New CIQ complex opens

JOHOR BARU: The new Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex will be fully operational tomorrow and replace the Causeway checkpoint in the city centre, which will be closed.

This means that all vehicles travelling to and from Singapore will have to use the new complex to get their passports stamped and Customs checks.

Ready for action: An aerial view of the new Sultan Iskandar Building (background), which houses the new Custom, Immigration and Quarantine complex in Johor Baru.

The RM1.3bil new complex, which has 76 lanes for cars and 100 for motorcycles, was partially operational on Dec 1 when vehicles from Singapore were diverted to the complex for a drive-through after completing their Immigration and Customs procedures at the Causeway checkpoint.

Starting tomorrow, all vehicles coming from Singapore must also use Touch ’n Go cards to pay toll as they enter Malaysia.

Previously, at the Causeway checkpoint, toll payments could be done with cash and Touch ’n Go cards.

Johor traffic police chief Supt T. Raveendran said full operations of the complex would start at 12.01am tomorrow and would involve all cars, buses, vans and motorcycles.

Lorries, however, would still use the Tanjung Puteri checkpoint.

Supt Raveendran said that at 11.45pm today, the existing Immigration counters in Jalan Tun Razak just before the Causeway would be closed.

All vehicles heading to Singapore between 11.45pm and midnight would be diverted to Jalan Sawmill behind the Johor Baru (central) police station, he added.

Vehicles would then have to go on either Jalan Pantai Lido or Jalan Wong Ah Fook to Jalan Tebrau and subsequently to Jalan Lingkaran Dalam to enter the Sultan Iskandar CIQ complex, he said.

After midnight, all vehicles should head directly to the Sultan Iskandar CIQ complex via Jalan Lingkaran Dalam.

The old Immigration checkpoint at the Causeway will be demolished after authorities are satisfied with the smooth flow of traffic at the new complex.

Engineer Darryl Chong, 32, who works in Singapore and used the new complex, said that he was concerned over the narrow roads at the new complex.

“The roads are very narrow for big vehicles,” he said.

He added that he was unsure whether larger vehicles would slow down the flow of traffic while trying to manoeuvre the winding roads.

Chong also noted the complex was fully covered.

Sources : The Star 15th Dec 2008

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Upon reading this news, I do not know whether to be happy or sad.

During Tun Dr Mahathir's era, he had planned a bigger and wider bridge to connect to Singapore. He is so determined to get this project done that he insisted that if Singapore did not agree, then he will continue on the project with a crooked bridge.

Alas, the leadership changed to Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi. He is famous for being a softie leader that he decided to change Tun Dr Mahathir's plan and bow down to Singapore. The old bridge is not dismantled at all.

When I came to know of Datuk Seri Abdullah's decision, my heart really aches and I believe same goes to all the Johoreans.

How I wish these leaders will go to the CIQ at 5am in the morning to see how terible the jam is. I really pity those Malaysians who travell to work in Singapore every day. They have to wake up at 4am or even earlier just to cross the bridge.

This suffer is actually not felt by the Johoreans only. The China tourists who visited Malaysia suffered the worst. The China tourists come to Malaysia via Singapore and go back to China via Singapore as well. This is due to the cheap flight tickets.

So, lets say the flight of the China tourists is at 10am. The Singapore travel agent will arrange a tour bus to pick them at Woodlands at 7am. This is because 1 hour is needed for the travel time from Woodlands to the Changi airport. And it is also a regulations that all tour groups have to check in 2 hours before flight time. So, thats the reason why Singapore travel agent will arrange the tour bus at 7am.

As for the Malaysia part, the tour guides will definately have to arrange 3.30am morning call and 4.00am check out from the hotel. We must reach the CIQ latest by 4.30am because if we reach later then that, all the industrial buses arrived and this will create a terrible jam.

Due to these circumstances, usually the China tourists will reach Singapore at about 5am. The worst is that the China tourists will have to sleep in the Malaysian tourists bus and wait till 7am. This is because the Singapore bus driver will only fetch the China tourists at 7am.

So, from here you can understand that not only the China tourists suffer but the Malaysian tour guides and drivers have the same fate at all.

I am hoping with this new CIQ, everything will be smoother and faster so that we need not have to wake up so early in the morning.

S'poreans still big spenders in M’sia despite slowdown

While reading news from the website, I came across this article from the STAR which will benefit all fellow Malaysian tour guides.

I really hope that the Malaysian tour guides will print this article and show it as a proof to the tourists that WE in Malaysian definitely is the shopping paradise compare to Singapore.

The Singaporean tour guides will always bad mouthed about Malaysia to the China tourists. This is because the KIASU or KIASI country will always be the first destination. So the Singaporean tour guide will bad mouth about Malaysia and hope that the China tourists will spend and purchase more items in Singapore.

So, I hope with this article we can show to all foreign tourists that Malaysia is not only the TRULY ASIA country but we are also the TRULY SHOPPING PARADISE.

Below is the article which I get it from the STAR newspaper dated 13th Dec 2008.

JOHOR BAHARU: Singaporeans, despite facing some tough economic conditions back home, are still the big spenders in Malaysia.

Figures gleaned from the 2008 Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival statistics showed that Singaporeans spent the most with a whopping RM64.7mil in credit card transactions.

Indonesians are next with RM42.9mil and that is why Tourism Malaysia is confident that the Malaysia Savings Sale 2008, which began on Nov 29 and ends on Jan 4, will enjoy the same success, if not better.

Speaking at the Johor launch of the Malaysia Saving Sales 2008 at the Plaza Pelangi on Friday night, Datuk Idros Mohd, the chief executive officer of Pempena Sdn Bhd, the Shopping Malaysia arm of the Tourism Ministry, said that Singapore was still the country's No 1 market.

"There is no denying that we depend a lot on Singaporeans as far as tourist arrival figures are concerned. In fact, last year we welcomed an estimated 10.5 million Singaporeans. "In a way, the Malaysia Savings Sale 2008 is targetted primarily at the Singapore market and Johor Baru being the closest to the republic is our main focus.

"People say that during these tough economic climate, shopping is the last thing on their minds. But I see it as a blessing in disguise for Malaysian retailers. "Times are tough and consumers are more careful with their money. That's why it's so attractive for Singaporeans to make their short hop-over to Johor Baharu to shop because of the favourable exchange rate," he said.

The opening of the new Customs and Immigration Complex scheduled for Tuesday also means that Singaporeans will enjoy a smoother drive into the city, Idros added.

The Malaysia Savings Sale 2008 was first launched by Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said at the Pavillion in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 29 and since then it had launches in Langkawi, Miri, Kota Kinabalu, Penang and now Johor Baru. - Bernama

Putrajaya Part 2

As I have mentioned in my previous blog, I really do not know and do not understand why there are still so many tour groups that do not have this tourists spot in their itinerary.

From time to time, I meet up with quite a few back packers while I am on my job as tour guide. They will usually ask me is there any other tourist spot nearby Kuala Lumpur worth for them to make a visit. I will always recommend them the Putrajaya.

But please bear in mind that the mode of transportation to Putrajaya is not easy. My recommendation is that the best way to go to Putrajaya is to use the ERL transit from the KL Sentral to Putrajaya station. Then from there on, you will be able to get the public bus.

Besides the Dataran Putra where usually you will find the most tourists ( this is the central of Putrajaya where the pink Putra Mosque and the Seri Perdana is located), there are still a lot of places worth for you to go for a stroll or visit.

1) The Botany Garden http://www.virtualmalaysia.com/destination/botanical%20garden.html

2) The Wetlands http://www.kuala-lumpur.ws/putrajaya/wetland.html

3) Taman Warisan http://www.virtualmalaysia.com/destination/taman%20warisan%20pertanian.html

4) Putrajaya Lake Cruise http://www.i-putra.com.my/minisite/leisure_cruise.htm ( This is definately a must when you pay a visit to the Dataran Putra. )


5) The Alamanda : The Shopping Centre of Putrajaya

Please take note that there is a newly built hotel in Putrajaya which is the Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside.

