Chef Hats and Aprons

Pic by Dazar Suarman

JOHOR BARU: FIVE orphans under the care of the Amitabha Malaysia, Johor chapter, recently got a taste of what it was like to work in a hotel.

The children, two girls and three boys aged between 7 and 12, were the special guests of Renaissance Johor Baru, which had organised for them a baking session with hotel chef Mohd Haznor Nazmi.

Haznor, whose specialty is cakes and bread, especially pistachio pave cake, demonstrated to the children how to bake cupcakes.

After showing them how to mix the flour with the egg, he taught them how to do the icing and toppings.

Chef’s hats and aprons had been prepared for the children, who eagerly put them on with the help of hotel general manager Marc Cosyns.

Cosyns said the one-hour session was held to mark Marriott’s annual Global Customer Appreciation Week 2014 and as part of the hotel’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme.

“All of the hotel’s CSR activities are handled by our Spirit To Serve Committee and our staff readily volunteer their time whenever the committee comes up with proposals and ideas on how we can give back to the community,” he said.

Cosyns said the hotel was participating in a charity project organised by the Johor Arts Foundation today at Danga City Mall, here.

The Halloween Fund Raising Party and Movie Night is held to collect money to help 10-year-old Angela Har Yi Qi, who is suffering from acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Meanwhile, Amitabha Malaysia Johor project executive Chloe Chan, who was the chaperone, said baking was a novelty to the children who had only seen people cook with a wok and spatula.

Thanks to the hotel, Chan said, the girls have now set their minds on a career in the hospitality industry.

“Many children only think of becoming a doctor, teacher or lawyer when they grow up because they hear what the adults want.

“There are so many other careers, like being a chef, for instance, that children may not know about. The tour of the hotel kitchen has given these children an idea of what it is like to work in a hotel.

“As for the baking, I think the children enjoyed eating the cupcakes more than baking them,” she said.

by Chuah Bee Kim

source NST online

Nam Wah Kangkar Pulai Johor

The Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat Complex in Tampoi was owned by former Information Minister the late Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat. Pic by Dazar Suarman

JOHOR BARU: SPORTS and recreational enthusiasts will soon have a place they can visit if they want to learn taekwando, silat or lion dance.

Pulai member of parliament Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed plans to open the Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat Complex in Tampoi for the public to learn traditional martial arts and lion dance said his special officer Goh Teck Kuan.

Nur Jazlan is the son of the late Umno veteran and former Information Minister Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat, who owned the complex.

“We are in the process of looking for coaches.

“We not only want to have such classes, but we hope to get people of all races to sign up for lessons.

“We want the Chinese to learn the silat and the Indians to learn lion dance and so on.

“We feel that this would strengthen bonds in the community,” Goh said.

Goh said Nur Jazlan was supportive of sports and cultural activities and believed youths should have more opportunities to do so instead of idling their time away.

The plans for such classes to be held at the complex was timely as sports enthusiasts in the state had recently complained of a lack of venues to conduct activities.

Goh said this at a send-off ceremony for the Nam Wah Kangkar Pulai lion dance troupe, which will be representing Malaysia in Bali, Indonesia next week.

The ceremony was held at the SRJK (Cina) Pulai in Kangkar Pulai here on Sunday.

The troupe will compete in the third Asia Lion Dance Championship from Saturday to Oct 16.

The Nam Wah Kangkar Pulai troupe has more than 50 members, including non-Chinese.

However, only eight members of the troupe led by Datuk Ong Chi Kin would be going for the championship.

From left: Gan Tek Hing, Kew Yin Min and Lee Song Twee.

http://www.nst.com.my/node/40715

JOHOR BARU: A send-off ceremony was held on Sunday for the award-winning Nam Wah Kangkar Pulai lion dance troupe which flew to Bali to represent the country in the Third Asia Lion Dance Championship.

About 100 people, including Kangkar Pulai village head Lee Song Twee and former village head Kew Yin Min, turned up at SRJK (Cina) Pulai in Kangkar Pulai to show their support for the eight-member troupe.

The championship will take place from Saturday to Oct 16.

