Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Hari Raya Puasa will be celebrated on Wednesday, Oct 1, 2008, the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal announced today.

So here’s me wishing all Muslim readers, friends and colleagues a joyful "Selamat Hari Raya" and may you be happy with your love ones as well as be successful in anything that you wish to pursue in life.

Hari Raya Puasa is a very important occasion that is celebrated by Muslims all over the world. The festival signifies the end of the fasting season of Ramadan.

Though I am not a Muslim and do not celebrate Hari Raya in a religious sense, I do celebrate the holiday with my friends.

Muslims in Malaysia continue to welcome friends from other races and religious background during this festive period and celebrate this day in a spirit of goodwill and friendship.

To those travelling on the road during this festive season, drive carefully "balik kampung”. Be patience and have a safe journey to your loved ones!

It's Eurocopter EC 725 Cougar for Malaysia

The Government announced that it has signed a Letter of Intent with Eurocopter to purchase the long-range multi-mission helicopter to replace its ageing helicopter fleet of Sikorsky S61-A4 Sea Kings, better known as the Nuri.

The replacement has taken on added urgency following the crash of a Nuri in mid-July 2007 that killed six servicemen, bringing the total number of casualties to 95 since the helicopter was introduced.

The Government had purchased 40 Nuris (Sikorsky S61 Sea King helicopter) in 1968 to provide logistic support for search and rescue (SAR) operation

Nuri pilots have reportedly live in fear of flying with Nuri helicopter and had voiced their concerns about flying with Nuri, fearing the safety of the aging helicopters and the risks on their lives.

The Government has a huge responsibility to ensure the safety and well being of the people serving and protecting the country. Let us hope that the Government expedite the procurement of Eurocopter. Until then our boys will have to face the danger.

It was reported that the Government had allocated US$600 million (RM1.93 billion) to buy an initial fleet of 12 helicopters, which will be in service until 2050.

Chronology of Nuri crashes and near misses since 1969.

April 25, 1969 - First Nuri crash when four RMAF men were killed in Kuching, Sarawak.

March 11, 1972 - Another four men were killed in a crash in Gambang, Pahang.

April 26, 1976 - 11 crew and passengers were killed when a Nuri was brought down by communist fire in Gubir, Kedah.

July 19, 1980 - A Nuri crashed near Ipoh, Perak but 18 people survived.

April 25, 1981 - Two RMAF men were killed and 13 others escaped with injuries when a Nuri crashed near the Kuching Airport in Sarawak.

July 11, 1981 - A Nuri crashed near Batu Melintang, Perak. 11 people survived.

Nov 14, 1989 - 21 people perished in a crash between Gunung Gerah and Gunung Bilah on the Kelantan- Perak border.

Dec 18, 1989 - 16 men were killed in a crash near Sungai Lundu, Sarawak.

Aug 28, 1990 - 9 men training for Merdeka celebration survived an emergency landing near Rawang, Selangor.

Jan 16, 1991 - A Nuri from Sungai Besi to Kluang made an emergency landing in Kampung Parit Zin, Muar, Johor. 12 men cheated death.

June 10, 1991 - 6 men were killed when a Nuri crashed and exploded in Banding, Perak.

July 11, 1991 - 7 men were killed when a Nuri crashed during landing also in Banding, Perak.

Oct 16, 1996 - 2 men were killed when a Nuri crashed in Muka Head, Penang.

March 19, 1997 - 11 RMAF men were killed when two Nuris crashed near Gunung Lumaku, Sipitang in Sabah.

March 5, 2004 - 2 men were killed in a crash in Taman Udara, Butterworth.

March 30, 2004 - 3 pilots survived an emergency landing in Bukit Kalam near Labuan, Sabah.

Aug 15, 2004 - 3 men were killed in a crash at Long Seridan, Sarawak.

July 13, 2007 - 6 RMAF personnel perished when a Nuri crashed at Genting Sempah, Pahang. Their bodies were recovered four days later.

The Eurocopter EC 725 Cougar is a long-range multi-mission helicopter.


The helicopter is marketed for troop transport, casualty evacuation, and combat search and rescue duties.


The helicopter can accommodate 2 crew members and up to 29 troops, for a total seating capacity of 31.

Watch flight demonstration of Eurocopter EC 725 Cougar

KL Monorail commuters crossing Jalan Tun Sambanthan get wet during downpours

The uncovered pedestrian crossing between the KL Monorail station at Jalan Tun Sambanthan and KL Sentral station.


