Fraser's Hill

Fraser's Hill is named after Louis James Fraser, a Scotsman who prospected for gold in Australia but eventually struck tin here instead in the 1890s. Employing Chinese miners to do the hard work for him and earning his keep by operating mule trains down the mountain, Fraser set up opium and gambling dens to increase his profits, which may have had something to do with his subsequent mysterious disappearance. 

The tin ran out in 1913, but the lush valley within was rediscovered as a colonial hill resort that, thanks to its 1524 m elevation, enjoys considerably cooler temperatures than Kuala Lumpur. By 1922 a road had been cut through the mountains to the valley, which soon sprouted bungalows and even one of Malaya's first golf courses.

Not much has changed since, and Fraser's Hill retains a wonderfully weird mixed-up character, where locals eat curries off banana leaves in a English cottage next to a golf course while the call to prayer sounds from the mosque.

~wikitravel~

Go with the special glow at Jenjarom this year

Go with the special glow at Jenjarom this year

Despite its somewhat sleepy town status, Jenjarom new village glows every Chinese New Year with beautiful multi-coloured lights and lanterns.

The highlight of the village is the Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple which is decked in flowers and creative figurines to usher in the Lunar New Year.

Its 2019 Festival of Lights and Peace working committee member Lillian Chang said the theme of the lantern festival this year was based on a couplet bearing auspicious messages written by the Fo Guang Shan monastic order founder Venerable Master Hsing Yun.

“Facets of the theme is positioned under the Fortune Tree which comes with three little pig figurines that represent goodness, diligence and unity,” said Chang.

She said it took six months to plan and carry out the decorations which featured thousands of lanterns, orchid plants and figurines.

“Our volunteers, made up of craftsmen and engineers, designed and made the lanterns and figurines at the temple over the six months,” she said, adding they had also created spinning lanterns placed strategically on the temple ground.

According to Chang, there were also three exhibitions being held simultaneously.

“The first is the calligraphy work by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. The other two exhibitions are the Xi Nan Chinese ethnic minority’s embroidery work on their traditional costumes, as well as the Buddhist artwork of scholar Ziwen,” said Chang.

Chang said a big crowd was expected to visit the temple during the event which ends on Feb 19.

The VisitSelangor website noted that Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple was listed as a religious tourist attraction by the Tourism, Arts and Culture way back in 1999.

And in 2003, the temple was given an “Outstanding Scenery Award” by the state tourism authority.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Fun Map of Malaysia 马来西亚玩乐地图

Click image to enlarge

点击图像放大

Batu Caves temple committee: We do not need heritage status

Batu Caves temple committee: We do not need heritage status

At risk of being delisted as a national heritage site over its newly painted 272-steps, the Batu Caves temple committee now claims that it has never benefitted from being one.

Batu Caves Sri Mahamariamman Temple Devasthanam committee chairman Tan Sri R. Nadarajah said the National Heritage Department did not give any grant for maintenance of the site, which is also a tourist spot.

“The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) has deemed Batu Caves unfit for their heritage list. We do not need the heritage status.

“If the department can maintain the area, we do not need to paint it. It is ridiculous for us to seek the department’s permission to paint the steps.

The colourful steps, said Nadarajah, had received mostly positive feedback, adding that only a few criticised the efforts.

The committee, he added, had been inspired by the colourful peacock.

On Aug 29, StarMetro had reported that the temple was at risk of being delisted as a national heritage site due to the renovation and paint job done without approval from the department.

The report also stated that no approval was given by Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) for any job in Batu Caves.

Nadarajah claimed that the MPS had never approved any of the temple’s application.

“We spent a lot of money and submitted all the documents and technical reports to legalise the 20 structures and buildings in and around Batu Caves. We are still waiting for its response for years but we have received none so far.

“We built the management office building after MPS failed to give us the approval despite our complete application. The contractor was fined.

“It is not our intention to go ahead with the project without MPS’s permission but we are in dire need of the facility.

“Similarly, we have filed the application to build a cultural arts centre which doubles up as a hall with the capacity of 3,000 people. This is our next big project as we have the funds,” he said.

Nadarajah said RM6.5mil was spent for the renovation and paint works in conjunction with the congregation ceremony, with half of the money raised from donations.

~News courtesy of The Star~

i-City brightens up Malaysia

i-City brightens up Malaysia



Wonderland attraction: Many have been captivated by i-City’s vibrant and colourful lights on its property.

