Times.

By Syed Umar Ariff, Chuah Bee Kim, Roshidi Abu Samah and Goh Pei Pei

RACE FOR PKR NO. 2 HEATS UP

Azmin has slight edge in PKR polls hit by low turnout and technical glitches.

KUALA LUMPUR: The race for PKR deputy presidency is  heating up between three heavyweight contenders in in cumbent Azmin Ali, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid  Ibrahim and secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution  Ismail.

 

The party polls however continued to be hit with low voters  turnout in Malacca and Johor yesterday.

 

PKR sources said all Azmin, Khalid and Saifuddin have  received almost equal footings with vote margins in the  seams of 40 and 50, during the polls held at divisional  meetings in Kelantan, Pahang, Terengganu and Sarawak on  Saturday.

 

A party insider said at present Azmin has a slight edge after  emerging at the top in Pahang and possibly in Sarawak.

 

“I do not know the numbers, but Azmin is leading albeit by  a wafer-thin margin. Saifuddin had won in Kelantan, pos sibly because the people knew him there better since he was  the member of parliament for Machang.”

 

Another PKR member from Pahang however said that it  was too early to indicate if Azmin would secure stronger results.

 

“We are still in the first stages of the polls. Moreover,  voters’ turnout were quite low in some states during the first  day.

 

Meanwhile, the party polls continued to suffer numerous  setbacks including poor turn of voters and the late arrival of  ballot papers.

   

Polling at the PKR Johor Baru division took place almost  two hours late at 11.45am. 

 

Some of the voters had turned up as early as 9am, all  geared up to cast their votes. However, the voters had to wait  for the ballot papers to arrive.

 

Incumbent Johor Baru division chief Tan Poh Lai, who was  bidding for the PKR Wanita deputy chief post, however said  polling went smoothly throughout the day.

 

In Malacca, state PKR chief Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin said  he had not received any report of commotion or post ponement involving any of the divisions.

 

However, he said only 15 per cent out of 10,000 eligible  PKR members had turned up to cast their votes at the  divisional meetings.

 

"The low figure is expected as we had anticipated that only  about 10 per cent of our members statewide will be casting  their votes in the party elections," he told reporters after  attending the Jasin PKR divisional meeting in Bemban here today.

 

In Sarawak, party polls in the state which only ended  yesterday also experienced a low turnout of voters between  15 to 20 per cent at meetings held at 29 state divisions.

A party source said for example, the Stampin division  which boasts a little more than 500 voters only saw 166  members cast their votes.

Read more: Race for PKR No. 2 Heats Up - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/race-for-pkr-no-2-heats-up-1.580601#ixzz305wFM3Fp

Itching

The "fishy" incident I talked about five days ago actually led me to a story that is related to marine life, but not much can be revealed yet.  Need to wait.

It's just about some ordinary people trying to save some grass.

That's all I can say for now.

Meanwhile, let's welcome President Barack Hussein Obama, the 44th president of the United States to Malaysia. The three-day visit by Obama, beginning today will be his official visit to after President Lyndon Baines Johnson's visit in 1966.

US president Obama's visit to Malaysia is a recognition of its successful development efforts, said Malaysia's Special Envoy to the United States, Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis - Bernama

Development should also complement animal rights, environmental and wildlife conservation. No?

Oops!

Yesterday's "fishy" incident kind of piqued my interest which led me to do some pre-dawn surfing.

I stumbled upon http://www.fz.com/content/kit-siang-questions-reclamation-project-pulau-ubah
and http://dapmalaysia.org/en/statements/2014/04/05/18316/

Everyone else would probably have known about this issue already.

Everything happens for a reason and I believe I was sent to a non-existent assignment for a reason.

Is our eco-system under threat?

There's Something Fishy

About This Day

In the morning I was asked to go to the Gelang Patah police station because that is where the MCA Gelang Patah division chairman Jason Teoh was going to lodge a report concerning the mass death of fish in Tanjung Kupang, Gelang Patah, Johor.

I was thinking ... What? Again?

On Feb 12 there was already an incident there which resulted in 48 breeders of fish and mussel incurring losses amounting to RM5.5 million.

Bernama reported that the incident was believed to have been caused by the 'red tide' phenomenon, resulting in the presence of excessive plankton, hence reducing oxygen in the water.

