A wonderful muhibbah experience in the Camerons
AFTER an enjoyable tea break at a tea plantation in Cameron Highlands recently, we started for home on the narrow, winding earth road.
It was a lonely road with little traffic. As we approached a double bend, a car came round the blind corner and swept into our path.
We had to swerve to avoid a head-on collision. Our car stopped abruptly and tilted sharply to the left. My brother, who was driving, yelled for us to get out of the car from the right side.
When we got out of the car we saw that it was resting longitudinally with its two left wheels dangling in the air above a narrow path below the road.
There was nothing we could do.
Then a lorry with two workers stopped to help us. But there was no way they could do anything to get the car back on the road.
As we saw it, any attempt to shift the vehicle could make the car topple off the edge of the road and plunge into the ravine below.
The two workers volunteered to drive back to the main road to get help. While they were gone another lorry stopped by.
Then a third lorry driver stopped to help. Both drivers tried to call a tow-truck or a crane on their handphones. Alas, there was no tow-truck or crane available.
The poultry farmer in the second lorry volunteered to get some help from a vegetable farm nearby.
He was back in about 30 minutes with two large concrete slabs and a long rectangular concrete beam. He also managed to collect a beam jack.
By this time there were about 20 passers-by in cars and lorries who had stopped by to help.
The poultry farmer organised those around to lay the concrete slabs on the path below and then placed the beam above them. He then jacked up the two outer wheels to rest on the beam.
The poultry farmer did a sterling job of directing all these wonderful people who had come to help.
Among them were a haji in an immaculate sarong sporting a moustache, four tourists from Britain and Canada on foot, two visitors from Singapore and some local people.
They finally pushed, and forced the two wheels up onto the road. My brother offered to pay the helpers but none of them accepted his money.
It was a wonderful gift of help at a crucial time like this.
Thank you, wherever you are now. May you all receive the same measure of help and kindness in your hour of need.
LEONG WEI CHING,
Shah Alam.
The Star, Thursday June 29, 2006
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Hills Worth Exploring
Hills worth exploring
PETALING JAYA: Many Malaysians do not know many of the local tourist spots, although they were written about in international magazines, said deputy MCA Youth chief Datuk Ling Hee Leong.
“Many of us go to other countries for vacations and this is not wrong. But what about our own tourist destinations? Some of the best sight-seeing spots are in our own country,” he said.
He told reporters this at a press conference to announce the MCA Youth sports bureau's “Together Forward” Hill Climbing events.
The events are to be held at Bukit Larut (on July 1), Bukit Bendera, Mount Kinabalu, and the Cameron Highlands (dates to be confirmed later.)
“These places are not only beautiful but historical.
“One of our aims in these climbing expeditions is to promote local tourism and increase awareness of these sites,” Ling said.
The main objective is to promote and enhance the patriotic spirit in MCA, apart from advocating a healthy lifestyle among the youths and educating them on nature and the history of the hills.
Kg Tunku assemblyman Datuk Dr Wong Sai Hou said some 500 participants, mostly youths, were expected to take part.
“We want the hikes to be a soul-searching experience for these backpackers, giving them a chance to absorb nature and learn important survival skills,” he said.
The organising committee hopes to create two records at Bukit Larut – to plant the party's flags from the base to the top and plant the Jalur Gemilang at the peak.
A midnight climbathon would be held for experienced climbers on June 30.
The other record is for 200 climbers to jointly hike up Mount Kinabalu, known as the world's longest staircase.
“We will get a special permit for the climbers,” Ling said.
The events are organised by the bureau, the Taiping MCA Youth division, the Backpackers Association of Malaysia and the Kamunting Hash House Harriers.
The committee welcomes members of the public to join in the climb.
“They can turn up at the venues on the day of the event,” said Ling.
The Star, Wednesday June 28, 2006
PETALING JAYA: Many Malaysians do not know many of the local tourist spots, although they were written about in international magazines, said deputy MCA Youth chief Datuk Ling Hee Leong.
“Many of us go to other countries for vacations and this is not wrong. But what about our own tourist destinations? Some of the best sight-seeing spots are in our own country,” he said.
He told reporters this at a press conference to announce the MCA Youth sports bureau's “Together Forward” Hill Climbing events.
The events are to be held at Bukit Larut (on July 1), Bukit Bendera, Mount Kinabalu, and the Cameron Highlands (dates to be confirmed later.)
“These places are not only beautiful but historical.
“One of our aims in these climbing expeditions is to promote local tourism and increase awareness of these sites,” Ling said.
The main objective is to promote and enhance the patriotic spirit in MCA, apart from advocating a healthy lifestyle among the youths and educating them on nature and the history of the hills.
Kg Tunku assemblyman Datuk Dr Wong Sai Hou said some 500 participants, mostly youths, were expected to take part.
“We want the hikes to be a soul-searching experience for these backpackers, giving them a chance to absorb nature and learn important survival skills,” he said.
