YTL Cameron Highlands Resort Christmas

Walk along jungle trail part of Xmas at Cameron Highlands Resort
Wednesday December 8, 2010

TRADITION plays an important role in any festive season and Christmas is no different. This year, a group of media representatives and celebrities were given the opportunity to join in the celebrations, albeit a bit early, at YTL's Cameron Highlands Resort.

On Nov 20, legendary shoemaker Datuk Jimmy Choo hit the switch to light up the Christmas trees at the hotel and mark the beginning of the Christmas season up in the clouds.

The resort and its surroundings have been festively decorated and, with the flick of the switch, a spectacular display of lights burst into view, creating a magical display in the foggy evening.

All lit up: Visitors to Cameron Highlands will not miss these beautifullly litted X'mas trees at the YTL Resort in conjunction with Christmas.

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YTL Hotels and Resorts executive vice-president Laurent Myter invited those present to sample some of the resort's Christmas delicacies before inviting them to join in the carolling by a crackling fireplace.

Cameron Highlands Tea Industry Labour Shortage

This is another case of the short-sightedness of Government. They always think the locals will willingly take up employment in all areas of work. They make some industry not able to approve certain work permits and hope the locals will take up the vacancy. So tell me, what happens when no locals take up those vacancy? Time to close shop and relocate elsewhere where at least can find people to work, perhaps China? Vietnam? India? That will be the end of the local industry.

Cameron Highlands is facing labour shortage because not many local people want to work in this kind of industry. I also come across many factories during my sales visit around Malaysia, and the owners tell me a similar story of their woes. I don't know why, but some of these people always think the government will take care of them, work when they like it, don't come to work when they don't feel like it. Then when the factory cannot tahan get into the red and close down, they make big complain that the factory owner run away and now no job to do. This tidak apa work attitude won't get them far. So much for Malaysia Boleh. Boleh-land is fast becoming tidak boleh-land.

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Labour shortage in tea industry
By Foong Thim Leng
Monday June 14, 2010

IPOH: The century-old tea industry in Cameron Highlands is facing the possibility of an untimely demise due to manpower shortage.

Two tea plantations there have already ceased operations due to lack of suitable workers and two more are operating at about 20% below full capacity, said Malaysian Tea Producers Association chairman Datuk Kesav Kumar Agarwal.

He said the plantations on 2,400ha of land needed 1,800 workers at any one time, 20% of whom had to be replaced annually.

Time for tea: Tourists enjoying the scenic view at the Bharat tea plantation at Cameron Valley. Tea plantations may cease operations if the labour shortage continues.

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"If the figures are not attained, tea production may cease in a decade or even sooner. The industry supports thousands of people directly through downstream activities like re-packing, logistics, trading, marketing and retailing.

"A significant number will be adversely affected by the untimely demise of the industry," he said.

Without local tea, he said Malaysians would then have to pay more for imported tea, adding that the country’s gross domestic product would also be affected.

"The Government can keep the industry alive by approving permits for Bangladeshis, who are willing to work in the agriculture sector and have a track record of success in this field," he said.

Kesav Kumar said the Government now only approved workers from countries like Kazakhstan, Uzbekis-tan, Pakistan and India but they were reluctant to work in agriculture-based industries.

The Home Ministry imposed a freeze on Bangladeshi workers in October 2007.

Kesav Kumar said it was impossible to employ locals as there was currently no unemployment in the Cameron Highlands.

He also appealed to the Govern­ment to allow foreign workers to be in the country for 10 years instead of five.

"The replacement worker has to be retrained and takes more than a year to become competent," he added.

Cameron Highlands has 2,500ha of vegetable farms, 480ha of flower gardens and 40ha of strawberry gardens, churning out RM580mil in annual sales.

"A significant attraction of what Cameron Highlands has for local and foreign tourists is the cool climate and the beautiful tea estates, flowers, strawberry and vegetable gardens. If they are gone, what will make visitors come?" said Kesav. -- The Star

Boh Tea Plantation

A cuppa to savour
By Sharmila Ganesan
Photos by Norafifi Ehsan
Monday October 5, 2009

Boh has come a long way from its early days of mules and steamroller. Today, the country's top tea brand is fast expanding into niche markets abroad.

AS Malaysian as nasi lemak and roti canai, Boh tea is a ubiquitous part of our lives.

Whether you start your morning with a hot cuppa, curl up with one on lazy afternoons, or enjoy a tall frosty glass on a humid day, if you're in Malaysia, chances are, the tea came from Boh.

