Nation Ranked 35th In Global Popularity

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia ranked 35 out of 40 countries in the Anholt National Brands Index, which measures what people worldwide think about the country.

The top five for the first quarter of 2007 comprised Britain, Germany, Canada, France, and Switzerland while Israel, Indonesia and Iran formed the bottom three.

Brand specialist Simon Anholt said the index was derived from a quarterly quantitative survey conducted in 20 to 35 countries from 2005 to 2007.

The survey took into account six aspects: exports, governance, culture and heritage, people, tourism and immigration/investment.“The index reflects what people around the world think about Malaysia and other countries, and not what I think about them. “It is not a survey of (the quality of) Malaysian exports but how people perceive Malaysian products,” he said at the Meeting of Minds conference.

Anholt said that Malaysia had slipped 2.1% in the survey from 2005 to 2007 and, more shockingly, ranked second from bottom behind Iran in the culture category.

From: The Star, 29th June 2008

Alas... Again a great failure of Malaysia tourism. Its been more than 20 years the Tourism Ministy was set up. Its very unfortunate that again and again this bad news is haunting us in the tourism sector.

As tour guides, I am sure most of you know that when the tourists first come to Malaysia, they know nothing about our country. And infact, most of the tourists will only come to Malaysia after visiting either Thailand or Singapore or both. By the time they come to our country, their money become lesser as they have spent a great amount either in Thailand or Singapore.

After visiting and staying in Malaysia, the tourists began to understand about Malaysia through the tour guides. And from here on, you will began to hear how WONDERFUL AND BEAUTIFUL Malaysia is. Even some of the tourists will come to you and admit to you that should they did not come to Malaysia, they had the impression that Malaysia is a very poor and backward nation.

Our former PM, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohd. realised the importance of putting Malaysia's name in the international circle had tried very hard by building a lot of international and mega projects in Malaysia for example, the KLCC, KL Tower, F1 Circuit, KLIA, etc but it is very unfortunate that right up till this day we still come across such a report.

It really breaks my heart to hear such a bad report about Malaysia. I really hope that the Tourism Ministry will work extra hard to promote Malaysia to the international people. And as for Malaysians, please be well aware that we can also contribute in any way to boost the name sake of Malaysia to the international people.

KL Fest Gets Off To A Colourful Start

KUALA LUMPUR: The KL Festival 2008, to be held throughout July, got off to a colourful start at its official launch last night.

The festival, which is in its third year, will showcase 82 activities including 52 performing arts, visual arts, literature and language, heritage and traditional games.

Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal launched the event, which he said would further foster unity among the races. “The festival is an important platform for locals and tourists to treasure and appreciate the culture, arts and heritage of the various races in Malaysia. “It is in line with efforts to place Kuala Lumpur as an international hub for arts, culture and heritage,” he said at the launch held at the KLCC Park.

There were traditional performances by schoolchildren from Tambunan, Sabah and an Indian classical music performance by Indian Grammy award winner Vishwa Mohan Bhatt.
Log on to http://www.klfestival.org.my/ for details.

From: The Star, 29th June 2008

Now Its Lost Forever...

I have just sent off an Indian group (SOTC). The tour manager is again Guru whom I have met in my previous group where I have lost my own luggage. Unfortunately, as for this group, its one of the guest, Mr Nagpal lost 4 of his luggages. So I would like to share my lesson and experience with everyone about the whole incidents.

The itinerary of the group is as such:

24th June KL City Tour
25th June KL to Genting Highlands and stay in Resort Hotel
26th June Genting Highlands to Port Dickson and stay in Corus Paradise
27th June Port Dickson to KLIA

On the 26th June, when I was selling the Magic Show, I realised Mr. Nagpal family did not come along in the coach to Genting Highlands. Guru told me they will come to Genting on their own.

At about 4pm, the Nagpal family suddenly appeared at the lobby of Resort. I was at the lobby immediately to take the Nagpal family to the themepark. While at the lobby, Mr. Nagpal told me that he intended to extend his stay at Resort hotel for another night. I told him that is a very wise decision and immediately I arranged a hotel room reservation for him.

Because of the Nagpal family intended to extend their stay, they were worried about their luggages. They consult me and Guru about the luggages. I was surprised because Guru did not even tell me about their luggages in the Skyway luggage store. But anyway, thinking that Guru could have arranged the luggages, so I was not worried about it. Mr Nagpal asked us to take care of the luggages and send them to the airport for them while we are on our way there.

I was not informed by Guru at all about the Nagpal family luggages were in the coach from Dorsett to Skyway luggage store. So, later when at Resort hotel, when I come to know about it, I thought Guru has taken care of it, so I need not to worry about the luggages.

So, the next day, we reach Port Dickson. At about 5pm, suddenly I recieved a call from Guru. He told me... Big problems now cos the Nagpal could not find their luggages. From here, I came to know the Nagpal family decided to stay at PD and forego the reservation at the Genting.

I asked Guru to check with Mr Nagpal how many luggages lost and whats the colour of the luggages. I was told there are 4 luggages lost and the luggages colour are blue, green, grey and chocolate.

I was very angry when I came to know this because this is definitely the carelessness of Guru. I inquired him on the luggages and the time the Nagpal family left the luggages at the doorway of Dorsett. I was told the Nagpal family was always late and they could have left the luggages late outside the room. So, I was suspecting that the bellboy could have wrongly mixed up the luggages with other groups.

I immediately called up Dorsett hotel and was passed on to the phone to Khaled, the bellboy. I told Khaled about the lost of the luggages and describe to him about the luggages. He immediately went to the store to check out the luggages. He told me there is no such luggages described at all in the store.

Thinking that if the luggages are not at Dorsett, then most likely they might be left behind at the Skyway luggage store. I immediately called up the luggage store department. I was told there is no such luggages.

So, I told Guru that after calling those places, no luggages are found.

And when at the dinner, I met up with the Nagpal family. I was told they still could not locate the luggages. Mr. Nagpal insist on going to Genting and Dorsett to look for the luggages. So, immediately we arranged for a van to take us to Genting and Dorsett.

We took off at about 10pm and we reached the Skyway at about midnite. There, I went to the police station. Immediately, the store manager was called and arranged that Mr Nagpal can go into the store to check on the luggages. Unfortunately, he could not find the luggages. So, we decided to make a police report so that Mr Nagpal can claim from the travel insurance.