The organising committee hopes to create two records at Bukit Larut – to plant the party's flags from the base to the top and plant the Jalur Gemilang at the peak.
A midnight climbathon would be held for experienced climbers on June 30.
The other record is for 200 climbers to jointly hike up Mount Kinabalu, known as the world's longest staircase.
“We will get a special permit for the climbers,” Ling said.
The events are organised by the bureau, the Taiping MCA Youth division, the Backpackers Association of Malaysia and the Kamunting Hash House Harriers.
The committee welcomes members of the public to join in the climb.
“They can turn up at the venues on the day of the event,” said Ling.
The Star, Wednesday June 28, 2006
Friday, June 16, 2006
Errant resorts giving us bad name
Looks like our Malaysian Resorts need to buck up on their services a little. Found this article in the newspaper. Hoteliers take note!
Errant resorts giving us bad name
I HAVE been reading some unbiased travellers’ reviews of several well-known resorts in Malaysia posted on the Internet.
I feel embarrassed as a Malaysian after reading the reviews. What consistently show up are the poor service mentality, poor maintenance and upkeep and discourteous and rude staff.
These are all well-known, so-called five-star resorts in the Cameron Highlands and Penang. Many of these reviewers say they will not return to these resorts again.
In stark contrast, the reviews of the lesser resorts in Bali, Phuket and Vietnam are so much more complimentary.
The people at these resorts are so eager to please their customers. The irony is some of these so-called third world countries are fast overtaking us in many ways.
We may have the best infrastructure but if we do not have first-class mentality we will remain a third-class country forever.
The management of our holiday resorts need to take customers’ feedback and complaints seriously.
Service mentality needs to be their top priority.
In this age of Internet and borderless world, bad publicity travels far and fast.
S.H. TAN
Penang.
The Star, Friday June 16, 2006
Errant resorts giving us bad name
I HAVE been reading some unbiased travellers’ reviews of several well-known resorts in Malaysia posted on the Internet.
I feel embarrassed as a Malaysian after reading the reviews. What consistently show up are the poor service mentality, poor maintenance and upkeep and discourteous and rude staff.
These are all well-known, so-called five-star resorts in the Cameron Highlands and Penang. Many of these reviewers say they will not return to these resorts again.
In stark contrast, the reviews of the lesser resorts in Bali, Phuket and Vietnam are so much more complimentary.
The people at these resorts are so eager to please their customers. The irony is some of these so-called third world countries are fast overtaking us in many ways.
We may have the best infrastructure but if we do not have first-class mentality we will remain a third-class country forever.
The management of our holiday resorts need to take customers’ feedback and complaints seriously.
Service mentality needs to be their top priority.
In this age of Internet and borderless world, bad publicity travels far and fast.
S.H. TAN
Penang.
The Star, Friday June 16, 2006
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Berita tentang MARDI Agrotechnology Park
Kajian tumbuhan MARDI berjuta-juta ringgit dicuri
CAMERON HIGHLANDS 1 Jun - Kajian tumbuhan yang dihasilkan oleh Institut Penyelidikan Pembangunan Pertanian Malaysia (MARDI) melalui penyelidikan bernilai jutaan ringgit kerap menjadi sasaran pencuri termasuk di kalangan saintis.
Ketua Pengarah MARDI, Datuk Dr. Saharan Anang berkata, kes kecurian yang biasanya melibatkan tumbuhan hibrid itu sukar dibendung kerana ia tidak melibatkan satu spesies penuh tetapi hanya bahagian tertentu sahaja.
``Selepas sesuatu lawatan, pihak MARDI dapati cabang atau batang sesuatu pokok itu sudah hilang,'' katanya pada sidang akhbar Prapelancaran Taman Agroteknologi MARDI di sini semalam.
Katanya, kemajuan dalam bidang sains terutama aspek pengkulturan tisu membolehkan bahagian pokok yang dicuri itu dibiakkan kembali menjadi seperti pokok asal.
Keadaan itu, katanya, menyebabkan kerugian kepada pihak MARDI yang bersusah-payah menghasilkan sesuatu spesies baru tumbuhan.
Tambah Saharan, antara spesies yang kerap dicuri ialah hibrid baru bunga anggerik.
Menurut beliau, kejadian curi kerap berlaku semasa pelawat dibawa melihat sekitar hasil penyelidikan baru yang dicapai oleh MARDI.
MARDI memperuntukkan jutaan ringgit setiap tahun dalam program pembangunan dan penyelidikan tanaman serta haiwan bagi tujuan memajukan sektor pertanian negara.
Sejak ditubuhkan, pada 1969 sehingga kini, MARDI dilihat sebagai salah satu agensi yang paling berjaya di bawah Kementerian Pertanian dalam memajukan teknologi pertanian negara.
Tambah beliau, selain para saintis, pihaknya juga berhadapan dengan sikap pelawat awam yang turut membawa keluar sesuatu tumbuhan tanpa kebenaran MARDI.