Troupe chairman Yong Yii Yaak said their biggest rival would be from China.

The inaugural championship was hosted in Johor Baru two years ago while last year's event took place in Jakarta, Indonesia.

On both occasions, the Nam Wah Kangkar Pulai lion dance troupe emerged in the top three spot. By Chuah Bee Kim

Inaugural Imsha

Congratulations!

(2nd from left) Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Irda chief executive officer Datuk Ismail Ibrahim at the inaugural Iskandar Malaysia Social Hero Awards ceremony. Pic by Norbaiti Phaharoradzi

to the 22 NGOs and individuals 

In the Johor Streets today

THE Johor Area Rehabilitation Organisation (Jaro) has received the Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Iskandar Malaysia Ultimate Social Hero Award.

JARO committee member Datin Patricia Lim received the award from former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the inaugural Iskandar Malaysia Social Hero Awards (Imsha) ceremony.

Abdullah, who is the patron of Imsha, said the nation was full of unsung heroes.

“When I launched the South Johor Economic Region (now known as Iskandar Malaysia) in November 2006, I had envisioned that it would grow economically with community involvement,” he said.

“Eight years down the road, Iskandar Malaysia is a global economic player that has made the well-being of the local community a priority.”

He said Imsha had brought the government and the private sector together in a move which involved the community in a sharing of minds and responsibilities.

“Development should not rest only on the shoulders of the leaders but everyone,” Abdullah said, adding that there was much to learn from the community.

He called for friendship among all Malaysians, and for the need to set aside their differences and come together with the same objective of community and nation-building.

Also present at the event at Le Grandeur Palm Resort, here, were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Iskandar Regional Development Authority chief
 executive Datuk Ismail Ibrahim.

The objective of the inaugural event is to recognise and honour heroes in the local community.

Twenty-two non-governmental organisations and individuals were also honoured for their contributions to the economy.

The NGOs were Jaro, Johor Society For The Performing Arts (JSPA), Homeless and Orphan Pets Exist (Hope), Mercy Malaysia, Grace Covenant Community Care, Save Our Seahorses, Johor Cerebral Palsy Association, Kechara Soup Kitchen Society, Taman Molek Resident Association, Dynasty View Sdn Bhd and Johor Baru Happy and Joyous Club

The individuals were Suzie Yap of JSPA, Joseph Chia of Companion Animal Rescue Effort Society, Yong Yun Pin of Persatuan Xing Jun, Ellen Chandra of Education Advancement, Serina Rahman of Kelab Alami, Harjeet Sandhu of Alzheimers Support Group, Leekha Nandy of Malaysian Red Crescent Society, Dr T. Sivakumar, Woo Soo Pheng, Zack Joho and Ahmad Muhi Johari.

About 170 nominations were received.

As the top prize winner, Jaro will get to send a representative to Frost & Sullivan for training to run a social enterprise. The other winners are entitled to use the Imsha award for marketing and promotional purposes.

The main sponsors of Imsha are Medini Iskandar Malaysia Bhd, Iskandar Investment Bhd and Dynasty View Bhd of UM Land Bhd.

Sharing Of Hardships

“Today, we see mainly oil palm plantations. Before that it was rubber and pineapple plantations. But in the old days, the cultivation of gambier had transformed Johor Baru from a virgin forest to what it is today,” Johor Baru member of Parliament Tan Sri Shahrir Samad.

Not many of today’s generation know of the significance of the humble gambier, a tropical shrub instrumental in the development of Johor Baru.

If you were to look at the design of the Johor Baru City Council’s crest and the arches, street lamps and flower pots in Jalan Tan Hiok Nee Heritage Walk here, one would notice the gambier and pepper motifs. It is also a symbol of the Johor royal family.

The history of the Chinese community began in the early 1800s with the arrival of the Teochews from Swatow province, China.

In Johor, the Kangchu title was given to the Chinese headmen, who were known as the “kapitan”.

The Kangchu system was a socio-economic administration system developed by the Chinese agricultural settlers near the rivers of Johor in the 19th century. The settlers formed informal associations (similar to the kongsi of other Chinese communities) and chose a leader among themselves.