Thousand Apologies...

First and foremost I must apologise to all readers for being absent for such a long time. I was just too busy with my China tours.

Actually I really feel very lucky for during this bad season ( due to the bad economy, terrorists in Mumbai, India and the strikes in the Bangkok airport ), I can still take China groups non stop.

All my company tour groups are not affected by the Bangkok airport incidents because my company only deals with the Guang Dong agents. Most of the Guang Dong tourists will fly directly to Singapore first and then only to Malaysia. So, this is the reason why I am not badly affected.

Any way how, from now onwards, I will try my very best to update my tour blog from time to time. And of course, I really hope to hear some feed back or any questions pertaining to tours in Malaysia.

Thank You.

Putrajaya : The Administrative Centre of Malaysia Part I

Perdana Putra Complex (Prime Minister's Office) The Putra Mosque

Information on Putrajaya

Why Putrajaya?

In the 80’s during the administration of the former Prime Minister Malaysia Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammed, he announced that the Vision of Malaysia to be a fully developed nation by the year 2020.

He felt that as a develop nation, we should have our very own administration centre and capital. A good example is the America where they have the Washington as the administrative centre and New York as the capital and the commercial Centre. So, he hoped that we should have our own administration centre that is Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur as the commercial and capital of Malaysia.

He also reasoned out that most of the government offices in Malaysia are too far away from each other and in fact some of them are still using the old colonial buildings. Since Kuala Lumpur has developed into a big city, the traffic situation worsened. This will cause precious time wasted when one government department wanted to communicate and cooperate with another government department.

So, Dr Mahathir said if all the government departments are concentrated in a city itself, then a lot of precious time will be saved and all the government departments will have a better communication system. This will work towards the development of the Vision 2020.

Location of Putrajaya

Malaysia began casting around for a new Federal Administrative Centre away from Kuala Lumpur two decades ago. Various sites were identified and five were short-listed. After toying with setting up shop in the neighboring state of Pahang, Mahathir settled on the southern Prang Besar district of Selangor state in June 1993 and launched the project in 1995, naming it after and in memory of Malaysia's first prime minister, YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj. This site was chose in view of its strategic location between Kuala Lumpur and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). A champion of billion-dollar construction projects, he tagged the capital's name with the suffix "jaya," which means "success." Putrajaya is conceived and planned for and by Malaysians and is one of two "intelligent" cities under the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) project, a 15-by-50 km (9-by-31 mi) technology zone. Malaysia has high hopes for its new federal capital interlinked with fiber optic cable and dotted with minarets.
Putrajaya is located about 30km south of Kuala Lumpur and about 30km north of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. It is also located about 45km away from the biggest port of Malaysia, Port Kelang.

This means that no matter where one is located, it is very convenient for one to travel to Putrajaya.

Formerly the whole Putrajaya is a very big oil palm plantation and rubber estates.

Development of Putrajaya

Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd is the master developer of Malaysia's administrative capital of Putrajaya, the largest urban development project in the country. The company was incorporated on 19 October 1995, with Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), the national oil company, and Khazanah Nasional Berhad, the federal government investment arm, as majority shareholders. The ownership structure has since changed and as at 3rd May 2007, PETRONAS via KLCC (Holdings) Sdn. Bhd. is the majority shareholders with 64.41%, while CIMB Group Nominees (Tempatan) Sdn. Bhd. (for and on behalf of Kumpulan Wang Amanah Negara -KWAN) has 20% stake and Khazanah Nasional Berhad ("Khazanah") has a 15.59%.
As master developer, Putrajaya Holdings works hand in hand with the city's local authority, Perbadanan Putrajaya, to implement the masterplan that envisages Putrajaya as A Garden City, An Intelligent City. To realise this, Putrajaya Holdings appointed as its project manager, KLCC Projeks Berhad, whose credentials include the Petronas Twin Towers. The company also entered joint venture partnerships with developers who have impressive track records to build a world-class city on a fast track basis.

Today, more than half of the 4,931-hectare development has been completed. They are mainly government buildings, housing, infrastructure, public utilities and aminities. The focus has now shifted to commercial development. Putrajaya Holdings has initiated a series of seed developments that have proven the commercial potential of the city, The returns from these investments have already started to roll in.

Master Plan

Putrajaya sits on a magnificent 4,581 hectare spread. Its Master Plan is designed along an axial tangent which runs from the northeast to southeast taking full advantage of the natural surroundings. Its undulating terrain treats visitors and residents to commanding vistas of the environment. About 40% of Putrajaya is natural. Lush greenery, botanical gardens are spread across the landscape enhanced by large bodies of water and wetlands. Five confluences meet at the north forming a main waterway which flows across the city area.

Putrajaya is divided into two major areas - Core Area and the Peripheral Area, where the separation is via a large lake.

CORE AREA - The Core Area of Putrajaya, which covers a total area of 1069 hectares, is divided into five precincts (namely the Government Precinct, Commercial Precinct, Civic & Cultural Precinct, Mixed Development Precinct, and Sports & Recreational Precinct) linked by a distinctive 4.2km long boulevard. The boulevard will form the spine of the Core Area and will stretch across the central island linking it with the rest of the city. The boulevard will be the main venue for national celebrations, festive and cultural events. The precincts are identified by their predominant economic activities.

PERIPHERAL AREA - Putrajaya's peripheral area comprises 15 precincts of various sizes. 12 of the 15 precincts make up the residential neighborhoods. The planning and design of Putrajaya's residential areas is intended to foster a sense of identity through the neighborhood focal points, landscaping and the treatment of the public realm. A total of 67,000 homes of varying ranges, sizes, types and densities have been planned for all income sectors. Residential living in Putrajaya will offer a new experience where nature and technology will work in harmony for the benefit of the community. Most precincts will have community and neighborhood centres, parks, places of worship and many other state-of-the-art public amenities. Among the facilities provided in the residential areas are schools, hospitals, shopping centres, mosques, multipurpose halls, learning centres and neighborhood parks.

Concept

Putrajaya was planned to embrace two major themes i.e. 'Garden City' and 'Intelligent City'. Reflecting the 'Garden City' concept, Putrajaya is sought to reflect the very best in city planning and landscape architectural ideas to realize a new vibrant city of tomorrow. Its strategic location in the middle of the Multimedia Super Corridor would bring the new frontier of computer technology and the Information Age into Putrajaya.

The planning of Putrajaya emphasizes the preservation of its eco-system while promoting an active, lively and caring society. The city is designed to provide opportunity for retreat from the pressures and stress of modern living.

Putrajaya is a planned city being built according to a series of comprehensive policies and guidelines for land use, transportation system, utilities, infrastructure, housing, public amenities, information technology, parks and gardens.

The Garden City concept incorporates the following features:

Layout

a formal axis punctuated with nodal features;
structuring of the Core Area into identifiable precincts;
a variety of informal and formal activity areas.

Landscaping

38 percent of the land earmarked as green areas
reforestation and enhancement of the natural landscape;
promoting local flora as a Malaysian landscape identity;
creating a network of open spaces.

Urban Form

designed to suit topography, local climate and cultural norms;
creation of interesting cityscape;
optimization of scenic panoramic views and spatial experiences;
incorporation of intelligent buildings and infrastructural features.

Vision and Philisophy

Putrajaya was created with the guidance of three simple ideologies:
Man and his Creator
Man and man
Man and nature

The concept is simple. Putrajaya is a city within a luscious garden, hinging on a balance of ideal qualities of living, working environment. Architecturally, Putrajaya will be an indigenous city with a modern look. Planned to the most minute detail, this intelligent garden city will enhance the goal of the nation in nurturing a caring and progressive society.