Malaysia’s city of digital lights, i-City, has been listed in the top 25 of the most bright and colourful places in the world by CNN.

The urban development located in Shah Alam, Selangor, made the 21st spot in the list, joining the ranks of globally renowned locations led by Australia’s Great Barrier Reef which came in first.

Other top locations in the list include Holland’s tulip fields (13th), Rio de Janeiro in Brazil (16th), Times Square in New York (23) and Venice (25).

“i-City in Selangor, is a peculiar blend of a hi-tech development centre and an amusement park that includes an ice palace called the Snowalk, where the indoors is kept at freezing temperatures to preserve chambers of ice lit with coloured lights,” the CNN list read.

“In the evenings, outdoors in the tropical heat, millions of twinkling lights illuminate the trees in every artificial colour imaginable.

“It’s a Christmas yard display amped up to the nth degree,” the list said.

The 25 locations selected, said CNN, were places where nature’s palette concocts colours that seem unreal, or where designers have turned ordinary neighbourhoods into wonderlands.

In response, i-City said it welcomed the accolade which has now put it firmly on the global stage.

“It is very much an honour to receive the accolade as one of the world’s most colourful places in the world together with beautiful cities such as Cape Town, Tokyo, Argentina, Italy and France.

“A convergence of both technology and art, the digital lightscapes showcase will constantly be updated according to themes and festive celebrations,” the i-City statement said.

Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Datuk Hamzah Rahmat said the listing was good news for Malaysia’s tourism industry.

“It’s not easy to get in such a list and the accolade given to i-CIty also shows the big role that the private sector in Malaysia plays in helping to promote tourism in our country,” he said.
v Civil servant Anisyuhada Zulkifle, 29, said she first visited i-City as a university student and was captivated by the colourful lights.

“The lights there are simply beautiful beyond words. Not only are the trees covered in lights, they also have lights shaped like flowers, so it’s very unique,” she said.

A graduate student, who only wanted to be known as Fatin, said i-City was also enjoyable for its many attractions.

“I don’t like taking pictures that much, but the sights at i-City are a unique experience that you won’t forget easily,” said Fatin.

The list can be accessed at http://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/worlds-most-bright-colorful-places/index.html

~News courtesy of The Star~

King, Queen host Aidilfitri open house on first day

King, Queen host Aidilfitri open house on first day



Istana Negara

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah are to host the Aidilfitri open house at Istana Negara on the first day of Aidilfitri.

An Istana Negara statement said the open house would be from 9.30am to 1pm.

Their Majesties will meet and exchange greetings with the guests from 11am to noon, it said.

“Istana Negara welcomes all guests to make the Aidilfitri open house a joyous one,” the statement said, advising the guests to be attired in the national dress or appropriately.

Guests are advised to enter via the Istana Negara main entrance at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim, it said. - Bernama

~News courtesy of The Star~

New cash-free card system for KL

New cash-free card system makes visiting KL a breeze

Tourists to the capital will soon find it much easier with the launch of the KL PASS card system, enabling seamless access to the various tourist spots around KL.

Speaking at the launch, mayor Datuk Mohd Amin Nordin said the system, produced and managed by Meridian Tourist Access Sdn Bhd, was aimed at making it easier for tourists visiting certain attractions.

“From the KL Tourism Master Plan’s research, some attractions record high daily visitors while others suffer from low numbers. This is partly due to the limited packages to motivate tourists and the absence of sufficient awareness to the diversities KL has to offer,” he said.

Amin expressed his confidence in KL PASS’s potential to reflect the capital’s position as one of the world’s top ten shopping destinations.

“Given the international recognition, it is vital to ensure continued growth, development and maintain standards of excellence in enhancing tourists’ experiences,” he said.

Meridian Tourist Access managing director Farouk Nurish said the project’s system cost RM1.2 million to set up, with another RM1 million expected to be spent.

“We conservatively estimate about 20,000 cards will be sold in the first year alone,” he said.

Farouk described the KL PASS as a cash-free solution for tourists to enjoy not just attractions but also retail and F&B outlets, with public transportation soon to come.

It is estimated between 2011 and 2014 some 38 million international tourists have travelled to Malaysia.

The KL PASS is available for purchase online at www.klpass.com and various sales outlets in the city and at KLIA.

~News courtesy of The Sun~

Petaling Street hawkers may close on Sept 16

Petaling Street hawkers may close on Sept 16

Some 80% of the hawkers in Petaling Street have indicated that they will close on Sept 16 to avoid any untoward incident should the "Red Shirt" gathering go ahead.

