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.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Visitors to Pahang
Looks like there a lots of visitors coming over to Pahang for a vacation. There was approximately 5 million tourist coming over to Pahang in year 2005 generating about RM$2 billion (US$555 million) for the state. It was quite an increase too, about 13.3% increase compared against the previous year of 2004.
The breakdown info of tourist was 3,725,237 locals and 1,305,425 foreigners. Pahang has the highest number of visitors when compared against the other states.
So let's see where the popular tourist destinations in Pahang are:
1) Genting Highlands = 3,202,823 visitors
2) Kuantan = 973,807
3) Cameron Highlands = 298,284
4) Tioman Island = 154,552
5) Fraser's Hill = 89,068
6) Termerloh = 84,612
7) Taman Negara = 74,811
Interesting, looks like a lot people like to go to Genting Highlands. Perhaps its close proximity to Kuala Lumpur (only takes 45 minutes drive by road) makes it a convenient place to go for quick relief from the hot humidity of the tropics. While Cameron Highlands is the 3rd popular destination in Pahang for visitors to Pahang.
For the nearest cooler climate Genting Highlands is pretty ideal, and one can just do a day trip without having to stay overnight making it very convenient. With its activity centered on theme parks (and the usual gamblers), and live shows sure attracts lots of people for its fun activities.
However, Cameron Highlands is more of a peaceful kind of visit and taking in the natural breathtaking beauty of lush greenery and slower pace kind of lifestyle reminiscent of old English country side, well I'll take Cameron Highlands anytime.
The Pahang state is targeting the tourists from Singapore, China, Hong Kong, West Asia, Thailand, Indonesia, Britain, Taiwan, Germany and India. But based on the visitors pattern to my website, the majority of the visitors to Cameron Highlands are from Malaysia and Singapore. Of course there are the usual amohs Mat Sallehs and Japanese visitors, the main bulk of visitors are from Malaysia and Singapore.
But sad to say, some accommodation providers, though not all, do not seem to give equal services to the locals and seem to have a preferential to treat foreign visitors better. They should take heed that most of their income is derived from locals more than that of foreigners. Foreigner may be willing to pay more, but the main volume of visitors is us locals. So hoteliers take heed!
Why I say this, because while trawling the forums for info, I noticed there were complaints about this lah, that lah, and the hotel can't seem to provide the services. But when a foreigner request for something, it was done immediately.
As for me, I was fortunate not to have encountered bad service and so far my experiences were pretty pleasant. There is of course a trick to remember, you may be a customer, and customers are considered as king, and you rightfully want all the attention and service a hotel may render to you. But do note that the hotel staffs are human too. So a pleasant approach to the staff about your grouses and needs will translate to a better service by the hotel staff. Hey, no one like to deal with a customer from hell! That way your vacation will leave with you fond memories rather than one that was marred with bad service from a hotel.
Have a happy vacation!
The breakdown info of tourist was 3,725,237 locals and 1,305,425 foreigners. Pahang has the highest number of visitors when compared against the other states.
So let's see where the popular tourist destinations in Pahang are:
1) Genting Highlands = 3,202,823 visitors
2) Kuantan = 973,807
3) Cameron Highlands = 298,284
4) Tioman Island = 154,552
5) Fraser's Hill = 89,068
6) Termerloh = 84,612
7) Taman Negara = 74,811
Interesting, looks like a lot people like to go to Genting Highlands. Perhaps its close proximity to Kuala Lumpur (only takes 45 minutes drive by road) makes it a convenient place to go for quick relief from the hot humidity of the tropics. While Cameron Highlands is the 3rd popular destination in Pahang for visitors to Pahang.
For the nearest cooler climate Genting Highlands is pretty ideal, and one can just do a day trip without having to stay overnight making it very convenient. With its activity centered on theme parks (and the usual gamblers), and live shows sure attracts lots of people for its fun activities.
However, Cameron Highlands is more of a peaceful kind of visit and taking in the natural breathtaking beauty of lush greenery and slower pace kind of lifestyle reminiscent of old English country side, well I'll take Cameron Highlands anytime.
The Pahang state is targeting the tourists from Singapore, China, Hong Kong, West Asia, Thailand, Indonesia, Britain, Taiwan, Germany and India. But based on the visitors pattern to my website, the majority of the visitors to Cameron Highlands are from Malaysia and Singapore. Of course there are the usual amohs Mat Sallehs and Japanese visitors, the main bulk of visitors are from Malaysia and Singapore.
But sad to say, some accommodation providers, though not all, do not seem to give equal services to the locals and seem to have a preferential to treat foreign visitors better. They should take heed that most of their income is derived from locals more than that of foreigners. Foreigner may be willing to pay more, but the main volume of visitors is us locals. So hoteliers take heed!
Why I say this, because while trawling the forums for info, I noticed there were complaints about this lah, that lah, and the hotel can't seem to provide the services. But when a foreigner request for something, it was done immediately.
As for me, I was fortunate not to have encountered bad service and so far my experiences were pretty pleasant. There is of course a trick to remember, you may be a customer, and customers are considered as king, and you rightfully want all the attention and service a hotel may render to you. But do note that the hotel staffs are human too. So a pleasant approach to the staff about your grouses and needs will translate to a better service by the hotel staff. Hey, no one like to deal with a customer from hell! That way your vacation will leave with you fond memories rather than one that was marred with bad service from a hotel.
Have a happy vacation!
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
White Elephant of the Camerons
I came across this editorial submitted by readers of the Star Newspaper published on 2nd May 2006. The writer highlighted the problem of the new bus terminal cum car parking lot in Tanah Rata which was badly designed. The narrow confines and steep turns make it really difficult for most people to move their vehicle within the building. Only the foolhardy or the very brave souls would attempt to drive their vehicle inside. So do make a note to avoid parking in it.
Here's what the reader wrote:
There is a "white elephant" on Cameron Highlands, and it is the multi-storey public car park, tax stand and bus station which, since its completion at end of last year, has not been in used for a simple reason: Use it at your own risk.
The complex is the brainchild of the Cameron Highlands district council and was built with taxpayers' money.
The design is so inane that a motorist must have great maneuvering skill and a daredevil's heart to make his way up its narrow and steep (often scrapping the underbelly of vehicles) slopping driveway.