Construction Progress

Construction began in August of 1995 and it was touted as Malaysia's biggest real-estate project and one of South-East Asia's largest. Built during the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis and opened in 1999, Putrajaya has been criticized by the Malaysian opposition as an example of Mahathir's extravagant ways and an obsession with grandeur. It is expected to be completed in 2010. As the clock ticks, construction workers are pressing feverishly to complete the first phase of Malaysia's new capital by the first week of June 1999, when Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and his government will uproot itself and move into the "garden city" utopia starting a gradual exodus of hundreds of thousands of civil servants. Only 10 percent of the building material will be imported and the entire project had been designed and constructed by Malaysian companies. Government departments, including Mahathir's office, have moved into Putrajaya under a plan to have all government employees working from and perhaps living there by mid-2002. Putrajaya will take another 15 years to complete. Most of the government is expected to move in by 2005.

Tour Guiding Experience

Most of the China tour groups will only visit to the Putrajaya on the second day of their itinerary.
Most of the Chinese tourists will be amazed, shocked and full with praises for this beautiful garden city. In fact, through my experience of guiding, quite a lot of them started to ask me on how to migrate to Malaysia after visiting this city. I will tell them that unfortunately that Malaysia has no migration policy. But its fortunate that we have the Malaysia My Second Home Program for those who are interested to stay in Malaysia for a long long time.

Most of the tourists will also tell me very frankly that by visiting this city, it has changed their perception towards this country, Malaysia. They will tell me very frankly that before they come to Malaysia, they tend to think that Malaysia belongs to poor nations just like any other South East Asia countries.

The View of The Putra Mosque And The Perdana Putra Complex From The Vision Bridge

Usually, I will take my group of tourists to the Vision Bridge for a photo stop. ( Even though in their itinerary they do not have such a spot ) I always believe that we as a tour guide, we should let the tourists see and understand as much as possible about our country Malaysia. From this bridge itself, the tourists will be able to have better photography session of the whole scenic Putrajaya. Here, one can have a very good photography of the Putrajaya residential area, the Selangor Sultan’s Palace, the Putra Mosque, the Prime Minister’s Department Office, the Monument ( in the shape of a rocket ) and various government departmental offices.

Then, usually I will proceed my journey to the Putrajaya Square and let my tourists to have about 45min of free and leisure time to walk around at the square. At the Square itself, the tourists can have a good view of the Prime Minister’s office, the Putra Mosque and the Square itself.

I suggest that it should be made compulsory that all travel agents list this spectacular and unique tourist spot in their itinerary of Kuala Lumpur tour package. It is very unfortunate that till today there are still a lot of travel agents neglected this very important touristic spot.

As for fellow tourists, please make sure that this is a must visit tourist spot for you because this place will definitely made your tour worth while and it will also portray the rich diverse culture and history of Malaysia.

Sources :

1) http://www.ppj.gov.my/

2) http://www.pjh.com.my/

3) http://www.kiat.net/putra/

Petronas Twin Tower ( KLCC )

The Petronas Twin Tower or better known as the KLCC among the locals is definately one of the most popular land mark in Kuala Lumpur.



Why Malaysia wanted to build such a magnificent building? This idea was first mooted by the previous Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad. Tun Dr Mahathir felt that a lot of foreigners still do not know much or understand about Malaysia. So, he was hoping that by building this magnificent building, it will enhance the popularity of this country Malaysia.



Tun Dr Mahathir also felt that previous logo for Malaysia which is the Sultan Abdul Samad Building is not suitable. This is because the building has foreign elements to it. So, he wanted to have a unique building which can portray Malaysia is a modern Islamic country.


As such, in the year 1990, Tun Dr Mahathir organised a competition to choose who can design the most unique building for Malaysia.

In this competition, the world famous Cesar Pelli & Associates was chosen and designed this unique building.

At the initial stage of the planning and building, it was not planned that this building is to be the tallest in the world.

In fact, construction was already well underway when one afternoon in 1994, in a meeting over tea, a question was casually put to Pelli by Dr Mahathir.

At the meeting, suddenly out of jovial mood the Prime Minister asked how many more metres would it take for the Petronas Twin Towers to get the "tallest building in the world" tag.

It was back to the drawing boards, and after some frantic mathematical recalculation, it was deemed doable.

Not by increasing the number of floors, however, but by raising the height of the pinnacles which were originally designed to be much flatter.

To test the viability, another wind tunnel study was carried out to ensure the building could withstand the added height and accompanying stress.


A bidding of was organised to choose who will be responsible to build the building. Finally, the Korean Samsung Engineering & Construction and Kukdong Engineering & Construction and the Japanese Hazama Corporation were chosen to build the building.

Both the construction companies are in charge of building each of the tower.

The Korean construction company Kukdong Engineering & Construction was chosen to build the skybridge.

The skybridge is located on the 41st and 42nd floor of the building.

The main purpose of the skybridge is a device during emergency where the tenants can use it to cross over during the evacuation purposes.

The skybridge is also open to the tourists on the 41st floor. However, only 1300 free tickets are available on first come first serve basis.

Visitors are only allowed for the 41st floor as the 42nd floor is only for the tenants of the building.

Most tourists are curious that how come this tallest building in the world can be built by using so many glass panels. This is because Malaysia is a very safe country. We do not have any natural disaster like earthquake, volcano, huricane in Malaysia. So, thats the reason why glass panels can be used.

During the construction process, a world record was broken as the cement was poured without stopping for 58 hours.

The Korean successfully completed its building in 1996 and the Japanese in the year 1997.

This was followed by Tun Dr Mahathir opened ceremony of this building in the year 1999 and he declared that this building is the world tallest building in the 20th century.

The twin tower is 451.9m height and it has 88 storeys.

Both towers are of equal height and dimension as this is one of the Islamic design element whereby it has to be simetry.

The twin tower consists of:

1) Tower One is mainly occupied by Petronas and its subsidiaries.
2) A number of companies have offices in Tower Two, including Accenture, Al Jazeera English, Carigali Hess Bloomberg, Boeing, IBM, Khazanah Nasional Berhad, McKinsey & Co, TCS, Krawler Networks, Microsoft, and Reuters.
3) KLCC Park :Spanning 17 acres below the building is the KLCC park with jogging and walking paths, a fountain with incorporated light show, wading pools, and a children's playground.
4) Suria KLCC is one of the largest shopping malls in Malaysia.
5) The Philharmonic Concert.

Within the vicinity of KLCC:

1) The Maxis building
2) The Esso building
3) The Aquaria
4) The Mandarin Oriental hotel
5) The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

Tour Guides Attention Please...

Dear Fellow Tour Guides,

There have been reports that tour guides and drivers lost their money at the toilets at the R & R Gelang Patah and the Gelang Patah Immigration Centre.

Most of the male tour guides will hang the trousers on to the hanger. The thief will reach to the trousers because the hanger is too low.

Another incident happened is that the tour guide will leave the trousers on the flushing pot. The thief can reach through behind the wall.

There are also some female tour guides lost their money while in the toilet.

So becareful please...

Please Take Note...

Dear Readers...

I have just decided to make some changes to my blogs.

I find it very time consuming in order for me to post a new blog on the tourism topics as I want to give as much information as posible about the topic. This is because a lot of time wasted on the research.

As such, as from now onwards, I will try to finish up the topics which I used to give my commentary to my tourists first.

So, it is very important for the readers to take note that the readers have to make his/her own judgement on the information.

Of course, much care is taken in order to make sure that the information here is as accurate as posible.

I am very sure most tour guides will agree that there are a lot of mistakes and clashing facts in most of the tourists information books or in the net as well.

So, readers please read the information here by using own judgement.

Thank You.