Later, other waves of immigrants arrived via Singapore and Indonesia. Most notable were the Hokkien from Fujian and the Cantonese, Hakkas and Hainanese, all of whom were eager to start a new life in Johor.

Temenggong Ibrahim, who was the ruler then, had invited Chinese settlers in Singapore, who had emigrated from China, to Johor.

The ruler issued “surat sungai” (river documents) to more than 140 headmen to start their own gambier plantations.

Today, there are no more gambier plantations in Johor.

The contribution of the Chinese community toward the development of Johor was acknowledged by the Johor royal family then, and till the present day.

Head to the "Sharing Of Hardships - Exhibition on Gambier & Pepper" which will be held at the Johor Bahru Chinese Heritage Museum at Jalan Ibrahim, Johor Bahru, from now to September 18, 2015. 

Entrance fee for adult RM5, senior citizen RM3 and student RM2.

The museum opens from 9am to 5pm daily. It closes on Monday.

Blissfully Married

Deejay Dave, 55, of 101.9mhz is married to C. Usha Devi, 52, and the couple have 5 children.  Dave, who hails from Kluang now lives in Taman Damansara Aliff.

Dave and his wife, daughter and mother-in-law celebrating Onam at home.

by Dave A. Madhavan

I LIVE in Taman Damansara Aliff, Johor Baru, with my wife, youngest daughter and mother-in-law.

During festivals, all my sons and daughters will come back.

Like the Onam, for instance, a harvest festival widely celebrated only by the Malayalees, the house will be filled with merriment and joy.

My wife, C. Usha Devi, will prepare 11 vegetarian dishes for the occasion.

For Onam, we must always have either 11, 13 or 15 types of dishes.

The number of dishes must be in odd numbers.

The meal consists of payasam and pradhaman which are milk or coconut milk-based desserts made from bananas, jackfruit, rice, green-gram, dhal, broken wheat or other items.

Usha would start cooking the dishes from 8am and be done by 1pm.

The meal would then be served on a banana leaf.

My daughters would help out at the kitchen while I would be given the “hardest” task — peeling onions and garlic.

Usha, a nurse at the Johor Specialist Hospital, is a very good cook.

I love her cooking. We have been married since 1986, and we have five beautiful children — two sons and three daughters.

While we would be busy preparing the meals, my sons would be busy preparing a clay cone to be placed in the middle of the kolam design at the porch. Flower petals are also strewn on the kolam.

The boys would then make preparations for the ritual observed during Onam.

My sons have to dig the mud from the soil to make the clay figure. The clay cone symbolised the legendary King Mahabali.

The whole family then gathers at the porch to light the lamp which signifies the welcoming of King Mahabali who brings wealth into the household.

I joined Radio Televisyen Malaysia in 1982, where I was based in Johor Baru until 2007.

From 2007 to 2009, I was based in Kuala Lumpur.

During the three years I was based there, I missed my home so much even though I enjoyed my job.

Although my wife and I have been married for 28 years, our love for each other is as strong as the day we met. The secret to a blissful marriage is trust. Don’t hide anything from your spouse.

Being a deejay on JohorFM and KLFM, I have many fans. There were some who wanted to get to know me better.

I have fans asking me: “Abang Dave dah kahwin belum?” (Dave, are you married?)

My wife does not get jealous or angry when I tell her about them.

And that is because she trusts me.

I am also known as the “Unity Deejay”, being the only non-Muslim deejay of 101.9FM.

I am on air from 6am to 10am from Wednesday to Friday.

During my leisure time, I also work as an emcee.

I have been the emcee of the World Kite Festival annually for the past 18 years.

Being a deejay, it is essential to know several languages.

I can converse in Malay, English and Tamil and also speak a smattering of Mandarin.

My youngest son attends a Chinese school.

- sourced from NST online

Set Up Your Own Website If You Own A Business

Axera Technology owner, Sadiah Abu Nawas, 45, lives in Pontian with her husband. The couple has two grown-up daughters. She shares her views on the need for entrepreneurs to have a website. And Sadiah also says: "Work Hard and Work Smart: Don't Let The Pressure Kill You."

