Manchester United and Real Madrid prefer MAS

CHOSEN CARRIER: The MAS chartered plane emblazoned with the Manchester United logo which was used to ferry the English Premiership team during their Asian Tour this month, the second time that the national carrier was involved in the Red Devils’ Asian football circuit.

KUALA LUMPUR: The chartering of Malaysia Airlines' aircraft by Manchester United and Real Madrid for their Asian tour is proof of its capabilities.

For the Manchester United Asian Tour 2005, the club appointed MAS as its official carrier.

From July 21 to 31, MAS will have flown the 80-member entourage from Manchester to Hong Kong, Beijing, Tokyo and back home.

This is the second time MAS has been involved in the Red Devils’ football circuit in Asia.

Meanwhile, top European football club Real Madrid returned to the Spanish capital city from Bangkok on a MAS B777-200 aircraft yesterday.

This is also the second time MAS was asked to fly Real Madrid to this part of the world.

Source: The Star
Read full story...Manchester United and Real Madrid prefer MAS

Buy insurance if driving to Thailand

Article source: The Star

ALOR STAR: Malaysians driving into Thailand are advised to bring along their original car registration cards and buy Thai insurance.

Malaysian vehicles without these documents are liable to be seized by Thai authorities, said Kedah Road Transport Department (JPJ) director Ishak Ali.

He said most Malaysians brought along only a copy of the car grant instead of the original.

“It is important for Malaysians to buy (car) insurance sold at the Malaysia-Thailand border apart from obeying the rules and regulations imposed by the Thai authorities,” he added.

He was asked to comment on a recent newspaper report that Thai authorities had auctioned off 324 vehicles worth RM15mil belonging to Malaysian citizens that were seized for various offences last year.

Ishak said the Thai authorities would not accept photocopies of the car grant or if the owner’s name was not the same as the one on the grant, as they feared the vehicles could have been stolen or were being smuggled in.

Normally in such a situation, the vehicles would be seized, but Thai authorities would allow the driver a certain period to show proof of ownership, he said.

However, Ishak said, the rules were only imposed on those who wanted to go further than the 2km limit from border towns.

For those going through Kedah, the two towns within the 2km area are Bukit Kayu Hitam in Malaysia and Danok in Thailand. – Bernama

Backpackers drawn to former barracks

The weekend is here. Thinking of getting away from the bustling KL city for some peace and quiet or thinking about roughing it out in some nature spot? Why not at Cameron Highlands?

Article
By CHRISTINA KOH
The Star

Nestled on a hill just a stone’s throw away from Tanah Rata on Cameron Highlands is a guesthouse that brings fond memories to many British veterans.

Popularly named the Father’s Guest House, it is one of the few places in the country where guests get to sleep in dormitories once used by British soldiers after World War II.

Richard … ‘the name ‘Father’s Guest House’ was chosen by the backpackers.

Rest house manager Gerard Richard, 36, said backpackers liked to stay in the curiously shaped dormitories that were formerly barracks housed in buildings known as Nissen huts.

He said the place started out as a mission house for the French Catholic Mission in 1929.

“After the war, the British used the place to put up their army barracks as it was located just across the military hospital at SK Convent. They were there until Malaysia's Independence Day,” he said in an interview.

Richard said the British built 42 Nissen huts of which 36 were torn down after the soldiers left while the remaining six were bought over by the mission.

He said over the past 15 years, about 30 British veterans had returned to visit the barracks which still sport the same zinc roofing that was five times thicker than the zinc sheets used now.

Tourists enjoying a view of the highlands from the Father’s Guest House.

“Many of them were happy to find that the barracks looked the same as it had before. They took pictures and some even brought photographs of the huts that were taken in the 1950s.

“A few veterans were, however, disappointed with the surroundings as they felt there was too much development (in Tanah Rata),” Richard said.

Besides the huts, Father’s Guest House also has a café and a recreational lounge.

The place became a guesthouse purely by accident, said Richard, who has been helping his parents to run the place since the 1980s.

In the 1960s, the mission turned the barracks into a youth training centre for university students, church groups and school students on field trips.

“About 20 years ago, a group of students who were supposed to stay in one of the dormitories didn’t make it at the last minute.

Backpackers at the Father’s Guest House in Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, like to stay in the Nissen huts.

“One night then, a backpacker couple from Sweden asked us for a place to stay and the next day, they brought in more of their backpacker friends from other countries,” he said.