After making the police report, we went to the Resort hotel and the time is already about 2.30am. We were arranged to check the luggage store immediately. Again, the luggages are not found. So, we decided to go to Dorsett hotel.

We reached Dorsett hotel at about 3.30am. Again, we were arranged to check at the luggage store room but no luggages found and we decided to go back to PD. We reached PD at about 5am.

I was really tired and exhausted because of the travelling to Genting and did not have a good sleep throughout the journey.

The next day, woke up at 9am and get ready to send off the group to KLIA.

So, my dear fellow tour guides, should you find these luggages, please contact me. Your favour will be very much appreciated.

WE DESERVED THE TOUR GUIDE FEE

Today, I have recieved a few sms saying that the Yang Guang tour guides are cooperating to fight and maintain the tour guide fees. It is really a very good news and I am very happy about it. I also pray and hope that every tour guides won't undercut the guide fee in the future...

Please remember, when we have our own tour guide fees, we portray our professionalisms in our work. We are so lucky that we are not the Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand and Singapore tour guides (for China market) because right up till today, they still do not have any tour guide fees at all.

Since we are the last country that these China visitors visiting us, their spending power is getting so much weaker. Part of our income comes from the commission that we earned from the shopping. So, please think, how long and how much can we rely on these shopping commissions if we do not have any tour guide fees at all.

Please think of the sacrifices that we forego when we were guiding....

On the first day of the China group, we have to wake up at 5am. We have to be at Mandarin Court hotel by 6am to catch the bus to the Second Link. We have to pay RM10 on our own, which we cant claim from the travel agent, as a transportation fee to the driver to support him for the petrol money.

Then we have to wait for hours under hot sun for the groups to arrive from Singapore. Do you realise, there is no fan and no air condition room for us while waiting for the tourists? Isnt it a real suffer waiting in the humid sun like that?

Upon recieving the tourists, our work begun. We have to talk and talk to the tourists and to serve them at any time. God knows what happen if there is any bad incidence or accidents happen to our tourists. We, tour guides again are responsible.

On average, for the China tour guides, we easily work for at least 12 hours per day. Its basically almost non stop of commentarty for a few hours each day.

The third day, again we have to bump our ass on the seat from Genting to Johor Bahru.

And on the final day, we have to wake up from 3 - 4 am to send off the group. Some travel agents even warned tour guides if we do not follow them to Singapore, and if the group did not get to fly off, we tour guides have to be responsible and bear for all the costs. Worst still, if we have to back another group again on the same day. How much of sleep do we have?

And if we dont have groups, after sending off the group, again we have to fork out our own money to buy the express bus ticket to Kuala Lumpur. Now that the petrol price increased, I wonder how much we have to pay for the ticket.

When we finished off our assignments, again we have to pay the file fees of RM20 - RM30 to the travel agents. Please go and ask other markets tour guides what is file fee... They will laugh you off. I am lucky that the travel agents that I work with do not require me to pay the file fee.

Do you realise how much of cost incurred while you are doing the tours? Have you ever calculated all the costing (food, drinks, tipping for driver, spending driver, etc) during the tours?

If I wanted to list down all the sacrifices, money and energy, that we gave in during the tours, the list actually can go on and on...

So, all my fellow tour guides, can you imagine how much of energy, time and effort that we sacrifice for the job? When we are with our groups, we reach home so much later than any other people. (Usually, when I got home, my whole family members are all asleep). Then again, we wake up so much earlier than any other people. (They were still sleeping when I took off for work). Dont you miss your family members when you are at work? This is one of the biggest sacrifice for the tour guides.

Worst of all, within these few years, I am sure you could have heard of some tour guides even have to bear the costs of the flight tickets, pay compensation for lost of luggages, pay compensation for whatever complaints by the China tourists, etc.

So, my dear fellow tour guides, please wake up. Please realise the responsibilities that we have to bear and the sacrifices that we made just for the job of a tour guide. We DESERVED to be paid for our tour guide fee.

It is really in the bottom of my heart that all tour guides are cooperating and standing united to fight for what we deserved to have. So, please... make sure that we have our tour guide fees and nothing lesser than the RM150.00 per day of guiding fee.

China Tour Guides Attention Please...

On the 19th June 2008, I as a representative for the Taksina Travels and the Megah Dorongan Travels had a meeting with other tour guides representatives of each travel agents at Pearl International. With us is also the chairman of KLTGA Mr. Kenny Khan.

At that meeting, we were having solutions that even on the petroluem crisis, we, the China market tour guides are willing to be cooperative with the travel agents not to hike up the tour guide fees.

What made us really feel sad is that there is no representative from the Yang Guang travels. Its a really disappointing not to have any representative from the travel agent. As such, this made us so much more suspicious that the Yang Guang Travels tour guides are under cutting the tour guide fees.

So, in the meeting, we hope to past words to the Yang Guang Travels tour guides not to undercut the tour guide fees. It was believed that some of the Yang Guang Travels tour guides were only taking RM300 guide fees for the 4 days work for China group.

In such a bad situation with the world petroleum crisis, I on behalf of all the tour guides really hope that everyone will be cooperative not to undercut the tour guide fees. The price of every product is going to increase... so please, don't undercut the tour guide fees.

As for the travel agents, they are actually making excuse that because we tour guides are demanding for increase of tour guide fees and that is the reason why there are very few China groups coming into Malaysia. Please dont believe them because the actual reason is that the China government is barring all the government employees from going overseas due to earthquake which happened in Sze Chuan.

After all, the final word is that it is hope that we tour guides will past the words around to all tour guides that we should not let the travel agents to manipulate the tour guide fees anymore and also to tell the Yang Guang Travels tour guides not to undercut the tour guide fees.

We also concluded that as of 5th July 2008, we will go against and take actions of banning the tour guides license should they were caught undercutting the tour guide fees. We will be cooperating with the Malaysia Inbound Travels Association (MITA) to ban those travel agents who undercut the tour fare at all.

Please I really hope all tour guides are cooperative... Once we stand united, we will be strong forever... Please remember what tour guide fee that we fight for is for the benefits of all and its for the long term. When we have our tour guide fees, we show our profesionalisms.

