Are you expecting?

Damam (UAE's national health insurance company) full page advert in the local papers last week ... Are you expecting?

Shahrizat Abdul Jalil & Cowgate - The National, UAE

Newspaper: The National, UAE
Dated: Sometime in April 2012



Source: bbc.co.uk
Here is an excerpt ...

A Malaysian minister embroiled in a scandal over government funds meant for a cattle project says she will resign.
Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said on Sunday she would step down as minister for women, family and community on 8 April.

Her family had been accused of misusing the 250m Malaysian ringgit ($83m; £53m) fund to pay for condominiums, vacations and a Mercedes.
The "cowgate" scandal led to talk that Prime Minister Najib Razak might delay upcoming elections.

The minister said her resignation was not related to the cattle project run by her husband and three children. She was said she was stepping down as a "responsible member of the government" after her term as senator ends next month.
She added that she would, however, continue to serve as chief of the women's wing of the ruling party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and governing coalition Barisan Nasional (BN).
Her decision came after months of pressure from the public and opposition over the allegations.

Her senatorship was widely expected to be extended before the scandal broke last year.

Malaysia Formula One - The National, UAE

Caterham flies the Malaysian national flag ;-) Here's a feature from The National here in the UAE. This was featured on the weekend of the Petronas Malaysian Formula 1 Grand Prix, held at Sepang each year.


Wikipedia ... Tony Fernandes is the team principal of the Caterham F1 Formula One team, which began racing in 2010 as Lotus Racing and raced in 2011 as Team Lotus.
On 16 December 2009, Fernandes accepted a "challenge" from Richard Branson, a fellow airline boss and the owner of Lotus' fellow F1 newcomers Virgin Racing, where the losing team's boss should work on the winner's airline for a day dressed as a stewardess joking "The sexier the better. Our passengers will be delighted to be served by a Knight of the Realm, but knowing Richard, the real challenge will be to prevent him from asking our guests 'coffee, tea or me?' That would be scary." On top of this, the team also produced a poster depicting Branson in an Air Asia uniform

Happy 40th Birthday, UAE!

One month ago, we went home for a month's vacation ... Now, how did time fly by so quickly!

I returned to the post-celebrations of the UAE's 40th birthday :-)

Steve Jobs - You shall be missed

Apple devices have been intertwined with my life for many years now :-) Here are some fond memories ... I have my dad, SW, YH, and BT to thank for this obsession with Apple products!

1980 - Apple II Plus, my dad got us our first home computer, which I later found out to be a "compatible" model :-)

Then came ... 1987 - Macintosh SE, what I felt was one of the first iconic designs of Steve Jobs! I think this one SW and myself got from some Singapore Uni garage sale, for like 50 SGD!

Same bro .. SW, asked me to get the Apple MessagePad 120, I think this was launched in 1996, but we may have got a used one some years later! Handwriting recognition was putzzz, but for a Mac-diehard, we just had to get one!

In my uni days in Manchester, I used a Power Macintosh Performa 6200 (PowerPC 603 processor, circa 1995) ... and some time between 1998 - 2000, I got myself the really cool looking iMac DV (Thanks, BT!) in Malaysia.

Music devices? I still have the iPod Mini which was purchased in Singapore circa 2004-2005 (Never ever got an original uber-cool white iPod 1st generation though), and later on my ex-boss gave me an iPod Nano back in Christmas 2007, which I use to this day!

And most recently in 2010 ... Me and bbG got our current Apple devices, oops tools ... My MacBook Pro 13 (Which I fondly call, "Al"), and bbG's very-used iPad (1st generation).

Steve Jobs on the National, the local paper here in the UAE ... 25th August 2011. You shall bemissed, you are a visionary, an inspiration and a genius.

The journey is the reward ... "We used to dream about this stuff. Now, we get to build it. It's pretty neat."

Update: 6th October 2011

Six weeks after the above post ... The world, and I, said goodbye to Steve.

All I can say is ... Thank you.

Krispy Kreme & The National on Saturday

Why did we drive all the way to Khalidiyah Mall this afternoon?


This is why ...


Catching up with the news on an Abu Dhabi weekend ... Tsk tsk!

Carloz Tevez, Manchester City - Welcome to the end of your career!

How naughty! I can't wait for the derby game this evening, Man U v Man City!



Daniel Taylor - The Guardian News
Sun 26 Jul 2009

Ferguson takes the bait in City campaign

Hughes calls jibes 'a bit of fun between fans'Mark Hughes has admitted Manchester City were deliberately trying to antagonise Manchester United with their now‑infamous Carlos Tevez poster campaign but insisted it was just "a bit of fun" and expressed bemusement about Sir Alex Ferguson's increasingly hostile attacks on the club.From describing City as "all talk" at the time of their takeover to questioning their summer transfer spending, Ferguson has become increasingly outspoken about United's nearest rivals in the last few weeks, culminating in an interview over the weekend in which he branded them a "small club with a small mentality". The United manager was incensed that City had put up a poster in the city centre showing Tevez, his arms outstretched, above the slogan "Welcome to Manchester" – as if he was new to the city."It's City isn't it?