In fact, as far as most of us are concerned, Boh tea has been around forever.

While that may not really be true, Boh Plantations has been around for a pretty long time – 80 years, to be exact.

Quality yield: A worker plucking tea leaves at the Sungei Palas tea estate owned by Boh Plantations.

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Founded in 1929 by J.A. Russell, Boh began a previously unexplored industry in Malaysia that went on to become an enduring legacy.

Equipped only with a single steamroller, some labourers and several mules, Russell and his partner A.B. Milne transformed the steep virgin jungle slopes of Cameron Highlands into the tea gardens they are today - and with that, a uniquely Malaysian legacy began.

As Boh celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, it is obvious that much has changed since Russell's days.

The company now owns four tea gardens – Boh, Sungei Palas and Fairlie in Cameron Highlands, and Bukit Cheeding in Selangor – that produce 4,000,000kg of tea annually (about 5.5 million cups of tea a day!).

Gone are the days when teas were hand-plucked and sorted; now, the tea plantation workers use hand-held machines to gather the leaves and zipwire to transport full bags up the slopes.

The estates have also become a definite tourist draw, as evidenced by the beautiful and airy Sungei Palas Tea Centre, offering visitors a chance to learn more about tea while relaxing amidst the stunning highland views.

Besides being Malaysia's top tea brand, Boh is also expanding into niche markets abroad, and currently exports to various countries including the United States, parts of Europe, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Singapore and Brunei.



The products offered by Boh have also diversified: besides its signature black tea, Boh now offers the Cameronian Gold Blend, gourmet Garden Teas, the Seri Songket range, iced teas, 3-in-1 sachets, Boh Teacino, and various herb and fruit infusions.

The company also made its first move into the ready-to-drink market this year, with the introduction of Boh Teh-O-Ais which comes in cans and packets.

As a vertically-integrated tea company, Boh is one of the few in the world with operations covering the whole spectrum of tea manufacturing, from cultivation and processing to packaging and marketing.

Through all these changes, two things have remained constant: an emphasis on high quality tea, and the company's insistence on its employees' well-being.

Caroline Russell, who is J.A. Russell's granddaughter and Boh's current CEO, attributes the company's longevity to being very focused on what they do best.

"We haven't gotten distracted. Our raison d'etre is to produce tea of value. We think of ourselves as experts in tea, and concentrate on the product itself, nurturing it in our tea gardens and carrying it to Malaysian consumers.

"While we cross all market segments, from gourmet restaurants to the humble coffeeshop, we've always believed in value," she says.

One big family

As for taking good care of Boh's employees, Caroline asserts that is part and parcel of the company's ethos.

"It is about giving people the respect they deserve. They (the employees) are the cornerstone of the company," she says.

"We should provide for all stakeholders, and as the business grows and becomes better, all our stakeholders (which includes our employees) should be beneficiaries of that too. This way, over time, we improve the standard of living of everyone involved."

Such respect and appreciation go a long way in keeping Boh's employees happy and productive.

During a recent visit to the Sungei Palas estate, this writer had the opportunity to speak to several Boh employees, who all had nothing but praise for their employer.

K. Subramaniam (right) is a mandor in charge of tea plucking, at the Sungei Palas estate.

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Sungei Palas' estate manager K. Achutan is a product of the company's positive work ethos. Having been with Boh for 29 years, he initially started as a clerk.

"Our company recognises dedication and hard work, and these are well appreciated," says Achutan. "I have no complaints; it is peaceful work with good earnings."

A large part of the employees' job satisfaction stems from the many perks given to them by Boh. Workers at the tea estates are given free housing and water supply, while those above a certain level are also given an electricity and gas allowance.

Employees are also given various incentives that encourage them to be productive.

Besides a performance-based bonus, workers are given cash incentives if they have put in every working day in the year. Employees at the tea centre, for example, are awarded service points that translate into cash.

Boh also ensures that its employees have all the facilities they need.

There is a temple, surau and chapel at the estate. There is also a free clinic for tea garden employees onsite, with qualified medical assistants.

If further treatment is required, the company covers any expenses incurred in government hospitals. Furthermore, a free creche has been set up with nannies to care for employees' children during working hours

Cool conditions: Workers at the Sungei Palas tea estate (owned by Boh Plantations) are given free housing on the estate itself.

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Boh also gives merit awards to workers' children who do well in government exams.

