President Barack Obama Visit Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia.

President Barack Obama will visit Malaysia, the first visit by a President of the United States to Malaysia since Lyndon Johnson. (27/04/2014).
U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur is pleased to share the following information about the visit to Malaysia by United States President Barack Obama.  HERE.
Latest News at 10.11am this morning in Kuala Lumpur.
First and foremost: the moment Obama steps out of Air Force One and onto the KLIA tarmac, his already indiscriminately blanket security concerns is immediately a Malaysian anxiety. ReadMore

Airforce One.No matter where in the world the President travels, if he flies in an Air Force jet, the plane is called Air Force One. Technically, Air Force One is the call sign of any Air Force aircraft carrying the President. In practice, however, Air Force One is used to refer to one of two highly customized Boeing 747-200B series aircraft, which carry the tail codes 28000 and 29000. The Air Force designation for the aircraft is VC-25A. Read More
Welcome To Malaysia Sir.....

Merdeka! – Malaysia’s Independence Day.

I read a very interesting view from another blogger regarding MERDEKA !!! Malaysia's Independence Day.His view:"This is how we continue to insult and alienate our fellow citizens in Sabah and Sarawak!The ignoramus in Malaya – politicians, pundits, editors,journalists, advertisers; including ‘ I was there at the Padang down memory lane ramblers – continue to use ‘ Happy 56th Birthday Malaysia’.
The historical fact is that the Federation of Malaysia was formed on 16th September 1963 – so it will be the 50th Malaysia Day ( National Day,  Birthday call it what you will) come 16 September 2013.
Definitely NOT 56th!
The greatest insult is of course to hoist the 31 August 56th Merdeka Day on our fellow citizens in Sabah and Sarawak.
Please get it right – 31st August 1957 has no significance to our fellow citizens across the South Cina Sea!
And by the way the Federation of Malaya passed into history on midnight 15th September1963! “”
Blogger Haris Ibrahim  HERE .

What ever it is here is my massage to fellow Malaysian.
 As we celebrate our nation’s 56th Independence Day, let us be thankful and reflective on all the blessings we have so far enjoyed.  Admittedly Malaysia is not paradise, nor is it the ‘best’, nor ‘safest’, nor ‘happiest’ country in the world.  That’s all very subjective.  Still, there is much for us to celebrate, such as our climate, our fertile land, our abundant resources, our cultural diversity, and our wonderful people.
 Love for Malaysia is not only exhibited by those who display the biggest ‘Jalur Gemilang’ in their houses or offices.  Love for Malaysia also means to abide by our nation’s laws, to respect our national institutions, to care for our natural environment, and to care for the common rights of all Malaysians.

Should we Malaysians love our nation, and should we cultivate and exhibit wisdom and integrity always, then perhaps, our country’s great promise can then be fulfilled.
Dirgahayu Malaysia!  Selamat Hari Merdeka ke-56  kepada semua rakyat Malaysia.

 Patriotism is a culture .

 Small village shop selling Jalur Gamilang (Malaysia flag)

 Kampong people show they Patriotism for Merdeka Day.

Muslims in Malaysia to begin Ramadan fast on Wednesday.

Muslims in Malaysia will begin the Ramadan fast to-day.

The Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal, Datuk Seri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad, in making the announcement, said the date for the beginning of the fast for states in the whole of Malaysia was set for Wednesday on the order of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong following the consent of the Malay Rulers.
The announcement was carried live on Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) this evening.
The Conference of Rulers had agreed that the method of determining the first day of the Ramadan fasting month be based on the ‘Rukyah’ and ‘Hisab’.-

 As the fasting month begins, stalls and bazaars sprout around the country, offering an array of delicious fare for Muslims to break their fast.Picture collection from my year 2012 album.

Media Visit for Pesta Babulang Lumba Kerbau in Batu Danau in Limbang. (part4).