That's Sadiah (standing) and this is what she has to say ...

HAVING your own website is not a trend anymore; it is a necessity if you want more customers to know about your business, products, and services.

Other than a website, you also need a blog, Facebook page and other social networking sites where you can link them.

Think of the website domain as a shopping mall and all your other social networking sites are the tenants inside the mall.

I am someone who did not know about all these things before 2009.

I do not have an information technology background, but I was determined to learn.

Now I collaborate with Mynic, an agency under the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) which promotes and regulates the communications and multimedia industry in offering classes to the public at a very attractive rate of RM350 for domain registration and hosting throughout the year.

After that, one has to pay a renewal fee if they want to keep the website.

There is a workshop coming up on Sept 20 to be conducted at the Centre for Information and Communication Technology (CICT) at the Universiti Teknology Malaysia (UTM) from 9am to 5.30pm for those who want to know how to set up their own websites.

Because this programme has the support of the government, they are offering people to learn a skill at low cost.

To learn this skill, a website designer can charge anything from RM700 to RM3,000 depending on the content and features of your website.

I believe it is better to acquire the skills instead of getting someone else to do it for you.

Even if you eventually decide to get someone else to update your website, at least you’ll have the basic knowledge on how to do it.

I believe in working hard as well as working smart.

Everyone faces pressure in their occupation — the office worker, the professional, the trader, the entrepreneur.

Each person is presented with a different set of challenges.

I know a seamstress who had passed away because she was overwhelmed by stress due to the huge orders that she received.

At times, after working day and night to fulfil the orders, the client did not show up to collect the order.

All these little pressures eventually killed the seamstress.

This incident happened some time ago but it is a lesson to learn and remember.

I shall stress again: work hard and work smart.

No matter how great the pressure is, how heavy the burden, just relax and smile!

And do find the time to learn a new skill.

I really cannot remember the number of people who have gone through the course over the years but I know they comprise all races and ages.

-sourced from NST

Clogged Drains and Rubbish

sourced from NST online

JOHOR BARU: THE Rotarian Action Group (RAG) is calling on the authorities to look into several areas in the city where there are potential breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes.

RAG secretary John Cheah named areas such as Taman Sentosa and Jalan Susur Tun Abdul Razak where the drains are clogged up and rubbish are strewn everywhere.

Cheah said he had highlighted the matter to the authorities, but to no avail.

“It takes mosquito larvae about a week to reach adulthood,” he said.

“The clogged drains and rubbish spotted in the two areas have been there for more than three weeks.

 pic by Dazar Suarman

“The authorities should spring into action immediately to clear the rubbish.”

A recent Health Ministry report stated that there were 42,229 dengue cases in the country from January to June. This is an increase of 248 per cent, compared with 12,143 cases in the corresponding period last year.

Cheah also highlighted a report in the Straits Times which quoted Singapore Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan as saying that the new dengue vaccine to be marketed by a French pharmaceutical company Sanofi next year was “not good enough”.

Balakrishnan had reportedly said that the vaccine was not effective enough against the two most common types of the dengue virus here — types 1 and 2.

Cheah also called on researchers, academician, engineers, doctors and lecturers to attend a two-day international conference called Second International Conference on Dengue Fever, Situation and Its Control, which starts on Sept 20, to learn ways to fight the epidemic.

The event is organised by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia with the support of the Institution of Engineers Malaysia and Rotary International District 3310.

It is taking place at the university’s Dewan Sultan Iskandar.

The speakers include University of Phayao associate professor Dr Busabong Jamroendararasama and Chiang Mai University associate prof Dr Nopporn Sittisombat, both from Thailand.

“Speakers from Thailand and the Philippines are coming to the event to share their knowledge on dengue. The conference will help us to learn more about combating dengue,” Cheah said.

The conference is priced at RM300 per participant for locals and US$100 (RM318.45) for foreign participants.

For enquiries, call Dr Shamila Azman at 07-556 6157 or Lucas Chew 017-777 7648.