The mammoth anti-Bersih rally planned by the Himpunan Maruah Melayu, which has identified Bukit Bintang, Law Yat Plaza and Petaling Street as gathering points, has raised the concern of traders in those areas.

Apart from the Petaling Street hawkers, traders in Bukit Bintang are also ready to declare a day off on Malaysia Day.

According to Sin Chew Daily, hawkers in China Town are keeping close tabs on the development of the planned rally, and the majority of them are prepared to stay closed when the rally takes place to avoid possible confrontation with the protesters.

Some of the petty traders interviewed by the daily said since the majority of their customers are Chinese, they decided to take a break on Sept 16 as they believe Chinese would avoid Petaling Street that day.

Some of them told the daily that up to 80% of the hawkers would not open for business as they are worried that the Red Shirt rally, which has a racial connotation based on remarks posted by Himpunan Maruah Melayu on social media, may not be as peaceful as the Bersih 4.0 rally held on the eve of Merdeka Day.

However, a small group of the hawkers are keeping their options open, believing that police would adopt the same stand they took during the Bersih rally and would be able to control the crowd.

Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur Hawkers and Petty Traders Association chairman Datuk Ang Say Tee said neither Bukit Bintang nor Petaling Street is suitable for big rallies as they would affect both traders and tourists.

"If such rallies have to be held, the Merdeka Square is a more suitable venue, not crowded tourist spots."

Ang said he is working closely with the police and hoped that they would act to stop the rally.

However, he urged the traders concerned to close for business if the organisers insist on having the rally and use Bukit Bintang and Petaling Street as gathering points.

He said he will use all available channels to notify traders of the association's decision, adding that those who ignore its advice would be left to their own devices.

~News courtesy of The Sun~

Queen launches royal garden at Floria Putrajaya

Queen launches royal garden at Floria Putrajaya

Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah launched the Royal Floria Putrjaya 2015 at Pesisiran Tasik, Precinct 4 here today. Her Majesty spent about an hour visiting various venues at the floral festival including Taman Diraja (Royal Park), Taman Kucing (Cat Park), Floral Pavilion and the latest attraction, the European Spring and Winter Gardens.

A female cat named Cocoon of the Maine Coon species brought specially from Estonia was also introduced to Her Majesty and will keep company ‘Louis Vuitton’ (LV), from the same species that was presented to Yang Dipertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah during last year’s Floria.

Also present were Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and Putrajaya Corporation (PPj) president Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat. Themed “Tapestry of Hues” with the Lily as the signature flower, the festival which ends on June 7 showcases 100 types of lilies and 400,000 trees of various species.

Tengku Adnan in his speech said the festival this year was accorded Joyce White, World Flower Council International Award of Excellence from the World Flower Council International which also comes with a cash prize of US$500 for a selected particpant at the Floral Pavilion.

“This festival is eagerly awaited by sellers, buyers and flower enthusiasts and holds huge potential for the local flower industry as importers and exporters from both locally and overseas are looking at opportunities to expand their markerts,” he said.

He added that the festival this year also set a record with more than 50 landscape artistes and flower arrangers from 28 countries, among them South Africa, Australia, Denmark, Ecuador, Hong Kong, South Korea, Holland, France, Spain, United Kingdom and Oman taking part.



The Floria is open to the public from 7 am to 10.30 pm Monday to Thursday and 9 am to midnight on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. -- Bernama Fantasy park, at Floria Putrajaya.

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~

50万朵花 布城争艳

50万朵花 布城争艳



新山市政厅展示摊位深具度假村风情，犹如迷你度假村。

布城（Putrajaya）花卉展来咯，来自28个国家和地区逾50万朵花争艳斗丽，等着公众到来欣赏！

布城花卉展是由布城管理机构举办、Floria有限公司管理并获得马来西亚旅游局的支持，在布城第4区（Presint4）的Anjung Floria举行，从明天（30日）起开放至6月7日闭幕。

布城管理机构主席丹斯里阿昔仄今日上午巡视即将开放“布城花卉展”后，指布城已准备好迎接这一场花海盛世，并呼吁大众乘坐公共交通前来赏花。

公众受促乘免费公交

阿昔仄说：“我们已备有足够的停车位，乘坐机场直透快铁（ERL）来到布城中心站（Putrajaya Sentral）的公众都可乘坐我们提供的免费巴士前来布城花卉展。”