The place soon became an “unofficial” guesthouse with its reputation spreading by word of mouth.

Even the name “Father’s Guest House'' was chosen by the backpackers, he said.

It costs RM9 a night for a bed in the dormitory and RM20 to RM30 for a dormitory family room.

Certain rooms in the mission house building, which is now a retreat home for visiting priests and its current resident Father Jean Tavennec, are also rented out at RM60 each per night.

Although the hours are long, Richard said he enjoyed helping to run the guesthouse as he loved travelling and meeting people.

The diving and jungle-trekking enthusiast also takes guests on day and overnight tours to Taman Negara, Pulau Perhentian, the mossy forest of Brinchang and other parts of Cameron Highlands.

To contact the guesthouse, call 05-4912 484 or email fathersonline@hotmail.com.

Celebrities among top 100

Source: The Star

FHM magazine's recent annual party attracted a crowd of over 1,800, most of them readers of the magazine, to Atmosphere in Kuala Lumpur, all eager to catch a glimpse of the women who were voted Malaysia’s sexiest.

This year, 20 local celebrities made into the final 100, and they are Erra Fazira, Camelia, Maya Karin, Nasha Aziz, Deanna Yusuf, Janet Khoo, Elaine Daly, Yasmin Hani, May and Choy Wan, Jojo Struys, Natasha Hudson, Hannah Tan, Paula Malai Ali, Sarah Tan, Amanda Griffin, Daphne Iking, Marion Caunter, Sazzy Falak and Amber Chia.

(From left) Chia, Maya Karin and Sarah Tan were among the 20 celebrities on the list.

“This event is basically a party to thank readers who sent in their votes from March to May for the sexiest women in Malaysia,” said FHM marketing manager Andy Voon.

The event started with a dance show followed by a Dockers Fashion show. Other fun games were also played with the audience, with all participants walking away with cool prizes. There was also a Rayban fashion show.

Tokens of appreciation were later presented to the celebrities and other on the list.

Snap a picture of a traffic offender

PUTRAJAYA: The next time you see a traffic offence
being committed, snap it on your handphone or camera
and send it to the Hall of Shame section of a newly
launched road safety website.

The Transport Ministry is inviting the public to help
enforcement officers keep an eye on traffic offenders
so that action could be taken against them.

“We will re-direct the photos and details to the Road
Transport Department or traffic police to act against
the traffic offenders.”

Read full story...Snap a picture

Wild Zebra - a contemporary dance drama

Of late, Kuala Lumpur has been the venue of concerts and
other events.

Tonight will be the opening night of Wild Zebra, an
innovative and contemporary dance drama which integrates
both ballet and folk dance.

Performed by Shanghai Oriental City Dance Troupe, the
80-strong cast and crew bring to the stage a tragic
love story between two zebras as they desperately try
to escape their destiny.

Described as the Romeo and Juliet of the animal kingdom,
Wild Zebra is written, choreographed and directed by
internationally renowned Zhang Jigang.

Wild Zebra has been performed in over 10 cities in China
and three in Australia. It has been well-received by the
audiences and garnered outstanding reviews from the arts
and entertainment critics.

More details of Wild Zebra here...

Microchips for pet dogs in Subang Jaya

By THOMAS HUONG
The Star

BY next year, it is likely that pet dogs in areas under
the jurisdiction of Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ)
will be implanted with identification microchips and be
certified as a Good Canine Citizen before dog ownership
licences can be approved.

Read full story...

Bon Odori - a fiesta so colourful, lively and meaningful

By LIM CHIA YING
Photos by BRIAN MOH
The Star

As early as 5pm on July 16, a horde of visitors had
already begun to flock at the gates of Matsushita Sports
Centre in Shah Alam for the 9th Bon Odori festival.

Though two hours away from the ceremonial fiesta's start,
they came early to take in as much of the Japanese culture
as they can while waiting. And, they want the best seats
in the house, too.

Full story...

Exotic Middle Eastern fare

Malaysia is a land of many cuisines much to the delight
of visitors and locals alike. The list below sourced
from The Star is a list of the many restaurants in
Kuala Lumpur that serve exotic Middle Eastern fare.

