My dear Shella has packed some Winter dates, strawberries and grapes for me as I embark on a trip to Kota Tinggi, Johor, for a short getaway.
Thank you, sweet Shella.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Monday, October 20, 2014
Belka In Malaysia
JOHOR BARU: WANT to have a home or car that stands out from the crowd?
Par Macht Bhd, at 48, Jalan Mutiara Emas 5/9, Taman Mount Austin here is the production plant that offers such unique services.
Its director, Robin Kuok, said the factory is believed to be the first in Johor, and possibly the country, to offer these two new and novel services — interior wall coating material Belka, as well as spray chroming.
“There are only two types of chroming services in the local market — vacuum chroming and electroplating. Spray chroming is a new technology. We also do Belka coating, which was invented by an Iranian named Sazeh Gostar Sarayesh,” Kuok said.
“Belka is actually cotton wool mixed with gluten and mineral stones.
“Just like mixing dough, the Belka is then placed on the surface. It can be applied to wood, glass, metal, reinforced concrete and brick walls.”
Kuok said Belka is an alternative to paint and wallpaper, and costs about RM4 per sq ft.
“The material is flame-resistant, odour-free and insect-repellent due to its pH-neutral characteristics as insects are drawn to alkaline-based properties.
“However, it is not advisable to put Belka coating on the surface of washroom as it is not waterproof. A little water is fine, but not in a water-saturated environment.
“Belka coating also absorbs sounds, and having walls with Belka coating is like a house wearing a cotton shirt. Heat cannot penetrate the interior because of its thermal-insulation properties,” he said.
“As for spray chroming, we have acquired a water transfer printing machine where 3D-cubic printing can be achieved on irregular-shaped surfaces.
“Customers are opting for this new technology on their sports rim, air-cond covers, door frames and dashboards, among others, to express individuality,” he said.
“It costs about RM150 to get the designs on a car rim,” he added.
For details, call 07-300 6337 or go to www.facebook.com/BelkaInMalaysia.
- by Chuah Bee Kim
source NST online
West Side Friends
Sulaiman Yahya (left) with Ian Mak
Pulau Indah Ventures Sdn Bhd general manager Roslina Arbak (left) with Masnaida Samsudin Storey
JOHOR BARU: The Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore recently organised a gathering called "Friends from the West Side of Johor".
The gathering of 30 people was held at the Marco Polo Kitchen, a new Italian family-themed restaurant in Taman Bukit Indah, here.
Present at the event were Singapore Consul-General Ian Mak, consuls Gavin Ang and Derek Pua, as well as attaché (Admin and Consular) Quek Soo Teck.
Also present was Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Middle-East, North Africa and Central Asia Directorate) country officer Lucas Lim.
The "West Side Friends" include the Iskandar Development Authority head of strategic communications Sulaiman Yahya, Compass Wool Processors Sdn Bhd business director Stefan Bernerius, EcoWorld Development Sdn Bhd deputy general manager Brendon Yeo and Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios marketing manager Masnaida Samsudin Storey. By Chuah Bee Kim
Some Streets readers love our new Your Event page, while some prefer the old Your Say.
Please check out the comments section of this link.
Comments and feedback are welcomed and appreciated.
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Beware Strong Winds
Shards of roof tiles rained on 12-year-old Siti Nuranisa Muhanapi, fully paralysed since she was a toddler, as a tree fell on the roof of her house in Kampung Sepakat Batu in Johor Baru at about 2.30pm yesterday.
Read the story here
http://www.nst.com.my/node/43851
Mishaps can happen anytime, anywhere.
Friday, October 17, 2014
Old And New
Was walking along Jalan Tan Hiok Née, a street named after the leader of Ngee Heng Kongsi of Johor, a Teochew secret society that existed from 1844 to 1916, when I saw two pretty artists doing sketches of the pre-war buildings there,
This shows that conservation of historical and cultural heritage adds allure to a cityscape, lending it a unique identity.
Also passed by the Ah Hua Kuay Teow soup stall in Restoran See Kee at Jalan Segget, nearby. The charcoal stove caught my attention. Feels like you're in another era.
In the bus as I was going home, I saw three commuters keep abreast of current affairs --- one on his tablet, while another commuter in front was reading the newspaper.
Another commuter on my left was also reading a local daily. Although It's not advisable to read in a moving vehicle, it's always nice to see people reading the news whether it's in the digital or conventional format.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Foster Unity
a NST exclusive by Adrian Lai
KUALA LUMPUR: A PROMINENT Chinese community leader has admitted that the existence of various school streams in the country has impeded efforts to create a united nation.
Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Hua Zong) secretary-general Prof Datuk Dr Chin Yew Sin, however, said despite the problem, the government should continue to find ways to foster unity among young Malaysians without changing the status quo.
“Racial polarisation exists, but the right to operate Chinese vernacular schools in Malaysia is enshrined in the Federal Constitution. It is part of the social contract signed by our forefathers and cannot be challenged,” he told the New Straits Times yesterday.
“If students in national and national-type schools do not interact (with each other) at all, they will grow up living in different worlds and this will create problems in the future.”
He was responding to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s speech at MCA’s Annual General Assembly on Sunday, in which Najib assured the public that Chinese education would continue to be safeguarded.
However, Najib said he hoped students in Chinese vernacular schools would learn and master Bahasa Malaysia.
“Bahasa Malaysia is not only the national language, but also serves as the medium of communication for all ethnic groups in Malaysia. It is a tool that can foster national unity,” said Chin.