So, I came here in the morning only to find out later that Jason knew nothing about going there to lodge a police report today.  Who could've been so mean and naughty to pull such a stunt?  Normally I would've been annoyed.  Surprisingly, today I chose to see it as an honest mistake instead of an act of sabotage.

Anyway, back to the fish story. It was reported that Gelang Patah member of parliament Lim Kit Siang had politicised the issue by claiming that the incident was caused by the reclamation works nearby the affected area, and urged the state government to take serious action to  help those affected.

However, the Johor government-owned Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor Bhd  reportedly refuted Lim's claim.

Jason today said there is no new development concerning the matter.

Later in the day, I was here

I was lepaking (hanging out) at the Johor Bahru Sentral, the inter-city railway station waiting for the Chua Primaseira express bus. The bus was transporting 35 victims of the bus crash in Jalan Kuantan-Segamat on Sunday back to Singapore via the Customs Immigration Quarantine (CIQ) complex.

I then decided to treat myself to some "tauhu bakar" (grilled beancurd) from this stall in Johor Baru City Square.

The "tauhu bakar" here is delicious!

Iceman and an Irishman

I think I didn't blink at all throughout the bar fight and also during the battle at the bridge.

Before I watched Iceman 3D,  I had read some bad reviews so I wasn't expecting much.  However, I enjoyed the turbo-charged actioner starring Donnie Yen.

Iceman was interspersed  with humour and captivating stunts.  There wasn't a single dull moment. For moviegoers who usually find themselves dozing off when they're watching a movie, are not likely to find themselves doing that here unless they're dead tired.

After 400 years of being frozen, three imperial guards from the Ming Dynasty found themselves in 2014. Once comrades, two of the guards turned against the protagonist as they thought the latter had betrayed the country.

At the end of the movie, the truth is revealed not with words but by the protagonist's actions.  Judge a man by his deeds and actions and not by what he says, as the cliche goes.

Meanwhile, I also enjoyed the movie "Winter's Tale" starring Colin Farrell.

Like Iceman, Winter's Tale is a story about the age-old battle between good and evil.  

It is also about love and miracles and how the universe brings people into our lives.

Group Selfie

With all the lovely people I work with.  This a selfie creatively taken by Nur Aisyah Mazalan. 

With Sarah Rahim who is leaving the Johor Baru bureau soon to go back to KL. Will definitely miss her. The whole team will.

This is one of Sarah's stories ...

Danga Avenue One food hub launched

By SARAH RAHIM 

JOHOR BARU:  DANGA Avenue One, at Country Garden Danga Bay (CGDB), was launched last Saturday.

There are more than 15 tenants at the commercial street, including Kenny Steam Disher Restaurant, 'M' Espresso Sporting Club, Food Channel, Tsim Sha Tsui, Restoran Madam Jean Pan Mee, Matterhon @ Danga, I Love Yoo!, Juice Baby, Tea Garden Restaurant, Kani Palace, Taang Shifu, Dining Room and Cheers Up.

Customers have a choice of snacks, Chinese food, Japanese food, steamboat and barbecue-style food, fried rice, nasi ayam penyet and other food.

The tropical concept landscape provides for a lovely setting for alfresco dining.

Country Garden Malaysia senior marketing executive Karen Thay said: "The first phase of construction for CGDB includes the commercial street which was completed in July last year.

"The whole CGDB commercial area will span an area of 6ha."

Thay said two other commercial streets would be launched after Danga Avenue One.

"More tenants will be moving into Danga Avenue One too. It will be a food sanctuary for locals and Singaporeans," she said.

Thay said the tenants, who included local and Singaporean industry players started operating last month.

The food and beverage outlets are opened daily between 10am and 10pm. Outlets that provided alcoholic drinks operate between 10am and midnight. CGDB is in Jalan Skudai.

For details, visit: www.countrygardendangabay.com.my.

Read more: Danga Avenue One food hub launched - Johor - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/danga-avenue-one-food-hub-launched-1.568859#ixzz2z3LLspIq

Be A Responsible Pet Guardian

 

A flashback of our front-page report last Friday.

JOHOR BARU: The Johor Baru Central Municipal Council (MPJBT) says it is willing to work with non-governmental organisations (NGO) to keep the stray dog population under control.