INDULGE in an exotic spread of Middle Eastern delights at The Benteng at Quality Hotel City Centre. Available for lunch, the promotion features five menus which are rotated daily, with each selection comprising more than 40 dishes. The spread includes Avocado, Orange and Almond Salad, Ruz bil-loz wa bil Tamar (Rice with Almonds and Dates), Grilled Lamb Koffa, Beef Roll with Garlic and Tomato Sauce, Seleq (Lamb in Rice Cooked with Milk), Stuffed Squid and Chicken Sharmarma. The promotion, priced at RM39++ per adult and RM19++ per child, ends on Friday. For reservations, call 03-2693 9233 ext 8023 / 8034 / 8033.

GLORIA JEANS COFFEE: Suria KLCC, Grd Floor (Tel: 03-2166 5299). Business Hrs: Sun-Thurs (noon-2am), Fri, Sat & Public Holidays (noon-3am); Emporium Beach Club (Tel: 03-2166 9113). Business Hrs: Sun-Thurs (noon-2am), Fri, Sat & Public Holidays (noon-3am); Gleneagles Intan Medical Centre, Jalan Ampang, KL (Tel: 03-4251 8882). Business Hrs: Daily (8am-11pm); Plaza Mont' Kiara, Mont Kiara, KL (Tel: 03-6203 1933). Business Hrs: Sun-Thurs (8.30am-1am); SS2 PJ, No. 2, Jalan SS2/67, PJ (Tel: 03-7877 0331). Business Hrs: Sun-Thurs (11am-midnight), Fri, Sat & Public Holidays (11am-1am). A comfortable outlet, which uses premium coffee and whole beans. There is an array of ice-blended drinks like mocha, espresso, vanilla, fruit and chocolate. Highlights include Braised Lamb Shank, Chicken Hot Dog, Chicken Pie a la Mode, Cheesy Melt and Caesar Cajun Salad.

GAIA BISTRO, No. 27, Jalan Alam Jaya 21, Taman Alam Jaya, Batu 9, Cheras, KL (Tel: 03-9074 4202 / 03-4108 8994). Business Hrs: Daily, lunch (11.30am-2.30pm); dinner (6pm-1am). Serves hawker fare, Western dishes, snacks and noodles in generous portions.

EURO DELI UPTOWN, 53 Jalan SS21/1A, Damansara Utama, PJ (Tel/Fax: 03-7729 1112), EURO DELI GRILL, Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, KL (03-2162 6991) & EURO DELI SHOP, Damansara KIM (Tel: 03-7726 7495). Business Hrs: Daily (10am-10pm). Non-‘halal’. Serves traditional, authentic German and Swiss food and over 100 types of sausages, including several popular European varieties. Sizes range from cocktail sizes to those measuring 17mm to 50mm. Some of them are Malaysianised, such as the ‘satay’, ‘rendang’ and ‘char siew’ sausages. It has about 12 types of German beers or juices.

SHROOMS RESTAURANT, Lot 139, 1st Floor, Suria KLCC, KL (Tel: 03-2166 5633). Business Hrs: Daily, lunch (noon-2.30pm); dinner (6pm-10.30pm). Offers French cuisine fused with Oriental cuisine. Shrooms Early Bird Dinner is from 6pm to 7.30pm daily. Gourmet Set Lunch and Dinner are also available, with a weekly menu change.

SHEESH MAHAL RESTAURANT, No. 33 Jalan SS15/5A, Subang Jaya (Tel: 03-5621 3671). Business Hrs: Mon-Fri, lunch (11.30am-3pm); dinner (6pm-10.30pm); Sat & Sun (11.30am-11pm). Specialises in Moghul cuisine, which is well known in Pakistan and Northern India.

CHAKRI RESTAURANTS, Imperial Chakri Palace Suria KLCC (Tel: 03-2382 7788 / 0276), Chakri Palace Plaza Mont Kiara (Tel: 03-6203 3770 / 780), Chakri Palace KLGCC (Tel: 03-2095 5218). Business Hrs: Daily (11.30am-10pm). Varies from one outlet to the other. The menu varies between outlets. Imperial Chakri Palace serves strictly Thai cuisine while the rest serve Western and Malaysian food. Value-for-money meals with set lunches and speciality dishes available. Catering services available.

SANTINI@SURIA, KLCC, Lot No. G45B, Ground Floor, Suria KLCC, KL (Tel: 03-2382 0329). Business Hrs: Daily (11am–midnight). An outdoor bistro that offers Italian cum American fare amid a casual and relaxing atmosphere. A good venue for a quick snack or a proper dinner.