National Monument

National Monument

The National Monument or Tugu Negara was built to recognise and honour those who gave up their lives in the cause for peace and freedom, particularly during the nation's struggle against the threat of Communism (the period of Emergency).
The memorial site where the National Monument stands is located within the tranquil Lake Gardens, close by to the Parliament House in Kuala Lumpur, occupying an area of approximately 48,562 sq m.

There are five principal components that comprise the memorial site: the monument itself; a long rectangular reflecting pool with fountain; a crescent-shaped pavillion; the cenotaph; and the ancillary gardens. The monument is situated at the centre of the reflecting pool.

The National Monument stands at 15.54m high, and is made up of a diorama of seven bronze human figures, atop an oblong base; each figure denoting one of seven qualities: courage, leadership, sacrifice, strength, suffering, unity and vigilance.

The topmost figure, at the centre, holds aloft the Malaysian flag. This signifies Malaysia has won against communism and achieved its independence. He is flanked on the left and right by two other soldiers, both armed; the figure on the left is armed with a machinegun, while the other carries a rifle and a bayonet. This signifies the bravery of the soldiers who protect the peace of this country.

Kneeling slightly on the rightside of the central figure is a fourth soldier, who is tending to a fifth wounded compatriot. This signifies the sacrifice of the soldiers and the pain they have to go through in order to look after the peacefulness of this country. To the front and below these five figures are two fallen enemies. These signify that communism has fallen in our country; hence the end of the emergency period.

The monument, which represents the triumph of democracy, was designed by the renowned American sculptor Felix de Weldon; and was built at a cost of RM600,000. The memorial site, which was completed in 1966, took over five years to construct.

Monuments to Honour The Dead

CENOTAPH Road is the now Jalan Tugu in Kuala Lumpur but not many know of it.
In the 1960s, Jalan Tugu was Cenotaph Road named after a monument that was located at the intersection of the road and Victory Avenue which is now called Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin.

Landmark: The National Monument which was officially opened on Feb 8, 1966. Jalan Tugu now connects to the roundabout that leads to the KL KTM Station opposite the National Mosque.
Along the road you will find the Ministry of Health, Town and Rural Planning Department and Jalan Cenderasari, which leads to the various parks in Kuala Lumpur like the Bird Park, Lake Gardens and Butterfly Park.

Many don't know that the first monument was not the one in the form of human figures but was a tall concrete column that was situated in the middle of the roundabout.
The British administration set up the first monument, a 10m flat grass-covered ground to commemorate the wars and honour the fallen heroes.

No more: The original monument set up by the British administration to commemorate the wars and honour the fallen heroes. It was moved to the present site at the National Monument, when a flyover was constructed in 1964 connecting Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin and the parliament roundabout.

On the monument, it is written “To Our Glorious Dead'' with dates of the First World War (1914-1918), Second World War (1939-1945) and the Emergency (1948-1960).
The monument was later replaced with the Tugu Negara or National Monument, an idea mooted by Malaysia's first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, in 1963.
The huge tall bronze figures of soldiers standing and supporting their fallen comrades, which is opposite Lake Gardens was officially opened on Feb 8, 1966. It was proclaimed a memorial park dedicated to the 11,000 people who died during the 12-year Emergency (1948-1960).

Serene: A picture of Jalan Tugu taken in 1957. The bronze figures are the work of sculptor Felix de Weldon, who also did Washington’s Iwo Jima Monument and it is regarded as the largest bronze monument grouping in the world.

In 1975, the RM1.5mil monument was renovated after it was damaged in an explosion believed to have been set off by suspected communist terrorists.

Every year on July 31, Warriors Day, the King, the Prime Minister and heads of military and the police would pay their respects to the fallen heroes by laying garlands at the monument.

The National Emblem

The National Emblem (Coat of Arms) of Malaysia (Jata Negara in Malay) consists of a shield guarded by two tigers. On the top of the shield is a yellow crescent with a 14-pointed star. A banner with the phrase "Unity is Strength" (Bersekutu Bertambah Mutu) written in both romanized Malay and Jawi is located below the shield. The original English words were replaced by Jawi some time after independence.

The yellow colour of the crescent and the star symbolises the country's monarchy. The crescent also represents Islam as the official religion while the star represents the thirteen states and the federal territories of Malaysia. (See also Malaysia's Federal star.) Originally, the fourteen-pointed star represented the original fourteen states of Malaysia, which included Singapore. It was not changed when Singapore left the federation, but it has generally been accepted that the 14th point represents the Federal Territories.
The two tigers supporting the shield are traditional Malay symbols. They are retained from the earlier armorial ensign of the Federation of Malaya, and prior to that of the Federated Malay States, and they symbolize strength and courage.

Five krises are located within the upper red rectangle. The krises represent five former Unfederated Malay States, namely Johore, Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah and Perlis.
Below the kris, there are 4 rectangles coloured in red, black, white and yellow that symbolise the Federated Malay States. The permutations of the colours red, black, white and yellow make up the colors of these states' flags. Red, black and yellow are for Negeri Sembilan; black and white for Pahang; black, white and yellow for Perak; and red and yellow for Selangor.

The rest are insignias of the four remaining states. The palm tree along with the bridge represents Penang while the 'Melaka' tree on the opposite end of the shield identifies Malacca. Center below on the left represents Sabah while the Hornbill 'Kenyalang' stands for Sarawak on the right. Both represent the states' coat of arms.

The hibiscus flower on the center between the coat of arms of Sabah and that of Sarawak is the national flower of Malaysia.

Previously, a similar coat of arms was used. The original version has different tiger heads with different icons representing Penang, Sabah and Sarawak.
source : Wikipedia , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emblem_of_Malaysia

Malay House

Traditional Malay House

As for the China group, the next visit after the King’s Palace is the Malay house which is located at the National Museum. So, these are the information for the Malay house.

The Houseform

The traditional Malay house is a timber house raised on stilts. It is basically
a post-and-lintel structure with wooden or bamboo walls and a thatched
roof. Windows are plentiful, lining the walls and providing good ventilation and views for the house. This quality of openness is also reflected by the large open interior spaces with minimal partitions. From a distance, the Malay house seems to merge naturally with the environment.The roof, which is large, dominates the low walls and the open stilted bottom of the house. The juxtaposition of the roofs with different sizes and at different orientations creates an interesting visual form.The traditional Malay house was evolved by the Malays over generations, adapting to their needs, culture and environment. It may not possess them grandeur or ostentatiousness found in modern buildings designed by modern self-conscious designers but it reflects other qualities lacking in the modern
buildings - a clear expression of the way of life and culture of its users.