The program for 8th of June 2013 (Saturday).
.Bisaya traditional cooking contest
.Buffalo race competition
.Exhibition and sale of handicrafts
.Official opening ceremony of Buffalo Race 2013
.Buffalo Race & Kuntul berhias (decorated float)
Myself, Amirul of Sarawak Tourism Board in Miri and Lim of Borneo Touch Ecotour heading to Batu Danau about 40 KM from Limbang Town and less than 10 KM from the border with Brunei.Well,,I would say it was a carnival like atmosphere as buffalo racing is a traditional pastime of the community here and they keep it alive thru Pesta Babulang.The pesta is included in the Tourism Package offering Culture and Buffalo races as part of the attractions among local and tourist from Sabah and Brunei.Do you know that the buffalo 'Jockeys' need to be agile to get on their beast of burden before hurtling down the race track.The unpredictable temperament of the animal would add to the excitement  of the event.The jockeys need not have to wear safety suit like those jockey who ride Horses.."Watch out and do not stand too near as these buffaloes don’t have brakes and proper steering wheel. They can go out of control and barrel at you,” came the warning loud and clear by the event commentator over the public announcement system.".
There was also the colorful parade of ‘Kuntul’ depicting Bisaya history, including the single pole paddy barn.It was fun but the weather that day was 'HOT' ,It was a feast for both cultural and photo-bugs to savour, as almost everyone was snapping pictures and videos of the colourful event to be posted on Facebook, Instagram and other social media while the more serious ones, including photographers from Brunei, came armed with top photographic equipment to capture the magic unfolding at this Buffaloes that provide thrills and spills, fun and hilarity.
Below is a set of photograph that I shoot during the 'Pesta Babulang (Lumba Kerbau)' in Kampong Batu Danau in Limbang.

Photo by Awang

 Are you ready for the show ?

Lawas Town.

 More picture in my next entry.....of Pesta Babulang in Limbang.

Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia(KR1M).

There were a lot of talk about Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia(KR1M) recently. It has attract many views from the Government, Media, public and opposition parties.
In summary, Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia is a thrift store that operate in a mini market format, that sold various basic necessities at much low prices than the usual brands.
This is a good initiative as the price of every basic necessities(virtually everything due to inflation) has increase compare to minimal increase in salary income.
The inflation rate was not in proportion to the escalating high cost of living, so it would ease the burden of inflation and directly benefit the rakyat.
Our Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak introduce this smart initiative of KR1M in order for the public(Rakyat) especially to the low income citizens who stay in the urban areas, to ease the people’s burden and to  get various basic necessities at low prices.
This well in line with the slogan “Rakyat Didahulukan”(People First), which has been mooted by YAB Prime Minister himself. Najib said that as the country marched towards becoming a developed nation, the Government still ensured the people were taken care of.It was reported that the government subsidies are up by RM10 billion in order to create and introduce Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M) .

Do take a visit to Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia to do your shopping.
I have visited Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia at mile11th Kuching/Serian Road the first outlet of KR1M in Kuching,Sarawak.

 

Merdeka, Merdeka...Merdeka! Another celebration and ceremonials .

Merdeka !Merdeka !! Merdeka !!!.Tweeeeeeeet Merdeka !! 1 Malaysia, “Janji Ditepati” (promises fulfilled).They hear this on TV live last night...To kampong boy does Merdeka still mean anything to them. They just watch the celebration on TV and see the party, flag-waving gestures etc etc.

Do you think this Kampong Boys really had a great HARI MERDEKA celebration...

Sarawak Regatta

The iconic Sarawak Regatta scheduled for next week from 15th-18th September,2011 is very important as it will be held in conjunction with the celebration of Merdeka as well as the the 2011 IWWF Sarawak WakeBoard World Cup Championships, a world class event added for the first time.

Sarawak Regatta.

People of all races, cultures and beliefs will once again gather at the Kuching Waterfront and along the banks of the Sarawak River to witness this truly cultural sport extravaganza for four days from Sept 15.The Sarawak River will be filled with boats of multiple colours and sizes with thousands cheering in excitement.Apart from that, there will also be many side events to be held alongside the regatta namely Craft Exhibition, Trade and Food Fair as well as Cultural Show and Night Entertainment.

The Star of Florida waterski show team.

In addition to the main competitions, there is a show by the world famous “Stars of Florida Waterski Show Team” who would certainly wow the crowd with their stunts.

Wakeboard.

The WakeBoard championship will see about 30 World Cup wakeboarders from across the world.
For info about the race programmes just log on to the Sarawak Regatta Official website SARAWAK REGATTA

Jalur Gemilang - The Malaysian Flag.