SARI RATU GRAND RESTAURANT, 42-2 Jalan Sultan Ismail, Bukit Bintang, KL (Tel: 03-2141 1811). Business Hrs: Mon-Wed (10am-11pm); Thurs-Sun (10am-2am). 'Halal'. Known for its Nasi Padang, 'kampung' chicken and various 'soto’ dishes. Fruits for its fruit juices are imported from Indonesia.

RESTORAN SARI RATU, 26-28 Jalan 4/76C, Desa Pandan, KL (Tel: 03-9285 8811; Fax: 03-9285 8841). Business Hrs: Daily (11am-10pm). 'Halal'. A franchise outlet from Indonesia that operates as a fine dining restaurant. One must get used to using the fingers when dining here as spoons are for the gravy only. You can be assured of fast service. Serves authentic Nasi Padang as the chefs are from Indonesia. The spices are imported from Indonesia. The outlet is crowded during lunch, so make reservations. The dinner crowd is more relaxed.

THE LOBSTERMAN (Homarus Americanus), 53 Jalan SS2/30, PJ (Tel: 03-7877 6772). Business Hrs: Daily, lunch (11.30am-2.30pm); dinner (5.30pm-10.30pm). Its menu gives tips and information on lobsters. There are over 80 dishes and prices of the lobster dishes are fixed. The lobsters can be prepared in various styles.

D’FISHERMAN SEAFOOD RESTAURANT, Damansara Intan, PJ (Tel: 03-7118 8811). Business Hrs: Daily, lunch (11.30am-2.30pm); dinner (6pm-10.30pm); Taman Botani, Putrajaya, Presint 1 (Tel: 03-8889 1188). Business Hrs: Daily, lunch (Noon-2.30pm); dinner (6pm-10.30pm). Offers an extensive variety of live seafood, displayed in 35 aquarium tanks, which can be cooked Chinese, Malay or Thai style. The seafood is also available for takeaway from its “Wet Market”. Caters to wedding functions and family dine-outs.

ALBERTO PIZZA & PASTA, 24 Jalan 27/70A, Desa Sri Hartamas, KL (Tel: 03-2300 9300; Fax: 03-2300 9800). Business Hrs: Daily, lunch (11am-3pm); dinner (6pm-11pm). Offers thin-crust pizzas in generous portions. The pasta menu comes with seven types of sauces and there are meat and seafood dishes complemented by Italian wines, alcohol-free Tiramisu, home-made pastries, gelato and Italian coffee.

TUSCANY, Putrajaya Marriott Hotel, IOI Resort, Putrajaya (Tel: 03-8949 8888 ext 1366 / 1367). Business Hrs: Daily, lunch (11.30am-2.30pm); dinner (6.30pm-10pm). Resembles a traditional Italian restaurant with wood finishes complete with an open pizza counter where guests can watch their pizza being made. The menu consists of freshly made pasta with a variety of sauces, oven-baked pizzas as well as Western food. Desserts consist of authentic Italian sweet delicacies.

ZEN JAPANESE RESTAURANT, Lot 082-FU2, First Floor, Oasis Boulevard 2, Sunway Pyramid (Tel: 03-7492 4922). Business Hrs: Mon-Thurs (11am-midnight); Fri-Sun (11am-1am). Pork-free. A swanky outlet with a design similar to the chic urban Japanese restaurants in Japan. Has an outstanding selection of seafood. The menu is fairly extensive and includes French-style food. There are also the value-for-money set lunch and dinner. Offers a full wine bar as well as a large selection of ‘sake’.

KIN NO UMA JAPANESE RESTAURANT, Palace of the Golden Horses, MINES Resort City, Jalan Kuda Emas, Seri Kembangan, Selangor (Tel: 03-8943 2333). Serves a variety of grilled and deep-fried dishes, hot and cold noodles, hot pot dishes and desserts. Bento Express Lunch (Mon-Sat, noon-2.30pm), Saturday Buffet Dinner Doyobi Yoshaoku (6.30pm-10.30pm) and Sunday Buffet Lunch (noon-2.30pm).