他也说，布城花卉展已成为布城管理机构一项知名活动品牌，过去举办8年来都已吸引许多国际参与者，未来还有机会与国外著名花展看齐。

2015年度布城花卉展

日期： 5月30日至6月7日
开放时间：上午9时至晚上10时30分（星期一至星期四）星期五至星期日是至子夜12时。
票价： 国外游客或无法出示大马卡者10令吉，本地成人5令吉，小孩1令吉，进入“冬季馆”及“花季馆”需额外征收3令吉。
联络号码：03-8893 1967
网址： http://www.floriaputrajaya.com.my

~南洋商报~

Deer park to be closed: KL Mayor

Deer park to be closed: KL Mayor

The three-decade old Mousedeer Farm in the Perdana Botanical Garden is set to be closed for good soon.

The 1.2ha park is to be converted into a centre for rare plant species while its 52 animals will be sent to Universiti Putra Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib said that City Hall was resorting to closing the park as the deer were destroying the mature trees in the park by sharpening their horns on the bark.

"The deer park is old but the trees are even older. We also sent the goats from our pen next to the park two years ago now the land is fertile for plant growth," he said during a seminar on shaping collaborative efforts for the Botanical Gardens in Malaysia.


The deer park in Perdana Botanical Garden is set to be closed and to be converted into a centre for rare plant species.

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~

Sweets and treats in Genting

Sweets and treats in Genting

This school holiday, Resorts World Genting (RWG) is delivering a host of sweets and tasty treats during the Cookies, Candies and Cream promotion.

Previously RWG had a Chocoholics and Candylicious promotion.

The cookies and pastries served at the Coffee Terrace are prepared by Genting grand executive pastry chef Alan Yeong Wai Luen.

"We consistently try to serve different types of desserts for our customers.

"Since many of them come here often we continuously strive to provide something different for every meal," he said.

Yeong said that all the cookies and pastries such as the macaroons, glass mousse cake, ais kacang, cendol and snowflakes are made in- house.

The candies and ice cream are from Gelatomio.

The buffet at the Coffee Terrace also has a rotating menu ensuring visitors who dine here often don't get bored with the food.

On top of the upgraded dessert section, the Coffee Terrace also serves Asian and Western dishes ranging from nyonya, local, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Japanese and Western dishes.

Once your craving for sweets has been satiated, take a stroll outside the Genting Grand Hotel where a fabulous light show will commence.

The entire facade of the Genting Grand Hotel will be transformed into a giant projection screen where festive specials will be screened.

The "screen" is as big as a football field and the images are clear and sharp, as the latest projection technology is being used.

The Christmas specials are screened every 20 minutes, accompanied by the group II Divo's Christmas songs.

It is the first of its kind in Malaysia and it is a great opportunity for visitors to experience this show.

For New Year's Eve there will be a countdown special. For Chinese New Year you can expect a touch of Choy San Yeh and there will be a special screening for Valentine's Day.


Alan Yeong Wai Luen showcases his sweet specialities.

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~

1,000 free lanterns at parade

1,000 free lanterns at parade

THE 1Malaysia Lantern Tourism Festival is set to take place from Sept 14 to 19 with a line up of interesting cultural programmes and performances for the whole family.

The highlight of the festive will be the lantern parade, at 8.30pm on Sept 14.

The starting point is at the Petaling Street archway in Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock. The procession will then proceed to Jalan Sultan, Jalan Hang Lekir and Jalan Petaling before going back to Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock to come to a stop at the entrance of Central Market.

Kuala Lumpur Chinese Assembly Hall president Datuk Liew Kon Seng said the 1Malaysia Lantern Tourism Festival 2013 flyers and pamphlets were redeemable for free lanterns at a redemption counter at the Petaling Street archway at 7.30pm, right before the start of the parade.

"It will be on a first-come, first-served basis as there are only 1,000 free lanterns to be given out on that day," said Liew.

He said the event flyers and pamphlets were being mass distributed at convenience stores, hotels and tourism centres and spots for maximum exposure.

At Central Market, there will also be cultural performances including lion and dragon dances, singing and dance performances, acrobatic and mask changing performances until 11pm.

The official launch is expected to take place around 9.30pm, after the lantern parade.

About 50 handmade giant lanterns, 30 of which are from Taiwan, will be on display from Sept 15 to 19, from 7pm to 10pm.

The giants lanterns are provided by Taiwan Visitors Association (Kuala Lumpur), Fo Guang Shan Malaysia and Malaysia Lantern Art Association.

