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Village ambience for Hari Raya at 1 Utama

This Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2009, the concourse of 1 Utama shopping centre was decorated to resemble a fishing village complete with traditional Malay attap roof houses, fishing boats and resting areas and surrounded by coconut trees and lush greenery.

Visitors and shoppers also enjoyed the cultural dance performances. 

                                  A fishing village is the theme for Hari Raya 2009 celebration

                                                              at 1 Utama shopping centre.

                                                    Raya cookies for sale at the fishing village.

                               An array of home-made decor items to select for the Raya home.

                                         A fisherman boat displaying handicraft items for Raya.

                                                                     Handicraft on display.

                                                        Fishermen boats with their fishing traps.

                                                                  A cultural performance.

                                                   The cultural dancers put up a show.

                                    Dancers delight shopppers with traditional music and dance.

                                 Children join in the fun by dancing along with the performers.

                                                    A young girl learning the dance moves.
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Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri 20.9.2009

Cultural dance show for Hari Raya 2009 at The Weld, Kuala Lumpur

A traditional dance performance executed with extreme grace and poise on Thursday September 17, 2009 at the concourse of The Weld Shopping Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

The performance by dancers from Wariseni Budaya is one of abundance of songs, dance and music lined up to keep shoppers entertained in conjunction with the Hari Raya 2009 celebration.

Besides the traditional dances, musicians also displayed their skills at playing traditional instrumental music such as bulola, angklong, gamelan and caklempong.

View pics below of the beautiful music and dances.







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McCurry Boleh!

An Indian eatery in Kuala Lumpur city called McCurry Restaurant has gained international fame after McDonald’s (which claimed the name of the restaurant breached it’s trademark) sued McCurry and lost the eight-year legal battle after Malaysia’s highest court, the Federal Court, ruled on 8th September 2009, in favour of McCurry, that McDonald's cannot claim an exclusive right to the 'Mc' prefix in the country.

Internet news from Al Jazeera, BBC to CNN and newspapers across the globe carried with headlines “McCurry wins row with McDonald's” and “Malaysia’s McCurry beat McDonald's in trademark fight" and I knew I just had to try it and decided to check out the place.

The restaurant is situated at the first mile Jalan Ipoh near Jalan Raja Laut, Chow Kit area in Kuala Lumpur. Its ideal location in the business district of Jalan Ipoh makes the place popular with everyone looking for affordable meal from office workers, tourists staying at nearby hotels and to families on weekends.

The restaurant serves a variety of spicy Malaysian Indian curries, including chicken curry, mutton curry, fish head curry, nasi briyani and favourite cuisine like roti canai, thosai, chapatti, murtabak and tandoori naan.

Overall the food is of acceptable quality but can definitely be improved. The price is reasonable without burning a hole in your pocket. The teh tarik drink is kinda cheap here at RM1 a glass. The place is crowded during lunch hour and also on weekends and public holidays.

Business is brisk here, but McCurry Restaurant owner A.M.S.P. Suppiah and his staff are always very friendly.

For Suppiah, 55, a Bachelor of Commerce graduate from New Zealand, his phone had not stopped ringing since winning the case. He has become an instant celebrity of sort and had been receiving lots of local and international calls daily from strangers, people he does not know, who called to congratulate and wish him well. Many others walked into his restaurant to congratulate him personally and to take photos with him. On top of that, he received many inquiries from enterprising people from as far as China about franchising his business restaurant and he has appointed a franchising consultant for advice.

“A 67 years old man called from Ireland after seeing the news from BBC and he said this to me: I thank you so much for pointing out to the world that the prefix “Mc” belongs to the Irish and Scottish people and not exclusive to any single corporation”, said Suppiah who has a friend by the name of Bruce McCurry.

“I also received a call from a Dato’ Yunus Rais from London who said he was a Malaysian and had been staying in London for 30 years. He saw the news on BBC and CNN and had this to say to me: This is the best news I heard from Malaysia this year. You have made Malaysians proud," said Suppiah.

Yes I am proud that a small Indian restaurant can fight with a fast-food giant and win the battle. McCurry Boleh! Malaysia Boleh!

See also related post: McCurry a truly 1 Malaysia eatery

McCurry Restaurant owner A.M.S.P. Suppiah stands proudly outside his restaurant pointing out that the use of the prefix "Mc" in the business signage is a short form for Malaysian chicken. He said the food that they serve is very different from McDonald's and have no similarities with them at all.

