17 organisations taking part in charity project to raise RM500,000
By Jade Chan and Keisha Tait
Friday June 19, 2009
The theme "Being Adventurous Can Help The Less Fortunate" sets the stage for "Rock the Mountain for Charity", a project that aims to raise funds while getting participants involved in a healthy activity.
The project, organised by the Nanyang Press Foundation, targets to raise at least RM500,000.
Funds will be raised via collection cards, campaigns at education institutions and sponsorships.
Seventeen organisations have confirmed their participation thus far, including Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Help University College, Life College, Tunku Abdul Rahman College, Advance Tertiary College (ATC) School of Law, Help International College of Technology, Beaconhouse Malaysia Sdn Bhd, PT Foundation and Assunta Hospital.
Fifty per cent of the funds will be distributed to the participating education institutions or organisations for their own activities, 40% to charities recommended by the organisations (subject to approval by the foundation board) and 10% to the foundation for the sponsorship to climb Bukit Brinchang, Cameron Highlands.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Strict rules for Tourism Malaysia Homestay
Strict rules for homestays to ensure true Malaysian experience
Tuesday June 9, 2009
Kota Kinabalu: Homestay operators will have to follow a set of strict guidelines to ensure visitors will get the real experience of local living.
Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said all homestay operators must occupy and cannot rent out a house to tourists under the homestay concept.
She said the operators must interact with their guests, teach them at least one local song and dance, and a special local delicacy so that tourists would get the real taste of the Malaysian experience.
"There are many tourists who want to experience more of Malaysians' lives than having just a leisure and recreation visit," Dr Ng told reporters on her first official working visit to Sabah where state officials gave her a briefing on tourism.
Tuesday June 9, 2009
Kota Kinabalu: Homestay operators will have to follow a set of strict guidelines to ensure visitors will get the real experience of local living.
Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said all homestay operators must occupy and cannot rent out a house to tourists under the homestay concept.
She said the operators must interact with their guests, teach them at least one local song and dance, and a special local delicacy so that tourists would get the real taste of the Malaysian experience.
"There are many tourists who want to experience more of Malaysians' lives than having just a leisure and recreation visit," Dr Ng told reporters on her first official working visit to Sabah where state officials gave her a briefing on tourism.
Photography competition in Genting Highlands
Photography competition in Genting Highlands draws 1,328 entries
Tuesday June 9, 2009
THE Genting Goes Green Flora and Fauna Photography Competition drew tremendous response.
A total of 1,328 entries were received for the competition, which was organised by Genting – City of Entertainment, and supported by Alfa International College, the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and Society of Photographers – Malaysia (SPM).
The sponsors for the competition included Star Cruises and Awana Hotels & Resorts and Fujifilm as the official imaging sponsor.
The competition was launched on March 1 and ended in mid-May.
The professional and aspiring young photographers who captured the 34 shots that were judged winners received their prizes at a ceremony held at Times Square, First World Plaza in Genting Highlands recently.
Colouful caterpillar: Fauna Student category third prize photo by Lim Jun Yong.
Tuesday June 9, 2009
THE Genting Goes Green Flora and Fauna Photography Competition drew tremendous response.
A total of 1,328 entries were received for the competition, which was organised by Genting – City of Entertainment, and supported by Alfa International College, the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and Society of Photographers – Malaysia (SPM).
The sponsors for the competition included Star Cruises and Awana Hotels & Resorts and Fujifilm as the official imaging sponsor.
The competition was launched on March 1 and ended in mid-May.
The professional and aspiring young photographers who captured the 34 shots that were judged winners received their prizes at a ceremony held at Times Square, First World Plaza in Genting Highlands recently.
Colouful caterpillar: Fauna Student category third prize photo by Lim Jun Yong.Saturday, June 06, 2009
Kuala Kubu Baru Hiking
The Kutu challenge
Stories by Joleen LunJew
Saturday June 6, 2009
A day’s hike up Bukit Kutu in Kuala Kubu Baru will leave you exhausted, but happy.
A mountain a day to keep the doctor away? It’s just something I made up but having been sitting on my laurels for the past few months, I was beginning to feel a bit sluggish.