Last year, the local council handled 540 complaints about stray dogs.

However, MPJBT corporate and public relations department administrative officer Salwa Abd Rashid said the NGOs had to be committed if they wished to work with the local council.

"We cannot release a dog once we have caught it, and we cannot provide any allocations. The other local councils have outsourced the work to dog catchers who, we believe, are paid as much as RM100 for the capture of one stray dog.

"MPJBT has its own team of dog catchers which consists of six men. We do not feel that we need to spend taxpayers' money by outsourcing to private dog catchers.

"Our team does not go out to look for stray dogs. We only act when there are public complaints.
"We need to take action or we will be seen as not doing our job," she added.

Salwa did not deny that carcasses of culled stray dogs were dumped into garbage bins near public markets.

"Those were roll-on roll-off (RoRo) bins, which are huge.

"We wrapped the carcasses in plastic bags before dumping them.

"We also instructed that the dogs be dumped only on days when the waste management company (SWM Environment Sdn Bhd) is coming to collect the rubbish.

"As to claims that our dog catchers shoot the dogs or clobber them to death, that is not true," she said, adding that the local council only shot crows.

Salwa said some stray dogs did get hostile in the presence of dog catchers.

However, she added, the council had yet to receive reports of stray dogs turning hostile on the public.

"If the NGOs want to work with us, please also launch a campaign to educate pet owners to be more responsible.

"Pet owners should not discard their dogs when they no longer think the dog is useful.

"If they do not want the dog anymore, they can call us to put it to sleep, instead of taking the dog somewhere far and dumping it and letting it become other people's problem," she said.

Read more: MPJBT wants to work with NGOs to cull strays - Johor - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/mpjbt-wants-to-work-with-ngos-to-cull-strays-1.567047#ixzz2yuRzEPdq

Puthandu Vazthukal

 

HAPPY TAMIL NEW YEAR. May this year's Puthandu bring you peace and happiness, joy and prosperity.

Yesterday I was very determined to stay positive and happy no matter what happens.  I'm not really a believer of the Law of Attraction but I decided to try it out after reading Rhonda Byrne's Daily Teachings.

Today after enjoying a delightful vegetarian meal with my good friend and while I was waiting at the counter for my turn to pay, someone we knew who was also dining there paid for our meals.

Staying happy does attract good energy.

It was such a joyous day until I saw this in the New Straits Times online news.

This is just too sad, 

http://www.nst.com.my/latest/school-van-reverses-into-sewage-plant-one-pupil-killed-1.566671#ixzz2yr9fPSeM

Besides this, there were other mishaps, flash floods and traffic jams in some parts of Johor. 

Need to go pray now. Stay positive everyone.

The Best Day Ever

I woke up with the desire to make this the best day ever. I want to spend as many moments of my life thinking positive thoughts and performing good deeds. Spreading love and shutting out all negativity. Embracing joy and shunning all hatred.

Today I ardently indulged in being mindfully happy.  For lunch, it was a Japanese gastronomic experience all the way with "shake belly sashimi", "edamame", "shisamo", green tea and lots of wasabi.

For dinner, It iwas a home-cooked inexpensive indulgence comprising soup made with black beans, lotus root, wolfberry aka goji and chicken bones.

I am going to wake up every day making each new day  the best day ever!

Get Tested, Get Treated

Went for a visual field test.  I have ocular hypertension. Normal eye pressure ranges from 10 to 21 mmHg. My eye pressure is more than 21 mmHg.

After I received the bad news I went out out to celebrate with a simple meal, my favourite ---- ayam penyet and avocado chocolate juice.  

I'm celebrating because at least it was detected early.  Early detection can prevent further complications.

Be cool, guys. Just be cool.  

A Time For Self-Reflection

A commenter Tebing Tinggi left a comment early this morning. Thank you. I totally agree with you.

Yesterday, when my colleagues and I were at the market interviewing the people, many of them were blaming the government and "the Malays for not liking dogs and this is why they kill the dogs this way".  One Indian guy asked: "If I were to talk to you and the government come and find me, can you protect me?"

If the sight of dogs being killed and dumped like that make our hearts cringe, then don't contribute to the problem.  Irresponsible breeders and guardians need to self-reflect.  The relevant authorities need to keep the streets safe.