Johor Reclamation Works Stopped

By Ben Tan and Chuah Bee Kim - 24 June 2014 
sourced from NST online

JOHOR BARU: The Department of Environment has issued a temporary stop-work order against all coastal land reclamation works for the development of the massive Forest City off Tanjung Kupang here pending a detailed study.

  State Health and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat said any negotiation on lifting the suspension would be between the department and the project’s jointdevelopers, China’s Country Garden Holdings Co Ltd and state-owned Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor.

  “The order came about a week ago and all land reclamation work in the area have been suspended pending further studies on the environmental effects of the project,” hetold the New Straits Times yesterday.

  The reclamation works for the proposed 49-hectare Forest City tourist hub project began in early March and was expected to be completed by year’s end.

  The project hit a snag after the Singaporean government raised concerns over the state’s coastal land reclamation projects, citing that it might cause trans-boundary issues.

  It also sent several diplomatic notes and a formal request to the Federal Government for more information on the state’s coastal projects, specifically in the Straits of Johor.

  In a statement, its Foreign Affairs Ministry had said there were international obligations for both countries to work closely on such matters.

  Environmental activists have also voiced their worries on Johor’s shoreline reclamation works.

  Ayub said the state government would monitor the progress of discussions between developers and the Department of Environment.

  “We will wait for the department to complete their studies on the project, after which we will also ensure that all guidelines are met.”

  On the concerns raised by the Singaporean government, Ayub said the state government valued the bilateral ties with its neighbour.

  “We will look into the issue of other trans-boundary effects because of the land reclamation works.”
Ayub clarified that there was a preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the proposed Forest City project.

  “Normally, shoreline reclamation projects below 50ha in size, such as the proposed Forest City project, does not need a EIA report under the Environmental Quality (prescribed activities) (Environmental Impact Assessment) Order 1987.

  “However, as the project will have a 80-room hotel, increasing the area’s density, a preliminary EIA report was conducted and its findings submitted to the relevant authorities.”

  Country Garden Holdings, which has its international office in Johor Baru, did not reply to queries.

  On Monday, the New Straits Times reported that the Johor government confirmed it had received a request by Putrajaya to furnish details on land reclamation projects in the state.

Wet Saturday

I am so happy I managed to find Edamame at Aeon Bukit Indah this morning.  Grocery shopping was a breeze even though it's a Saturday.  It was raining when I woke up.  Hallelujah!  I don't need to water the plants in my garden.

The last time, I grabbed these instead by mistake.

It looked like Edamame.  No?  Well, I was in a hurry!

Last week, I interviewed three interesting personalities.  If you want to know more about them go to

Artists & Artistes Can Play A Bigger Role if you want to know how one artist wants to spread the message of peace through his art.

A Nurse's Turn At Event Planning if you are in a mundane job and dreams of venturing into the world of business.

Diesease Does Not Discriminate if you know someone who have kidney disease and is facing financial challenges.

all stories sourced from NST online. Ichiban!

Maritime Courses

NIMT in Educity, Nusajaya 

By CHUAH BEE KIM

From left: Prof John Chudley,  Prof Mike Wilkinson,  Prof Malek Pourzanjani and Captain Razali Yaacob.

JOHOR BARU: One thousand new students are expected to enrol at the Netherlands Maritime Institute of Technology (NIMT) Educity campus in Nusajaya when it opens in May.

Its president Prof Malek Pourzanjani said that number was expected to double by the end of the year at the institute, which has been built to accommodate 4,000 students.

Malek said this after signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Southampton Solent University (SSU) deputy vice-chancellor Prof Mike Wilkinson at the NIMT City Campus at Galleria@Kotaraya, here, yesterday.

Also present were SSU Dean of Maritime and Technology Faculty Prof John Chudley and NIMT founder and managing director Captain Razali Yaacob.

The city campus began offering diplomas in Maritime Transport Management, Port Management and Shipping Management in May 2011. It currently has 620 students.

Malek said NIMT would offer programmes in Maritime Health, Safety, Security and Environment, Maritime Law and Logistics in September.