Ujar Saharan, kejadian di kalangan orang awam dipengaruhi oleh sikap suka mencuri atau kerana tertarik dengan sesuatu spesies yang sukar diperoleh di kawasan lain selain di stesen penyelidikan MARDI.
Sementara itu, Taman Agroteknologi MARDI Cameron Highlands dijadual dirasmikan oleh Sultan Pahang pada 14 Jun ini.
Taman seluas 42 hektar di Tanah Rata itu terbahagi kepada Taman Inggeris, Taman Herba, Taman Anggerik, Taman Ros dan pusat penyelidikan serta pusat maklumat pengunjung.
Menurut Saharan, taman agroteknologi itu menggabungkan aspek pertanian, penyelidikan dan pelancongan.
Ujar beliau, pelawat akan diberi peluang untuk mendalami aspek pertanian seperti teknik penanaman bunga ros yang sebelum ini agak jarang untuk dipelajari orang ramai.
Selain itu, pengunjung ke taman tersebut akan berpeluang melihat Muzium Teh yang pada asalnya merupakan kilang teh yang pertama dibangunkan di negara ini.
Kata Saharan lagi, inisiatif pihak MARDI menubuhkan taman agroteknologi tersebut akan menwujudkan satu lagi daya tarikan pelancongan di Cameron Highlands. -- Utusan Malaysia. (1-Jun-2003)
Untuk informasi terlanjut, sila lihat Cameron Highlands Agrotechnology Park.
CAMERON HIGHLANDS 1 Jun - Kajian tumbuhan yang dihasilkan oleh Institut Penyelidikan Pembangunan Pertanian Malaysia (MARDI) melalui penyelidikan bernilai jutaan ringgit kerap menjadi sasaran pencuri termasuk di kalangan saintis.
Ketua Pengarah MARDI, Datuk Dr. Saharan Anang berkata, kes kecurian yang biasanya melibatkan tumbuhan hibrid itu sukar dibendung kerana ia tidak melibatkan satu spesies penuh tetapi hanya bahagian tertentu sahaja.
``Selepas sesuatu lawatan, pihak MARDI dapati cabang atau batang sesuatu pokok itu sudah hilang,'' katanya pada sidang akhbar Prapelancaran Taman Agroteknologi MARDI di sini semalam.
Katanya, kemajuan dalam bidang sains terutama aspek pengkulturan tisu membolehkan bahagian pokok yang dicuri itu dibiakkan kembali menjadi seperti pokok asal.
Keadaan itu, katanya, menyebabkan kerugian kepada pihak MARDI yang bersusah-payah menghasilkan sesuatu spesies baru tumbuhan.
Tambah Saharan, antara spesies yang kerap dicuri ialah hibrid baru bunga anggerik.
Menurut beliau, kejadian curi kerap berlaku semasa pelawat dibawa melihat sekitar hasil penyelidikan baru yang dicapai oleh MARDI.
MARDI memperuntukkan jutaan ringgit setiap tahun dalam program pembangunan dan penyelidikan tanaman serta haiwan bagi tujuan memajukan sektor pertanian negara.
Sejak ditubuhkan, pada 1969 sehingga kini, MARDI dilihat sebagai salah satu agensi yang paling berjaya di bawah Kementerian Pertanian dalam memajukan teknologi pertanian negara.
Tambah beliau, selain para saintis, pihaknya juga berhadapan dengan sikap pelawat awam yang turut membawa keluar sesuatu tumbuhan tanpa kebenaran MARDI.
Ujar Saharan, kejadian di kalangan orang awam dipengaruhi oleh sikap suka mencuri atau kerana tertarik dengan sesuatu spesies yang sukar diperoleh di kawasan lain selain di stesen penyelidikan MARDI.
Sementara itu, Taman Agroteknologi MARDI Cameron Highlands dijadual dirasmikan oleh Sultan Pahang pada 14 Jun ini.
Taman seluas 42 hektar di Tanah Rata itu terbahagi kepada Taman Inggeris, Taman Herba, Taman Anggerik, Taman Ros dan pusat penyelidikan serta pusat maklumat pengunjung.
Menurut Saharan, taman agroteknologi itu menggabungkan aspek pertanian, penyelidikan dan pelancongan.
Ujar beliau, pelawat akan diberi peluang untuk mendalami aspek pertanian seperti teknik penanaman bunga ros yang sebelum ini agak jarang untuk dipelajari orang ramai.
Selain itu, pengunjung ke taman tersebut akan berpeluang melihat Muzium Teh yang pada asalnya merupakan kilang teh yang pertama dibangunkan di negara ini.
Kata Saharan lagi, inisiatif pihak MARDI menubuhkan taman agroteknologi tersebut akan menwujudkan satu lagi daya tarikan pelancongan di Cameron Highlands. -- Utusan Malaysia. (1-Jun-2003)
Untuk informasi terlanjut, sila lihat Cameron Highlands Agrotechnology Park.
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