A Malay House Building Ritual

In the ceremony, ‘Searching for the base of the house’, the bomoh(shaman) places incense in a burner filled with embers(kemeyan) and blesses the site chosen for the house.

The rumah ibu (woman of the house) measures a piece of rattan to the length of her outstretched arms (one depa), then she does the same for a stick. The bomoh ties the rattan to the stick.

Incense is burnt again and prayers are recited by the bomoh.

The stick with the rattan is planted on the site and a pail of water with a dish at the bottom is placed beside the stick.

Prayers are recited by both the ibu rumah and the bomoh.

The next morning at dawn, the ibu rumah measures both the stick and the rattan. The water is also checked. If the rattan or stick has lengthened during the night, or if the water has overflowed onto the plate, the site is chosen.

The site becomes the exact spot where the tiang seri (main post) will be erected. It is believed that the semangat rumah (spirit of the house) lives in the house.

Types of Malay House

Various traditional and hybrid Malay house forms can be identified in Peninsular Malaysia. They are classified mainly by their roof shapes i.e. bumbung panjang, bumbung lima, bumbung perak and bumbung limas. Besides defining the house by the roof-form traditional Malay houses are also defined by number of columns uses for the house as seen in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

The most common houseform is the bumbung panjang, characterised by
a long gable roof. The bumbung panjang houses are the oldest identified in
Peninsular Malaysia, many of them being over a hundred years old and still in
good condition.The bumbung panjang is the simplest of the four houseforms. It has a
simple gable roof, supported by kingposts. The most common roofing material
used for the bumbung panjang is the attap (a thatch made from nipah and
other palm trees found in the local natural vegetation).

Use of Interior Space

Spaces in the Malay house are multifunctional. The use of space changes at different times of the day and year. There are minimal partitions or interior walls in the house, allowing for the flexible use of space and for good the interiors. Minimal furniture ventilation and lighting is used and most activities are done on the floor.

Basically, the traditional Malay house can be divided into the front and
back portions which are centred around the rumah ibu (the core house) and
the dapur (kitchen) respectively.

At the entrances of most traditional Malay houses, stairs lead up to a covered porch called the anjung. The porch acts as a good transition space between the public and the private domains. The anjung also acts as an important focal point for the entrance. Unfamiliar visitors and guests are entertained here. It is also a favourite place for the house occupants to rest, chat and watch the goings-on and passers-by in the village.

From the entrance porch, one enters into the serambi gantung (hanging verandah). This is the place where most guests are entertained. The low windows in the serumbi guntung allow for good ventilation and good views to the exterior.

From the serumbi guntung, one enters into the rumuh ibu, which is the core area. This is the largest area in the house where most activities are conducted. Sleeping, sewing, praying, ironing, studying and even feasting (kenduri) which is held during marriages and other festivals, all occur here. The importance of the rumuh ibu is expressed by its floor level being the highest in the
house.

The selung is a closed walkway used to link the kitchen and the rumuh ibu together. The side entrance to the kitchen is also located here. Besides being a circulation space, the selang is often used by the womenfolk as a space to chat and socialise. The selang is a very effective linking device which leaves an open space between the two portions, allowing good ventilation and
lighting for the house.

The dapur (kitchen) is always situated at the back of the house, and is on the lowest floor level. Modern kitchens in new Malay houses are often dropped to the ground level where floors are cemented. Preparation of food, cooking, eating and washing are all done here. The womenfolk also often group here to chat.

The court space, which is peculiar only to Malay houses in Malacca, is an intimate, private interior open space in between the rumuh ibu and the dupur. This space is the wet core of the house where the washing, drying and toilet areas are situated. It is often beautifully decorated with flowers and plants. It is a favourite resting place for the users. Sometimes, informal guests, especially ladies, are entertained here.

Design For Climatic Control

From the preceding explanation of the climatic characteristics of Malaysia,
it is obvious that to attain optimal climatic control, a houseform in Malaysia
should provide for the following:
(a) allow adequate ventilation for cooling and reduction of humidity;
(b) use building materials with low thermal capacity so that little heat is
transmitted into the house;
(c) control direct solar radiation;
(d) control glare from the open skies and surroundings;
(e) protect against rain; and
(f) ensure adequate natural vegetation in the surroundings to provide for a cooler micro-climate.

China Group Itinerary

There are actually 2 itinerary for the China group. During the 90's, when the tour fare is so much higher, it is so much more comfortable to take the China group.

This was their early itinerary and till now, sometimes if the tour guides are lucky, he/she might have such an itinerary.

1st Day From second link to Melaka. If its early, then we usually will arrange for the Melaka city tour. If we can't make it, then we will do it the next day. Staying in Melaka the first night. The Melaka city tour includes Bukit Cina, the Sam Poh well, the Sam Poh temple, the Stathuys, St Paul's hill, St Paul's church, St Francis Xavier statue and A Famosa.

2nd Day From Melaka to Genting Highlands. Usually, we will take off early in the morning and its usually at about 8am. Then we will take them for the local product shopping and then proceed our journey to Putrajaya. After Putrajaya, we will have lunch in Kuala Lumpur. Then on our way to Genting, we will stop at King's Palace, go for watch and chocolate shopping as well. Usually, we will reach at the Skyway (Genting cable car station) at about 4 to 5 pm. Check into the hotel at Genting. Then after dinner we will take them to the casino and it will be free and easy after that.

3rd Day From Genting to Kuala Lumpur. We will usually go down hill late, between 10 - 11pm. After reaching Batu Caves area, we will have lunch. Then we usually will proceed to jewelry shopping, pewter shopping and a visit to Batu Caves. After that we will go for Kuala Lumpur city tour. The Kuala Lumpur city tour covers the National Monument, the National Mosque, the Independence Square and a photo stop at KLCC. Usually dinner will be held between 5 - 6pm. Upon reaching the hotel its free and easy again.

4th Day Off to KLIA depending on the time of the flight.

Because of competitions, the travel agents are slashing the selling price to win more customers. So in order to cut cost, nowadays most China groups will be Johor Bahru (JB) in and Johor Bahru out. Because of this itinerary its really tiring and killing for the tour guides and the bus drivers.
Here's a run down on the JB in and JB out itinerary.