He said although the legitimacy of Chinese vernacular schools was guaranteed under the social contract, the inability of students from the different types of schools to interact would cause disunity.
“Students in the different types of schools are moving in the same direction, but on parallel lines. As the Malay adage goes, tak kenal maka tak cinta (to know somebody is to love somebody). We must work around this problem by finding a way to intersect these lines and find common ground.”
Barisan Nasional Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin used a similar analogy to describe the problem of racial polarisation while speaking at MCA Youth’s 50th Annual General Meeting on Saturday.
Citing a fictitious example of Ahmad and Lim, who were both born in Malaysia but followed different language pathways, Khairy said Malaysia was facing a problem of too many “parallel lines”.
“Parallel lines will never meet. In Malaysia, we have too many of these. We need to find a solution to bend these parallel lines, so we can see interaction between youth.”
Chin said the solution was in the government’s efforts to help the various schools converge.
“In recent years, the government had initiated the Racial Integration and Malaysian Unity Programme (Rimup). The programme was designed to encourage the various schools to jointly hold events.
“These events, held in Bahasa Malaysia, range from sports activities and debates to discussion forums. However, Rimup events are few and far between because of insufficient funds.”
He said such a programme would not only help students from Chinese and Indian vernacular schools improve their Bahasa Malaysia, but also foster stronger bonds among the races.
“A similar programme is also outlined in the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025, and I hope the government will expend time and resources to make it a success.”
Chin said he was confident that all Chinese vernacular schools, Hua Zong and Dong Zong, or United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia, would support the initiative.
The debate on Chinese vernacular schools was sparked recently by Petaling Jaya Utara Umno deputy chief Mohamad Azli Mohemed Saad, who proposed that the status of such schools be discussed at the Umno General Assembly next month.
He had alleged that opposition parties were using the schools to create racial disharmony and sow hatred towards the government.
United Chinese School Teachers Association (Jiao Zong) chairman Ong Chiow Chuen said he was relieved to hear Najib’s assurance.
However, he said, there were still “voices” that would abuse the issue and call for the abolishment of vernacular schools.
“These people must face the consequences of the law. We cannot let them question our right to run Chinese vernacular schools. Action must be taken against such individuals.”
- source NST online
KUALA LUMPUR: A PROMINENT Chinese community leader has admitted that the existence of various school streams in the country has impeded efforts to create a united nation.
Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Hua Zong) secretary-general Prof Datuk Dr Chin Yew Sin, however, said despite the problem, the government should continue to find ways to foster unity among young Malaysians without changing the status quo.
“Racial polarisation exists, but the right to operate Chinese vernacular schools in Malaysia is enshrined in the Federal Constitution. It is part of the social contract signed by our forefathers and cannot be challenged,” he told the New Straits Times yesterday.
“If students in national and national-type schools do not interact (with each other) at all, they will grow up living in different worlds and this will create problems in the future.”
He was responding to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s speech at MCA’s Annual General Assembly on Sunday, in which Najib assured the public that Chinese education would continue to be safeguarded.
However, Najib said he hoped students in Chinese vernacular schools would learn and master Bahasa Malaysia.
“Bahasa Malaysia is not only the national language, but also serves as the medium of communication for all ethnic groups in Malaysia. It is a tool that can foster national unity,” said Chin.
He said although the legitimacy of Chinese vernacular schools was guaranteed under the social contract, the inability of students from the different types of schools to interact would cause disunity.
“Students in the different types of schools are moving in the same direction, but on parallel lines. As the Malay adage goes, tak kenal maka tak cinta (to know somebody is to love somebody). We must work around this problem by finding a way to intersect these lines and find common ground.”
Barisan Nasional Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin used a similar analogy to describe the problem of racial polarisation while speaking at MCA Youth’s 50th Annual General Meeting on Saturday.
Citing a fictitious example of Ahmad and Lim, who were both born in Malaysia but followed different language pathways, Khairy said Malaysia was facing a problem of too many “parallel lines”.
“Parallel lines will never meet. In Malaysia, we have too many of these. We need to find a solution to bend these parallel lines, so we can see interaction between youth.”
Chin said the solution was in the government’s efforts to help the various schools converge.
“In recent years, the government had initiated the Racial Integration and Malaysian Unity Programme (Rimup). The programme was designed to encourage the various schools to jointly hold events.
“These events, held in Bahasa Malaysia, range from sports activities and debates to discussion forums. However, Rimup events are few and far between because of insufficient funds.”
He said such a programme would not only help students from Chinese and Indian vernacular schools improve their Bahasa Malaysia, but also foster stronger bonds among the races.
“A similar programme is also outlined in the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025, and I hope the government will expend time and resources to make it a success.”
Chin said he was confident that all Chinese vernacular schools, Hua Zong and Dong Zong, or United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia, would support the initiative.
The debate on Chinese vernacular schools was sparked recently by Petaling Jaya Utara Umno deputy chief Mohamad Azli Mohemed Saad, who proposed that the status of such schools be discussed at the Umno General Assembly next month.
He had alleged that opposition parties were using the schools to create racial disharmony and sow hatred towards the government.
United Chinese School Teachers Association (Jiao Zong) chairman Ong Chiow Chuen said he was relieved to hear Najib’s assurance.
However, he said, there were still “voices” that would abuse the issue and call for the abolishment of vernacular schools.
“These people must face the consequences of the law. We cannot let them question our right to run Chinese vernacular schools. Action must be taken against such individuals.”
- source NST online
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