McCurry Restaurant owner A.M.S.P. Suppiah (fifth from right, in white shirt and tie) and his staff pointing at the McCurry signage.


Tourists James and Bev pointing at the McCurry signage to acknowledge their support.


Tourists James (1st from right) and Bev posing with McCurry Restaurant owner A.M.S.P. Suppiah (in white shirt) after their hearty meal of Malaysian chicken curry.


Here’s the awesome McCurry – short for Malaysian chicken curry that goes great with plain boiled rice.


McCurry restaurant serves a variety of chicken curry. They also serve vegetarian curry and dishes catering to vegetarians. The dishes are replenished every six hours to ensure freshness. The restaurant operates 24 hours round the clock and employs 18 staff working in two shifts.


Customers can choose from a variery of Indian curry food, including chicken curry and mutton curry.


Customers Param (left) and James Chong give the thumbs up for McCurry.


Its the thumbs up for McCurry from customers Ben (sitting right), his wife Mariya and their two children. McCurry Restaurant owner A.M.S.P. Suppiah (standing left) is happy posing with his satisfied customers.


A family dining at McCurry Restaurant give the thumbs up for McCurry.


McCurry Restaurant owner A.M.S.P. Suppiah (standing) posing with satisfied customers who give the thumbs up.


McCurry Restaurant owner A.M.S.P. Suppiah (middle, in white shirt) and his team of dedicated staff.


McCurry Restaurant owner A.M.S.P. Suppiah received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from a well wisher congratulating McCurry for the success.


McCurry wins McDonald, says this congratulatory message.


Param, a regular customer at McCurry, signed on the guestbook which had been placed at the cashier's counter for customers and well wishers to acknowledge their support for McCurry.


"David won the battle against Goliath".... a page taken from the guestbook.


For desserts, there are a variety of ice blended snow shakes to choose from.


Customers pay at the cashier counter after their meal.


A section of the air-conditioned dining area. Customers can watch the TV shows while dining.


Round tables and chairs are also placed outside the restaurant for smoking customers and those who prefer open environment away from the air-conditioned room.


The washroom area for customers to clean up before and after their meals.


An elegant decor to liven up the place at McCurry Restaurant.
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International performances draw visitors to MATTA Fair (II) Sep 4 - 6, 2009

International performances featuring a kaleidoscope of captivating cultural performers, colourful costumes and mesmerising modern dances from Asian countries were a big hit with the crowds of visitors to Malaysia Association Travel and Tour Agents (MATTA) Fair II September 2009.

The 3-day MATTA Fair II 2009 opened at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur, September 4 - 6, 2009 with more than 860 booths occupying a total space of over 20,000 sq. metres and offering a wide variety of domestic and international discount travel packages, value-for-money air tickets and other travel related products.

The crowd is still there but smaller as compared to the last MATTA fair held in March 2009. According to a director and general manager of a leading travel agency, his company had recorded a 20% drop in sales as consumers and business remain cautious by cutting back their travel plans in the face of the challenging economic conditions and the recent H1N1 flu pandemic.

According to the latest figure released by the Malaysia Health Ministry as at 6th September 2009, the dealth toll due to the influenza A(H1N1) are recorded at 73 cases with anoher 332 cases confimed with H1N1 positive now being treated at hospitals throughout the country, including 52 who are in intensive care units (ICU).

See also Big crowd at MATTA Fair KL March 2009

The dancers with their pretty smiles from the Land of Smiles (Thailand).
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The beautiful music and dances presented by these bevy of beauties from Thailand.


Graceful performers: A Thai dance at the Matta Fair September 2009 in Kuala Lumpur.

The Thai dancers rendering a traditional umbrella dance number.


A traditional Thai cultural dance executed with extreme grace and poise.

The dance performers from Taiwan put up a show called My Beloved Homeland.


The Taiwanese dancers delighted the audience with their dynamic act.


The Taiwanese dance troup delighting the audience with music, dance and acrobatics.


An entertaining heart stopping high energy dance musical from South Korea called Sachoom which was a hit with the audience. These Koreans really know how to entertain.


The Sachoom dance troupe from South Korea put up a splendid show.