1st Day JB second link to Kuala Lumpur. The first night will be in Kuala Lumpur. If we are lucky, the groups arrived early, then we will be able to do the Melaka city tour and have the dinner at Melaka. Then proceed the journey to Kuala Lumpur. Usually reach hotel at KL at 10 - 11pm.

2nd Day Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands. Early morning start off to Putrajay and KL city tour and inclusive of a 2 shopping stops as well. Will try to finish off whatever itinerary in KL except for the jewelry shop.

3rd Day Genting Highlands to Johor Bahru. Again early in the morning from 8am started journey to the Batu Caves area. Went for jewelry and Batu Cave. Had lunch in KL. Then proceed journey to JB (if finished Melaka city tour on the first day). If unlucky, that not enough time to do the Melaka city tour on the first day, then we have to do the Melaka city tour. And if its like this, usually will only reach JB at about 10 - 11pm.

4th Day JB to Singapore. Worst day of all. Usually the morning call will be between 3 - 4 am. We have to rush to reach the Malaysia immigretion before 4.30 am because after this time it will be very jam as there are a lot of Johoreans working in Singapore. So, pity the guests that if they are too early, they have to sleep or rest in the bus for a few hours while waiting for the Singapore bus to send them to the Changi Airport.

From this comparison, it clearly shows that price is the main culprit for all the tours. Too bad that most China tourists don't really inquire enough before they pay for their tours. Because of the competition of travel agents in China, the consumers (tourists) suffered. And when the tourists suffered, we Malaysia tour guides suffered as well.

Most of the China tour groups are going to 3 countries. The 3 countries include Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. Because of the low tour fare, their first destination will be Thailand. They will stay in Thailand for 7 days. Then they will fly to Singapore. They stay in Singapore for only one night. After that they will come to Malaysia and spend 4 days 3 nights here.

Indian Group

I have just came back and just finished from taking a SOTC Indian group. So, I would like to share my experience of Indian groups with all of you.

So far I have taken very few Indian groups. I only take Indian groups during the low season of China groups.

As for this Indian group, its so much more relaxing and no pressure at all. The itinerary is really relaxing. This is their itinerary:

1st Day : Recieving them from the airport. Then directly send them to the Dorsett hotel. Once at the hotel, I finish work because the tour leader will take over like distributing them the rooms and taking them to the restaurant at the hotel as well. (For your info, this group of mine, due to rooms tight at Dorsett, there is changes in itinerary. I send them directly to Genting instead. So as for this group there is a minor changes than the normal ones.)

2nd Day : From Dorsett hotel to Genting Highlands. On the way up, usually will drop by to Geneve and then to Batu Caves. This is to let them have lunch there. (I came down from Genting at 4pm and directly went to Dorsett. Finished work upon reaching the hotel at 6pm.)

3rd Day : Came down from Genting Highlands. Then directly went for a City tour mainly consist of the Kings palace, National Monument, passing by the National Mosque, Independence Square, Chocolate Boutique, photostop at KLCC and finally proceed to KL Tower. After the city tour, go back to the Dorsett hotel and its free and easy again for the guests. ( Went to Geneve, then Batu Cave for lunch. Then proceed to Port Dickson and stay at Corus Paradise hotel.)

4th Day: Went to Port Dickson. And its free and easy from there onwards. (Came back from PD and went for the city tour. Then went back to stay at Dorsett. Free and easy after that.)

5th Day: From Port Dickson directly to Singapore. (From KL directly to Singapore)

So you can see that for the Indian groups, the itinerary is so much relaxing compared to the Indian group mainly because they have the tour leaders to manage the guests rooms and the meals are at the hotel.

As for income, Indian group is so much lesser. Because what ever we earn, for example from the magic show, kl tower, photoes, etc. half of the profit must be given to the tour leader. Furthermore, the shopping stops are 2 only. We only go to Geneve and Chocolate. Lastly, tipping from the Indian guests is a mere of luck. But then usually when we provide good service for the Indians, they do give some tipping but then so much lesser than the China group. (Cos China guests have to pay a fixed amount to the tour guide)

No other side income for Indian groups like the China group. We can never change money to the Indian tourists as they speak English and they know the rate as well.

As for the character wise, the Indians and the Chinese are not much difference. For very little minor things they like to quarrel and fight for it. They don't tolerate and are so much afraid of people cheating on them. Sometimes even the Indians speak very loudly as well. They have a lot of similarities. In my own opinion, maybe because they are from largely populated country, thats the reason why they have bad mannerism and lacked of civic mindedness. Maybe due to too many cheaters in their own country, that is why they cant trust people easily.

But the good thing about the Indians is that at least they will change their clothes everyday. Not like the Chinese tourists who don't change their clothes even after a week. Another good thing about the Indians are that they are more willing to spend on drinks, snacks etc. The Chinese are just too miser.

Anyway how, as for this group of mine, I really enjoyed taking them especially the Agarwal family, the Dedgaonkar family, the Mahajan family and Dr. Jayachandra. They really appreciate what I did for them and even gave me tipping.

I was thinking, should I get older, when income is no longer important to me, perhaps I will change from taking China to Indian group cos its so much more relaxing.

Chinese Speaking Tour Guides Attention Please!!!

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I came across those of you who are Chinese educated told me that why I don't write in Chinese...

For your information I am so sorry that I am English and Malay educated. So I cant read or write Chinese.

I really hope any one of you still can contribute to this webpage and let this blog start to roll. I really need everyone's cooperation and contribution so that this webpage is useful to everyone.

I really don't mind broken English. If you really cant write in English, do so in Chinese. At least there is someone who is willing to contribute something here.

Please remember that this webpage is for everyone...

Thank You...

Lost And Found: WHAT A GOOD JOKE!!!

M now in Genting. Taking an Indian group now.. which I do once in a bluemoon...

M still feeling very tired cos yesterday night could hardly sleep. Sort of like a nightmare for me... with such a bad incident but a very good experience to share among the tour guides...

I have to transfer 2 groups to Genting Highlands from airport due to different flight time. So, after settled the first group I have to immediately rush to the airport to recieve another group. I recieved the first group at about 2pm. The flight is delayed by half an hour. After recieving them, immediately off we go to Genting Highlands. Its quite heave jam while on the way to Genting. As for this group, I have to take the tour members using the cable car whereby the bus will go up to Genting to send their luggages. So I asked my tour leader, Guru to accompany the bus driver, Ah Sang. I left my luggage in the bus.

