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Friday, August 29, 2008

AirAsia giving away One Million Free Seats

Are you planning a holiday for next year between April and July? Then, there is great news for you.

AirAsia is giving away One Million Free Seats for travel from 1 April to 31 July to a whole lot of destinations including Bangkok, Bali, Jakarta, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh, Phuket, Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu, Perth, Melbourne, Macau, Siem Reap, Guangzhou, Guilin, and many more. Check out AirAsia site for more details.

Hurry! Booking window is only until 31 August.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Dim Sum for Lunch

There is no denying that Malaysia is such a paradise where food is concerned. At every turn and corner, you will be able to find food at any time of the day or night.

Malaysia being a multi-racial, multi-cultural society, one can find all types of cuisines to satisfy one's tastebuds. There is the Malay fare, Chinese food, Northern and Southern Indian fare, Western food, Italian, even Middle-Eastern fare. You name it, really.

For this post, I would like to touch on a popular Chinese food called Dim sum. Wikipedia says:

The Cantonese phrase dim sum (點心) means literally "touch the heart" or "order to your heart's content". It may be derived from yat dim sum yi (一點心意), meaning "a little token". ("A Touch of Heart" is perhaps the more poetic translation.)

Dim sum involves a wide range of light dishes served alongside Chinese tea. It is usually served in the mornings until noon time at Chinese restaurants (including those in hotels) and at specialty dim sum eateries where typical dishes are available throughout the day.

Dim sum dishes come in small portions and may include meat, seafood, and vegetables, as well as desserts and fruit. The items are usually served in a small steamer basket or on a small plate.

In Malaysia, there are restaurants in hotels serving Dim sum catering to Muslims. The Dim sum dishes served are pork-free. One such restaurant in Kuala Lumpur is the Chinese restaurant in Novotel Hydro Majestic Kuala Lumpur.

For Muslims, this is a must-try and for visitors looking for Chinese cuisine, why not give Dim sum a try. I have included the restaurant flyer below for your easy reference. Click on image to enlarge it.

Bon appetit!

Sunday, August 24, 2008

The English Afternoon Tea



Malaysia was under British colonial rule so it is no surprise that Malaysians still adopt some British customs, such as the English Afternoon Tea.

Not many hotels here serve the English Afternoon Tea. However, Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur does. Located at the hotel lobby, the Conservatory, is a cosy and comfortable setting for the occasion. Theirs is more than the regular English tea but a fusion of Eastern and Western flavours.

Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur is located along Jalan Bukit Bintang, the stretch referred to as Bintang Walk. Its neighbours include The Pavilion, Lot 10, Starhill The Westin Kuala Lumpur and JW Marriot hotel among others.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

New Kajang-Seremban Highway stretch toll-free until Oct 4

If you are one who use the Kajang-Seremban Highway stretch from Kajang Selatan to Pajam, you will be happy to know that it will be open from 6am today to the public and will be free of charge until Oct 4.

“Road users will be able to use the highway for free during the coming Hari Raya festive season,” Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed said while opening the highway toll plaza here yesterday.

It is believed that a toll-rate of RM2.80 had been proposed to the Cabinet.

Source...The Star

Petrol price down by 15 sen


The Government has lowered fuel prices. The new price of RON97 petrol is RM2.55 a litre, down 15 sen, while RON92 will now be RM2.40 a litre, a 22 sen reduction. The new price of diesel is RM2.50 a litre, a reduction of 8 sen. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the reduction in fuel prices is to help ease the people's burden while Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Samad said the move is to cut back rising inflation.

Continue reading...The Star...Petrol price down by 15 sen

Friday, August 22, 2008

New regulation for China travel

If you are travelling to China or if you are a frequent traveller to China, this information is for you.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has released a new regulation which takes effect immediately. This is to ensure flight security.

1. No lithium battery products in passenger's check-in luggage.

2. Passengers allowed to carry onboard consumer electronics and appliance installed with lithium battery for personal usage, including watch, calculator, camera, video camera, laptop, mobile phone, etc. Each passenger can bring no more than two pieces backup battery with proper packing and short-cut protection.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Reduction in Fuel Price

Malaysians are hopeful that the fuel price will be reduced but Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the Government would stick to its decision to announce the new prices on Aug 31, to be enforced on Sept 1.