Commuters crossing the street get wet during downpours


Those without umbrellas usually make a quick dash across the street.


The KL Monorail track ends at the pedestrian crossing of Jalan Tun Sambanthan. It does not extend to the KL Sentral transit hub building (in the background).


KL Monorail commuters exit the ground level of the so called KL Sentral station and walk the pedestrian crossing on Jalan Tun Sambanthan.


Then they have to walk across this covered empty lot of land to get to KL Sentral transit hub building (in the background) and vice versa.


The stretch of covered empty lot of land between the pedestrian crossing and KL Sentral transit hub building (in the background) where commuters catch their next train or bus.


The predestrian crossing at busy Jalan Tun Sambanthan links commuters using KL Sentral (in the background) and the KL Monorail station.


Signboards at all KL Monorail stations display the last station as KL Sentral but the station is actually located outside the KL Sentral transit hub building, about 100 metres away.


The signboard displays all the eleven KL Monorail stations. The entire route is only about 9 km. long


CCTV cameras are installed on the ceilings of KL Monorail trains.

“What asshole was it that built the KL Monorail but didn't connect it to the Sentral Station? That 's one of the stupiest things that have ever been done!”

This is the fierce comment by a frustrated train commuter which I saw posted in a blog recently and I have to agree 100% with him or her and thousands of other commuters whom I believe share the same frustration.

Strange it may be, but blame the asshole! Because of poor planning, thousands of KL Monorail commuters are to exit the ground level of the so called KL Sentral station, walk the pedestrian crossing on Jalan Tun Sambanthan, then continue to walk across an empty lot of land to finally reach the real KL Sentral station to catch their next train or bus ride.

The same is also true in the opposite order, i.e. commuters from the real KL Sentral station to Monorail KL Sentral station.

The distance between the two stations is about 100 metres wide apart.

The so called KL Sentral station by KL Monorail can be misleading especially to first-time commuters for it gives the impression that the station is located at the KL Sentral transit hub building but no sir, in reality it is located outside the KL Sentral transit hub building.

The situation is chaotic during downpours as commuters have practically no place to shelter from the rain. Many without umbrellas risk their lives by making a quick dash across the street.

The KL Monorail train service started on 31st August 2003 and commuters have suffered in silence for five years now. Its about time something is done to alleviate their long sufferrings.

Can KL Monorail, the local authority or whoever in authority please extend the existing track to reach KL Sentral transit hub building?

Can KL Monorail, the local authority or whoever in authority please extend the canopied area at the so called Monorail KL Sentral station to cover the whole pedestrian crossing for the convenience of the commuters? Strangely enough the empty lot of land between the pedestrian crossing and the KL Sentral transit hub building is covered.

Can KL Monorail, the local authority or whoever in authority please do something. Its time for action!

Hari Raya decorations at 1 Utama

This 40 feet high mosque-like mansion is 1 Utama shopping centre’s Hari Raya decorations.


Tents, real palm tress and sands mirroring a desert added to the Arabia Hari Raya mood.


I came across this Paris Hilton shop. The celebrity's line of designer handbags, purses and other bags are trendy and in style. Don't ask me for the prices. You have to check it out yourself.

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It's now close to the final week of the holy month of Ramadan. The fasting month is coming to an end soon and Muslims are counting days for Hari Raya which is expected in the first week of next month October.

Shopping centres are already getting busy marking the upcoming festive season. I was with my family at 1 Utama shopping centre Saturday afternoon September 20, 2008 and I can see big crowd of shoppers at Jayajusco departmental store due to the big sale there.

I was attracted to this huge 40 feet structure at the mall. At one glance, it looks like a mosque to me but according to the people I asked, it is actually a big mansion for the rich and famous Arabs to live. Well it sure is a huge beautiful mansion structured like a mosque.

They played Arabic Hari Raya musics over the speakers at the mansion amidst real palm trees and real sands on the ground which mirrored a desert! This certainly create the Hari Raya mood for the Muslim shoppers.

However we missed out on the stage performances like belly dancing and traditional Arabia folk dances which we would love to watch but because we were at the other end of the shopping mall when the show started and ended!

Last but not least, wishing all my muslim readers and friends Selamat Berpuasa and Selamat Hari Raya. May this holy month bring you peace.

Cheers!