I was taking the tourists through the skyway and walking all the way to the First World hotel. Its a very hectic and rushing time for me cos I need to get the Magic Show tickets for the guests as well.

Finally when I was settled with the first group, immediate Guru and I rushed back into the bus to go to the airport. When I was in the bus, I realised my luggage is not there. I forgot to remind my driver and Guru that I want to leave the luggage in the bus. I was thinking since my luggage is in the front seat, so the driver and Guru will know that is my luggage. I took for granted that my luggage will be in the bus.

So, I asked Ah Sang, where is my luggage. Ah Sang told me that Guru is the one who carried down my luggage. I inquired Guru about it and Guru told me it was Ah Sang instructed him to carry down my luggage. Guru told me my luggage is mixed up with the tourists' luggages.

I was thinking when the bellboy let the guests take their own luggages, and my luggage will be the only one left behind. So the bellboy will send my luggage back for safe keeping when no one claimed the luggage. I have taken for granted for this.

We were rushing to the airport for the second group. Its so lucky that not much of traffic jam but we were late. The group came out at about 6.30pm. We reached the airport at 7.15pm. But luckily, I have informed Lynn so that she can arranged someone to recieve them on my behalf.

I was very lucky that these guests are very nice. I apologised to them and they were not angry at all. I told them our bus broke down and thats why we were late. So off we went to Genting. We reached Genting at about 9.45pm. I have to arrange for their dinner and then walk back to the hotel. It was already 11.15pm after everything settled for the guests.

Then I went to the bell counter to look for my luggage. To my surprised, my luggage was not there. I seeked the help of the bell captain and they told me Andy, the bellboy was the one who pushed the luggage trolley to the 11th floor. I was feeling very sad and desperate because I kept my notebook in the luggage. I was desperate and I wanted to contact Andy. Called Andy upteen times and finally get hold of Andy.

Andy told me that when he pushed the luggage trolley to 11th floor, the guests took away all the luggages. I was totally dumb founded. Guru who accompanied me said the only way is to wait till tommorrow. I agreed with him that one of guests could have mistaken took the luggage away. So the only way is to get hold of the tourists and inquired them about my luggage.

I was feeling very sad because the notebook is a present from my wife and its really expensive. I went to walk around the whole Genting to look for the guests hoping to meet them to inquire them about the luggage. I didn't meet anyone of them. I phoned to their room and no one was in the room as well.

It was already 1.30am and I went to the room as nothing much can be done. I could not sleep... thinking what stupid mistakes I have done. I watched a movie and finally fell asleep. Even though I was sleeping, I was having sleepless night and I woke up a few times. I even had bad dream about it.

Woke up at 7.30am automatically. Feeling very down. Laze in the bed trying to continue my sleep but I cant. At 9.30am went to the cafe hoping to meet up the guests but didnt meet up with them. So, I have to wait till 10.30am and finally I met the guests.

The guests told me that they saw my luggage was left behind at the 11th floor corridor even till 8pm. Can you imagine that my luggage has left behind for about 4 hours at the corridor and nobody took it.

So immediately I know what to do. I went to the bell department to try my luck again. I went to meet the the bell captain and told him about the whole incident. He immediately called up the housekeeping dept. and the housekeeping told him that the luggage was hand over to the police at the First World hotel. The bell captain again called up the police station and was told that my luggage was hand over to the main police station. The bell captain immediately instructed the police to send the luggage to the police station at the First World hotel. I followed the bell captain to the police station.

Waited there for about 10min and a policeman finally sent my luggage over. After signing off the documents, I happily took back the luggage. Gave some tipping to the police and also the bell captain.

LESSON LEARNT: Never take things for granted. When something is missing or happen, action must be taken immediately!!!

Making The First Move...

Since I am in the China market most of the time, and the tour covers mainly from Melaka, Putrajaya, KL and Genting Highlands, so I have decided as to make the ball start to roll... I have to make my first move and initiative. I am going to add information for the touristic spots whichever I can find. So, I hope when our fellow tour guides who have the extra information can also post the information here...

So to start it off... I go for istana negara first...

HEAD OF STATE AND RULERS OF THE STATES

The office of the King is not hereditary. Malaysia practices a system of government based on Constitutional Monarchy and Parliamentary Democracy at two levels, Federal and State levels. At the Federal level the head of State is the King and the head of government is the Prime Minister. At the state level the head (Ruler) of State is either the Sultan, Raja, or Yang di-Pertuan Besar, and the Yang di-Pertua Negeri is the head of State where there are no Rulers: the Chief Ministers (Menteri Besar/Ketua Menteri) are the heads of government.


CONFERENCE OF RULERS

In accordance with the Malaysian Constitution, the power to elect and appoint the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is vested with the Conference of Rulers. In the federation system of government (as practiced in Malaysia) where a number of state Rulers are involved, a council known as the Conference of Rulers, was instituted under Article 38 of the Federal Constitution to serve as a forum for the Rulers and Governors (Yang Dipertua Negeri) to meet and deliberate. On certain matters the Federal Constitution provides that the government seek advice from the Conference of Rulers.

GOVERNMENT’S ADVICE

The monarchy is seen as a symbol of power, authority, and government. It is embodiment of strength, protection and justice for the people and personifies their love and loyalty towards the country. In countries, which practice parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy, the power of the people is conveyed through Parliament which in turn delegates its executive power to the Cabinet. In Malaysia, whatever action is taken by an authority is executed in the name of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong who acts on the advice of the Government.

ELECTED BY:

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall be elected by the Conference of Rulers for a term of five years, but may at any time resign his office by writing under his hand addressed to the Conference of Rulers or shall be removed from office by the Conference of Rulers, and shall cease to hold office on ceasing to be a Ruler.

TIMBALAN YANG DIPERTUAN AGONG

There shall be a Deputy Supreme Head of the Federation (to be called the Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong) who shall exercise the functions and have the privileges of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong during any vacancy in the office of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and during any period during which the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is unable to exercise the functions of his office owing to illness, absence from the Federation or any other cause, but the Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall not exercise these functions during any inability or absence of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong which is expected to be less than fifteen days, unless the Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong is satisfied that it is necessary or expedient to exercise such functions.