The estates' foreign workers are not excluded either. As they are usually on three- to five-year contracts, they are given a loyalty bonus of RM200 a year to encourage them to finish their contract periods.

Besides free accommodation and water, they are further provided a shared TV set and DVD player to occupy their free time.

Tea factory conductor Sayed Jamal Abu Seman, 37, has been with Boh for 20 years.

"Everyone, from the workers to the upper management, works together to make the company successful. Whenever (Caroline) or Datuk Tristan (Russell, Boh chairman and Caroline's father) come to the estate, they come down to the fields with us, so they really know what it's like on the ground.

"They will also ask us how we are, and whether we are facing any problems. They listen to us and trust us, and I think this is why the company has done so well," says Sayed Jamal.

Challenging times

Despite this, however, Boh is not exempt from the challenges facing other companies in the plantation sector, one of which is the diminishing availability of local labour.

At the Sungei Palas estate, for instance, foreign workers make up 63% of the 180-strong workforce.

Achutan says in order to deal with the situation, locals are usually offered higher income, more long-term positions – such as drivers and supervisors – in comparison to foreign workers, or work in the tea centre or factories.

Mandors, for example, are all locals, and are usually those with many years' experience working in the tea gardens.

"While we are very keen to recruit more Malaysians to work on the plantations, we are finding it difficult," says Caroline.

"It's an attitude that dates back to colonial times, where the work is regarded as low status even though the remuneration is quite equal to the manufacturing sector. Besides that, the work is physically very demanding, which often deters many locals."

She admits that the plantation industry is facing a "terrible dilemma" as it is highly dependent on foreign workers. "Should the government change its policy on the hiring of foreign labour, it would be catastrophic."

Caroline adds, however, that the supply of skilled and semi-skilled workers should not be difficult to maintain as long as the company continues to pay competitively.

While such issues and others may prove thorny, one gets the feeling that Boh can and will ride them out – with a cup of tea held firmly in hand.

After all, you don't reach the ripe old age of 80 without having picked up a few things along the way! -- The Star

Working in Boh

A worker's haven
Monday October 5, 2009

The stunning scenery and tranquillity of the Boh tea estate of Cameron Highlands make it an idyllic workplace.

Surrounded by lush greenery, cool weather and fresh, clean air, the employees of Boh Plantations' tea gardens in Cameron Highlands have a working environment that would be the envy of any city-dweller.

Besides the beautiful surroundings, however, what strikes one the most is how content they seem to be, both with Boh as an employer, and with their simple, fuss-free lifestyle.

A recent visit to Boh's Sungei Palas tea estate, where the various employees shared their experiences, proved to be an eye-opening experience.

Vijaya Ramasamy is a retail supervisor at the Boh Tea Centre at the Sungei Palas estate.

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For Vijaya Ramasamy, 36, holding the position of retail supervisor at the Sungei Palas Tea Centre is a major achievement.

Having left school after Form 3, she did not have a clear idea of where she was heading. Joining Boh in 1992, however, proved to be a turning point.

Vijaya started out as a cashier at the tea centre. Hard work and dedication helped her to arrive at her current position.

She attributes part of this to Boh's management, whom she describes as "very friendly and encouraging".

"I am very proud to work for Boh. We have free housing, free water, and a good salary; the weather and environment are very nice, too," says the mother of two.

"Even if I were offered a job elsewhere, I'd stay here because we all work together as a group."

Kamaruddin Nayan, 54, appreciates the care extended to its employees by Boh.

"There are no problems with the management. They really care for us. As long as you do your job well, you have nothing to worry about," says the mandor, who has been working on the estate for 38 years.

Tea tasting: Boh Plantations' Sungei Palas estate's factory conductor Sayed Jamal Abu Seman demonstrating how he tastes the different tea samples

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He adds that it makes him happy to see Boh's upper management, chairman Datuk Tristan Russell and CEO Caroline Russell, visiting the tea gardens and talking to the workers.

It's the camaraderie between workers that keeps tea estate mandor K. Subramaniam, 62, going.

"No matter what race or religion we are, we're all like brothers here. Every festival or wedding, we all celebrate together," he says, adding that everyone in the company, from the lowest position to the top management, are "very nice people".

"I'm very happy that the boss has allowed me to work for as long as I can. I'll be upset if I were to stop working because I don't want to leave this place!" he says.

Boh Plantations' Sungei Palas estate manager K. Achutan showing how tea leaves are placed in withering troughs after being plucked.