Nine Emperor in Penang

Sources : The Star, Thursday October 9, 2008
A festival steeped in tradition
By LOOI SUE-CHERN wIth pix by EDDIE CHUAH & KT GOH


SOME traditions fade away when the younger generations have no interest in continuing the practices.

But when it comes to celebrating the Nine Emperor Gods (Kew Ong Yeah) Festival in Penang, traditions cannot be more alive.

This annual Taoist festival once again drew thousands of devotees from all over the state to pay homage to the deities at various temples and shrines as the nine-day celebration came to an end on Tuesday night.


A ceremonial sail boat, used during the Nine Emperor Gods (Kew Ong Yeah) festival in Penang, was set ablaze in the middle of the sea to send the deities back to heaven.
The weather throughout the celebration was also in keeping with tradition.

Penang, at least George Town, was drenched from day one of the festival on Sept 29 until it ended with the sending-off ceremony nine days later.

Tuesday’s showers began at about 6.30pm but ended some two hours later just as the procession was about to begin.

The floats and deities’ sedan chairs rolled out one by one into the streets as the mediums fell into a trance.


Mediums with cheeks skewered, taking part in a procession along Carnarvon Street.

At the Hong Kong Street Tow Boh Keong Temple, young people played a major role in the festivities as many were helping out with the rituals, carrying the wooden sedan chairs, steering the floats and managing the crowd.

Devotees not only brought their parents to the temple, but also their young children to teach them about the festival and the religious practices.

Hundreds of devotees, mostly dressed in white or yellow shirts, holding joss sticks and stalks of chrysanthemum, followed the processions of colourful neon lit decorated floats.


Tourists joining the locals to pay homage to the Nine Emperor Gods.

It was the same scenario at the other temples and shrines dedicated to the nine deities which organised their own processions.

Most of the floats were pulled along by devotees. Some devotees opted for a less tiring journey. They hopped into cars with rolled down window where they stuck out their joss sticks, the vehicles trailing behind devotees on foot.

Joining in the festivities were tourists who found the celebration fascinating and the dramatic scenes wonderful for their photo albums.

The processions were led by mediums ‘acting on behalf’ of the deities. Some of them were skewered in the cheeks while others cracked whips as they led the processions towards the Weld Quay seafront.

At the quay, ceremonial boat-shaped floats from the various temples were taken out to sea by sampan where the floats were later set on fire to symbolise the deities’ return to heaven.

According to Chinese mythology, the Nine Emperor Gods are believed to have the ability to cure ailments and confer luck, riches and long life.

Nine Emperor

Nine Emperor Gods fest celebrated with much fanfare
By LIM CHIA YING


The 146-year-old Nine Em­peror God Temple in Pekan Ampang was bustling with activities as celebrations for the final day of the annual Nine Emperor Gods fest went under way on Tuesday.

The Taoist temple is bright and vivid with the swirl of colours conjured up by lights and the many different activities inside.

Tens of thousands of devotees came from near and afar to do their prayers and to send off the Nine Emperor Gods on the final day. Naturally, the area was congested as cars had to negotiate their way between pedestrians, while the many food and drinks stalls set up outside the temple grounds were making brisk business.


No sweat: The devotees walking on burning charcoal.

As usual, there were the illegal jockeys hoping to make some money as they guide cars to park in the empty lots.

One of the most popular stalls must be that selling stinky tofu (beancurd), as a line of visitors queued up patiently to have a taste of the delicacy. Making one’s way into the crowded temple, one of the main attractions was the section where male devotees walked on burning charcoal, a rite believed to “burn away” bad luck and start anew.

Devotees who believe they have adhered to precepts of strict vegetarian diet and decency say the coal does not hurt at all, and that they will feel no pain as long as they are “pure in their heart.”


Vivid: There was a hive of activity at the Nine Emperor Gods temple in Pekan Ampang.

Following that, the temple committee, dressed in all white ensemble and white headgears, formed a long line inside the temple passing around items like bowls of rice, flower stalks, pagodas, fruits, and vegetarian foodstuff from one person to another, to signify praying to the Nine Emperor Gods.

After all items had been passed around, the temple was then opened to the devotees who now have their turn to do their prayers.

At another section, a Chinese opera show was conducted live.

After fences were removed from the charcoal section, more booths were put up by people offering services like writing for good luck and selling religious paraphernalia to be burned as offering to the Nine Emperor Gods for blessing.

The crowd continued streaming in towards the later hours of the night, as the buzz continues with another procession to send the deities off on their journey back to the sea at about 3am on Wed­nesday.

Sources : The Star 10th Oct 2008
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For your information:

You can't see this kind of important ceremony in China. The nine emperor god festival originates from Phuket island, Thailand.

There was once that there is a disease wide spread in Phuket.

The people prayed to the nine emperor and they are cured.

And in return as a vow to the nine emperor god, the festival is celebrated yearly on the ninth month first day till ninth day of the lunar calendar.

In China, due to the cultural revolution, lots of the culture and tradition of the Chinese have been lost. So if one really want to understand the culture and tradition of the Chinese, you have to visit to country like Malaysia where we still practice a lot of traditional and Chinese believes.

A Cocounut Leaf's Tale

THE young leaves of coconut trees are highly sought after a week before Hari Raya Aidilfitri.


FOR THOSE SHORT ON TIME: Suryana Abdul Rahim says some customers have no time to weave coconut leaves and so they prefer to buy ready-made ketupat leaves.

WHERE IT ALL BEGINS: Siti Arifah sorting out coconut leaves before tying them into bundles.


MAKE YOUR OWN: A customer choosing coconut leaves for making ketupat.


A COMPLETE MEAL: Some traders sell ketupat together with rendang and satay sauce.
It is used for making ketupat, that delicacy synonymous with Malay Muslim festivals.

Ketupat is steamed rice in woven coconut leaves, usually eaten with rendang and satay. To enhance its taste, it is sometimes served with serunding kelapa (stir-fried grated coconut with spices) or peanut sauce.

Sourcing the young leaves these days is no easy task. Each tree has only one bunch of young leaves, which springs up vertically at the top of the plant.


Not only is it laborious to chop down the bunch, suppliers of the leaves are finding it tough to find enough of them to meet the season’s demand.

In recent years, some of the leaves were brought in from Sumatra to supplement local supply. Due to its scarcity, the leaves are highly-priced. This year, a bundle of 100 leaves is sold at about RM10 and the price varies from place to place.

Those who prefer to make their own ketupat but are too lazy to weave the leaves, can find ready-woven ketupat leaves that are sold at between 30 to 40 sen each.

Of course, the easy way out is to buy ready-to-serve ketupat, which you can find anywhere as the celebration draws near.

Siti Arifah Tindek, 35, has been selling the leaves for many years, especially a week before Hari Raya, at her stall at Kampung Usaha Jaya in Skudai, Johor Baru.

“The leaves come in a huge bundle. We have to sort it out as some are damaged during delivery.

“My customers buy from one to several bundles, depending on the number of ketupat they want to make,” she said.

It takes about 30 seconds for an experienced person to weave a ketupat casing by rolling a leaf into a coil before threading one end of the leaf through the body of the coil.

A ready-weaved ketupat casing has a small opening to insert rice before it is boiled in hot water.

Besides coconut leaves, Siti Arifah also sells daun palas (a type of palm leaf).

This leaf is used for making ketupat palas, a version of ketupat that is a mixture of glutinous rice and black-eyed peas, popular in the northern states of the peninsula.

But the weaving of palas leaves is more simple as the shape is triangular.

“These leaves are less common here. I sell each small bundle at RM2,” she added.