FUNG WONG BISCUITS (FWB), LG 010A, Lower Ground Floor, Mid Valley Megamall, KL (Tel: 03-2284 4806). Business Hrs: Daily (10am-10pm). Non-'halal'. Its main outlet is in Chinatown, KL. Has been selling home-made traditional Chinese biscuits associated with Chinese culture for the past four decades. Popular for its Chinese Wedding Biscuits (Kit Fun Lai Paeng) and Hong Kong Wife Biscuits (Loh Poh Peh), available throughout the year. Offers meat- and non-meat biscuits, home-made Oriental pizza, sandwiches and Chinese desserts, including house speciality Green Coffee.

DELECTABLE DELIGHTS (Tel: 012-372 9176). The owner is now operating from home. Call to enquire.

TASTE HAVEN, 16-00-01, Lorong Batu Nilam 1D, Bandar Bukit Tinggi, Klang (Tel: 03-3323 7332). Business Hrs: Mon, Tues, Thurs-Sun, lunch (noon-3.30pm); dinner (6pm-11pm). Closed on Wednesdays. Boasts a café concept. Offers tasty one-dish meals served in generous portions. Seafood is used liberally in the cooking.

RESTORAN SERI MELAYU, No. 1 Jalan Conlay, KL (Tel: 03-2145 1833). Business Hrs: Daily, lunch (noon-3pm); dinner (6.30pm-11pm). ‘Halal’. Serves traditional Malay cuisine buffet style. A total of 250 dishes are prepared every night while the menu changes daily on a rotation basis. It has a live cooking station. The Sudut Warisan features the Malaysian BBQ Special for dinner (6.30pm-10pm) only. The restaurant, which exudes Malay rustic charm and seats 500,features live cultural performances between 8.30pm and 9.15pm nightly.

SAN FRANCISCO STEAKHOUSE, Suria KLCC (Tel: 03-2382 0329), Mid Valley Megamall (Tel: 03-2938 2882), Damansara Intan PJ (Tel: 03-7118 2988) & The Summit USJ (Tel: 03-8023 5518). Business Hrs: Daily (noon-midnight). Serves corn-fed USDA Prime US cuts and fresh air-flown Pacific and Atlantic seafood. Specialities include Seafood Gems, USDA Prime-Roast Prime Rib, San Francisco Fillet Mignon, Carpetbag Steak and Boston Lobster from Maine, US.

TGI FRIDAY’S restaurants: Tel: 03-2163 7761 (KL), 03-7957 3245 (PJ), 03-5634 2956 (SJ), 03-7729 4822 (BU). Free car jockey service is available only at TGI Friday’s PJ. Business Hrs: Daily (11.30am-midnight except BU outlet). It takes pride in its friendly staff, memorabilia-laced interior and drinks. Several menus available, like Children’s Festive Menu and Chef Selects, with new main courses and a special dessert, Flourless Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Sauce.

AH TUAN EE'S PLACE, No. 74 Jalan SS2/72, PJ (Tel: 03-7957 2915) & Berjaya Times Square, Lot 03-115, KL (Tel: 03-2142 4199) Business Hrs: Daily, lunch (noon-3pm); dinner (6pm-10pm). A non-smoking restaurant that seats 70 people. Features authentic Penang Nyonya cuisine. Uses only drumsticks in its chicken dishes. Known for its Otak-otak and Perut Ikan.

NYONYA FOODHOUSE, Lot 3.06 and 3.07, 3rd floor Atria Shopping Centre, Jalan SS22/23, Damansara Jaya (Tel / Fax: 03-7729 7279). Business Hrs: Daily (10.30am-10pm). Offers pure authentic Nyonya fare cooked in the time-honoured tradition. Features specialised dishes with over 52 dishes, including Nyonya desserts and freshly made Sambal Belacan daily.

GMN (Global Malaysians Network)

Calling all Malaysians abroad

MANY Malaysians work or reside in other countries today.
Responding to globalisation, a number of Malaysian
professionals and entrepreneurs are also seeking employment
and business opportunities abroad.

The net result of all this movement is that a diverse and
well-connected spread of globalised Malaysians exists overseas.
It may seem like a brain drain, but viewed in a positive light,
it shows that Malaysians are increasingly making their mark
around the world.

Read more on Global Malaysians Network...

The GMN is compiling a list of Malaysian associations
overseas. Send an e-mail to info@globalmalaysians.com
with the name of your organisation and the URL.

Or, if the group does not have a website, send them
the postal and/or e-mail address as well as tel and
fax details.