With the signing of the MoA, homegrown professionals and students graduating from the NIMT can now pursue degree and graduate qualifications from SSU in the United Kingdom.

NIMT academic programmes are designed by academicians and industry players to provide students with in-depth knowledge of the maritime industry, maritime transport and its interface with associate industries.

The signing of the MoA will see an exchange of students from both countries. Plans for a twinning programme are in the pipeline.

Malek said NIMT, a Malaysia-Dutch private educational collaboration, was in talks with several global partners for joint collaborations.

"We are selective about who we want to work with. The two global partners we are in talks with are in the United States, Canada and Australia," he said, adding that NIMT was also looking at the possibility of working with a group of universities.

Razali said NIMT would play a significant role in nurturing Malaysian maritime professionals to meet the increasing demand for such professionals in Johor, which has a burgeoning oil and gas industry, in Malaysia and worldwide.

"However, students lack awareness of what the maritime industry is all about," he said.

Razali said 97 per cent of what went into Johor came through the three ports -- Port of Tanjung Pelepas in Gelang Patah; Johor Port in Pasir Gudang; and Tanjung Langsat Port, which is between the first and second ports.

Wilkinson said it was the same in the United Kingdom, where 97 per cent of its imports also came by sea. 

Read more: 1,000 expected aboard NIMT in Nusajaya - Johor - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/1-000-expected-aboard-nimt-in-nusajaya-1.521556#ixzz2wSOygL1r

I Love The Rain

By CHUAH BEE KIM

THE lyrics of one of my favourite songs includes the line: "Only know you love her when you let her go."

I am sure I do not need to tell you the title of the song, whose melody is simple yet infectious, and whose lyrics beautifully reflect life.
Last Saturday, Johor folk saw the rain again, if only for a little while. I'm not sure which parts of the state but in Johor Baru, where my office is, the sight, sound and smell of rain really made everyone's day, even though it was only for a very short while.
After all, it hadn't rained for about three months.
The fact that it started to rain after the long dry spell made us realise how we tend to take things for granted.
How we waste water when we wash our cars, or just let water leaks go unattended without any urgency to repair it.
Regarding the latter, there is a water leak in Susur 1, Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, which has been left unattended for months. I wouldn't be surprised if it is still leaking.
Fortunately, Johor did not have a water crisis, with the exception of Kluang where the residents' water supply came from the Sembrong Timur treatment centre.
Syarikat Air Johor Holdings (SAJ) had to introduce scheduled water supply exercises for the 150,000 residents there.
The move was implemented after the water level at the Semborang Timur river dipped to 0.2m, which was below the critical level of 0.5m.
The low level affected the output for the Southern Water Corporation treatment plant there.
The Semborang Timur Dam even went to as low as 0.1m at one time.
Some non-governmental organisations tried to help out by supplying water channelled from higher ground, and distributing the water to the villagers using a private tanker.
However, SAJ said this was not advisable as the water was not treated and could pose a threat to one's health or skin condition.
Then, on Sunday, it poured.
I usually carry an umbrella with me wherever I go but, due to the dry spell, I forgot to bring one when I went out that day, and so was caught in the rain.
However, I was happy and thankful for the rain.
A friend of mine who had been posted to Saudi Arabia told me that in that country, it's not only the children that come out and play in the rain. It seemed to him that people of all ages there would rejoice whenever it rained.
He said he had even come across people in Saudi Arabia who would stop their vehicles and get out just to touch the rain.
I have never been to Saudi Arabia, but I have heard about the dry spell in that country.
Last Monday, it rained again in Johor Baru. And again, as I am writing this. It is raining cats and dogs.
Now, instead of drought, one would be checking if there is any flash flood at flood prone areas.
In case you're still wondering about the title of the song, it is Let Her Go, by Passengers.

Read more: When rain brings about rejoicing - Johor - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/when-rain-brings-about-rejoicing-1.520143#ixzz2wMflyyUD

Edward Kollmer

Edward Kollmer, 44, is the general manager of Thistle Johor Bahru.