Of course, only those with old junk of no love for their vehicles would undertake the drive up in the first place. There are already many casualties, judging from the scratch marks on the sides of the walls.
No wonder few people had parked their cars up in the building, with the majority preferring to risk getting police summonses by parking illegally outside and around the building.
Even the taxi drivers have refused to re-locate to the premise. As for the bus drivers, they said it was near impossible for a bus to turn unless the driver is very skilful and prepared to maneuver in driving forward and backward a number of times. In the current situation of expensive fuel, all the bus drivers prefer to stay put in their old station.
If only the council is open-minded in listening to the residents' feedback, the project which has already become an eyesore to the residents will not deteriorate to be the "white elephant" it now is.
We are wondering too how soon is will take the council to rectify the problems.
We are, however, hopeful that the new district officer may be more proactive than the council.
After all, the district officer has recently made known his thoughts that the Cameron Highlands has been neglected in terms of beautiful landscaping.
It is about time too that the council should do something about the landscaping as well as the "white elephant".
SILHOUETTE
Cameron Highlands.
Here's what the reader wrote:
There is a "white elephant" on Cameron Highlands, and it is the multi-storey public car park, tax stand and bus station which, since its completion at end of last year, has not been in used for a simple reason: Use it at your own risk.
The complex is the brainchild of the Cameron Highlands district council and was built with taxpayers' money.
The design is so inane that a motorist must have great maneuvering skill and a daredevil's heart to make his way up its narrow and steep (often scrapping the underbelly of vehicles) slopping driveway.
Of course, only those with old junk of no love for their vehicles would undertake the drive up in the first place. There are already many casualties, judging from the scratch marks on the sides of the walls.
No wonder few people had parked their cars up in the building, with the majority preferring to risk getting police summonses by parking illegally outside and around the building.
Even the taxi drivers have refused to re-locate to the premise. As for the bus drivers, they said it was near impossible for a bus to turn unless the driver is very skilful and prepared to maneuver in driving forward and backward a number of times. In the current situation of expensive fuel, all the bus drivers prefer to stay put in their old station.
If only the council is open-minded in listening to the residents' feedback, the project which has already become an eyesore to the residents will not deteriorate to be the "white elephant" it now is.
We are wondering too how soon is will take the council to rectify the problems.
We are, however, hopeful that the new district officer may be more proactive than the council.
After all, the district officer has recently made known his thoughts that the Cameron Highlands has been neglected in terms of beautiful landscaping.
It is about time too that the council should do something about the landscaping as well as the "white elephant".
SILHOUETTE
Cameron Highlands.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Cameron Highlands Resort is now open!
Cameron Highlands Resort Hotel (formerly known as Merlin Inn) located opposite the Golf Course is now open! It looks really good after its refurbishment and renovation. I just can't wait to visit it but I will have to satisfy with the pictures for now until my next plan trip to Cameron Highlands.
Cameron Highlands Resort Hotel is now managed by YTL Corporation. Just to give you an idea, if you have been to JW Marriot Hotel, Starhill and lot 10 shopping center in Kuala Lumpur famous Sungai Wang shopping area, these buildings all belong to YTL Corporation. YTL Corporation has a tendency to do things in a grand fashion. So I suppose the brand new hotel will have a price tag to go with it if you intend to stay there.
Francis Teoh, the current MD and owner of YTL not only do things big, he does it with much pomp and fanfair. I was fortunate enough to attend his Russel Watson concert and celebration last year, it was done in such a fabulous grandiose.
So we shall expect Cameron Highlands Resort to be similarly of high standard and quality.
Below is more write up and info about the new hotel.
Kuala Lumpur, 25 April 2006
On March 27th 1967, an American businessman disappeared during a visit to the Cameron Highlands. The famous Thai silk king, Jim Thompson, was on a holiday in the highlands with some friends when he went for a walk. The mystery remains to this day and Jim Thompson's name comes alive again in the Jim Thompson Tea Room, set in YTL Hotels & Properties's brand new 56-room boutique property in the Cameron Highlands: Cameron Highlands Resort.
At the Jim Thompson Tea Room, the time-honoured tradition of English afternoon tea may be enjoyed in an elegant setting for the leisurely savouring of finger sandwiches, light-as-air pastries and home baked scones as well as fresh Cameron strawberries. Complementing this delicious spread is a wide-ranging selection of exquisite Cameron Highlands teas.
YTL Hotels & Properties, a leading luxury hotel developer and operator in Malaysia, today opens the doors to its third luxury resort in Malaysia. Cameron Highlands Resort is conceived to complement the luxury collection of world-renowned resorts such as Pangkor Laut Resort and Tanjong Jara Resort.
Located in the state of Pahang, approximately 200 km north of Kuala Lumpur, Cameron Highlands Resort is one of Malaysia's cool and picturesque hill stations, 1,467 metres above sea level, stretching along a plateau set high above the river valley.
Discovered by British surveyor William Cameron on a mapping expedition in 1885, the fame of Cameron Highlands grew during the colonial era. British expatriates would frequent the highlands to relax and escape the lowland tropical heat, and British planters soon realised the potential of its fertile mountain slopes for growing tea, then a prized commodity.
Today, Cameron Highlands is still home to many tea plantations, as well as strawberry and vegetable farms, jungle trails, cascading waterfalls and rose gardens. Much of the highlands' character remains unchanged, exuding an old English charm.
Set on a lush hillock fronting the golf course, Cameron Highlands Resort, with the tagline Trails, Tales and Tradition, is surrounded by flourishing greenery and rolling hills. The property embodies the charm, the adventure and gentility of that old world practised in the colonial lifestyle during the '40s and '50s.
In addition to the luxurious amenities and a level of service that symbolises the rich fusion of traditional English manners and discreet Asian hospitality, distinctive attributes of the boutique hotel include classic restaurants, a unique Spa Village with signature treatments based on ancient tea rituals and of course, the adjacent 18-hole golf course.
Designed and conceptualised to complement its highland setting, the hotel's interior resembles a genteel English colonial home, with welcoming fireplaces in the Reading Room and Highlands Bar. Its 56 rooms and suites boast a distinctive sense for style and comfort and look out to panoramic, unobstructed views of Cameron Highlands. Standard features include four-poster beds, seating areas with comfortable settees and armchairs, and luxurious bathrooms.