The Malaysian flag or Jalur Gemilang consists of 14 horizontal red and white stripes of equal width; a dark blue canton occupying the upper left quarter of the flag; and within the canton, a crescent, and a 14-pointed star. The stripes represent the equal status in the federation of the 13 member states - namely Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Penang and Terengganu - and the Federal Government, as represented by the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Labuan.

 The colours red and white symbolise courage and purity respectively. The canton symbolises the unity of the people of Malaysia. The crescent is the symbol of Islam, the official religion of Malaysia; and the 14 points of the star signify the unity of the 13 states of the federation with the Federal Government. The colour yellow signifies the royal colour of the Rulers.

After 40 years without a name, the Malaysian flag was officially named Jalur Gemilang on the 40th anniversary of the country's independence, Aug 31, 1997. Malaysia's fourth Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad made the announcement at midnight in conjunction with the National Day celebrations.
 The name Jalur Gemilang is the Bahasa Malaysia term for Stripes of Glory. The tallest free-standing flagpole in the world (100 metres) is situated at Merdeka Square (Independence Square), in Kuala Lumpur, the very spot where the Union Jack was lowered for the last time at midnight on Aug 31, 1957 and the Malayan flag hoisted up for the first time.

Genting Highlands -First World Hotel .

First world hotel is one of the largest hotels that loom over first world plaza that spans over 500,000 sq. feet area. Lush green yard, theme parks, shopping mall, food courts, casinos, golf course, gymnasium and a lovely Spanish courtyard would make you enamored. The greeting by the tropical rainforest at the gate of First World Hotel would make you feel special.

The first World Hotel-Genting Highlands.

I stayed at the First World Hotel, Genting Highlands, the biggest hotel in the world in terms of number of rooms - over 6,000 of them.

The first world hotel lobby.

 I don't have to go to the lobby for  check-in.Since I already have my online booking number and my bill paid thru my debit card etc.etc.I proceed to check-in/check-out kiosk..all done. Isn't it fast now a days and no welcome greeting  from the hotel staff.

Standard Room.

Our room was in tower 2 on the 22nd floor.Our room was OK but cramped, just as I'd read in numerous reviews of this hotel. Our room was a standard unit.  It's okay for sleeping, provided you are immune to the altitude, but not for spending large chunks of the day in.
But we are very thankful that we took up the special offer to stay at the biggest hotel in the world. It was clean and tidy not until we are in...

The temperature at night dropped as low as 15-17C while it was just 20C during the day. Way too cold to be doing anything outside.

Just outside the lobby of the First World Hotel stands a beautifully crafted model of Genting Highlands, and since I didn't have the time or the energy to get around the whole city, this model provides some great views.

In-door theme park of the first world hotel.

Out-door theme park of first world hotel.

In-door  entertainment of first world hotel.

We spent the bulk of our time at First World Hotel, Genting Highlands, at the Indoor Theme Park located on the first floor above the lobby. It's quite spectacular with myriad sights and sounds, trains trundling slowly through the air, shops lining the paved streets, and a boat ride through a mini-Venice.
Photo shoot with my Panasonic Lumix LX3.

Genting Highlands with Cable Car Ride .

On the 4th of August 2011,I enjoy the amidst the freshness of cool, crisp mountain air about 6,000 feet above sea level,I take a skyway cable car ride, with the sky above me and a tropical rainforest below, ride up to the hilltop on the longest and fastest cable car in southeast Asia.

Now, I've always had it in my head that cable cars are dangerous and extremely risky and I've kind of had somewhat of a fear of them.

The cable car ride up to the summit.Admittedly I was a little scared of the looming ride but I kept my fears to myself.

 The dramatic view.

Swirls of mist and fog covered our cable car as we neared the top. I began to feel hot so I moved across to

the open window at the top of the cabin. We were hovering through the air into the abyss.Really scared  it just stopped and left us hanging 5,000 feet in the air due to heavy rain and windy.

The skyway ride, I was relieved when the ride was over, but it wasn't that bad at all really. Quite a smooth ride. I'm glad I experienced the classic way the Genting Highlands with cable car ride..

Photograph with my Panasonic Lumix LX3.