He said pump prices would hopefully be reduced, due to the falling global crude oil price. However, should the world crude oil price increase, the pump price would not go beyond the current RM2.70 per liter for petrol and RM2.58 per liter for diesel.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

New way to claim fuel rebates

KUALA LUMPUR: Vehicle owners can now claim fuel cash rebates through Malaysia’s leading e-Government Services Concessionaire, MY E.G. Services Bhd (MYEG) at their online portal – www.myeg.com.my.

MYEG executive chairman Datuk Dr Norraesah Mohamad said Pos Malaysia Bhd would first verify the claim before making payment to the eligible vehicle owners through money order within seven working days, or credit the amount into their bank account within three working days.

“Vehicle owners can check the status of their fuel cash rebates at any point of time through MYEG’s portal,” he said, adding that eligible vehicle owners could now renew their road tax and submit fuel cash rebates claims simultaneously using the online channel.

He added that the new service was an extension of their newly launched online road tax renewal service in April.

In June, the Government announced the payment of fuel cash rebates to reduce the impact of higher fuel prices.

Eligible vehicle owners are currently claiming their fuel cash rebates of up to RM625 from the 683 post offices nationwide or through Pos Malaysia’s portal at www.posonline.com.my.

Source: The Star

Government to install RM50mil surveillance system

In a bid to curb crime, the government is planning to install 480 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras. These cameras would monitor public areas such as pedestrian walkways and parks.

These cameras to be installed by year’s end are intended to fight crime in dense urban areas such as Bukit Bintang, George Town, Ipoh and Seremban. The entire system including personnel and surveillance centres to monitor the CCTV footage would cost about RM50mil.

It would be manned by personnel from the ministry, police and local municipal councils.

The private sector is urged to intensify efforts to install CCTVs in their indoor areas, while the Government would put up cameras outdoors.

Source: The Star

Thursday, August 07, 2008

Beijing Airport Update / Malaysian Visa Upon Arrival abolished

During the opening ceremony of the Olympics, Beijing Capital International Airport will be shut down. It also announced that flights will be suspended during the opening ceremony. Even the Beijing Nanyuan airport would also be subject to flight suspensions. No flights would be allowed to take off or land at both airports from 7:00pm to midnight on 8 August 2008.

And on the Malaysian front, with immediate effect, the Malaysian government has abolished the Visa On Arrival (VOA) for 27 countries, who had enjoyed the facilities previously. The countries include India, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Pakistan and most nationalities from Africa.

This would mean that citizens of affected countries would require a proper visa from the Malaysian mission from their respective countries. However, visitors from P.R. China are still eligible and may obtain a fourteen-day (14) Social Visa upon arrival, with a fee of RM100, return/onwards ticket and sufficient funds.

A Book on Malaysia


Are you planning to visit Malaysia and need to know what to expect? Or probably you are a Malaysian and are looking for a reference book on Malaysia?

There is just the book I can recommend. It is a newly-published book complete with all aspects of Malaysia anyone looking for information on Malaysia would need.

The book is titled "50+1 Malaysia". In it, you will find information on the Malaysian culture, the local lingo, the food available here, places to visit, events to attend, famous Malaysian personalities and lots more.

For a limited time only, the book is being offered online for a mere RM19.90, usual price being RM51/-. For the amount of information in it, this sale price is indeed a steal. I have got my copy, don't delay, get yours for this great value price!

Read the review of 50+1 Malaysia and order a copy here.

Sunday, August 03, 2008

The Haze is back


Yes, the haze is back. It's that time of the year again. It's the dry spell, the haze is coming back and the number of hotspots in Sumatra has jumped from 351 to 531 within 24 hours.

To make things worse, a 40ha peat forest in Dengkil has been burning for the last two days. And the weather is expected to stay dry for the next three days.

However, airport authorities assured that the fire had not affected airport operations and visibility was fine.



Read The Star...531 hotspots in Sumatra, 40ha burning in Dengkil