Cultural dance performances, a Chinese martial arts equipment exhibition, mini lantern parade and lantern making workshop will also be held throughout the festival.

The fifth lantern festival is organised by the Kuala Lumpur Chinese Assembly Hall in collaboration with the Tourism and Culture Ministry, Visit Malaysia Year 2014, Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, Central Market, City Hall, Kuala Lumpur Hawkers and Petty Traders Association, Fo Guan Shan Malaysia, Malaysia Lantern Art Association, Universiti Putra Malaysia Zhong Hua Arts and Cultural Association, and Taiwan Visitors Association (Kuala Lumpur).

For details, visit www.centralmarket.com.my or www.facebook.com/centralmarketkuala lumpur.



~News courtesy of New Straits Times~

Palanivel: List Batu Caves as heritage site

Palanivel: List Batu Caves as heritage site

Batu Caves is a Malaysian treasure and meets the criteria for it to be listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco, said Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G. Palanivel.

He said that there were more than enough cultural, geological and ecological reasons for Batu Caves to make it into the world body’s list of attractions.

“It should rightfully be listed (as a heritage site). I will ask the National Heritage Department to submit a bid for this,’’ he said, adding that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had also supported the bid.

Palanivel was responding to reports in The Star which stated that the department would not nominate Batu Caves for listing as a World Heritage Site as it did not meet the requirements.

A department spokesman was quoted as saying that Batu Caves did not fulfil even one out of the 10 criterion listed, claiming that the illegal structures in Batu Caves were not in harmony with the surroundings of the 400-million year old limestone structure.

Palanivel maintained that going by the 10 criteria listed by Unesco, Batu Caves qualified on several fronts, citing the annual Thaipusam festival and monolithic limestones as strong enough reasons.

Last year, Najib announced plans to get Unesco to officially recognise Batu Caves as a world site to be preserved as it was a Malaysian icon of nature and culture.

There are now about 981 sites listed as a world heritage – 759 cultural, 193 natural and 29 mixed properties.

Italy is home to the greatest number of World Heritage Sites with 49, followed by China (45) and Spain (44).

Five sites in Malaysia are recognised by the UN body – Gunung Mulu National Park, Kinabalu Park, archeological heritage of the Lenggong Valley and the two historical cities of Malacca and George Town.

Malaysia is a member of the 21-nation World Heritage Committee which decides on the inscription, referral or deferral of properties proposed for nomination.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Reverie on a brook - Sungai Pisang

Reverie on a brook



Simply magnificent: The spectacular twin waterfalls at Level Two of Pisang Falls.

Who would have imagined that there are such lovely waterfalls and forests so close to Kuala Lumpur?

I LOVE living in Malaysia because it offers so much in terms of the outdoors and natural environment, especially for a nature-lover like me.

Recently, I had the opportunity to go on a river trekking adventure with some friends ... or rather, I got “conned” into going by my beloved husband. He told me the river would only be 10 minutes away after we parked our car.

In retrospect, had he not thus deceived me, I would still have been in bed, fast asleep and missing out on an exciting experience.

Sungai Pisang is located on km11 of the old Gombak road to Genting, near the Orang Asli Hospital. After parking the car near some old wooden buildings, we walked towards the river. The laughter of children playing in the water filled the air.

Sungai Pisang, which flows under the Karak Highway, connects to the larger Sungai Gombak. Twin culverts enable the river to flow below the highway. We hiked along the rocky banks of Sungai Gombak, and through an extremely narrow path between thick undergrowth to get to the two tunnels. This is where Sungai Gombak officially ends, and Sungai Pisang begins.

It turned out to be a roughly two-hour trek through the forest, not just along the riverbanks, but most of the time, through the water, using it as our path. After that, we had to do some minor rock-climbing along the narrow ledge of the reinforced concrete wall to reach the twin culverts, which we had to traverse to get to Sungai Pisang. (I was told later that it’s possible to trek 10 minutes if we had parked at the lay-by next to the highway and taken the steps down to Sungai Pisang directly. So, I guess my husband hadn’t really lied, after all.)

We walked through the briskly flowing cold water in one of the tunnels, going against the current. The water was, thankfully, just ankle-deep. Fortunately, nobody told me earlier that hikers sometimes encounter snakes in the water, otherwise I would never have made it through that tunnel!

It was a beautiful sight that greeted us as we came out at the other end of the tunnel. It was as if we had left civilisation far behind and entered a different world. All was silent except for the splashing of water as we trekked on the sandy riverbed, wading through ankle-deep water, and the enchanting sounds of the forest.