An array of dining experiences are set to attract locals as well as out-of-town guests. The Dining Room, with vista windows overlooking the golf course and an outdoor terrace, offers creative all day dining menus prepared using the freshest ingredients and local herbs and spices.
Gonbei, a spin-off of the exquisite traditional Japanese restaurant made famous in the ritzy Starhill Gallery in Kuala Lumpur, is open for dinner and serves sashimi, soba, tempura and bento sets. For leisurely evening cocktails over a game of snooker or the traditional stengah, the Highlands Bar is a warm and comfortable venue.
Cameron Highlands Resort also features the third wellness centre of the award-winning Spa Village, with a wide range of sophisticated treatments and healing therapies inspired by the restorative properties of tea. Each guest luxuriates in a signature tea bath before every treatment. The Cameron Highlands Spa Village offers tranquil indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, tea bath rooms and a fully-equipped gymnasium.
The hotel's Grand Ballroom will provide for intimate and exclusive social and corporate gatherings in an elegant setting for up to 200 persons. Complementing this facility is a range of seven other functions rooms. Professional banqueting and meeting planners are at hand to work with every organiser to ensure successful events held here.
With its magical hilltop location and cool refreshing climate, the boutique Cameron Highlands Resort will be the picture-perfect setting for the sophisticated traveller looking to escape humdrum routine and experience a sense of intimate country-style living with attentive yet unobtrusive service.
For reservations and enquiries, please contact YTL Travel Centre at (603) 2145 9000 or e-mail travelcentre@ytlhotels.com.my. For more information on the Resort, log on to www.cameronhighlandsresort.com.
Source article:
http://www.ytlcommunity.com/commnews/shownews.asp?newsid=22837
Want to know more about Jim Thompson?
See also:
The Mysterious case of Jim Thompson
Jim Thompson House in Bangkok
Cameron Highlands Resort
Looking for a place to stay in Cameron Highlands?
Look up the Cameron Highlands hotels, resorts, accommodations and apartments list.
Cameron Highlands Resort Hotel is now managed by YTL Corporation. Just to give you an idea, if you have been to JW Marriot Hotel, Starhill and lot 10 shopping center in Kuala Lumpur famous Sungai Wang shopping area, these buildings all belong to YTL Corporation. YTL Corporation has a tendency to do things in a grand fashion. So I suppose the brand new hotel will have a price tag to go with it if you intend to stay there.
Francis Teoh, the current MD and owner of YTL not only do things big, he does it with much pomp and fanfair. I was fortunate enough to attend his Russel Watson concert and celebration last year, it was done in such a fabulous grandiose.
So we shall expect Cameron Highlands Resort to be similarly of high standard and quality.
Below is more write up and info about the new hotel.
Kuala Lumpur, 25 April 2006
On March 27th 1967, an American businessman disappeared during a visit to the Cameron Highlands. The famous Thai silk king, Jim Thompson, was on a holiday in the highlands with some friends when he went for a walk. The mystery remains to this day and Jim Thompson's name comes alive again in the Jim Thompson Tea Room, set in YTL Hotels & Properties's brand new 56-room boutique property in the Cameron Highlands: Cameron Highlands Resort.
At the Jim Thompson Tea Room, the time-honoured tradition of English afternoon tea may be enjoyed in an elegant setting for the leisurely savouring of finger sandwiches, light-as-air pastries and home baked scones as well as fresh Cameron strawberries. Complementing this delicious spread is a wide-ranging selection of exquisite Cameron Highlands teas.YTL Hotels & Properties, a leading luxury hotel developer and operator in Malaysia, today opens the doors to its third luxury resort in Malaysia. Cameron Highlands Resort is conceived to complement the luxury collection of world-renowned resorts such as Pangkor Laut Resort and Tanjong Jara Resort.
Located in the state of Pahang, approximately 200 km north of Kuala Lumpur, Cameron Highlands Resort is one of Malaysia's cool and picturesque hill stations, 1,467 metres above sea level, stretching along a plateau set high above the river valley.
Discovered by British surveyor William Cameron on a mapping expedition in 1885, the fame of Cameron Highlands grew during the colonial era. British expatriates would frequent the highlands to relax and escape the lowland tropical heat, and British planters soon realised the potential of its fertile mountain slopes for growing tea, then a prized commodity.
Today, Cameron Highlands is still home to many tea plantations, as well as strawberry and vegetable farms, jungle trails, cascading waterfalls and rose gardens. Much of the highlands' character remains unchanged, exuding an old English charm.
Set on a lush hillock fronting the golf course, Cameron Highlands Resort, with the tagline Trails, Tales and Tradition, is surrounded by flourishing greenery and rolling hills. The property embodies the charm, the adventure and gentility of that old world practised in the colonial lifestyle during the '40s and '50s.
In addition to the luxurious amenities and a level of service that symbolises the rich fusion of traditional English manners and discreet Asian hospitality, distinctive attributes of the boutique hotel include classic restaurants, a unique Spa Village with signature treatments based on ancient tea rituals and of course, the adjacent 18-hole golf course.
Designed and conceptualised to complement its highland setting, the hotel's interior resembles a genteel English colonial home, with welcoming fireplaces in the Reading Room and Highlands Bar. Its 56 rooms and suites boast a distinctive sense for style and comfort and look out to panoramic, unobstructed views of Cameron Highlands. Standard features include four-poster beds, seating areas with comfortable settees and armchairs, and luxurious bathrooms.An array of dining experiences are set to attract locals as well as out-of-town guests. The Dining Room, with vista windows overlooking the golf course and an outdoor terrace, offers creative all day dining menus prepared using the freshest ingredients and local herbs and spices.
Gonbei, a spin-off of the exquisite traditional Japanese restaurant made famous in the ritzy Starhill Gallery in Kuala Lumpur, is open for dinner and serves sashimi, soba, tempura and bento sets. For leisurely evening cocktails over a game of snooker or the traditional stengah, the Highlands Bar is a warm and comfortable venue.
Cameron Highlands Resort also features the third wellness centre of the award-winning Spa Village, with a wide range of sophisticated treatments and healing therapies inspired by the restorative properties of tea. Each guest luxuriates in a signature tea bath before every treatment. The Cameron Highlands Spa Village offers tranquil indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, tea bath rooms and a fully-equipped gymnasium.