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His wife, V. Kaliamma, 57, who has been staying at the Sungei Palas estate since her marriage 38 years ago, says she loves the peaceful atmosphere.

Appointed to be the first female mandor on the estate, she is in charge of pesticide spraying, and is very proud of being entrusted with the responsibility.

"I'm very happy that our manager chose me for this position based on my experience, and not my gender. It is a challenging job, but I like doing it. It keeps me healthy!"

For tea centre manager Hashim Mohd Hassan, 42, making the decision to move from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands to take up his job was easy.

"When I came up here for the job interview, I fell in love with the place because it reminds me of the village I grew up in," says the Alor Setar native.

Living in Tanah Rata with his wife, Hashim loves the laid-back, relaxed lifestyle and the healthy environment.

"In KL, most of our time is spent driving, and we're so tired from driving through traffic jams that we have no energy for work!" Hashim says.

"Here, there is ample time to concentrate on your job, and because it's a small community, people cooperate better. When we have free time, my wife and I visit friends, or drop by the vegetable farms and flower gardens. I don't miss the city life at all." – By Sharmilla Ganesan -- The Star Lifestyle

L-theanine extract from tea

May 17, 2009
This looks interesting, L-theanine is an extract from tea and these people want to use it for energy drink? Sometimes extract works sometimes it doesn't. Will have to see how this goes.

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L-theanine: New drinks promise focus, but more research attention needed
Energy-drink firms find an extract that promises to improve concentration
By Shari Roan | Tribune Newspapers
May 17, 2009

Loaded with caffeine and taurine to stimulate the central nervous system, energy drinks have become the go-to solution when you need a quick, energizing pick-me-up.

But sometimes energy isn't what you need. Concentration and attention can start to fade in the face of those midafternoon doldrums and a host of distractions. Something to enhance focus would do the trick.

Some beverage manufacturers say they have just the solution. They're touting a new kind of drink that emphasizes focus over ferocity. The key substance is the amino acid L-theanine, which preliminary research suggests might calm the brain to enhance concentration and mental stamina.

Sabah Tea Garden

Care for a spot of tea?
By Lydia Lau
Saturday April 18, 2009

Misty Fields

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Offering close-to-nature activities, lush greens, coupled with amazing views of Mt Kinabalu, Sabah Tea Garden is a great place to get close to nature and have a relaxing holiday — all in one place.

Nestled in the lush tropical wilderness of Mt Kinabalu on 2,509ha and at 692m above sea level, Sabah Tea Garden’s cool and refreshing atmosphere renders it perfect for anyone who wants to get away for the weekend or a holiday.

Here are some six must-dos while there:

Boh Teh-O Ais in a can

FRET not when you are craving for a sip of Teh-O-Ais and there is no mamak stall in sight. BOH Plantations Sdn Bhd (BOH) and Yeo Hiap Seng (Malaysia) Berhad have launched this authentically Malaysian beverage in a ready-to-drink form, called Boh Teh-O-Ais.

Boh Teh-O-Ais is made from freshly brewed tea from Cameron Highlands and is fused with honey, making it a refreshing drink. Served chilled, it is the ideal thirst quencher for our hot weather.

The drink comes in vibrant orange coloured 300ml cans and 250ml tetra brik packs for consumers’ convenience.

The drink is available in Teh-O-Ais Original, but if you prefer a tangy twist, go for the Teh-O-Ais Lemon or Teh-O-Ais Passion Fruit.

About tea, Boh tea and tea tasting job

Care for a Cameron cuppa?
Saturday December 13, 2008
By Louisa Lim

Mention ‘tea’ and images of prettily dressed ladies sitting around a plate of dainty sandwiches spring to mind. But one company shows how tea is as manly as it gets.

It’s only 2pm but the sun is struggling to shine in Cameron Highlands. Shrouded in swirling fog, everything looks the same as it did several years ago, and yet it is different enough to make Jim Thompson turn in his unmarked grave.

For one, the highlands have been taken over by flies, which are having a good time hovering tirelessly over humans and food. Heaps of rubbish lay carelessly around, from the hills to the rivers to the roads.

The old, mould-encrusted buildings, meanwhile, look even older, but lack the rustic charm of age.

Nevertheless, there is still something special in that faux-English atmosphere which makes Cameron Highlands a favourite hideaway among city dwellers. They are, after all, willing to risk the stomach-churning ascent time and again in a bid to do nothing more than laze around over a cup of tea and scones.