By Chuah Bee Kim

WHEN I am working, I don't perceive work as work. That is how much I enjoy my role. I strive to make improvements, big and small, as I believe there is always room for improvement. When I'm not at work, you will probably find me enjoying a game of golf. I also love travelling, as I find it is not only a form of recreation but also something that is educational.

I travel to London, my home base, four or five times a year. When I was growing up in Dublin, Ireland, my father owned a fine-dining restaurant. I helped out in the restaurant from the age of 6 till when I was about 16.

This was really tough as you can imagine. The business was very successful and I learned a lot, especially how to work hard and be part of something successful.

I graduated from Shannon College of Hotel Management and during the course, I worked in London. I then spent a year in Switzerland.

A scholarship from Cornell University enabled me to complete a Master's degree from the University of Buckingham in the United Kingdom.

Since then, I went on to work in numerous hotels and held many roles and business responsibilities before joining Thistle Hotels and Resorts in the UK in 2006.

Two years ago, I came to Thistle Johor Bahru and I must say that I am very proud of the fact that Johor Baru is a city that is currently experiencing rapid growth.

There is so much I can do here. I want Thistle to maintain its status as one of the leading hotels here. We are currently working with several government, corporate sectors and tourism boards to attract more tourists to Johor Baru.

With our continuous efforts in conducting "Our World Class Way" training for the entire team and extending the warm southern charm and Malaysian hospitality, it gives our guests a sense of feeling of being at home.

The past two years were exceptional years for Thistle Johor Bahru, the best ever.

I see this year as another splendid one as it is Visit Malaysia Year 2014 and we are seeing more business and leisure tourists from Singapore, Hong Kong and Indonesia.

The Malaysian greeting of placing one's hand over the heart, for example, is such a warm gesture and you will see the entire team doing that here. It truly reflects the Malaysian hospitality and guests usually reciprocate the same way.

Johor Baru has much to offer tourists, especially with the new development in Iskandar Malaysia and the Legoland Malaysia theme park. This motivates us all to ensure that we are at the centre of transformation.

Read more: For Kollmer, work is not like work - Johor - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/for-kollmer-work-is-not-like-work-1.506288#ixzz2vbqRCfQH

Life's Transience

shake belly sashimi

ebi an chawan mushi

Decided to treat myself to "shake belly sashimi",  which is one of my favourite indulgences, and a "ebi an chawan mushi".

Felt the craving for sashimi after reading this from the "Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, Chapter 2"

"What is our life but a dance of transient forms? Isn't everything always changing: the leaves on the trees in the park, the light in your room as you read this, the seasons, the weather, the time of day, the people passing you in the street? And what about us? Doesn't everything we have done in the past seem like a dream now? The friends we grew up with, the childhood haunts, those views and opinions we once held with such single-minded passion: We have left them all behind. Now, at this moment, reading this post seems vividly real to you. Even this page will soon be only a memory."

Also, would like to share my commentary which came out in Johor Streets, a pullout of the New Straits Times on

Water leak causing problems

By Chuah Bee Kim

 

I READ with much concern the front page report "3 States on Alert" in the New Straits Times recently.The article was about how water supply from dams and rivers nationwide were drying up.