The hotel's Grand Ballroom will provide for intimate and exclusive social and corporate gatherings in an elegant setting for up to 200 persons. Complementing this facility is a range of seven other functions rooms. Professional banqueting and meeting planners are at hand to work with every organiser to ensure successful events held here.
With its magical hilltop location and cool refreshing climate, the boutique Cameron Highlands Resort will be the picture-perfect setting for the sophisticated traveller looking to escape humdrum routine and experience a sense of intimate country-style living with attentive yet unobtrusive service.
For reservations and enquiries, please contact YTL Travel Centre at (603) 2145 9000 or e-mail travelcentre@ytlhotels.com.my. For more information on the Resort, log on to www.cameronhighlandsresort.com.
Source article:
http://www.ytlcommunity.com/commnews/shownews.asp?newsid=22837
Want to know more about Jim Thompson?
See also:
The Mysterious case of Jim Thompson
Jim Thompson House in Bangkok
Cameron Highlands Resort
Looking for a place to stay in Cameron Highlands?
Look up the Cameron Highlands hotels, resorts, accommodations and apartments list.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Crackdown on use of fake insecticides
Crackdown on use of fake insecticides
Sunday April 23, 2006
CAMERON HIGHLANDS: Enforcement will be stepped up to check the use of illegal or fake insecticides on crops as it would affect the country’s reputation in exporting quality agricultural produce.
Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Datuk Mah Siew Keong said poor quality produce due to the use of fake insecticides might even hinder the country’s plan to become one of the main global food exporters by 2010.
“The use of these fake agrochemicals destroys the crops. In order to tap into foreign markets like Japan, West Asia or Western countries, we need to ensure the quality and safety of our produce,” he said after launching a manual on Good Farming Practices and Agriculture Chemical Safety here on Friday.
Mah said farmers didn't know that although the fake insecticides saved them money, they might contain harmful additives.
“We are stepping up enforcement to eradicate this problem. Some of these fake chemicals are produced locally and distributed through syndicates and we have identified a few,” he added.
Syngenta Crop Protection Sdn Bhd general manager John McGilivray, who attended the launching, said the use of such fake products was one of the biggest problems faced by the local agricultural industry.
McGilivray said that 15% of the RM420mil total market value of insecticides accounted for the fake products and the figure was rising.
On an unrelated matter, Mah said the Government was reviewing a proposal forwarded by some 10,000 farmers who asked for subsidised diesel, like the one currently given to fishermen.
The Federation of Malaysian Vegetable Growers Association proposed last December that farmers be given a “preferential diesel card” to alleviate the escalating production costs following the fuel price rise.
“We sympathise with them but as this involves a substantial cost, we need time to review the matter,” said Mah.
Source: The Star
Sunday April 23, 2006
CAMERON HIGHLANDS: Enforcement will be stepped up to check the use of illegal or fake insecticides on crops as it would affect the country’s reputation in exporting quality agricultural produce.
 |
(from right) Mah, McGilivray and vegetable growers association chairman Tan So Tiok visiting an agricultural produce exhibition in Cameron Highlands on Friday. |
“The use of these fake agrochemicals destroys the crops. In order to tap into foreign markets like Japan, West Asia or Western countries, we need to ensure the quality and safety of our produce,” he said after launching a manual on Good Farming Practices and Agriculture Chemical Safety here on Friday.
Mah said farmers didn't know that although the fake insecticides saved them money, they might contain harmful additives.
“We are stepping up enforcement to eradicate this problem. Some of these fake chemicals are produced locally and distributed through syndicates and we have identified a few,” he added.
Syngenta Crop Protection Sdn Bhd general manager John McGilivray, who attended the launching, said the use of such fake products was one of the biggest problems faced by the local agricultural industry.
McGilivray said that 15% of the RM420mil total market value of insecticides accounted for the fake products and the figure was rising.
On an unrelated matter, Mah said the Government was reviewing a proposal forwarded by some 10,000 farmers who asked for subsidised diesel, like the one currently given to fishermen.
The Federation of Malaysian Vegetable Growers Association proposed last December that farmers be given a “preferential diesel card” to alleviate the escalating production costs following the fuel price rise.
“We sympathise with them but as this involves a substantial cost, we need time to review the matter,” said Mah.
Source: The Star
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Landslide Early Warning System?
Ministry seeks more money
KUALA LUMPUR: The Works Ministry will ask for more funds to install early warning systems that can detect earth movement on hill slopes near the main highways nationwide.
Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said his ministry had earlier requested for RM168mil for the purpose but received only a small allocation.
As landslides occurred quite often during the current rainy season, the ministry would seek more allocations from the Government, he told reporters after opening a seminar here yesterday.
Samy Vellu said the Public Works Department had identified several hilly areas near the main highways, including along the North-South Expressway, Kuala Lumpur-Karak-Kuantan Expressway and federal highways that were prone to landslides.
“The early warning system supplied by local experts, will be installed on the slopes and if there are landslides, early information can be issued quickly and accurately for further action,” he said.
He was commenting on a landslide along a new bypass to Genting Highlands, known as the New Chin Swee Bypass last Thursday. The road has been closed temporarily.
Samy Vellu said Resorts World Bhd, the operator of the Genting resort and theme park, would build three retaining walls to reinforce the slope around the landslide area.
He said the operator had also temporarily closed all the buildings, including a temple and restaurant on the slope.
On another matter, Samy Vellu said part of the existing Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex in Johor Baru would have to be demolished to make way for a straight road to connect the complex to the Causeway.
He said the ministry’s engineers sent to Johor to identify the route for the “very straight connection” from the new CIQ complex to the causeway had come up with the suggestion.
“The only problem we face now is that the present CIQ complex is obstructing the construction of the proposed road,” he said, adding that the new suggestion would be presented to the Cabinet on Wednesday for approval. – Bernama
Source: The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: The Works Ministry will ask for more funds to install early warning systems that can detect earth movement on hill slopes near the main highways nationwide.
Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said his ministry had earlier requested for RM168mil for the purpose but received only a small allocation.
As landslides occurred quite often during the current rainy season, the ministry would seek more allocations from the Government, he told reporters after opening a seminar here yesterday.