ROYAL AUDIENCE ETIQUETTE FOR THE PUBLIC

On being presented to His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Her Majesty the Raja Permaisuri Agong, you should stand straight with both feet together. Straighten both hands and pay your respects by bowing once and do not bow too low like the Japanese do. Then walk slowly towards His Majesty. The distance between yourself and His Majesty should be about two to three feet. Bow again. Muslims should say "Assalamualaikum Tuanku". Non-Muslims can say "Selamat Pagi Tuanku" or "Good Morning Your Majesty" for foreigners, whichever is applicable. Take about three steps backwards and bow again.

FEDERAL AWARDS AND HONOURS

The people of this country have long known of the Federal Awards. Johor is the first state to institute its own award on 31 July 1886. Then, the other Malay states followed in Johor’s footsteps. During the colonial days, the British government conferred awards on the people of the Federated Malay States in the form of honorary appointments and awards such as the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. The British High Commissioner awarded the Malayan Certificate of Honour to the people of the Federated Malay States i.e. Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Pahang up until l941.

PROPOSAL

As part of the preparations to celebrate the independence of Malaya in 1957, the Federal Work Council, formally known as the Federal Executive Council, proposed that Federal awards be instituted. As an independent sovereignty, Malaya must have its own awards to replace those conferred by the British government.

NATIONAL PALACE

The Istana Negara is the official residence of His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Her Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong. It was built in 1928 and was originally the residence of a millionaire, Mr. Chan Wing. During the Japanese Occupation from 1942-1945, it was used as the Japanese Officers’ mess. After the surrender of the Japanese, the building was bought by the Selangor State Government and after being renovated, it became the palace of His Majesty the Sultan of Selangor until 1957.


The Federal Government then bought the palace in 1957, to be converted into the Istana Negara. Since then it had undergone several renovations and extensions. But the most extensive upgrading was carried out in 1980, as it was the first time that the Installation Ceremony of His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong was held at the Istana Negara. Prior to this the Installation Ceremonies were held at the Tunku Abdul Rahman Hall in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

This majestic building is nestled within a serene and beautiful 11.34-hectare compound with a variety of plants and flowers, swimming pool and indoor badminton hall. It is located at Syed Putra Road right in the heart of the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. The building has several halls for specific purposes such as the two main halls, the Throne Hall (Balairong Seri) and the Audience Hall (Dewan Mengadap) on the ground floor.

The whole area is fenced up and the Royal Insignia of His Majesty is placed on each steel bar between two pillars of the fence. At the front of the Istana Negara, there is the main entrance which resembles a beautiful arch. On each side of the arch, are two guard posts to shelter two members of the cavalry in their smart full dress uniform similar to the ones at Buckingham Palace, London.

Please take note that the above information is copied from http://www.malaysianmonarchy.org.my/

A little bird told me on Chan Wing...

Chan Wing- arrived in Malaya in 1887 as a coolie- struck it rich with the opening of the Hong Fatt Tin Mine in Sungai Besi.He has in total 26 children with 9 wives .Chan Wing was a staunch believer in the teachings of Confucious and accordingly, the lifestyle of the time was that many Chinese men took a few wives because they wanted sons to carry on the family lineage.

When he first came with his family to KL from HongKong in 1918, they lived in a house on Weld Road, the present Jln Raja Chulan.Being a busines man, he even ventured into rubber plantations. He was attributed to be one of the founding members of the Kwong Yik Bank in 1913.

A good indication of his wealth and stature would be in 1922, his car was commandeered for use during the visit by the Prince of Wales who later became King Edward VIII of England. Possession of a car was a rare feat during those days.

Weld Road house became too small for his growing family. He purchased a 13acres piece of land and engage well known architecks Swann & McLaren to design "the biggest house in Malaya" then .

1929- he moved into the "Big House" wih his family.2nd World War- the family fled to Cameron first, then subsequently fled to India where they waited out the war in Mussorie in India, till March 1946.He later passed away 1947, at the age of 74..........as narrated by Chan Wing's 8th child- daughter Chan King Nui

Someone also told me that Chan Wing's grave is still located behind the istana. So, every year during the Cheng Beng Festival the main gate will be opened to Chan Wing's generation to clean up his graveyard.

TO ADD SPICES TO YOUR COMMENTARY: Don't forget to mention about the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Azia Shah who married Tuanku Siti Aishah in 1990. This will definitely perks up the interest of the tourists.

Hope you have benefitted from this article...

N E W S The Star

NationThursday April 26, 2007

The Monarchy System

THE office of the King is not hereditary. Malaysia practices a system of government based on Constitutional Monarchy and Parliamentary Democracy at two levels; Federal and State levels. At the Federal level, the head of State is the King and the head of government is the Prime Minister.

At the state level, the head (Ruler) of State is either the Sultan, Raja, or Yang di-Pertuan Besar, and the Yang di-Pertua Negeri is the head of State where there are no Rulers: the Chief Ministers (Mentri Besar/Ketua Mentri) are the heads of government.

The Conference of Rulers was formally instituted in 1948, as a result of the British design to replace the Council of Rulers of the Federated Malay States, which was first convened in Kuala Kangsar in 1897. Four Malay Rulers of the states of Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Pahang were members of the Council which was chaired by the British High Commissioner.

The Conference of Rulers was convened for the first time on Aug 31, 1948, and held until Sept 1. The meeting then was for the first time attended by all the nine Malay Rulers.

Functions

The Conference of Rulers is the supreme institution in the country and unique because it is the only such institution in the world today. When the country achieved independence, the Conference of Rulers was constituted under Article 38 of the Federal Constitution.
In accordance with the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution it shall exercise its functions of:

AND may deliberate on questions of national policy (for example, changes in the immigration policy) and any other matter that it thinks fit;

WHEN the Conference of Rulers deliberates on matters of national policy, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall be accompanied by the Prime Minister, and the other Rulers and Governors (Yang di-Pertua Negeri) by their Mentri Besar or Chief Ministers;

NO LAW directly affecting the privileges, position, honour or dignity of the Rulers shall be passed without the consent of the Conference of Rulers; and

THE Conference of Rulers shall be consulted before any change is made in administrative policy under Article 153 (with regard to the special position and privileges of the Malays and natives and the rights of other communities).

The members of the Conference of Rulers may act according to their discretion in any proceedings relating to the following functions:

Election of the King

Malaysia does not have an absolute monarchy although it has a King, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as the Head of State. What is unique about the monarchical system in Malaysia is that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is elected by the Conference of Rulers in accordance with the procedure spelt out in the Third Schedule of the Federal Constitution and the rules of the Conference of Rulers.