It was still early in the morning and the crystal-clear water was extremely cold. Along both banks of the river, jungle foliage formed a canopy overhead. The air was refreshing and a slight breeze blew. Soon, our “water course” got rockier and slightly deeper, but it was still less than knee-deep.

Our trail zig-zagged through the river as we chose the less rocky parts to trek on, not wanting to slip or risk getting our feet lodged between rocks.

Along the way, we came across myriad flora and fauna. There were strange insects skipping along the river surface, gigantic ants crawling along the trail next to us, and even tiny schools of curious fish swimming in the water.

An array of unusual jungle plants and fungi growing on decaying tree trunks greeted us. We even chanced upon huge trees that must have been hundreds of years old, judging from their size, and also beheld a gigantic boulder the size of a small cave.

In the distance, we could hear the roar of the Pisang falls. It sounded nearer than it actually was in the stillness of the forest, for it took another half-hour of trekking before a wondrous sight greeted us. It was the first of the Pisang waterfalls.

After taking a short breather, we decided to press on. At the second level, twin waterfalls greeted us. It was even more magnificent. We paused for a while to enjoy the sight and soak in the cool water.

To get to the third and highest waterfall, we had to scramble up a 6m-tall hill, and when we reached the plateau, we came upon a campsite. From here there were two trails leading to left and right, to different parts of the third level of the waterfalls.

We took the right trail, which led to the highest part of the Pisang falls. There were several huge waterfall pools, one of which was teeming with huge fish. Further up, the water gushed down majestically. We spread out a groundsheet on the rocky area and proceeded to unpack our food.

We had been trekking for two hours and were very hungry. Fried noodles, fruit and nuts were distributed.

We had even brought along a small pan and outdoor stove to boil water (which we collected from the “head” of the waterfall) to make coffee and tea.

The brave ventured into the waterfall pool. It was quite deep, at least 3m, so only the experienced swimmers dared explore it. After that, we checked out the fish in the rock pool. There were so many of them, snapping eagerly at the surface, as if waiting to be fed.

We waded into the thigh-deep water for a natural fish spa experience. The curious fish nipped and nuzzled gently at our bare legs and feet. It was extremely ticklish.

Fortunately, they were not piranhas!

The nice thing about this trek was that even though it was in the jungle, there were hardly any mosquitoes. My husband did have a leech jump on him, though! It was also very cooling in the jungle – the shady trees forming a canopy overhead, shielding us from the hot tropical sun.

In the late afternoon, we decided to make our way back after hearing thunder in the distance. We packed up all our belongings, as well as our trash which we put into a garbage bag we had brought along. What really impressed me most is that Sungai Pisang is relatively clean and unpolluted, unlike a lot of well-known rivers and waterfalls in Malaysia.

We found the environment around it to also be free from rubbish.

Someone once said: “Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photographs” whenever you go into the jungle. And this is one motto that I adhere to. After all, we want to preserve our rivers and other natural resources for future generations.

The way back seemed easier and faster, perhaps because we were already accustomed to the trail and just had to retrace our steps, minus all the breaks. It was also mainly downhill.

We were soon back at our car, heading on home, tired but satisfied with the enjoyable experience on our river trekking adventure. Our exit timing was perfect too, for the minute we got in the car, it started to pour!

~News courtesy of The Star~

A light in the dark - Kuala Selangor fireflies

A light in the dark



On a good night, thousands of fireflies come out to play (or rather, mate) at the Firefly Park in Kuala Selangor.

WE had just clambered into a little boat from the jetty of the Firefly Park in Kuala Selangor (also known as Kelip-Kelip Kampung Kuantan), and the boatman was taking us out on the river to observe the fireflies.

There we were, sitting in the dark and being lulled by the hypnotic sounds of lapping water all around, when hundreds of glowing dots of light appeared out of the darkness. It seemed as though the entire firefly colony at the park had come out to play.

They were perched on or hovering around the mangrove trees along either side of the muddy river bank. In this area, the Pteroptyx tener species is king. It is among those that practise synchronised flashing.

The boatman skilfully manoeuvred his boat, weaving in and out among the tree branches that hung over the water, to give us a better view of these dancing lights. The fireflies drifted lazily over tree branches and leaves, glowing a warm yellow against the night sky.