Johor is one of the three states on alert.
   After reading the article, I stumbled upon a puddle of water bubbling up from a road in Susur 1, Jalan Tun Abdul Razak in Johor Baru. The water was overflowing into a nearby drain.
   I talked to office workers who work in the neighbourhood and found out that this has been going on for more than a month, maybe even two.
   One of them was former State Tourism and Environment committee chairman Freddie Long, whose legal firm is in the vicinity.
   Long told me he had reported the matter to Syarikat Air Johor (SAJ) Holdings Sdn Bhd which told him that the water samples taken from the site did not contain chlorine and thus, could not have been from a broken water pipe.
   N. Usha Devi, 55, a secretary in an engineering firm there, said she, too, was concerned as well as outraged because of all the water which could have been saved if the relevant authorities had looked into the matter sooner.
   Usha even brought the matter up to the Johor Baru MCA division public complaints bureau chairman, John Cheah, who said the incident occurred after workers from Tenaga Nasional Bhd had dug up a stretch nearby to lay some cables.
Cheah, who is also part of the Communication for Behavioural Impact (Combi), said not only does the wastage of water bother him but also the fact that some parts of the road may become a breeding ground for the Aedes mosquito.
   No doubt the water is flowing into the drain, but there are some areas with stagnant water.
I feel that this is another cause for concern and if this is allowed to continue, it could cause the road to sink.
   I have also checked with the local municipal council which said no public complaints have been lodged so far.
   With dengue cases mushrooming all over the country and the possibility of taps running dry, can the authorities please do something about this?
   If SAJ claims that the leak is not from a water pipe then which department should look into this?
   Sometimes, the public is at a loss when it comes to matters like this.
   They just do not know who to turn to.
   In the end, the issue goes viral and on social networking sites like Facebook.
   In fact, people have already started posting the issue on Facebook with various comments

Read more: Water leak causing problems - Johor - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/water-leak-causing-problems-1.492223#ixzz2uIVogkjf

Can You Solve This Mystery?

What is this?

Watch the video 

While taps are running dry due to no rainfall and the dams are drying up in Johor, Negri Sembilan and Selangor, water is sprouting from the road surface here in Susur 1 of Jalan Tun Abdul Razak in Johor Baru and flowing to a nearby drain.

Can the relevant authorities please look into this?  And with the number of dengue cases going up, this spot also poses the risk of being a breeding ground for the Aedes mosquito.

This water from the ground mystery has been going on for a month or two.  No one seems to know where this spring water is coming from?  If you think it's a burst water pipe, water samples taken from the site for tests revealed that it contains no chlorine.

Meanwhile, my lunch time treat ...

grape smoothie and deep fried chicken chop at the Cheelicious Bakery and Cafe.

A Happy Boring Day

Don't forget to head over to Setia Eco Cascadia, Johor Bahru, for the SP Setia's Carnival on Feb 15.  If you're lucky, you may just win yourself an iPad Air or an iPad Mini.

It'll be a wonderful way to bond with family and friends at this fun-filled outing.

The article appeared in today's JOHOR STREETS (a pullout of the New Straits Times)

By CHUAH BEE KIM

ATTRACTIONS: The event will feature 150 performers, a special lion dance and a Candy Street with giant lollipops

JOHOR BAHRU: EXPERIENCE the "Festive Colours of SP Setia" at the Setia Eco Cascadia Show Village on Saturday from 5pm to 10pm. The event is organised by property developer SP Setia Bhd Group and will feature 150 performers ranging from fire eaters, samba dancers, stilt walkers, cheerleaders, bhangra drummers and Spanish masqueraders.
  SP Setia property division (south) general manager Hoe Mee Ling said the fun-filled street carnival will also feature a dragon and light emitting diode (LED) lion dance performance.
  Hoe said the children will be captivated by Candy Street, which has been filled up with thousands of sweets. She said that visitors will also be enthralled by the numerous giant lollipops standing three metres in height at the entrance. There are also candy seats which is a waiting area for parents while their kids explore Candy Street.
  "Also, look out for the balloon candy trees that line the walkway and Candy House, where visitors can redeem free candy, popcorn and cotton candy. "To make the experience a memorable one, visitors can head to the 40-metre wide three-dimensional wall to snap a photograph. The wall can fit 50 faces.
  "After the snapshots are taken, visitors can collect them at the counter," she added. Visitors can also check out the Face and Body Painting booth as well as the Sand Art area. Children will also have a fun time playing the Inflatable Game. There will also be a limited number of free Chinese New Year goodie bags.
  If you have been dreaming of buying the iPad Air or iPad mini, these two gadgets are going to be among the lucky draw prizes.
  Meanwhile, the developer is also opening new double-storey terrace houses and bungalow show houses for viewing. Home owners are entitled to a one-day special bonus worth up to RM30,000 for bookings made during the event.

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 LUNCHTIME INDULGENCE: Grilled Norwegian Salmon.  

Grilled Norwegian Salmon