Samy Vellu said the Public Works Department had identified several hilly areas near the main highways, including along the North-South Expressway, Kuala Lumpur-Karak-Kuantan Expressway and federal highways that were prone to landslides.
“The early warning system supplied by local experts, will be installed on the slopes and if there are landslides, early information can be issued quickly and accurately for further action,” he said.
He was commenting on a landslide along a new bypass to Genting Highlands, known as the New Chin Swee Bypass last Thursday. The road has been closed temporarily.
Samy Vellu said Resorts World Bhd, the operator of the Genting resort and theme park, would build three retaining walls to reinforce the slope around the landslide area.
He said the operator had also temporarily closed all the buildings, including a temple and restaurant on the slope.
On another matter, Samy Vellu said part of the existing Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex in Johor Baru would have to be demolished to make way for a straight road to connect the complex to the Causeway.
He said the ministry’s engineers sent to Johor to identify the route for the “very straight connection” from the new CIQ complex to the causeway had come up with the suggestion.
“The only problem we face now is that the present CIQ complex is obstructing the construction of the proposed road,” he said, adding that the new suggestion would be presented to the Cabinet on Wednesday for approval. – Bernama
Source: The Star
Friday, April 14, 2006
Mudslide danger not over
Mudslide danger not over
Friday April 14, 2006
IPOH: Beware of mudslides when you use the Kampung Raja-Pos Slim road to the Cameron Highlands. Motorists are warned that the incident along the stretch on Tuesday could recur.
Perak Public Works Department director Datuk Wong Wai Ching said he could not rule out this possibility along the ungazetted stretch, as logs and rocks from the hilltop that caused the mudslide had not been completely cleared.
“We have cleared the mud and debris from the road but not the logs and rocks from the 300-metre hilltop,” he told reporters outside the Perak state assembly here yesterday.
Wong added that the department had requested the Works Ministry to set aside some funds for immediate remedial works along the stretch.
He said clearing the logs and rocks at the top of the hill was costly but, in the meantime, the department would carry out aerial surveillance on the slope and hilltop from a helicopter.
Tuesday’s mudslide, which covered 30 metres of the road, was triggered by water retention at the hilltop due to logs being stacked there.
State Infrastructure and Public Utilities committee chairman Datuk Ho Cheng Wang had confirmed that logs and felled trees left behind by loggers caused the retention of rainwater and mud on the hilltop.
Trader S. Nareshkumar, 21, was nearly buried inside his car during the incident.
Source: The Star
Friday April 14, 2006
IPOH: Beware of mudslides when you use the Kampung Raja-Pos Slim road to the Cameron Highlands. Motorists are warned that the incident along the stretch on Tuesday could recur.
Perak Public Works Department director Datuk Wong Wai Ching said he could not rule out this possibility along the ungazetted stretch, as logs and rocks from the hilltop that caused the mudslide had not been completely cleared.
“We have cleared the mud and debris from the road but not the logs and rocks from the 300-metre hilltop,” he told reporters outside the Perak state assembly here yesterday.
Wong added that the department had requested the Works Ministry to set aside some funds for immediate remedial works along the stretch.
He said clearing the logs and rocks at the top of the hill was costly but, in the meantime, the department would carry out aerial surveillance on the slope and hilltop from a helicopter.
Tuesday’s mudslide, which covered 30 metres of the road, was triggered by water retention at the hilltop due to logs being stacked there.
State Infrastructure and Public Utilities committee chairman Datuk Ho Cheng Wang had confirmed that logs and felled trees left behind by loggers caused the retention of rainwater and mud on the hilltop.
Trader S. Nareshkumar, 21, was nearly buried inside his car during the incident.
Source: The Star
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Highlands Road Reopened
Highlands road reopened
Thursday April 13, 2006
CAMERON HIGHLANDS: One lane at Km13 of the Kampung Raja-Pos Slim road where a mudslide occurred on Tuesday afternoon has re-opened to traffic.
“Both lanes will only be open once the slope is certified safe by the Public Works Department,” State Infrastructure and Public Utilities Committee chairman Datuk Ho Cheng Wang said yesterday.
Ho said the mudslide covered 30m of the Pos Slim-Lojin road.
The area recorded 30mm of rain on Tuesday, and the mudslide was triggered by water retention at the hilltop, he said, adding that the state JKR had asked the Works Ministry to get the Rural and Regional Development Ministry to check it.
“This is because the hilltop is not under the jurisdiction of JKR. Loggers had placed logs on the hilltop which caused the water retention,” he said.
Source: The Star
Thursday April 13, 2006
 |
| One lane at Km13 of the Kampung Raja-Pos Slim road being cleared for traffic at 6am yesterday. A mudslide made the road impassable on Tuesday. |
“Both lanes will only be open once the slope is certified safe by the Public Works Department,” State Infrastructure and Public Utilities Committee chairman Datuk Ho Cheng Wang said yesterday.
Ho said the mudslide covered 30m of the Pos Slim-Lojin road.
The area recorded 30mm of rain on Tuesday, and the mudslide was triggered by water retention at the hilltop, he said, adding that the state JKR had asked the Works Ministry to get the Rural and Regional Development Ministry to check it.
“This is because the hilltop is not under the jurisdiction of JKR. Loggers had placed logs on the hilltop which caused the water retention,” he said.
Source: The Star
Camerons Mudslide Survivor
Mudslide survivor hopes to shake off phobia soon
Thursday April 13, 2006
CAMERON HIGHLANDS: Trader S. Nareshkumar, who escaped unhurt during a mudslide near here, will be staying off the ungazetted Kampung Raja-Pos Slim road until he musters enough courage to use it again.
“I will be using the old road via Tapah for the time being.”
Nareshkumar, 21, said he has always been fearful of landslides whenever he travels on the highway.
“I would always speed past Gunung Pass as I was afraid that the earth would come tumbling down from the steep slopes,” he said.
“I did the same thing on Tuesday but did not expect the mudslide 10km away.”
On Tuesday, Nareshkumar was almost killed when a mudslide at the 13th kilometre of the highway nearly buried his car.
Relating the incident yesterday, Nareshkumar said he stopped his vehicle, which he had taken delivery of just a week ago, when he spotted a boulder on the road.
“I wanted to reverse my car but there was another car blocking my way.”
He said he felt his car moving sideways and dashed out of it immediately because he sensed that a landslide was happening.