Sources : NST 1st October 2008

Singaporeans: We spend more on other things

JOHOR BARU: Singaporeans are said to spend six times more on food, entertainment and shopping compared with what they pay for petrol.
A Singaporean who only wanted to be known as Tang, said although he would frequent the petrol station for cheaper petrol, he also comes in for shopping and entertainment that cost about RM200 to RM300 per trip.
“I come here every weekend to buy groceries as they are cheaper here,” said the 32-year-old salesman.
Tang said although he gets to fill in about RM50-RM80 of petrol each time before he returns to Singapore, he spent much more than that for other activities that benefited the businesses here.
Desmond Foo, 47, leaves the island republic for Johor Baru and Kulai, about four times weekly for work and leisure.
“On weekdays, I come in for work but I also take my family here for food and entertainment during weekends,” said the father of three.
He explained that he spent at least RM250 per trip depending on the length of stay and his expenditure would be much more if hotel lodging was required.
Foo said the petrol ban would certainly cause a lot of inconvenience to him, as he had to visit his factory in Kulai regularly.
“I come in for work about three times a week and Kulai is one of the areas where petrol sale is banned for foreign registered cars,” he said.
He added that while the Malaysian Government had the right to prohibit Singaporeans from enjoying the subsidised petrol, it would be good if foreigners were allowed to fill in petrol at market prices.
Foo said it was not the question of getting the cheaper petrol but a matter of convenience.
Hashim Sani from Bedok, Singapore said he had been driving into Johor Baru almost every week for the past seven years.
“I come here with my family and we will shop for groceries here,” said the 39-year-old technician adding that he also had his hair cut and car washed here, as it was cheaper.
The three are examples of the tens of millions who enter Malaysia from Singapore on a frequent basis.
Last year alone, about 22 million Singaporeans entered the country via the Second Link and the Causeway.

From the STAR 4th June 2008

Pinang Tree

The Pinang trees near the National Museum.

The Pinang trees at the Independence Square.

The Pinang trees at the King's Palace.

Have you ever wonder why in most of the touristic spots in Malaysia there bound to be the Pinang trees?

This is because the Pinang trees has the resemblance of the bunga manggar. Bunga in Malay means flower. Manggar in Malay means mangoes. During the Malay important ceremonies, the bunga manggar is a prominent item found in Malay wedding, VIP welcoming or sent offs, etc. The bunga manggar is an item whereby the Malays welcome the special guests. Hence, at the important touristic spots, the pinang which resembles the bunga manggar is a sign of welcoming the important guests to our country.

The Bunga Manggar procession of welcoming and sending off VIPs in a school.

The man made bunga manggar can be found in a few places in Kuala Lumpur for example at the Parliament building and at the Independence Square. During the night time, they are lit up and it gives a very colourful scenery. These man made bunga manggar is also to beautify the town and also to welcome the foreign guests to the tourists spots.

However, during the course of my research, I realised that there are so many varieties of the Pinang. Hence, I would like to clarify a few species here. Although they look a like, please becareful that we differentiate the species through its fruits, leaves and trunks.

Pinang Tree

Scientific Name : Areca Catechu

Normal Name : Pinang Tree

This plant is planted for its economic purposes in some countries for eg. Fiji, Hainan Island, Taiwan etc.

When the fruit is consumed, a person will feel drowsy because the fruit contains alcaloid like the arecaine and arecoline.

The state of Penang is named after this tree because of its abundance in the island.

In the wedding ceremony of the Malays and Indians, the sireh pinang is a symblic item which is a must have during this important ceremony. Leaves of betel, pinang fruit, gambir, black pepper, etc. will be placed in a box known as the tapak sireh in Malay.

The Bukit Pinang name is also the name for the capital of Kedah before the 18th century.

The False Pinang

Scientific Name : Areca Carpentaria

Normal Name : False Pinang

If observe careully, the fuits are red in colour. The actual pinang fruit is orange in colour. And the fruits are so much more smaller than the normal pinang.

The false pinang can be substitute with the real pinang but the taste of it is different.

Greenery In Malaysia

Upon recieving the foreign guests, my opening commentary about Malaysia will include a brief intoduction on the geographical background of Malaysia. And after that I will continue with the climate.

Then from here, I will usually tell the foreign tourists that due to our equatorial climate where we have ample of sunshine and rain throughout the year, we have more than twenty over thousand varieties of plants in Malaysia. As a self protection from the demanding foreign tourists, I will usually tell them because of the varietiness of the plants, please be understanding that I am a tour guide and I am not a botanist. So, please do not ask me about the plants. I will only let them know if I know of any special and unique plants.

Malaysians should feel very fortunate that we are so rich with the varietiness of plants in our country. But very unfortunately, most Malaysians took for granted for what we have in our country and very few of us will take the heed to know more about the plants.

Later, after being a tour guide where I communicate with the foreign guests most of the time, I found that they are very keen on the plants available in our country. I felt so ashame that when they asked me about the name of the trees, I could not answer them at all.

So, the foreign tourists are the eye opener for me to learn and appreciate more what we have in our beautiful country, Malaysia. Hence, from here onwards, I will post the plants which I come across from time to time.

When I was doing my research on palms or more popularly known among Malaysians as pinang, I was shocked on the varieties of pinang available in Malaysia. If we as the normal laymen who do not put in the effort, we can easily mistaken on the specicies available.

This is also the reason why the research has delayed my posting on plants here.

Tour Guide Extraordinaire

Meet Alan Danker, touted as one of the best tourist guides Malaysia has had.

He is credited with raising the standard of the guiding profession in the country — for which he has been recognised, nationally and internationally.

Because of his experience and knowledge as a tourist guide, he was approached by Tourism Development Corporation Malaysia and Mara to conduct tour-guiding classes for students enrolled in tourism courses.
Danker, who undertook a variety of guiding roles, including sightseeing coach tours, walk-abouts in towns and cities as well as visits to mosques, cathedrals, stately homes and museums, passed away quite suddenly, on Aug 30, shortly after his 51st birthday.

He is recognised as a guide who gave tourists an impressive image of Malaysia, being proficient in subjects like Malaysian history, geology and the monarchy — and even the gestation period of the orang utan.

He earned the "Best Tourist Guide" award from TDC Malaysia in 1993.

Born Alan Gerard Danker in Alor Star on Aug 27, 1957, his father Benedict was of Eurasian-Dutch descent who was an air traffic officer at the Alor Star airport and his mother a teacher at the local convent school. The family lived their early years in Kedah, before moving to Petaling Jaya.

A fragile baby at birth, Danker had a bone deformity in his sternum. It would have been fatal if he took a hard blow or knock around his rib cage. Corrective surgery was done, at the Assunta Hospital in PJ, when he turned five.

He schooled at the La Salle Christian Brothers school in PJ, from primary until Form Five, and was an outstanding student, a class monitor during his junior years and a prefect in his senior years. His was also a commanding voice in the school's Literary and Debating Society.

Outside school, he was involved in church activities, serving as an altar boy during his teens, a youth choir master and a member of the Assumption Parish Youth Club. He was a church warden in his later years.

On completing his education, Danker joined the Kuala Lumpur Equatorial Hotel for a few years before becoming leader of a three-piece Country and Western band called The Moonshiners.
They performed at various hotels and resorts around Malaysia in the Eighties. The exposure gained from going places and meeting foreign tourists gave him the confidence to become a tour guide, a job he felt he was cut out for.

It was during his rounds as a musician that he met Cindy Cecelia Lai, whom he married on Jan 6, 1990. They have two girls, Bianca Rowena and Helena Geraldine — the second named after his schoolteacher mother Helen Ivy Hayden, who died on July 7 (see A Life Remembered, Aug 5).
Though being a tourist guide kept him away from home for long periods, Danker never failed to spend time with his family on his days off.

Birthdays of family members and Christmas were occasions for celebration, besides Chinese New Year, at his Balakong home.

Danker spent his 51st birthday with his family in Malacca. Two days later, at home during lunch on Aug 29, he suffered hemorrhaging of the brain. He slipped into a coma from which he never gained consciousness, and passed away the next day.

