Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Grace Youth Camp 2007

Grace Assembly Youth is organizing a youth camp in Cameron Highlands. The camp is located at Barre I.J. Centre Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands. If you have young fellas who has nothing better to do during the holidays, you can sign them up for this youth camp.

Enquiries, please contact:
Kim - 012-238 2664 (Grace Klang)
Jessica Choe - 012 4742 600 (Grace PJ)
Kevin Jesudasan - 019 304 6682 (Grace USJ)

Camp Venue: Barre I.J. Centre, Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands
Camp dates: 8th Dec (Sat) - 11th Dec (Tue) 2007

Camp fees: RM210
Non-refundable but transferable deposit of RM$50
Closing date: 2nd December 2007

Grace Youth Camp 2007 (One Church Event)

Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to His diciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Boh Tea successor - Caroline Russell

Caroline lives up to challenge of being No. 1
By Leong Hung Yee
Saturday November 17, 2007


Inheriting a business that has been doing great sounds good to some of us but this was not the case for Caroline Russell.

The chief executive officer of Boh Plantations Sdn Bhd who inherited the tea business from her father Tristan Russell, felt she could not be complacent about the company founded by her grandfather John Archibald Russell in 1927.

Caroline Russell

“It was tough for me especially since the business was already doing so well that I had no choice but to bring the company to greater heights.

“The challenges then and today are not dissimilar. Boh has held a market leadership position in Malaysia for a long time. To maintain that clearly is the key focus and the challenge,” Caroline said in an interview with StarBiz.

She joined the company’s marketing department in 1988 after graduating from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, with a bachelor of commerce degree and worked her way up to her current position.

Her passion for the business and determination to bring the company to higher levels are among the contributing factors for the good track record and reputation Boh Plantations has today.

“I knew that my responsibility in Boh Plantations was beyond profitability when I took over the family business,” she said.

Boh Plantations is currently the leading tea grower in the country. It owns four tea gardens, of which three – in Boh, Sungei Palas and Fairlie – are located some 5,000ft above sea level in Cameron Highlands. The fourth is in Bukit Cheeding, Selangor. Collectively, the gardens constitute a total planted and mature area of 1,200ha.

The company produces four million kg of tea annually, translating to about 5.5 million cups of tea per day. And about 70% of all tea produced in Malaysia comes from the Boh gardens. Besides being the leading brand in Malaysia, Boh also exports to Brunei, Singapore, Japan, the United Arab Emirates and the US.

Caroline strongly believes in efficiency because it has been fuelling the growth of Boh Plantations.

Some of Boh’s beverage products. It has one of the widest ranges of tea products covering herb and fruit infusions, standard and premium teabag blends, hot and cold instant tea mixes, and a wide selection of flavoured teas.
Some of Boh’s beverage products. It has one of the widest ranges of tea products covering herb and fruit infusions, standard and premium teabag blends, hot and cold instant tea mixes, and a wide selection of flavoured teas.


She said the company had leveraged on technology to mechanise the various processes of the tea business but the most important aspect is moving with the times, where marketing is concerned.

“We have been looking at methodology at our plantations to improve yields as well as the harvesting process,” she said, adding that the company continuously invests in research and development, and looks at ways to improve business.

As with all businesses, Boh Plantations has its share of competition but Caroline maintains rivalry is good as it motivates all to work even harder.

“The market has become somewhat challenging as consumers are becoming more affluent and have higher expectations, thus constant innovation is required.

“Keeping abreast with consumers’ expectations is all the more challenging because as the more established brand, consumers have even higher expectations of us.

“We cannot afford to rest on our laurels,” she said.

She added that the company was constantly researching on what consumers want in a beverage product, and exploring how tea can deliver on future consumer needs.

Over the years, the company has expanded its tea offerings. It has one of the widest ranges of tea products covering herb and fruit infusions, standard and premium teabag blends, hot and cold instant tea mixes, and a wide selection of flavoured teas.

Caroline said Boh Plantations also hopes to help preserve the environment. Its past efforts included collaborating with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks and the Smithsonian Institute of the US.