“I just ran for my life and thought I was going to die,” he added.
After surviving his worst fear, Nareshkumar, his mother A. Ramayee, 44, father S. Subramaniam, 46, brother Muniandy, 28, and sister Ratha, 24, performed a special prayer at the Subramaniam Temple in Tanah Rata here yesterday.
Source: The Star
Thursday April 13, 2006
CAMERON HIGHLANDS: Trader S. Nareshkumar, who escaped unhurt during a mudslide near here, will be staying off the ungazetted Kampung Raja-Pos Slim road until he musters enough courage to use it again.
“I will be using the old road via Tapah for the time being.”
Nareshkumar, 21, said he has always been fearful of landslides whenever he travels on the highway.
 |
| Nareshkumar explaining how he escaped unhurt during the mudslide near Cameron Highlands on Tuesday. |
“I would always speed past Gunung Pass as I was afraid that the earth would come tumbling down from the steep slopes,” he said.
“I did the same thing on Tuesday but did not expect the mudslide 10km away.”
On Tuesday, Nareshkumar was almost killed when a mudslide at the 13th kilometre of the highway nearly buried his car.
Relating the incident yesterday, Nareshkumar said he stopped his vehicle, which he had taken delivery of just a week ago, when he spotted a boulder on the road.
“I wanted to reverse my car but there was another car blocking my way.”
He said he felt his car moving sideways and dashed out of it immediately because he sensed that a landslide was happening.
“I just ran for my life and thought I was going to die,” he added.
After surviving his worst fear, Nareshkumar, his mother A. Ramayee, 44, father S. Subramaniam, 46, brother Muniandy, 28, and sister Ratha, 24, performed a special prayer at the Subramaniam Temple in Tanah Rata here yesterday.
Source: The Star
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Mudslide at Cameron Highlands
Narrow escape for trader b
By Chan Li Leen
Wednesday April 12, 2006
CAMERON HIGHLANDS: Trader S. Kumar can only thank his lucky stars that he escaped unhurt when a mudslide occurred while he was travelling along the Kampung Raja-Pos Slim road to Simpang Pulai near Ipoh.
The 21-year-old managed to brake just in time to avoid being swept into a ravine by the mudslide, which occurred at the 13th kilometre of the Kampung Raja-Pos Slim road at 4.30pm yesterday.
His car was, however, half-buried as the debris came gushing down onto the highway, covering almost 800m of the stretch.
Fortunately for him, the railing that stopped his car from crashing into the ravine did not give way under the weight of the debris of mud, tree trunks and rocks.
The trader, who was the only motorist on that stretch of the road at the time of the incident, spoke to the media via walkie-talkie as he was at the other end of the mudslide.
According to EEC Sdn Bhd resident engineer Yong Loy, who was one of the first at the scene, Kumar could only sit and wait until rescuers got him out of his damaged car some 90 minutes later.
Yong said other motorists had reported the incident to him at his office in Gunung Pass, about 10km away.
EEC is the consultant engineer of MTD Construction Sdn Bhd, which has been awarded the contract to construct the Kampung Raja-Pos Slim road from here to Ipoh.
“We immediately deployed our workers and machinery to the scene to start clearing the debris and fallen trees,” he said.
Yong said the mudslide was not due to an existing cut slope.
“We believe it occurred at a catchment area at the top of the hill slope,” he said.
Perak Public Works Department director Datuk Wong Wai Ching said it was the first time a mudslide of such a magnitude had occurred along the highway.
“It is the worst as the affected stretch has cut off traffic flow completely,” he said.
Source: The Star
By Chan Li Leen
Wednesday April 12, 2006
CAMERON HIGHLANDS: Trader S. Kumar can only thank his lucky stars that he escaped unhurt when a mudslide occurred while he was travelling along the Kampung Raja-Pos Slim road to Simpang Pulai near Ipoh.
The 21-year-old managed to brake just in time to avoid being swept into a ravine by the mudslide, which occurred at the 13th kilometre of the Kampung Raja-Pos Slim road at 4.30pm yesterday.
His car was, however, half-buried as the debris came gushing down onto the highway, covering almost 800m of the stretch.
Fortunately for him, the railing that stopped his car from crashing into the ravine did not give way under the weight of the debris of mud, tree trunks and rocks.
 |
| MUDDY TASK: Workers clearing the debris at the 13th kilometre of the Kampung Raja-Pos Slim road near Cameron Highlands after a mudslide occurred at the stretch. |
The trader, who was the only motorist on that stretch of the road at the time of the incident, spoke to the media via walkie-talkie as he was at the other end of the mudslide.
According to EEC Sdn Bhd resident engineer Yong Loy, who was one of the first at the scene, Kumar could only sit and wait until rescuers got him out of his damaged car some 90 minutes later.
Yong said other motorists had reported the incident to him at his office in Gunung Pass, about 10km away.
EEC is the consultant engineer of MTD Construction Sdn Bhd, which has been awarded the contract to construct the Kampung Raja-Pos Slim road from here to Ipoh.
“We immediately deployed our workers and machinery to the scene to start clearing the debris and fallen trees,” he said.
Yong said the mudslide was not due to an existing cut slope.
“We believe it occurred at a catchment area at the top of the hill slope,” he said.
Perak Public Works Department director Datuk Wong Wai Ching said it was the first time a mudslide of such a magnitude had occurred along the highway.
“It is the worst as the affected stretch has cut off traffic flow completely,” he said.
Source: The Star
Monday, April 10, 2006
Students Hurt in Crash
30 students injured in crash
Sunday April 9, 2006
IPOH: Thirty students of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris were injured when a university bus overturned at the 12th kilometre of Jalan Simpang Pulai, Cameron Highlands, near here last night.
A police spokesman said the incident happened during heavy rains at 9.30pm.
However, there were no serious injuries, he said.
The bus was taking the students from Cameron Highlands to their campus in Tanjung Malim. – Bernama
30 hurt in terror ride leave hospital
Monday April 10, 2006
IPOH: All 30 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris students who were injured when their bus overturned and landed in a ditch in Cameron Highlands have been discharged from the Ipoh Hospital.
A check at the hospital showed that they only suffered light injuries and were discharged yesterday morning.
The students were on a one-day trip to Cameron Highlands when the incident took place during heavy rain at 9.30pm on Saturday.