Fancy going for fish spa?

The fish spa at Central Market in KL city. Fish spa involved dipping your leg into a pool of Garra Rufa fish. The fish nibble away at your dead skin, allowing healthy skin to grow in its place.

The fish spa at Central Market (CM) KL charge RM5.00 for a 10-minutes fish therapy session.


Look closely, the Garra Rufa fish from Turkey is long and slender and resembled tiny catfish.


Now look closely at the Chin Chin fish from China. It is broader in shape and belongs to the tilapia species.

I saw this aquarium shop at 1 Utama shopping centre which sold the Spa Fish at RM1.00 each. A closer look showed that the fish is broader and believed to be Chin Chin fish (or fake Garra Rufa fish)

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Fish spas are the rage now and can be found all over the places in KL/PJ city, even in KL’s Central Market which charge RM5.00 for a ten-minutes fish therapy session.

The session involved dipping your leg into a pool of fish, known as Garra Rufas which is a member of the carp family and known for its unique abilities to nibble away at your dead skin, allowing healthy and new skin to grow in its place.

These Garra Rufa fish are also known as doctor fish, massage fish, joy fish, nibble fish, Kangal fish and spa fish. The secret of the Garra Rufa lies in their saliva which contains a certain enzyme that is good for the skin. This enzyme helps prevent skin problems.

Don’t you think these fish may actually carry diseases as they move from one person’s leg to another person’s?

I understand that in the United States, they only allow one person at a time to dip his or her leg into the fish pool and they use fresh water after each treatment but here everyone’s legs are dipped into the same pool and God knows how often they change the water!

Now I heard that there are also unscrupulous enterprising people using other type of cheaper version of supposedly spa fish, namely the Chin Chin Fish from China and passed off as the real Garra Rufa fish to unknowledgeable and unsuspecting customers!

So the next time you go for your fish spa, ask to see the fish first. You can check the fish comparison here.

The Chin Chin fish (or fake Garra Rufa fish) is said to have non-effective therapy. This impostor fish mimic the nibbling of the Garra Rufa but do not provide the same medicinal benefits. This fish is more into peeling and not nibbling and could cause unnecessary pain for the body unless baby fish is use. It is a cannibal fish and just eats everything! The bigger fish can bite till bleed!

The Garra Rufa fish from Turkey is toothless, long and slender and resembled tiny catfish whereas the Chin Chin fish which is a tilapia species from China is broader and resembled tiny tilapias.

Those who have tried it said that they felt an itchy sensation initially due to the fish nibbling at their feet but after a while they felt okay. Just like minor electric shock and they felt refreshed after the session.

Well, I would love to try out this fish spa but the thought of seeing those hundreds of fishes nibbling at my legs resembles a piranha attack on me and I remain seemingly helpless!

How the fish spa came about
One day a shepherd (taking care of the sheep) in Kangai, Turkey put his injured leg into a spring where the abundance of Garra Rufa fish (a member of the carp family) nibbled away the damaged skins around the wounds of his leg. Surprisingly the wounds healed soon after and words soon spread around the villages with scores of locals flocking to the springs to try it for their skin diseases.

The secret of the Garra Rufa lies in their saliva which contains a certain enzyme that is good for the skin!

Hotels were built surrounding the springs and they promoted the fish spas to their guests and patients with skin conditions. With the help of internet, news spread quickly and patients from around the world flocked to the spas.

Mid-Autumn celebration at Taman Paramount, Petaling Jaya

Hundreds of residents from surrounding areas of Taman Paramount, SEA Park and Section 22 in Petaling Jaya gathered at the basketball court in Taman Aman Park this evening Saturday September 13, 2008 to join in the celebration of Pesta Tanglung (lantern festival) cum Fruit Fiesta.

The event was organized by the State Assemblyman (ADUN) for Kampung Tunku, YB Lau Weng San in conjunction with the Chinese Mid Autumn Festival which fall on Sunday September 14, 2008.

According to a staff from ADUN office, the program started a bit late at 8.30 pm (instead of the usual 7.30 pm or earlier) due to the respect given for our Muslim brothers and sisters who are now fasting during the Ramadan month and the 7.30 time slot is closed to the breaking of fast.

The serving of local fruits was a welcome change and a departure from the usual menu of fried noodles/nasi briyani with curry chicken/fried chicken. The wide array of local fruits include papayas, mangoes, rambutans and guavas. I liked particulary the mangoes for its sweetness.