Danker was one of nature's gentlemen, emanating kindness, courtesy and humour. Above all. he was a family man who had many friends, local, national and worldwide.

Sources : The Malay Mail 11th Sept 2008

P/S : Mr. Alan Danker was my model tour guide for the Kuala Lumpur city tour when I took my tour guide course in the year 1993. This is a special dedication for someone and tour guide super super extraordinaire. A real pity that Malaysia lost one of its talents...

Super VIP Group ( Guang Dong )

On the 10th Sept 2009 to 14th Sept 2009 I was assigned to take a group from Guang Dong. Following is their itinerary:

10th Sept Arrival from Hanoi at 1.20pm KLIA. Lunch. Transfer to Istana Hotel.
11th Sept Lunch. KL City tour. Dinner.
12th Sept Send the group for meeting at Shangri La hotel at 9am. Transfer back to Istana Hotel and dinner.
13th Sept Lunch. Transfer to Melaka Renaissance hotel. Dinner.
14th Sept Melaka City tour. Lunch and transfer to Tuas, Singapore at 5pm.

No of pax : 8 + 1 ( Using a whole 40 seater tourists bus )

Here I would like to share my experience with these so called Super VIP tourists from Guang Dong, China...

Firstly, for your information, I was having fever from the day I recieved the guests till the final day I sent off the guests. It is very important for tour guides to know that once we are assigned to a group, we are attached to the group and we should take the responsibility no matter we are in what kind of situation. So, I was down with fever but still I have to lead the group.

On the first day, my travel agent boss and I were all the way in the KLIA terminal to recieve these Super VIP guests. Upon recieving them, the guests are sent to the 5th floor Eden restaurant for their lunch. After lunch, I have to transfer them to the Istana hotel.

While in the bus on the way to the hotel, as usual, I am giving my introductory commentary on Malaysia generally. Then suddenly, the boss of this group, put up both legs right on top of the front seat. And worst of all, using his fingers to dig into his nose. ( A good tolerance for tour guides... a very common bad habit of China tourists where they like to take off their shoes and put up their legs on right on top of the seat. )

At night, sent the group for dinner. Only 2 of the tourists turned up for the dinner. I was told the others were having their own arrangements since they have their friends entertaining them here. While at the dinner, I was told by the tour leader that the boss loves to eat salted fish. So, if possible try to arrange salted fish for every meal.

From here, I realised that in most of our Chinese restaurants, it is rather difficult to get salted fish as part of the meal. Seems that hardly Chinese will go for salted fish for the meals.

The next day, I was early to prepare to take the VIP's for lunch and city tour. Only 3 of the guests and my tour leader turned up. So, I sent them for lunch.

After lunch, I was told they did not want to go for city tour. I have to send them to KLCC and wait for them there. Then send one of them to Shangrila for a short meeting and send the rest back to the hotel. Then wait for information for dinner.

While waiting for the group for dinner, I was told by my tour leader, I have to arrange part of the guests to go for dinner at Seremban and the boss for dinner at Concorde hotel. I told the tour leader, I can only arrange one group whereby the other group has to arrange it himself.

Finally, it was decided that I have to send the group to Seremban for dinner and the boss will go to Concorde hotel himself. The guests were having dinner at Seremban and we reached hotel only at about 11pm.

The next day, 8.30am started the journey to Shangrilan for the meeting. Everyone was very punctual. I was told by the tour leader I have to standby at 11.30am to send the boss to the hotel to rest.

But after waiting and waiting, at 1pm, the tour leader called and asked me to send them back to the hotel. At 2.30pm, again got to send them back to the Shangrila. Then at 3.30pm send them back to Istana hotel again. And finally wait for instruction on what time to take them for the dinner.

Later, I was told by the tour leader that I have to make arrangements for the boss to have dinner at One World hotel and also dinner for the rest of the guests.

I had a discussion with my travel agent boss. It was agreed that the bus driver will send the boss and tour leader to One World hotel whereby I will use my car to send the rest of the guests for dinner.

The boss supposed to have dinner at One World at 7.30pm. I have told the tour leader, its best to be early at 5.30pm to start the journey there. But my tour leader insisted its too early and she did not want that the boss reaching there too early. I told her it will be very jam and its far away from the hotel. But she insisted on going at 6pm.

Then, at 7.30 suddenly I recieved a phone call from my tour leader asking me whether the driver know the direction to the hotel. And the driver told me it is terible jam every where and he could do nothing about it. The tour leader was blaming me for not organising it properly for her. I was very angry for getting the blame.

Later I was told by the tour leader, the boss is not going to Melaka with us. He has a dinner in KL and he will need transportation from KL to Melaka. So, I was asked to make the arrangement.

The next day, while waiting to take them for lunch, suddenly the boss said that he need not transportation arrangement from KL to Melaka. I told the tour leader to better make sure of this because once the transportation is cancelled, I cant help him any more at the very last minute. The tour leader told me to give her another hour before deciding on this matter.

So, while having lunch, the tour leader later told me the boss decide to have the arranged transportation from KL to Melaka again.

The boss did not join us to Melaka. Only 5 tour members joined us. One of the tour members has gone back to Guang Dong at the last minute. While on the way to Melaka, we made a trip to Putrajaya.

Reached Melaka at about 5pm. Then took the group for dinner at Nyonya Suan restaurant. Wanted to get something special for them, so I thought its good that I can arrange a baba and nyonya food for them.

Too bad that the tourists do not really enjoy the food. The good thing is that they told me that they are not used to the food. ( M saying this is because if its for those normal China tourists they will be saying the food is not tasty. But maybe because these tourists are more exposed and travelled a lot, they were saying the proper thing that is they are not used to the food. )

However, luckily that upon their requests, the owner of the restaurant managed to prepare a big bowl of porridge and salted fish for them. So, they basically enjoyed this simple meal.

While on the way back to the hotel, the assistant boss inquired me if I can make arrangement for him to play golf. I was told by the hotel staff I can only find out from the concierge captain at 7am the next morning.

So, I have no choice, arranged my own 7am morning call. Then I personnally went down to look for the concierge captain to inquire about the golfing. I was told that it is Sunday so I cant make any golfing arrangement. I waited till 7.30am and called up the assistant boss to inform him that I am sorry that I cant make the golfing arrangement.

At about 9am, I suddenly recieved a phone call from the concierge requesting me to call up the assistant boss to inform him that the golfing arrangement cannot be made. ( It is very usual of the China tourists for not believing tour guides even though we have put in the effort to make the arrangement for them. They will some way some how try to make arrangement on their own. )

The final day, we are going for Melaka city tour and then transfer them to Singapore.

When we were stopping our bus near the Sam Poh temple, everyone was waiting for the boss to make a decision whether to tour the temple. Finally, the boss decided to get down to have a look on what is there in the temple.

Even though, I tried hard to give commentary about the temple and about Cheng Ho, but the boss and the rest just refused to follow. I have to follow them instead. I had a hard time to explain to them on what is there in the temple.

When we reached at the red house, the boss decided not to go for the Dutch buildings tour. So, we went for lunch at the Beijing Restaurant.

While having lunch, one of the tour members told me that the boss is not feeling well. The boss needs to look for a Chinese medical shop to buy some medicine. I told him I will try my best and it is not easy as it is Sunday because most of the shops are closed.

So after lunch, I told the driver to drive to Jalan Bunga Raya to see if there is any Chinese medical shop available. While driving slowly, I finally found there is one Chinese medical shop open.

So, the bus was stopping by the road side and I follow the boss to go to the medical shop. The boss just took his own sweet time to list down the herbal and did not even bother if the bus is blocking the rest of the vehicle. Finally, I have no choice but to call up the driver to ask him to make one round.