I jumped at the chance of heading to Bukit Kutu, Kuala Kubu Baru, when a friend posted the suggestion on Facebook. It’s so difficult to find like-minded people to climb with and I wasn’t too keen on joining big, organised groups.
Stories by Joleen LunJew
Saturday June 6, 2009
A day’s hike up Bukit Kutu in Kuala Kubu Baru will leave you exhausted, but happy.
A mountain a day to keep the doctor away? It’s just something I made up but having been sitting on my laurels for the past few months, I was beginning to feel a bit sluggish.
I jumped at the chance of heading to Bukit Kutu, Kuala Kubu Baru, when a friend posted the suggestion on Facebook. It’s so difficult to find like-minded people to climb with and I wasn’t too keen on joining big, organised groups.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Google Maps to feature Pahang travel destinations
Google Maps to feature Pahang destinations
By Roslina Mohamad
Wednesday June 3, 2009
Kuantan: Pahang is set to become the first state to use Google Maps to post tourist travel destinations and packages.
State Tourism Malaysia, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Shafiq Fauzan Sharif said a Kuala Lumpur-based company had signed a deal with Google and its website was expected to be ready in a month.
"At least 50 tourist travel destinations in Pahang will be posted on the website in four languages – Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin and Japanese.
By Roslina Mohamad
Wednesday June 3, 2009
Kuantan: Pahang is set to become the first state to use Google Maps to post tourist travel destinations and packages.
State Tourism Malaysia, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Shafiq Fauzan Sharif said a Kuala Lumpur-based company had signed a deal with Google and its website was expected to be ready in a month.
"At least 50 tourist travel destinations in Pahang will be posted on the website in four languages – Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin and Japanese.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Agro Tourism Malaysia food supply chain
College students get insight into food supply chain
By Alicia Mun
Tuesday June 2, 2009
TAYLOR’S School of Hospitality and Tourism (TCHT) students went up to Cameron Highlands for a tour of the Consolidation, Processing and Packaging Centre (CPPC) of Malaysian Agrifood Corporation Berhad (MAFC) recently.
At the CPPC, they learnt about the food supply chain system that brings fruits and vegetables from the farms to retail outlets.
Giant marketing director Ho Mun Hao showed the students how tomatoes were sorted according to colour using a machine which has a built-in camera that captures the colour of the tomatoes to determine their ripeness. It also grades the tomatoes based on their weight. The machine is capable of processing up to four tomatoes per second.
By Alicia Mun
Tuesday June 2, 2009
TAYLOR’S School of Hospitality and Tourism (TCHT) students went up to Cameron Highlands for a tour of the Consolidation, Processing and Packaging Centre (CPPC) of Malaysian Agrifood Corporation Berhad (MAFC) recently.
At the CPPC, they learnt about the food supply chain system that brings fruits and vegetables from the farms to retail outlets.
Giant marketing director Ho Mun Hao showed the students how tomatoes were sorted according to colour using a machine which has a built-in camera that captures the colour of the tomatoes to determine their ripeness. It also grades the tomatoes based on their weight. The machine is capable of processing up to four tomatoes per second.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Leave our hills alone
LURE of the hills (Culture Cul De Sac, Vestibule, StarMag, May 10) was an excellent read. It reminded me that places like Penang Hill, Maxwell Hill, Fraser’s Hill and Cameron Highlands were once famous, but are now ruined by over-building.
These are historical sites and part and parcel of our heritage. Among the four hills, Cameron Highlands has lost its shine for good and it can’t be salvaged. Hopefully, nature lovers will ensure the remaining three hills retain their old charms and historical buildings.
Two months ago, Human Resources Deputy Minister Senator Datuk Maznah Mazlan said that only nature lovers now visit Fraser’s Hill. Now what is wrong with that? That was the second time she made such a comment; the first was in 2008 when she was chairman of the Fraser’s Hill Development Board.
These are historical sites and part and parcel of our heritage. Among the four hills, Cameron Highlands has lost its shine for good and it can’t be salvaged. Hopefully, nature lovers will ensure the remaining three hills retain their old charms and historical buildings.