Yes, the experience on the Selangor river that night was surreal. It felt like Christmas came early this year.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Total turf replacement at Dataran Merdeka

Total turf replacement at Dataran Merdeka



Brand-new: One of the new features at the square is the row of murals which show the pictures of past and present prime ministers.

DATARAN Merdeka field is all set for a RM3.9mil facelift with a new turf made of hybrid grass species.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) spokesman said the third and final phase of the square’s upgrading initiative would include a total replacement of the field with new earth fill that has adequate nutrient content underlain with sand and aggregate fill to improve drainage system. A new irrigation system (sprinkler system) will also be installed. This is needed because the site is a popular venue for events.

“The new turf will have a relatively high-wear tolerance.

“The last turfing was done in 1989. The exhausted soil that has been used from then till now has attained an unhealthy level of micronutrients and pH level. It is not conducive for the present grass.

“The soil profile is found to be inconsistent throughout the field, which generally shows signs of too much compaction of soil and no sign of functioning of the existing subsoil drainage system.

“The overall irrigation system is not functioning too,” he said, adding that too many types of wild grass species were also growing on the field.



New feature: DBKL workers cleaning the area around the new cascading fountain.

DBKL confirmed that turfing work is scheduled to start on July 1, and is expected to be completed in April next year. No field bookings are allowed during that period.

The tender was awarded to RS Greenmaster (M) Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the RS Group.

Its research and development director R. Subramaniam said the field would be constructed using the Greenmaster Applied Turf (GAT) technology.

“Its technology centres on a range of organic derivatives that are blended with fine wash river sand, biofiber and biosorb on improving or modifying root zone condition.

“The sand base field offers several key advantages that cannot be provided by native soil.

“It enables high-water permeability, which allows for internal rapid surface water removal. Properly designed and installed sand-base root zone will protect against a field’s worst enemy, which is compaction,” he said.

Sand-base fields also have disadvantages in terms of surface firmness or strength, referring to the ability of a sand layer to resist surface forces such as foot and equipment traffic.

“Sand layers constructed from any size particles tend to lack firmness, and this can be a special problem when the turf becomes thin or non-existent.

From a field standpoint, footing and traction can quickly deteriorate under this condition. Sand also lacks water-holding capacity.

“However, inclusion of amendments such as organic matter or inorganic matter will improve their performance as a growing medium or a playing surface.

“Today, amended sand fields are being used more commonly. When properly designed and installed, they can offer dramatically improved playability,” said Subramaniam

Project consultant Sewajar Maju CSG Engineers principal engineer Y. H. Lee said amendments might take place during the returfing work should there be any site constraint.

“Currently, we do not know the exact condition of what lies beneath the field as the records of the field plan cannot be traced.

“Only the layers above the concrete slab will be dug up and replaced.

With the new turfing technology complemented by proper maintenance, we can guarantee zero pooling during rain.



Work in progress: A worker painting a fountain which has been built at the square.

“The water will seep through and channel into discharge points around the field that connects to an existing drain,” he said.

The first two phases costing RM4.5mil are complete. The highlights include three new fountains and a mural.

One fountain has been built at the podium area of the square, facing the Sultan Abdul Samad Building and the main road Jalan Raja.

Two more fountains are identically designed and are mirror images of each other. These have been built at the podium area of the square, facing the main field.

The mural incorporates pictures of all past and present prime ministers, made out of glass mosaic specially cut and arranged by a specialist.

Drains, walkpaths, planters box, podium floor on the main flag pole and the road in front of Sultan Abdul Samad Building, among others, were also upgraded.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Heritage-rich road

Heritage-rich road still lures lovers of authentic Chinese food



Old-timer: Chan tending to a customer at his outdoor barber corner in Jalan Sultan. He took over the stall from his father more than 40 years ago.

The barber’s corner run by Chan Hong in Jalan Sultan is a piece of history in motion. He has been offering a snip or a shave from here for more than 40 years. Many also come from afar to get Chan to attend to their ear-related problems with traditional medicine.

The 69-year-old loves showing customers his “family heirloom” — a 90-year-old plaque penned by his father and two 70-year-old barber chairs cemented to the ground. The tools he uses are mostly antiques, too.

This corner has attracted so much attention that Chan puts up a small request: ‘RM5 for a photo’.

“I learnt these skills from my father. He went to America from China, but he came here because his English was not good. I have been here all my life; my children are engineers working overseas but I still want to run this business or else I will be so bored at home,” said the chatty man.