The businessman packed the medicine as requested by the boss. And we started our journey to Singapore. We finally reached Singapore at 5.30pm.

Please take note that for such VVIP China groups needs lots of tolerance on the part of the tour guides.

The guests will behave as if they are the kings and are very demanding. Their requests and needs changed all the time.

All the guests are really afraid of the boss. They will all bow and only listen to the boss. As a foreigner, you will be very surprised the way the subordinates treat the boss. They are so afraid of the boss and meet every demand of their boss.

Its one of a torturous group for me as a tour guide to tolerate the ever changing wants and needs of these guests. The five days with them is just like years with them and the time is so difficult to past compared to the normal group.

However, finally I am happy that I finally achieved to send them to Singapore happily without any bad incidence.

Facts On Wi-Fi

While during the course of our guiding, from time to time tourists bound to ask us " Where can I surf the internet? "

So, its a good news for the tourists in Kuala Lumpur...

Sources : The Malay Mail September 16, 2008 Categories: News

Wi-Fi is the name of a popular wireless networking technology that uses radio waves to provide wireless high-speed Internet and network connections.

Wi-Fi works with no physical wired connection between sender and receiver by using radio frequency (RF) technology, a frequency within the electromagnetic spectrum associated with radio wave propagation. (source: http://www.webopedia.com/)

What is Wireless@KL?

KL Wireless Metropolitan Project, Wireless@KL is one of the pioneer projects initiated by DBKL and MCMC under the ‘Klang Valley Broadband Push’ (KVB90) to transform Kuala Lumpur into a wireless city. It is also in line with Kuala Lumpur Structural Plan 2020 to make Kuala Lumpur a world-class city.

What does Wireless@KL offer?

Wireless@KL offers you FREE access to the Internet via wireless broadband service at speeds of up to 512 kilobits per second (kbps) and at a maximum data usage (download/upload) of 500MB per month.

Where can I access Wireless@KL?

There will be 1,500 Wi-Fi APs (Access Points) around the city in commercial areas, offices, residential areas, community centres and other public areas. It aims to provide 80 per cent coverage of Kuala Lumpur, and it will be available for free for the first two years. Please refer to the coverage section for the list of outlets.

How do I access the service?

All you need to do is be in a Wireless@KL hotspot. You then have to switch on the wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) appliance which is readily available on your laptop. You then connect to the Wireless@KL network and sign up. It’s as simple as that.

What do I need to do to access the Wireless@KL Network?

Users are required to register to obtain their free account. Once registered, users need to login using their chosen username and password.

What benefits do I get by registering myself at Wireless@KL?

Users would able to surf the Internet for free. Users would also be able to access the Wireless@KL portal where you’ll find useful information on where to go around KL city, the latest news on KL happenings and much more.

If I go to a private premise like a restaurant, how do I get the service? Is it readily available or depends on the owner?

If the food and beverage outlet is a Wireless@KL partner, users will be able to utilise the service. All a user needs is a notebook enabled with WiFi and you can get Internet access for free.

Can I access it on a bus on the journey back home or on a moving transport?

No. Wireless@KL is a service available only in hotspot areas, which means areas where there are APs installed and activated.

How far does the Wi-Fi provide the coverage from the modem?

WiFi provides coverage to an average radius of 50metres.

How do private premises provide the service? Do they have to pay to P-1 or City Hall or otherwise?

As Wireless@KL is a community project, no charges will be incurred by outlets which want to be a part of the project. Our basic criterion to install the Wireless@KL APs is it has to be a public area where people can sit and surf, eg hospital waiting areas, lobby of complexes, F&B outlets, playgrounds and parks.

Spotlight: Fasting in the heart and mind

Nik Mustapha Nik Hassan, IKIM deputy director-general

Ramadan, the Muslim fasting month, is two weeks in, and two weeks away from its end. Around the world, nearly a billion healthy Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn till dusk, for one month. But where is the virtue in going without food and drink? And what is the great lesson that Muslims are supposed to learn from all this? ANIZA DAMIS finds out

A MOTHER is slaving over the kitchen stove, trying to prepare a delicious meal for her family. A businessman is bent over his desk, studying hard for an examination on marketing strategies to improve his business. An engineer is going over the details of a construction thoroughly, making sure that the building will be strong and safe. A doctor is going over a patient's symptoms once again, trying to identify the illness to cure the patient.

What do these people have in common? They are all abstaining from food and drink during Ramadan, and trying to be good Muslims.

All are fulfilling a religious virtue: Of being very human, yet trying to be the best that a human can be.This is what the end product of the fasting month should be.

Contrary to popular misunderstanding, the purpose of fasting is not just to appreciate what life must be like for poor people who cannot afford food. Rather, it is about man ruling over his base desires, instead of being ruled by them, says Institute of Islamic Understanding (Ikim) deputy director-general Nik Mustapha Nik Hassan.

"There are two faculties that exist within the nature of man which do not change: the angelic faculty and the bestial faculty. The bestial part is lust -- for food, drink, material possessions, sex.

"Fasting is spiritual training to strengthen the angelic part of man."

But being "angelic" doesn't mean that a person shouldn't enjoy life, Nik Mustapha says, as Islam is very much about living in this world. So, for instance, after the breaking of fast at the end of the day, a person is allowed to eat, drink, and engage in sexual congress with his or her spouse.

"The belief that the fasting month is about suppressing the desires is wrong. Fasting teaches you to discipline -- not suppress -- your desires.

"Desire is a very human thing. And it never goes away. But it is not supposed to direct how you live your life." Fasting, Nik Mustapha stresses, goes beyond not taking food and drink.

"You have to minimise the eyes, mouth, ears, etc, from all evil things."

As recounted by Bukhari, Prophet Muhammad said, 'God has no need for man to go without food and drink, who cannot shun evil and falsehood even during a fast'.

"For Muslims, all activities, even the mundane ones, should be guided by the ethics and morality of Islam.

But to achieve this moral and ethical part, a person cannot do it unless he or she has a close relationship with God, Nik Mustapha says.

"You can talk about integrity, legal procedure, anti-corruption, etc; but if you do not have a close relationship with God, it's an impossible task.

"Even when working, in whatever capacity, one does it to satisfy God. And to satisfy God means to achieve excellence.

"Another saying of the prophet, as narrated by Al-Baihaqi, illustrates this point: "Indeed, Allah loves that when you do a job, you do it perfectly."

Thus, in doing business, for instance, a businessman should aim to make a profit by embarking on efficiency and productivity, including pursuing education that contributes to making the person understand business opportunities.

But the businessman must also subscribe to ethical practices. He should not manipulate or exploit others.

"So, it's very wrong to be fasting and at the same time be very corrupt. But if people fast with the understanding that they are supposed to improve their discipline, then hopefully they will minimise their doing of bad deeds."

And, although this doesn't mean that a person will be successful in avoiding all bad things, learning to minimise irreligious activities is a very important practice. It is because of this that the fasting month is repeated every year because man, by nature, is forgetful, says Nik Mustapha.

But beyond the individual, fasting, if observed correctly, is also good for the economy.

Although some man hours is affected by Ramadan, Nik Mustapha says this is made up for by the discipline employees acquire during this month.

"You don't measure productivity over a month; you measure it over a year.

"So, when you measure it in a year, the discipline that employees acquired during Ramadan -- honesty, industry, mutual help and assistance -- should also extend to the other months.

"Productivity is not measured by how many hours you put in, but by how much you produce.

"It is in the fasting month that people should take the opportunity to improve their understanding of work and discipline, and try to achieve excellence.

"Whether it is to your family, neighbours or colleagues -- be they Muslims or non-Muslims -- as well as the animals and the environment, you must give serious thought to your contributions.

"You should ask yourself: "Am I serious in whatever profession I'm in?' "And since the Quran is the guide for Muslims, they should not only recite the Quran but should strive to read it, contemplate on it, and understand it.