Two months ago, Human Resources Deputy Minister Senator Datuk Maznah Mazlan said that only nature lovers now visit Fraser’s Hill. Now what is wrong with that? That was the second time she made such a comment; the first was in 2008 when she was chairman of the Fraser’s Hill Development Board.
Weathering the Malaysian hot spell
Weathering the hot spell
Sunday May 17, 2009
The hot weather has been a cause of distress to Malaysians in the past few weeks but the Meteorological Department does not expect conditions to be as scorching and dry during the same period last year.
THE obvious "hot" topic of conversation amongst many Malaysians is the sweltering weather over the past month.
Those affected by the heat have resorted to various means and measures to cool themselves down. Some are getting under the showers frequently or hitting the swimming pool more often. There are those who have even resorted to shaving off their hair.
Many Malaysians are also turning to air-conditioners for respite from the heat.
Sunday May 17, 2009
The hot weather has been a cause of distress to Malaysians in the past few weeks but the Meteorological Department does not expect conditions to be as scorching and dry during the same period last year.
THE obvious "hot" topic of conversation amongst many Malaysians is the sweltering weather over the past month.
Those affected by the heat have resorted to various means and measures to cool themselves down. Some are getting under the showers frequently or hitting the swimming pool more often. There are those who have even resorted to shaving off their hair.
Many Malaysians are also turning to air-conditioners for respite from the heat.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Community needs more orang asli teachers
Community needs more orang asli teachers
Wednesday May 13, 2009
Cameron Highlands: The high qualification requirement to join teaching colleges could be discouraging the orang asli from joining the profession, Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Fuad Zarkashi said.
He also added that orang asli graduates from teachers' training colleges preferred teaching elsewhere but remote areas. He said there was a tendency for orang asli teachers to ask for a transfer to urban schools after serving for a couple of months at schools with majority of orang asli students.
As such, the government plans to set a condition for orang asli teacher trainees to sign a contract to serve at an orang asli majority school upon their graduation.
Mohd Fuad said upon completion of their contract, the teachers were free to ask to be transferred out.
Wednesday May 13, 2009
Cameron Highlands: The high qualification requirement to join teaching colleges could be discouraging the orang asli from joining the profession, Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Fuad Zarkashi said.
He also added that orang asli graduates from teachers' training colleges preferred teaching elsewhere but remote areas. He said there was a tendency for orang asli teachers to ask for a transfer to urban schools after serving for a couple of months at schools with majority of orang asli students.
As such, the government plans to set a condition for orang asli teacher trainees to sign a contract to serve at an orang asli majority school upon their graduation.
Mohd Fuad said upon completion of their contract, the teachers were free to ask to be transferred out.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Bukit Fraser - Lure of the hills
Lure of the hills
Culture Cul De Sac
By Jacqueline Pereira
Sunday May 10, 2009
On a recent trip to Fraser's Hill, our columnist – who spent the first six years of her life there and then returned intermittently for holidays – discovers that the most important things always stay the same.
THE road is winding but the car seems to curve around familiar sharp corners. Half-way through the journey up to the hill station, the air-conditioning is turned off. Windows are wound down to let in the cool air.
The journey to Fraser's Hill is always the same. Thoughts turn to the past. On arrival, it seems as if nothing has changed.
The clock tower in the centre of town – just like the police station, health clinic and post office – has been there since 1919. The greens of the country's first golf course lie lush. The Tavern around the corner, though now empty and lifeless, is filled with memories of sparkling conviviality, drinks in hands, stirred with laughter.
Culture Cul De Sac
By Jacqueline Pereira
Sunday May 10, 2009
On a recent trip to Fraser's Hill, our columnist – who spent the first six years of her life there and then returned intermittently for holidays – discovers that the most important things always stay the same.
THE road is winding but the car seems to curve around familiar sharp corners. Half-way through the journey up to the hill station, the air-conditioning is turned off. Windows are wound down to let in the cool air.
The journey to Fraser's Hill is always the same. Thoughts turn to the past. On arrival, it seems as if nothing has changed.