Chan said he was there when Jalan Sultan was still crammed with zinc-roofed houses. The site of Kota Raya shopping centre was occupied by the Sultan Street railway station, next to it was the ‘Sky-Pointing Street’ where prices of goods were sky-high but could be slashed by half with some haggling.

“The ZhongHua Lane, where the Lee Lam Thye Market is now, was called the ‘Lane of Truths’ as it was where people converged for their daily dose of tales. The storyteller would collect a round of money whenever the joss stick burnt to its end, else he would not reveal ‘the next episode’!” recalled Chan.

According to the author of The Disappearing Kuala Lumpur, architect and heritage conservationist Teoh Chee Keong, Jalan Sultan got its name before 1889.



Insightful: Teoh, who wrote a book titled ‘The Disappearing Kuala Lumpur’ has done exte nsive research on the Old Kuala Lumpur.

It was the proposed location for Sultan Abdul Samad’s palace in conjunction with his visit to Kuala Lumpur after the Klang railway was completed. The proposal did not materialise.

Jalan Sultan was first developed as a spill-over effect from the then centre of Kuala Lumpur — now Medan Pasar where the two rivers meet.

In 1857, Raja Abdullah brought some 200 Chinese tin miners to explore the tin-rich area blanketed with jungle, where a small Malay community had settled.

“The centre of a typical city in Malaysia is usually a palace, a mosque or like in this case, a market for tin trading. Other trades existed to meet the needs, so you would have shops selling sundries and dried seafood on the fringe of the market that sold perishables.

“Further away, you could find tailors, goldsmiths, restaurants, stationery shops and so on. Lastly, you would need to have coffin shops, set up in the relatively quiet Jalan Sultan situated across a river that later become Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock,” Teoh said.



Long-time resident: Lai has been selling claypot chicken rice in Jalan Sultan since 1983

The funeral parlour ‘Chik Sin Thong’ (which means The Merit-Accumulating Hall in Cantonese) was a landmark.

Although demolished in 2005, the building has left a vivid impression among KL folks.

“Old and poor miners spent their last days on the upper floor of Chik Sin Thong, and when it was time, they were sent downstairs for the funeral,” Teoh said.

Gone with it was the Hong Tou Guesthouse, said to be Kuala Lumpur’s first hotel that brought the street to its heyday in early 1960s.

The Yan Keng Benevolent Dramatic Association is the grandest building left to play the role of a ‘big brother’, defending the dusty past together with rows of smaller shophouses.

Some old trades can still be found in Jalan Sultan, such as mole-removing, fortune-telling and denture customisation. The best thing is, good food is still aplenty, in the same good old flavours apparently.

“I miss the Ding-Ding Candy and the pickled mangoes sold from shoulder poles,” reminisced Poon Foong Kwan who runs a cigarette wholesale business there.

Growing up in Jalan Sultan, she witnessed how shops selling textiles, coals and coffins made way for backpacker hostels and restaurants. “Strangely, as kids, we were never afraid of the coffin shops,” she added.

She also bid adieu to many old friends whom she lived with on the upper floor of the shophouses; they left in year 2000 when rental soared following the repeal of the Rent Control Act.



Good old flavours: The ‘appetising’ side of Jalan Sultan appears when night falls.

The shophouses used to be home for up to 60 tenants but was later limited to 20 to control the spread of illness. Now, they are mostly for storage or inhabited by foreign workers.

Jalan Sultan is always a picture of hustle and bustle even though traders lament that business has dropped. Lai Chai Chin, 60, who has been selling claypot chicken rice since 1983 said things had not been the same ever since Rex Cinema closed down.

“The cinema was one of the most popular hangouts in the 1980s. We (hawkers in the area) would walk over for midnight shows after we closed for the day,” he said.

The Rex building still stands but is now a hostel while the Popular Bookstore, another iconic landmark here, is now a convenience store. The street is marked by chain outlets — Watsons, Guardian and Nando’s — on one end, while the Klang Bus Stand and Uda Ocean on the other have been demolished for the MyRapid Transit project.

The strong smell of cooked food wafting from Jalan Sultan always attracts those who have left, but one wonders how long the attraction will last as the traders’ children move on to other ventures.

“Some of our regulars have been with us for three generations,” Foo Yong Cheong, 63, said proudly. With his wife, he has been running a famous stall selling groundnut and pork trotter soup for more than 30 years now.

“This street is not as busy as Petaling Street but people come here for food. I would say this is still the place to taste the most authentic flavours, though some really good stuffs are no longer here, like Nanyang coffee,” Foo said.

~News courtesy of The Star~