However, there must be a more humane way of ending a life,  I sincerely hope the local councils and animal welfare non-governmental organisations will work together to find a solution to this problem.

APPEAL FOR COMPASSION: The Johor Baru Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals wants to work with local councils to control the stray dog population in the city

JOHOR BAHRU: THE Johor Baru Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JBSPCA) hopes to work with local councils to control the stray dog population in the city.

Its chairman Ranjit Singh said this after receiving complaints from the public that dogs were being killed and dumped in refuse bins in their neighbourhoods.

"We can understand that the local councils have to do something about the stray dog population, as canines in a pack can turn hostile.

"JBSPCA is appealing to the authorities to use a humane euthanisation method. We are also willing to assist the local authority in a spay programme," Ranjit said.

He said it was unethical to clobber or shoot an animal, and then put it into a plastic bag for it to die from its injuries or from lack of oxygen.

"That is a very cruel way to die," he added.

Streets checked out two garbage disposal centres -- one at Taman Universiti and another at Taman Ungku Tun Aminah -- and found that stray dogs were indeed dumped in black plastic bags.

A Taman Ungku Tun Aminah resident, who only wanted to be known as Pei, said she often heard dogs wailing in the garbage dumpster near the area's market.

"Being an animal lover, the dreadful sound of a dog crying as it breathes its last really disturbs me. I can't sleep at night," she said.

Pei claimed that the dogs were brought there in a truck and dumped.

Traders at the market in Taman Universiti, near Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, said there was a strong stench when the rubbish was not picked up on time.

"The men would come in a truck two or three times a week and dump the plastic bags containing dogs into the dumpster.

"Sometimes, some of the dogs are still alive when they dumped there," said one of the traders who declined to be named.

It is learnt that this inhumane practice has been going on for several years.

JBSPCA vice-chairman Joseph Chia said stray dogs should be put down humanely and the carcasses disposed off properly.

SWM Environment Sdn Bhd corporate communications head Shahrul Amir Abdul Rahim said the company would look into the matter. The company is in charge of waste management in the two areas.

Johor Baru Central municipal council could not be reached for comment.

Read more: 'Cull stray dogs humanely' - Johor - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/cull-stray-dogs-humanely-1.560512#ixzz2yXAyKEvt

Empathy and Compassion

Did my story on  stray dogs which is coming out tomorrow in Johor Streets. Let's hope there'll be some positive changes.  

On the way to a residential area for the story, we stopped for some vanilla ice cream. Yummy! That's Mary Victoria in the backseat.

The dumpster in Taman Universiti where the carcasses of stray dogs were put into plastic bags and dumped.  Some of the dogs were not dead yet but would eventually succumb to their injuries or die from lack of oxygen.

Please be responsible guardians. Don't let your beloved pets end up in such a sad state.

Starting the Day

Woke up at 6am. Going to be a busy day as I have 3 stories to work on.  One concerns HIV patients and their plea for "equal rights not special rights".  No one wants to be a sex worker but sometimes they are forced by life's circumstances.  

Another story will be about one of my favourite subjects

The Johor Baru Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) would like to work with local councils on the sterilization of stray dogs in the city.  The NGO understands that stray dogs have to be killed as they can be hostile and become a threat to people but SPCA is appealing to the local authorities to be more humane in its euthanisation method.

I sincerely hope the local authorities will agree to work with SPCA and that SPCA will step up efforts to educate the public, namely dog owners, on how to be responsible guardians.

And my last assignment is a food write-up on an Arabian restaurant. How cool is that? I can't seem to find my waistline anymore but I'll worry about that after the food tasting.

Need to get ready for work now. Have a good day, everyone.

Springtime In The Tropics

Tabebuia rosea blossoming all over Malaysia.  Pic by Esther Teo

I didn't know much about this flower species until yesterday.

After doing some research, I learnt that the Tabebuia rosea aka trumpet rose tree is a tropical tree that is widely planted along city and residential streets all over Malaysia.

Johor Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) chairman Vincent Chow, in his FB site, said the tree is native to Central and South America and is popularly planted along roadsides and as a garden ornamental plant.

In Malaysia, Tabebuia is also known as the “Cherry Blossoms of Penang” after its pink flowers which are much like the cherry blossoms of Japan.