An injured passenger, who declined to be named, said they were part of a three-bus convoy that left the highlands at about 7pm to return to the university campus in Tanjung Malim.
“At about 9.30pm, we heard the bus driver shouting that the brakes were not working,” he said.
Moments later, the bus landed in the ditch, he said, adding that he and the other victims climbed out of the bus on their own before help arrived.
The incident occurred at the 12th kilometre of Jalan Simpang Pulai.
Source: The Star
Sunday April 9, 2006
IPOH: Thirty students of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris were injured when a university bus overturned at the 12th kilometre of Jalan Simpang Pulai, Cameron Highlands, near here last night.
A police spokesman said the incident happened during heavy rains at 9.30pm.
However, there were no serious injuries, he said.
The bus was taking the students from Cameron Highlands to their campus in Tanjung Malim. – Bernama
 |
| TURNED TURTLE: The campus bus which overturned and landed in a ditch during the return journey from Cameron Highlands on Saturday. |
30 hurt in terror ride leave hospital
Monday April 10, 2006
IPOH: All 30 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris students who were injured when their bus overturned and landed in a ditch in Cameron Highlands have been discharged from the Ipoh Hospital.
A check at the hospital showed that they only suffered light injuries and were discharged yesterday morning.
The students were on a one-day trip to Cameron Highlands when the incident took place during heavy rain at 9.30pm on Saturday.
An injured passenger, who declined to be named, said they were part of a three-bus convoy that left the highlands at about 7pm to return to the university campus in Tanjung Malim.
“At about 9.30pm, we heard the bus driver shouting that the brakes were not working,” he said.
Moments later, the bus landed in the ditch, he said, adding that he and the other victims climbed out of the bus on their own before help arrived.
The incident occurred at the 12th kilometre of Jalan Simpang Pulai.
Source: The Star
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Cameron Highlands Treasure Hunting Events
Fancy going on a treasure hunt that will take you all the way up to Cameron Highlands as its final destination while doing a bit of good for charity? There are two upcoming charity events, one organized by Hospis Malaysia and the other by Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation National Centre.
The Hospis Malaysia treasure hunt, themed “Miles and Miles of Caring” will be held on the 22 to 23 April 2006. Participants will start from Bukit Jalil Stadium, travel along North-South Expressway, to Simpang Pulai, and then on to Cameron Highlands using the new route.
While the Kiwanis “Chill Out” Treasure Hunt 2006 will start on 27 May for a three day hunt taking participants from Kuala Lumpur all the way to Cameron Highlands.
It seems like the organizers likes to unwind the participants in Cameron Highlands after making them go round hunting for clues and treasure. I think it is quite an apt ending for relaxation after running around to and fro.
Well if any of you guys out there are interested give the organizers a call and book your places. I will append below the news report from the Star and contacts details.
Cheers and happy hunting!
300 teams expected to take part in charity hunt
Saturday March 11, 2006
By Dharmender Singh
TREASURE HUNTERS can go on a motoring hunt for two reasons - do it for a noble cause and win big prizes like a three-night stay in Bali besides air tickets to London.
Hospis Malaysia, a non-profit organisation that provides palliative care services (care given to patients who have symptoms associated with advanced diseases), will be organising its fifth treasure hunt from April 22 to 23.
Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting will flag off the hunt, themed "Miles and Miles of Caring," at the Bukit Jalil stadium.
Hospis Malaysia vice-chairman Peter Loh said the organisation was pleased to have received support from three major corporations, HSBC Bank Bhd, Gulf Air and Fly FM, for this year's hunt.
"We are expecting about 300 teams to take part and the grand prize of a trip to Bali and another, a flight to London, should draw a good response," he said.
Loh said HSBC ,which was the event's title sponsor for a third consecutive year, had pledged RM40,000 as cost for organising the hunt and the grand prize.
"Being a charitable organisation, we also need as much as we can get to highlight the event and this is where Fly FM's involvement helps us," he said.
He said the hunt was Hospis' biggest annual contributor. "We need to raise RM1.2mil annually to provide our services to the needy," said Loh during a mock cheque presentation ceremony at Hospis Malaysia in Cheras on Thursday.
Present during the ceremony were HSBC managing director (business development) Richard Lee, Gulf Air Malaysia and Brunei general manager Lindsay White, Hospis Malaysia medical director and chief executive officer Dr Ednin Hamzah and HSBC Public Affairs head Elizabeth Wee.
Lee said HSBC was pleased to be part of the charity event as Hospis Malaysia was well known for the support it provided to patients with life threatening illnesses. "It offers the best quality of life for the patients and their families," he said.
Lee said he was looking forward to taking part in the hunt that would take participants along the North-South Expressway to Simpang Pulai and onto the new highway to its final destination at Cameron Highlands.
He said the company had a good working relationship with Hospis Malaysia and had recently donated £30,000 to the organisation.
Participation forms are available at Hospis Malaysia's office at No 2, Jalan 4/96, Taman Sri Bahtera, Cheras. Entry fee is RM160 per person. For details and enquiries, call 03-9133 3936.
Laptops and China tours up for grabs in treasure hunt
Wednesday March 15, 2006
PETALING JAYA: The longest-running motoring treasure hunt is back with more opportunities to win prizes, which include laptops and tours to China.
The 23rd Kiwanis “Chill Out” Treasure Hunt 2006, organised by the Kiwanis Club of Kuala Lumpur, is aimed at raising RM300,000 for the Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation–National Centre, the Bethesda Children’s Home, Rumah Perlindungan Social NCWO-YWCA and other Kiwanis community service projects.
The three-day event, beginning on May 27, will take participants from Kuala Lumpur to the Cameron Highlands.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said the treasure hunt would help raise public awareness on the work of the foundation, which provided an “Early Intervention Programme” for children with Down Syndrome.
“Some people consider the foundation ‘rich’ when they were approached for donations,” he said when launching the event at the Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation-National Centre here yesterday.
“In fact, the foundation needs RM250 per month to educate a child and with 200 children, the centre will need RM600,000 annually.”
Therefore, he said, the treasure hunt was a very important fund-raising event.