In 1997, Boh Plantations supported the Malaysian Elephant Satellite Tracking Project and the WWF for Nature-Malaysia, in the Orang Utan Habitat Restoration project.

The Malaysia-born and bred Caroline, who speaks with only a slight trace of a British accent, believes that business and investing is about taking risks, but above all, you have to be realistic and practical.

She is every bit the urban working mother of two, trying to balance work and family.

“It can be done and is not difficult. You just have to compromise on both sides,” she said, adding that she hopes to find more time for her family.

“It is never an optimal balance, but I think as long as you make a concerted effort to lead a more balanced life, half the battle is won,” she said.

She enjoys painting but with two young children aged two and four to care for, there is little time to indulge herself.

Although she also loves reading, that too takes a back seat to a “splashing time” in the pool with her children.

On her success, Caroline credits having supportive people around both at home and at work. -- The Star Business.


Sunday, November 11, 2007

BMW test drive from Kellie's Castle to Cameron Highlands

Three out of three
By Jay W.M. Wong
Sunday November 11, 2007


With the performance and handling of the BMW 3 Series pretty much a given, it’s time to find out what the real-world experience of having one is like.

SOME time back, BMW Malaysia organised a lifestyle-based drive with its 3 Series range. While the event centred on many non-motoring facets, it was also undisputedly a showcase to reaffirm the E90’s claim to be head of the class in its segment.

Three vehicles were chosen for the job, a 320i Sports Edition, 325i and the 325i Sports. The drive started early in the morning from BMW’s office in Cyberjaya, and with the 320i SE, it was off to our first destination, Kellie’s Castle in Perak.

En route, the the car soaked up undulations and corners with ease, and held its line through tight corners. The 320i, with its 200Nm of torque, hauled its 1.4tonne body around with relative grace.At Kellie’s Castle, we were greeted by exuberant foods and a string quartet playing Bach and Mozart.

We then headed at hyper-speed to Lumut’s Jetty Terminal, where a slow and relaxing boat ride to Pangkor Laut Resort followed.

Three for the road: a trio of BMW 3 Series in their element.
Three for the road: a trio of BMW 3 Series in their element.


There, my room was perched on a hill overlooking lazy waves and soft, sandy beaches.

After two hours of rest, Chapman’s Bar was the meeting point at Emerald Bay. An interesting selection of both land and sea delicacies made up our pre-dinner cocktails and mains. We chewed slowly whilst the setting sun slowly said goodbye to the world.

For our entertainment, 10 interesting finalists of BMW’s Shorties films were featured for our entertainment throughout dinner.

Splashing waves and the scent of sea breeze filled my senses first thing in the morning. Fisherman’s Cove was the venue for breakfast, after which we were transported by helicopter back to the peninsular, to a place called Clearwater Sanctuary.

With the mid-day sun nigh, my co-driver and I were presented with our next chariot, the 325i Sports. Though the suspension may have been tuned for a sportier drive, we calmly made our way to Indulgence’s restaurant in Ipoh, where we were served either Rainbow Trout or Wagyu beef for lunch, which was simply delectable.

With our tanks filled, it was time to crack the whip on those 215 ponies from the state of Perak into Pahang and onwards to the posh Cameron Highlands Resort.

Here, the roads are long and twisty, a veritable delight for those chasing the bends.

Three flavours: (from left) the Sports sedan, Convertible and Touring pose for a family snapshot.
Three flavours: (from left) the Sports sedan, Convertible and Touring pose for a family snapshot.


BMW has always prided itself in building excellent handling cars with great engines, but they have also been well commended for their research and development on their brakes. As I continuously braked late into the corners, hardly any brake fade was present.

Cameron Highlands Resort had a very unique interior in the old English Colonial style. This “little corner of England in Asia,” as it has been known, is certainly a romantic getaway with picturesque greenery.

Dinner at Gonbei Restaurant provided us with a Japanese bubbling pot of salmon and a selection of sushi, followed by an early night.