Qualification

ONLY one of the Rulers is qualified to be elected;
ONLY the Rulers are eligible to vote; and
AS IS the custom, the most senior Ruler is elected. This procedure is no longer adhered to since the Rulers of all States have had their turns to be elected.
The first round was completed with the election of the Sultan of Perak as the ninth Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Since then new list known as the Reconstituted List was drawn up based on the seniority of the States whose Rulers have been elected as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (the First to the Ninth Yang di-Pertuan Agong).

Not Eligible for Election

The Constitution provides that a Ruler is not eligible for election as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong unless:
THE Ruler is a minor;
THE Ruler has notified the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal that he does not wish to be elected, or;
THE Conference of Rulers by a secret ballot resolves that the Ruler is unsuitable by reason of infirmity of mind or body or for any other cause to exercise the functions of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The resolution shall only be carried if at least five members of the Conference have voted in favour of it.

Steps preceding an election

Application of consent for the date of the Election Meeting.
If vacancies occur in the offices of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong, proceedings for the Election shall not be later than four weeks from the dates when the offices fall vacant.
The Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal shall write to every Ruler enquiring whether he desires to be nominated to the office of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong respectively. The Rulers who do not wish to be elected shall so notify the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal, and their States will then be placed last on the Nomination List.

Oath-taking: Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin taking his oath of office as the XIII King while other Malay Rulers and Heads of State look on during a ceremony at the Balairong Seri in Istana Negara last December. — Bernama Election proceedings
When the Conference of Rulers deliberates on the election of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Timbalan Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the Governors (Yang di-Pertua Negeri) will not be present even though they are members.

The election is carried out by a secret ballot. The ballot papers will be destroyed in the presence of the Rulers as soon as the result of the election result is announced. The ballot papers used are not numbered, but marked with the same pen and ink, and are inserted into the ballot box.
The most junior Ruler who is not listed as nominee for the office of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is appointed to count the ballot papers together with the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal.

Only the Rulers, the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal and the Assistant Secretary of the Conference of Rulers are involved in the election proceedings.

A Ruler may appoint another Ruler as his proxy to vote on his behalf in the event that he is unable to be present at the Election Meeting.

Election process

During the process of the election, the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal will distribute the ballot papers to the Rulers, and each Ruler will be requested to indicate (on the ballot paper) whether the most senior Ruler (one name only) is suitable/not suitable to be elected as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The nominee must have obtained the majority of five votes before the Ruler presiding over the Election Meeting offers the office of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to him. If the successful nominee declines the offer or the Ruler fails to secure the required majority votes, the voting process will be repeated with the nomination of the second most senior Ruler in the Seniority List of Rulers.
The process will only be completed after the Ruler has accepted the offer of the office of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The Conference will then declare the Ruler as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong who will hold office for a term of five years.

Tour Guide Dilema

I have taken my off days since 1st June 2008. I am taking these off days for few reasons:

1) Been working basically without any rest for about two months during the month of April and May. My body been asking me to have a good rest and to recharge.

2) Its the school holiday again. So its family time again. As usual, taken my son to the City of Entertainment and also Zoo Negara (been decades never been to this place... and I believe same goes to most of the tour guides).

3) Its a very low season for the China tourists. There have been rumours that it will be a very low season for the China market for 3 months (June, July and August). This low season is due to the China government did not allow any of its government workers to go overseas to enjoy because of the earthquake in Sichuan. Another reason is the Olympic game. It falls on the 8th August 2008 and its organised for a month in China.

Due to this very low season, of course, the main dilema of a tour guide is how do I get my income to pay for the house and the car installment. I have been very lucky because I am able to speak various languages. So, lucky me that I have diversified to as many markets as possible since 3 years ago.

Today, I have just called Lynn Tan (Siakson Travels). She immediately arranged 3 groups for me this one whole month. At least, I have Indian groups to substitute the China market. What about those China market tour guides? I think if they can get 3 to 5 groups for these 3 months they are considered very lucky.

Another dilema of the China speaking tour guides is that Kuala Lumpur Tour Guides' Association (KLTGA) is demanding a hike of tour guide fees of RM180.00 per day from the travel agents. The China market tour guides are not so much affected as they are already enjoying RM150.00 per day guide fee.

The worst affected ones are the Hong Kong and the Taiwan tour guides. They are actually having zero tour guide fees due to the zero tour fare by the travel agents. So... they are going on strike demanding for guiding fees from the travel agents. Hei... fellow brothers and sisters... its time we are united for our own good.

The news of fuel price increase has also badly affected the tour guides. The following day after the announcement of the fuel price increase, the China market bus drivers demanded the tour guides to pay him RM25.00 per person for the transportation fee to fetch us from KL to 2nd LINK. Its lucky that the tour guides once again stand united go against the demand of the the bus driver. I really wonder why do these bus drivers don't demand increament from the travel agents but from tour guides.

Kudos to those tour guides who stand united on that day and also to those who have sent sms around to ask tour guides to stand united to go against the increament of the transportation fee.

With the fuel price increase, I guess this will definitely affect the life expenses of tour guides very badly as well. Our tour guide fees have never been increased easily for more than 10 years. More misery and more dilemas are coming... fellow tour guides... so... its time for us to change our living lifestyle...

I wonder when will the dilema of tour guides will ever end...

SELAMAT DATANG ! WELCOME !

SELAMAT DATANG...

Welcome ladies and gentlemen,

With this blog, I sincerely hope that everyone can contribute and update the information about Malaysia put up here.

For fellow tour guides: Your valuable experiences will very much appreciated if you can share your own experiences and contribute valuable information here.

For future tour guides: Its always in my mind that I hope I can share these information with all of you. Its always in my principle that when we share, we learn and grow as it goes.

For my SUPER VIP TOURISTS ( whom I call friends ): Your contribution here will definitely motivate us to improve our services to all the future SUPER VIP TOURISTS in Malaysia. Its always the hope of tour guides that you will past the words of mouth how beautiful Malaysia is to all future SUPER VIP TOURISTS.

For fellow bloggers: Your valuable suggestions and contributions will also very much appreciated. I hope that with blog, your future travel to Malaysia will be a very much happy and pleasant one.