Other local nicknames for the plant include “tissue paper tree”, referring to its thin petals.
The tree is also known as ipê rosa in South American countries.

"When the wind blows, the falling white blooms give one a feeling that it is snowing,"says Vincent.

However, the time to enjoy the blooms is limited.  See it before it's over!

My "Sakura Boulevard"

A huge sigh of relief as my Tanjung Kupang crash story did not see print in New Sunday Times as earlier expected.  

For a flash respite, I walked over to my "Sakura Boulevard" in Bandar Baru Uda, Johor Bahru.  The sight of the delicate petals floating in the air from its branches was sheer poetry.

Delicate petals

Bandar Baru Uda

"Buddhism teaches that everything is life, from human beings to the smallest roadside pebble or a single blade of grass. Every bit of the world that surrounds us embodies the mystery of the universe and the wondrous law of life. A rugged mountain that has been buffeted by harsh winds emanates the poetry of intense struggle; the innocent smiles of children convey the love of life." - Soka Gakkai International.

Meanwhile, an excerpt of my story on the 1977 Tanjung Kupang crash.  I have taken out the part where I interviewed the mother of one of the victims of the ill-fated flight.  It had caused her much anguish and distress.

JOHOR BARU: Over the years, the visitors to the Tanjung Kupang memorial in Jalan Kebun Teh here have grown lesser in number.
  The memorial contained the remains of the 100 people on board the ill-fated Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH653 which crashed into a mangrove swamp in Tanjung Kupang near Gelang Patah here on Dec 4, 1977.
  Of the 100, seven were crew members and 93 were passengers.
  The crowd who visited the memorial may have lessen over time, along with the pain of those who lost their loved ones in the crash, but the memories still linger.
  Abdul Latif Ahmad, 48, a businessman, was at the memorial yesterday with his wife, Bahiyah Ahmad, 46.
  Bahiyah's mother lives near to the memorial site, making it convenient for the couple to visit the site regularly.

Abdul Latif Ahmad at the Tanjung Kupang Memorial

"I was 10 at the time of the crash.  I am from Kampung Rambah in Pontian.  At that time, all the villagers rushed to the site because our former Agricultural Minister Datuk Ali Ahmad was one of the passengers," said Abdul Latif.
  Ali was the best friend of Abdul Latif's late father, Ahmad Mohd Yatim.  Ali, who was born in Kg Rambah, and much loved and respected by the villagers.
  Also on board were Public Works Department head Datuk Mahfuz Khalid, and Cuban ambassador to Japan Mario García.
  "I was too young to follow my father to the site but I heard stories about how human flesh, body parts and hair were hanging on the mangrove trees.
  "It was horrific.  And in Kebun Teh, before the residential area was fully developed, taxi drivers said they would see headless corpses in the area.
  "In the first five years after the memorial was built, the relatives flocked here.  But now that it has been 37 years since the tragedy, the number of people who come here have grown lesser," he said.
  And no, news of MH370 that went missing on March 8, had not brought the crowd back except perhaps journalists who are out for a fresh news angle.
  Abdul Latif said the younger generation may not even know about the memorial.

A tabebuia rosea tree in Taman Johor Jaya.  Pix by Mary Victoria Dass.

Keseluruhan Saya Cinta Kamu Semua

Hahahahaha!

I'm a little depressed actually.  So am in need of some loving.  

Tomorrow is April 6.  Indonesians working in Malaysia will come out to cast their votes for the 2014 Indonesian legislative election on April 9 to elect members of both national and regional legislatures.  

Tomorrow my story on the Tanjung Kupang crash is expected to come out in the New Sunday Times.  The interview brought back sad memories for the mother of one of the victims of MH653. It upset her quite a bit. My intention was never to cause her any pain. Hope she can forgive me.

Tomorrow is also Qingming Festival.  The actual day is actually today but Qingming, aka "Tomb Sweeping Day" can be observed two weeks before and after the day of the festival.  Tomorrow being a Sunday, the Chinese community, namely Taoists, is expected to be at the graveyards (even though Sunday is not a rest day in Johor).

To Taoist believers, the burning of the paper-made items and "paper money" meant that the departed will be able to receive the items in the other realms or wherever they are right now.

However, Buddhist practitioners believe differently. 