At 5.30am, we rallied at the lobby with cookies and precious pots of coffee at the ready before we drove towards Gua Musang.

This time, it was in the standard 325i sedan, with its suspension set on the comfort zone. The tail end felt a little bit more nervous than the Sports, but it never did present any surprises along the way.

Our destination was to be an undisclosed location that required a short trek off the road towards a large and wide landing area . Something didn’t seem right, instead of cool mountain air filling our nostrils; we sensed something more appealing in the pre-dawn darkness ? sausages.

The chefs of Cameron Highlands Resort had prepared a nice breakfast selection for us within a large white tent that also sheltered us from the cold drizzle.

Just like a play, the sun illuminated the clouds and they softly lifted like curtains to present a beautiful view of Cameron Highland’s mountains.

After this, the roads tightened and snaked a little more . Care was the operative word on this section. Though the sedan could keep up with its Sports brethren speed-wise, the suspension set-up and tyre choices meant the sedan was slightly twitchier around the bends.

Safely back at the resort, whilst we jawed about the route to Gua Musang, candid shots of us flashed on the projector screen filling the room with eruptions of laughter .

It was time for the journey home, and we had jubilant smiles. The preparation and execution of the event truly deserved a standing-ovation – the drive was magnificent, and the occasion a delight.

As for the cars themselves, they delivered every bit that was expected of them.
-- The Star Lifestyle


Sunday, November 04, 2007

Call for more efficient market supply system

Call for more efficient market supply system
Sunday November 4, 2007

To work towards a more efficient system as well as lower prices, he suggests that the Government revamps the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama), which was established to enhance the marketing of Malaysia’s agricultural produce.

“By Fama’s own admission, 85% of the fruit and vegetable market is controlled by cartels,” he says, adding that only 5% of the market goes through the Pasar Tani (farmer's market) system set up by Fama.

In a study carried out in 2003, CAP found that red chillies bought in Cameron Highlands by these cartels for not more than RM2.50 per kg retailed at the Penang wet market for more than RM6 per kg.

“Fama has not significantly enhanced the distribution of fruit and vegetables in the country. It has not been able to provide consumers with constant and affordable price. It has failed in assuring the majority of farmers of consistent and reasonable returns,” says Idris.

Another way to ensure stable prices is to ensure enough supply.

“If there is no need for approved permits for the import of foodstuff, then supply will increase, and this will bring down prices.”

Exports, meanwhile, should be cut down. According to the Ninth Malaysia Plan, fruit cultivation increased by an average rate of 9.8% per annum while production of vegetables improved at an average rate of 13.8% annually.

“It does not help consumers if production increases simply mean more exports. Local consumers must be taken care of and this can be done by ensuring that a portion of the fruits and vegetables grown is channelled to the local market,” says Idris. -- The Star News.


Saturday, November 03, 2007

Nationwide study on landslides / Farmers and vegetable prices

Nationwide study on landslides
Saturday November 3, 2007

Thirty slope stability and landslide experts are conducting a nationwide study to identify landslide-prone areas, said Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.

Tamil Nesan reported him as saying that they included engineers from the slope-engineering unit of the Public Works Department who are equipped with the latest gadgets to monitor soil movement.

He said that the study was expected to be ready by April and the Government was hopeful that it would help address slope-related problems in the country.

He said that when the master plan was ready, it would have an early warning system at locations considered dangerous to alert the public of possible landslide hazards.

Vegetables prices fall, farmers income reduced

> Cameron Highlands vegetable farmers are willing to sell their produce directly to traders without the services of middlemen, Malaysia Nanban reported.

Due to the recent fall in prices, middlemen only offered to purchase beans at RM1 per kilo, tomatoes at 30 sen per kilo and cabbages at 80 sen per kilo and these vegetables had been sold to traders at higher prices.

Vegetable sellers in Teluk Intan said they had to sell the beans at RM6 per kilo, tomatoes at RM2 per kilo and cabbages at RM2 per kilo to consumers because the vegetables were bought at higher prices from the middlemen. -- The Star Nation.