The clock tower in the centre of town – just like the police station, health clinic and post office – has been there since 1919. The greens of the country's first golf course lie lush. The Tavern around the corner, though now empty and lifeless, is filled with memories of sparkling conviviality, drinks in hands, stirred with laughter.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
A walk in the clouds
A walk in the clouds
By Lee Tai Wah
Wednesday April 29, 2009
THE year was 1983. I was among a group of students up in Cameron Highlands to study the habitat of the Bluebottle fly at the farming village of Kampung Raja. We stayed the night in a small town called Brinchang. It was a cold night and I woke up early the next morning to answer nature’s call. As I gazed out of the window, I saw a thick white cloud enveloping the whole valley.
I quickly put on my shoes and jacket, and stepped out. The street was deserted and all was quiet as the whole town continued to slumber. Even the cicadas and birds were quiet, as if frozen by the cold.
By Lee Tai Wah
Wednesday April 29, 2009
THE year was 1983. I was among a group of students up in Cameron Highlands to study the habitat of the Bluebottle fly at the farming village of Kampung Raja. We stayed the night in a small town called Brinchang. It was a cold night and I woke up early the next morning to answer nature’s call. As I gazed out of the window, I saw a thick white cloud enveloping the whole valley.
I quickly put on my shoes and jacket, and stepped out. The street was deserted and all was quiet as the whole town continued to slumber. Even the cicadas and birds were quiet, as if frozen by the cold.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Orang Asli in Malaysia
In danger of dying out
Stories by Martin Vengadesan
Sunday April 26, 2009
With various orang asli tribes dwindling in numbers, the need to document their cultures becomes even more pressing.
UNTIL very recently, I was unaware of the rich diversity among the cultures of the orang asli tribes that inhabit Peninsula Malaysia. All that changed when I followed a team from Muzium Negara charged with documenting the traditions of the Semai, an orang asli tribe found largely in north-western Pahang.
I stayed for a couple of days at Kampung Kabang. a Semai village on the outskirts of the Kuala Lipis district. During that time I was able to observe some of the unique traditions of the Semai, including communal dancing and the playing of instruments such as the nose flute. However, due to the demise of a neighbouring village elder, many of the festivities planned specially for our visit were scrapped. Nonetheless, I was determined to find out more about the orang asli. After speaking to a number of experts, I realise their situation is critical.
Stories by Martin Vengadesan
Sunday April 26, 2009
With various orang asli tribes dwindling in numbers, the need to document their cultures becomes even more pressing.
UNTIL very recently, I was unaware of the rich diversity among the cultures of the orang asli tribes that inhabit Peninsula Malaysia. All that changed when I followed a team from Muzium Negara charged with documenting the traditions of the Semai, an orang asli tribe found largely in north-western Pahang.
I stayed for a couple of days at Kampung Kabang. a Semai village on the outskirts of the Kuala Lipis district. During that time I was able to observe some of the unique traditions of the Semai, including communal dancing and the playing of instruments such as the nose flute. However, due to the demise of a neighbouring village elder, many of the festivities planned specially for our visit were scrapped. Nonetheless, I was determined to find out more about the orang asli. After speaking to a number of experts, I realise their situation is critical.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Govt to develop tourism Malaysia aggressively
Minister: Govt to develop tourism aggressively
By Krystle Low
Wednesday April 22, 2009
KUANTAN: Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen has said that the Federal Government will initiate aggressive measures to attract tourists, particularly to Pahang.
She said the industry’s players could carry out three types of promotional activities namely overall, product and rural.
“Each of the categories can be promoted individually, depending on creativity and foresight. For example, rural promotion can be done in Kuantan as there are a lot of iconic places in rural areas unknown to outsiders.
By Krystle Low
Wednesday April 22, 2009
KUANTAN: Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen has said that the Federal Government will initiate aggressive measures to attract tourists, particularly to Pahang.
She said the industry’s players could carry out three types of promotional activities namely overall, product and rural.
“Each of the categories can be promoted individually, depending on creativity and foresight. For example, rural promotion can be done in Kuantan as there are a lot of iconic places in rural areas unknown to outsiders.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Sabah Tea Garden
Care for a spot of tea?
By Lydia Lau
Saturday April 18, 2009
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:
By Lydia Lau
Saturday April 18, 2009
Misty Fields
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:
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