"There is a Chinese saying that ‘no possessions can be brought along to the next existence; the only thing that follows one is his deeds, or ‘karma’ ‘ ( 万般带不去，唯有业随身 ). Furthermore, his relatives and friends only follow the deceased up to the grave, but soon turn to go home, leaving the dead alone in his tomb!

Thus, the burning of cheaply-produced paper models and effigies served as an effective educational tool. Witnessing how fire consumes every ‘former possession’ of the deceased, even an illiterate peasant or young child was able to understand this sense of total relinquishment at death.

Today, this practice is completely misunderstood by the majority of Chinese. Instead of the original meaning, paper-made models have been turned into “paper offerings” – with the mistaken thought that whatever one burns, his departed relatives will obtain in the netherworld!

Hence people nowadays burn paper models of the latest i-Pads, smartphones, LED screens, and “paper money” in inflated sums in order to please the dead. All these will not help the departed ones at all. In fact, this misunderstanding will only harm the living by maintaining their ignorance and delusions.

Instead of burning “paper offerings”, one can perform ‘Dedication of Merits’ (Pāli, ‘Pattidāna’) to help their departed relatives." - source Nalanda Buddhist Society.

Oppressive Day: Is It The Heat?

Had lunch at the Damai Seafood Village restaurant in Kampung Danga, Johor Bahru on this sweltering hot Thursday.

The calm rustic setting did little to placate my quiet anger and disappointment.  Why are some people angry with Malaysia because of a tragedy? I like what these two bloggers wrote.  

http://dharmarajkarthikesan.com/

http://lifeofaannie.blogspot.com/2014/04/china-should-be-better-friend.html

Anyway, I had nasi goreng kampung and refreshing coconut water for lunch.

Here is the story I wrote about the restaurant back in 2012.  I think there is new development in the area. Time to do another report for Johor Streets.

FISHING FOR CUSTOMERS: Damai Seafood Village restaurant not only offers tasty seafood dishes, but also fishing in six ponds on its 11ha site

BE soothed by the rustic setting and kampung ambience as you walk into the Damai Seafood Village.

Located in Kampung Danga, Johor Baru, the restaurant, on a 11ha site,  features six fishing ponds of various sizes, and a menu that offers more than 80 dishes.

Opened since 1998, its 39-year-old owner, Aziz Sadikin Mohd Mandak, took over the running of the restaurant from his elder sister who decided to work as a civil servant after running the business for two years.

It was then known as the Damai Fishermen Camp as the restaurant also offers fishing for anglers.

"I decided to change the name after I took over the business.  Previously, I was working as a chef in a restaurant in Kluang that was run by a Chinese Muslim.

"That was where I learnt Chinese-style cooking.  After I left Kluang, I continued to learn the art of Chinese cooking  from other chefs," he said.

"When I was growing up in Gelang Patah, I developed a passion for cooking as my mother ran a food stall outside our house.

"My mother, who is now 61 years old, was the first person who taught me how to cook," he added.

Aziz  now runs the business with his brother Mohd Sadikin, 40, also a chef  at the restaurant.

"The restaurant has six chefs, two of whom are my brothers-in-law," said Aziz.

His wife, Nurul Izzah Bachok, 26,  works  as a cashier along with six members of her family.

Among the  dishes on the menu are chilli crab, claypot tow foo, siapkap Sri Danga and butter prawns.

"Our fishing ponds are a huge hit with anglers, especially those from Singapore.

The latter are willing to pay as much as RM1,100 for six hours of pleasurable fishing.  

"After that, they do not even get to take their  fish home as we practise the 'catch and release' concept.

"We have a variety of fish sourced from Kukup.

"Some of the fish weigh between 10kg and 60kg.

"The price of fishing vary, as each pond is  different.  

"In some ponds, patrons can catch the fish and have it cooked in our restaurant according to their liking," he said.

The restaurant is open from  noon to 2.30pm for lunch, and from 5.30pm to  midnight for dinner.

On weekends, the opening hours are from noon to midnight.

However, for the month of Ramadan, the opening hours from 4pm to midnight daily, except on Fridays where the restaurant is open from 3pm to midnight.

For more information, call Aziz  at 012-727 1678.

Read more: Facebook Comments - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/get-hooked-by-a-seafood-village-1.112681/facebook-comments-7.160721#ixzz2xov8EucQ