It was wonderful to see children and adults of different races enjoying the lion dance performance, helping themselves to the varieties of local fruits and taking part in the lantern walkabout. Such gathering help to foster the spirit of muhibbah (goodwill) and good neighbourliness among us.

There were also the presence of RELA and St John Ambulan personnel to take charge of their responsibilities. The successful event ended at about 10.30 pm.
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Children with colourful lanterns in the shape of birds, fishes and squirrels.

Look! These children have lighted horns.
Two pretty ladies who do not want to miss out the fun.
Young boys having a funtime with the paper lanterns.


A father and son team also joined in the celebration.
The pretty ladies of Lavendor Blue Line Dancer based in Section 14, PJ.

The children from Siddharthan Care Centre enjoyed the festive event just like the others.


YB Lau Weng San with representatives from PAS PJ Utara who also attended the event.

YB Lau Weng San leading the residents during the lantern walkabout at Taman Aman Park.


Residents taking part in the lantern walkabout.
The lion dance perfomance by students of Universiti Malaya.


Residents helping themselves to the free paper lanterns.


There was plenty of local fruit delights for everyone present.


Mooncake is a must delicacy during the Chinese Mid Autumn festival.

A young boy with a small cut on his left leg given first aid treatment by St. John Ambulan personnel.
Cheers for the needy - YB Lau Weng San donated a cheque for RM2,500 to Siddharthan Care Centre (Disable and Orphanage Home). Its President Mr S. K. Manimaran (right) received the cheque.

One for the album. YB Lau Weng San (back row, 2nd from right) posing with Ms Tiew Way Keng (back row, 2nd from left) who is MBPJ councillor for SS1, SS3 & SS9A, Yap Kim Lin (front row, 1st right) who is committee member of SEA Park Residents Association, Alex Ng Koon Wai (front row, 1st left) also committee member of SEA Park Residents Association, together with four representatives from PAS PJ Utara.
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Exciting Attractions at MATTA Fair September 2008

The Dreamz hot dancers from Genting Highlands.


The magician held his audience spellbound.


Gymnastic team members performed remarkable stunts.


Special appearances by Bugs Bunny and Tweety Bird characters from Australia.


Even Batman is here.


Decorative umbrellas from Thailand for sale at RM5.00 each.


Clowns on stilts distributed balloons to the children.


Free shoulder and neck massage provided at the Thai booth.


A cooking demonstration of Korean food.


Bargain hunters throng the many booths for some extremely good deals.


MATTA Fair is cheap but be careful. Some may cut corners to give cheap deals.

The Booth Girls at MATTA Fair


Pretty girls from the Egyptian booth. The girl on the right is a UITM student. They are paid RM300 to attend to visitors for the three-day duration.


From Japan Travel Bureau booth..... this girl who looks like a Malay, speaks like a Malay but she is not a Malay! She is a Japanese who had stayed here in Malaysia for three years.


Cleopatra, the pharaoh of Ancient Egypt is at the EgyptAir booth.


Let me guess.....the girl on the right is dressed in Taiwan traditional costume.


Smiling young faces dressed up in Santarina Christmas costume.


Girls in Korean and Japanese traditional costumes.


Funtime is what these two girls look forward to.

Air Asia staff help out in distributing flyers.


I had thought that with the spiralling cost of food and petrol, a slowing economy and with inflation the last quarter shot up to 8.6% which is the highest in 26 years, there would be smaller number of visitors at the three-day MATTA Fair held on September 5-7, 2008 at PWTC, KL.

But no, I was wrong!

It seems like people are willing to cut down on daily food and expenses in order to save enough for a trip to relax and escape the work tension and stress. Nothing beats after slaving yourself at work, right?

OK so tens of thousands of visitors swarmed the five halls at the venue to hear about the best travel bargains and discounts on tour packages, air tickets and other travel-related products

Tourism Minister Azalina Othman Said had opened the event on the first day with participation by over 200 exhibitors occupying 880 booths.

I popped by the Matta Fair today Sunday, September 7, 2008 to check out the various fun and exciting activities and interesting international performances. I enjoyed and had a great funtime! I like particularly Hall 1 where the booths are for International Travel Packages and the stage is for international performances.

So any plan where to go this year? Local or Overseas travel? I just can affort to go Genting only... Everyone needs a well-deserved holiday, and that's it :)