The main sponsors for the event are Autoliv-Hirotako Bhd and Sekolah Sri Kuala Lumpur while the co-sponsors are Abec Technology Sdn Bhd, Cantolli Sdn Bhd, Dunham-Bush Bhd, Federal Furniture Industries Sdn Bhd, M&C Engineering & Trading Sdn Bhd, Nexaldus Sdn Bhd, Palam Mesra Sdn Bhd, Paramount Property Development Sdn Bhd, Platinum Victory Sdn Bhd, Premium Tours & Travel Sdn Bhd, Putra Perdana Construction Sdn Bhd, Syarikat Perumahan Sunshine Sdn Bhd, Sushi Kin Sdn Bhd and Uni Asia General Insurance Bhd.
The media sponsors are The Star and Sin Chew Daily while Petronas Dagangan Bhd is the petrol sponsor.
The closing date for registration is April 27 or on reaching 110 entries. Those interested can call Ricky Koo at 019-3383332, or Nur or Lily Chong at 03-2282 3898.
The Hospis Malaysia treasure hunt, themed “Miles and Miles of Caring” will be held on the 22 to 23 April 2006. Participants will start from Bukit Jalil Stadium, travel along North-South Expressway, to Simpang Pulai, and then on to Cameron Highlands using the new route.
While the Kiwanis “Chill Out” Treasure Hunt 2006 will start on 27 May for a three day hunt taking participants from Kuala Lumpur all the way to Cameron Highlands.
It seems like the organizers likes to unwind the participants in Cameron Highlands after making them go round hunting for clues and treasure. I think it is quite an apt ending for relaxation after running around to and fro.
Well if any of you guys out there are interested give the organizers a call and book your places. I will append below the news report from the Star and contacts details.
Cheers and happy hunting!
300 teams expected to take part in charity hunt
Saturday March 11, 2006
By Dharmender Singh
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| Eager to get the hunt going are (from left of the car) Lee, Dr Ednin, Wee, Loh and White who have the crew members from Fly FM for support during the ceremony on Thursday. |
TREASURE HUNTERS can go on a motoring hunt for two reasons - do it for a noble cause and win big prizes like a three-night stay in Bali besides air tickets to London.
Hospis Malaysia, a non-profit organisation that provides palliative care services (care given to patients who have symptoms associated with advanced diseases), will be organising its fifth treasure hunt from April 22 to 23.
Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting will flag off the hunt, themed "Miles and Miles of Caring," at the Bukit Jalil stadium.
Hospis Malaysia vice-chairman Peter Loh said the organisation was pleased to have received support from three major corporations, HSBC Bank Bhd, Gulf Air and Fly FM, for this year's hunt.
"We are expecting about 300 teams to take part and the grand prize of a trip to Bali and another, a flight to London, should draw a good response," he said.
Loh said HSBC ,which was the event's title sponsor for a third consecutive year, had pledged RM40,000 as cost for organising the hunt and the grand prize.
"Being a charitable organisation, we also need as much as we can get to highlight the event and this is where Fly FM's involvement helps us," he said.
He said the hunt was Hospis' biggest annual contributor. "We need to raise RM1.2mil annually to provide our services to the needy," said Loh during a mock cheque presentation ceremony at Hospis Malaysia in Cheras on Thursday.
Present during the ceremony were HSBC managing director (business development) Richard Lee, Gulf Air Malaysia and Brunei general manager Lindsay White, Hospis Malaysia medical director and chief executive officer Dr Ednin Hamzah and HSBC Public Affairs head Elizabeth Wee.
Lee said HSBC was pleased to be part of the charity event as Hospis Malaysia was well known for the support it provided to patients with life threatening illnesses. "It offers the best quality of life for the patients and their families," he said.
Lee said he was looking forward to taking part in the hunt that would take participants along the North-South Expressway to Simpang Pulai and onto the new highway to its final destination at Cameron Highlands.
He said the company had a good working relationship with Hospis Malaysia and had recently donated £30,000 to the organisation.
Participation forms are available at Hospis Malaysia's office at No 2, Jalan 4/96, Taman Sri Bahtera, Cheras. Entry fee is RM160 per person. For details and enquiries, call 03-9133 3936.
Laptops and China tours up for grabs in treasure hunt
Wednesday March 15, 2006
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SHARED MOMENT: Chan spending time with five-year-old Lim Wei Kang after launching the 23rd Kiwanis “Chill Out” Treasure Hunt 2006 in Petaling Jaya yesterday. |
PETALING JAYA: The longest-running motoring treasure hunt is back with more opportunities to win prizes, which include laptops and tours to China.
The 23rd Kiwanis “Chill Out” Treasure Hunt 2006, organised by the Kiwanis Club of Kuala Lumpur, is aimed at raising RM300,000 for the Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation–National Centre, the Bethesda Children’s Home, Rumah Perlindungan Social NCWO-YWCA and other Kiwanis community service projects.
The three-day event, beginning on May 27, will take participants from Kuala Lumpur to the Cameron Highlands.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said the treasure hunt would help raise public awareness on the work of the foundation, which provided an “Early Intervention Programme” for children with Down Syndrome.
“Some people consider the foundation ‘rich’ when they were approached for donations,” he said when launching the event at the Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation-National Centre here yesterday.
“In fact, the foundation needs RM250 per month to educate a child and with 200 children, the centre will need RM600,000 annually.”
Therefore, he said, the treasure hunt was a very important fund-raising event.
The main sponsors for the event are Autoliv-Hirotako Bhd and Sekolah Sri Kuala Lumpur while the co-sponsors are Abec Technology Sdn Bhd, Cantolli Sdn Bhd, Dunham-Bush Bhd, Federal Furniture Industries Sdn Bhd, M&C Engineering & Trading Sdn Bhd, Nexaldus Sdn Bhd, Palam Mesra Sdn Bhd, Paramount Property Development Sdn Bhd, Platinum Victory Sdn Bhd, Premium Tours & Travel Sdn Bhd, Putra Perdana Construction Sdn Bhd, Syarikat Perumahan Sunshine Sdn Bhd, Sushi Kin Sdn Bhd and Uni Asia General Insurance Bhd.
The media sponsors are The Star and Sin Chew Daily while Petronas Dagangan Bhd is the petrol sponsor.
The closing date for registration is April 27 or on reaching 110 entries. Those interested can call Ricky Koo at 019-3383332, or Nur or Lily Chong at 03-2282 3898.
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