The Baby Battle Bboy from South Korea with their thrilling breakdance moves.


The comic martial arts performance from Korea called "Jump" had the audience in stitches with their funny performance.


The "Jump" show is filled with spectacular kung fu actions which can only be seen on movies.


Popular Hongkong singer, actress and chef Maria Cordero (her fans nicknamed her Fat Mama Maria) who is of Portuguese-Chinese blood vowed the audience with her rendition of local all-time favourite Rasa Sayang.

Maria Cordero shaking hands with her fans.
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The crowd at Matta Fair II September 2009. Despite the big crowd, it saw a drop in the number of visitors compared to the last event held in early March 2009.


Cautious visitors wearing face masks provided by the organizer in the wake of the influenza A(H1N1) pandemic.

The large crowd in search of deals and found they had plenty to choose from.

AirAsia is the biggest exhibitor at the Matta Fair with a total of 30 booths.


AirAsia's recently launched new route to Chengdu in western China is a hit with travellers.


Pretty sales promoters with their enticing smiles.


Some free deals on offer exclusive to Reliance Travel.


Get a taste of Macau: Great packages on offer await visitors about the great holiday destination Macau is onboard the “Experience Macau Bus”. The Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) launched the Experience Macau Bus Tour in conjunction with the Matta Fair to celebrate its upcoming 10th year anniversary of the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) establishment.


The Macau pavilion in the shape of the facade of St Paul's church.


The sales promoters dressed in traditional Japanese yukata.


These two sales promoters wear the traditional Korean hanbok.


The snowman mascot promoting Korea Sparkling which symbolizes the lively energy of the Korean people and culture which every visitor will surely experience while traveling in Korea.


The sales team of a travel agency dressed up in Japanese yukata to welcome visitors.


The white castle booth promoting Hong Kong Disneyland.


A booth with a Halloween pumpkin to attract visitors to Hong Kong Disneyland which will be transformed into a "Dark World" during the Halloween season.


Muslim Package: (From left) Sales staff Tasmin, Leen and Ina at Poto Travel and Tours booth which offers travel packages inclusive of halal food and prayer times for muslims.


Staff Hidayah (left) and sales promoter Azrein at Roystar Travel & Tours booth offering special overseas tours, including to Beijing, China and Gold Coast, Australia for muslim travellers with English or Malay speaking tourist guides, halal food and visit to local mosques.


Free iced-cool coffee sponsored by Indocafe to quench every visitor's thirst.


Free shoulder and neck massage for everyone at the Thailand booth.


Colourful decorative umbrellas in various sizes at the Thailand booth.


This is the best time to travel with Garuda Indonesia which offers a “Stay 2 nights & get 1 night free” under its various packages to Jakarta and Bandung.


It’s not all about cheap prices nor discount. Real values does matter at Sri Sutra Travel.


The Transtar Travel luxurious coach offering 5,200 seats travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore at RM52.00 in celebration of Malaysia’s 52nd anniversary of Hari Merdeka (Independent Day) this year.


Attractive and cheerful Fiza (left) and Edayu of the online travel portal Transtar Travel.


UiTM Shah Alam undergraduates (from left) Farah, Aatif and Azwa in traditional Korean hanbok at the Matta Fair September 2009. The university students conducted a tourism survey entitled “Why Choose Korea as a Travel Destination” among visitors to Matta Fair for researcher Han Hee-Joo who is a Ph.D candidate of Kyonggi University in Seoul, Korea.


Cute kangaroo and koala bear mascots are an attractions at the Matta Fair.


The clown amused and delighted children at the Matta Fair.


For RM15.00 visitors get a free cap, lucky draw and a chance to land a plane at the Firefly simulator booth.


The South African High Commission has a booth to promote awareness of the FIFA World Cup 2010 which will be held in Johannesburgh, South Africa from 11th June - 11th July 2010. Its Deputy Head of Mission counsellor Andre Van De Venter (right) with his two assistants posed with Zakumi the leopard mascot for the beautiful game.


Children playing a football match on Sony playstation at the South African High Commission booth.


Face painting booth is great fun for many visitors. A young girl has her arm painted with the motif of a South African flag.
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James Wong (standing right) and his family members posing next to Zakumi the mascot leopard for the FIFA World Cup 2010.
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