"If a person chooses to concentrate on only one chapter from the Quran for this month and tries to thoroughly understand what it means and how it applies to his or her life, that's good enough.

"The Quran should be the guidance: How should I embark on this business (called life)?"

Sources : NST 14th Sept 2009

Preparations For Next Year (Hungry Ghost Festival)

Preparations for next year

The Ghost Festival is a huge event, and devotees take the task of preparing for it very seriously.

Head Committee for 2008, Lim Leong Onn, 45, said that a committee is formed every year just for the festival to decide on event mechanics such as programme, decorations and donations.

The head is not nominated through votes but by a ritual that seeks permission from the gods. Each person who wants to try for the post will be given two shen bei, wooden half-moons with two surfaces.

The shen bei are thrown to determine the next head. One open and one close shen bei denotes “yes”, two open shen bei means “go again”, and two close shen bei means “you are out”.

The person who has the most number of one open and one close shen bei will be the next head for 2009’s festival.

The person is said to be fated to take up the task. As it turns out, Lim’s wife, Kuan Lai Chee, managed to get the most number of desired throws, meaning she will take over as the head for next year’s celebrations.

A Keen Observer (Hungry Ghost Festival)

Stories by JOLEEN LUNJEW

With the Gates of Hell closed again, the Hungry Ghost month has come to an end but did you really understand what went on during that time?

You might have noticed elaborate set-ups along the streets or around temples with food offerings laid out in a feast in front of huge paper effigies the whole of last month. You might have asked about it only to be reprimanded with warnings not to ask so many questions.

For superstitious Asians, provoke not, and you shall be left alone.

The Hungry Ghost month is, the Chinese believe, when the gates of hell open and spirits are allowed to roam in our world.

It can be a creepy and frightening time for those who don’t understand the meaning behind the festival but the explanations are actually quite rational. And fascinating.

Intrigued by the festival, I was extremely excited when a friend invited me to witness the ceremony at Sin Leng Tan Temple, a Taoist temple in Jalan Ipoh.

He said different temples conduct their ceremonies differently; it all depends on the teachings of the temple master.











The spirit of Tua Pek Kong, a Chinese God, in invited by a medium to ensure that all goes well during the ceremony at Sin Leng Tan Temple.

Poh Toh

Poh Toh celebrations, also known as Zhong Yuen Jie, are quite common throughout Malaysia and usually involves appeasing the spirits with food, material offerings and entertainment.
As I stepped into the temple, I was taken aback by the total transformation made to accommodate the ceremony.

A paper effigy of Poh Toh Kong (also known as Tua Si Yah), or the God of Hades, who escorts the souls into our world, sits majestically in the centre flanked by gold and silver mountains and bridges on both sides that symbolise the link between our worlds.

The Horse and Bull General and the White (Tua Pek) and Black (Dee Pek) General, all keepers of the gates, are on his left and right. Five ghost soldiers are also on standby to keep an eye on the spirits.

A feast had been laid out in front of Poh Toh Kong. A whole roasted pig was the centrepiece, with roasted chicken, duck, fried fish, biscuits, fruits, packet drinks, cans of beer, bags of rice, bottles of oil and other goodies surrounding it.

Towards the sides, tables had been laid out with food and drinks, and there was even a mahjong set complete with hell notes. Each table had chairs with yellow paper and joss sticks, which meant it was reserved for the spirits.

There was an abundance of paper offerings — cheongsam, suits, baby clothes, shoes, watches, electronics goods like laptops and mobile phones, and even vehicles like cars, scooters and boats.










Gifts for the spirits include clothes....

Nearer to the temple, people were watching a movie on a giant projector screen but what fascinated me the most was the two front rows, which were vacant with yellow paper stuck on the seats. These were reserved for the spirits.

Temple head master C. F. Lim explained that the festival came about because there was once a lady who was very cruel to beggars and refused to give them any food. When she died, she was punished in hell to starve with a ball of fire in her throat which burnt food to ashes before it reached her stomach.

Her son, Mu Lian, a disciple of Buddha, went down to hell to find her and tried to give her food but with no success.

He consulted Buddha for help and was told to find masters from 10 directions to chant prayers and provide food offerings to the departed souls on the 15th day of the seventh month. Ever since then, people have been following this tradition.

“The festival is held for the spirits around this area. It is actually for all kinds of spirits but the ones who died hungry are the ones who cause the most havoc when they come to our world because they want to eat anything and everything. A lot of food is offered to these spirits so that they will leave the living alone and not disturb us.










...a mahjong set and...

“The rest of the spirits can enjoy the clothes, entertainment and other material offerings. There are even sweets for the child spirits. Some might have had a bad death and are still angry and want to harm the living. The offerings are hoped to calm and appease them,” said Master Lim.

Nearby, a man was dressed like a Chinese god in blue robes, complete with a hat and staff.

Although he looked young, his demeanour suggested otherwise. He walked around hunched, supporting his weight on his staff, and stroking his non-existent beard.

According to temple committee member Apple Chan, 32, the man was a temple medium who had invited the spirit of Tua Pek Kong, a god, to enter his body to oversee the ceremony.

Devotees would seek his advice on ceremonial concerns such as if the food was enough for all the spirits, if they needed more sweets because there were more child spirits or if there were enough hell notes to go around.

Apparently, 11pm is midnight for the Chinese, and it was when everyone helped to bring the entire display of paper effigies and items to a big field behind the temple to be burnt.

Master Lim chanted and rang a bell to reduce the sins of the souls. The longer the bell is rung, the more sins are absolved. The burning of all the paper effigies symbolises the return of the gods to the other world.











...a Mercedes with a road tax disc (which won second place in a Magnum draw the next day). — KATHY TAN & JOLEEN LUNJEW

Graveyard shift

Going to the cemetery to give offerings to forgotten souls is not very common in Malaysia but it is widely practised in Singapore.

“People die everyday, some in tragic deaths, some in painful deaths. Murder and accident victims are not ready for death, and their souls are lost in this world as they do not know what to do.

“We give offerings at the cemetery to these lost souls and also to the souls who have been forgotten or neglected by their relatives. The ceremony is to assist them in finding direction and helping them go where they are supposed to go,” said Master Lim.
He said that there was another reason why they conducted this ceremony.

“The Chinese believe in yin and yang, of two contrasting forces that balance the world. Heaven gods are the yang, and Earth/Hell gods are the yin. We believe in praying equally to both Heaven and Earth, and the cemetery is a yin place where most souls roam.”

Heading to a Chinese cemetery in Sungai Besi close to midnight was quite an experience. The place was dark and eerie, with looming headstones marking the graves. To make things worse, the graves were extremely disorganised and you never knew if you were stepping on someone’s grave.

We were not allowed to switch on our flashlights as the spirits are said to be attracted to the light, so we had to tread very carefully as it would be very bad luck if we were to fall into an open grave.

A huge paper ship, a paper community condo with 120 rooms, a paper Mercedes and various other paper offerings were brought up to the cemetery.

Devotees went around the graveyard with joss sticks to invite the spirits down for the ceremony. We were asked to remain within the circle of candles after that, as Master Lim didn’t want us to be disturbed by the spirits roaming around the area.

Master Lim led the ceremony with chants and prayers, ringing his bell the whole time, for the redemption of these souls. After the rituals were over, we were all given a piece of paper, a kind of passport to the other world. Everyone had to burn the papers and light the pile of offerings with it.

Once the fire was lit, we were encouraged to take as many photos as possible that we might perchance capture “something” in the fire. Devotes believe that the spirits will return the favour by giving us wealth through hidden winning lottery numbers.

The expiry date on the paper Mercedes’s road tax was 2020 and, true enough, the number came out second place in the Magnum draw the very next day!

Sources : The Star Saturday September 6, 2008