They are a small club with a small mentality," Ferguson retorted. "All they can talk about is Manchester United; they can't get away from it. That arrogance will be rewarded. It is a go at us, that's the one thing it is. They think taking Carlos Tevez away from Manchester United is a triumph. It is poor stuff."Hughes, however, pointed out there was a banner in place at Old Trafford since 2002 to poke fun at the number of years since City last won a trophy. "33 Years" is draped behind the goal at the Stretford End, and has changeable numbers so it can be updated at the end of every year."The poster campaign in Manchester is a bit of fun between the fans," Hughes said. "It is in a similar vein as the banner at Old Trafford which counts the time span since City's last trophy win. We're glad it's got so many people talking."

Privately, Hughes and his staff regard the fact Ferguson has felt compelled to attack City as a sign that he is taking them more seriously this season than he is willing to let on. Ferguson has questioned whether City have a realistic chance of breaking into the Premier League's top four, insisted that Tevez was not worth his £25m transfer fee, and claimed that players had gone to City purely for the money. He also alleged that Emmanuel Adebayor had invited United and Chelsea to sign him before finalising his move to City."Sir Alex Ferguson is a man I hold the utmost respect for and he is fully entitled to his opinion," Hughes responded. "I am very happy with the transfer business Manchester City have conducted this summer, and that the players we have recruited are as excited as I am about the season ahead.

Your ride on time ... The Dubai Metro on 09.09.09

Congratulations to Dubai for its all singing ... all dancing ... ridiculously expensive Metro :-)

Inaugurated at 09:09:09 pm on 09:09:09 !


ps - No, I haven't been on a ride yet, haven't even gone to Dubai!

Malaysia Boleh! Even in Dubai ... Hmmm!

Read the fine print ... As seen in 7Days, a free local paper distributed in the UAE.

A learner driver offered his examiner 1,000 Dirhams (Roughly, 1 thousand ringgit!) to pass him, a court heard.

Where is he from?




Surprise surprise... "The 39 year old Malaysian man appeared at Dubai Court of First Instance yesterday charged with making a bribe."

And no... it wasn't me! :-)

Want some Political marketing and Consulting services?

Remember my write-up on Bitung's (Sulawesi, Indonesia) elections a few weeks back, when I was on my Manado dive trip ? Some"one" left this comment..

Legislative elections in Bitung, Manado - Sulawesi
I offer My services for Political Marketing and Consulting. i Guarantee for success in election for a party or a person. Political Consulting must be started at least two years before election to get good results. if you are a party leader or a Political personality and or a association, and if you want to get political consultation just contact me and i will do the rest. just email me with full requirement and contact details to aftab@insert_name_of_some_dodgy_website_here.com

A political campaign is an organized effort which seeks to influence the decision making process within a specific group. In democracies, political campaigns often refer to electroal campaigns, wherein representatives are chosen or refernda are decided. Political campaigns also include organized efforts to alter policy within any instituation or organization.Marketing activities designed to influence about political issues, particular candidates for public office, or public issues and mind set of general public, politically called voters.

Although political marketing uses many of the same techniques that other forms of marketing do, it is actually used to promote a concept or an idea, rather than a specific product or service, and to motivate people to vote for that idea.

Publish Reject (aftab) 3/31/09

Only one place for "comments" such as these ... DELETE!

Low Pay! Long Hours! Any Complaints?

Kee's World by CW Kee, The Star dated 24th Feb 2009.

Tong Yuen (Glutinous rice balls) next to Econsave, Port Klang

Add: Jalan Raja Muda Musa, Port Klang
Located: Next to Econsave
Opening hours: 8pm - 11:30pm (Closed - Sundays)

I can't wait to try this out!!

Malaysian Today - Reunion, Bangsar Village 2

I've been published for the first time in '09 :-)

As featured in the local paper, MALAYSIAN TODAY.
This is my 7th write-up, featuring one of the best chinese restaurants in town ... Reunion.



Roast meat combo - Siew yoke (Roast pork) and Roast Duck platter, RM$20
Beef with Bitter Gourd - RM$20
Signature beancurd "Tau kan" - RM$17
Kai Lan with Garlic - RM$17
Rice @ RM$1.80 each
Jasmine Tea @ RM$8.40
Starter tidbits - RM$8.40

Total bill was RM$92 ++ (Service and Tax)

Stevie Gerrard of Liverpool in the news - Whiston, Merseyside!

A clip from The Star today (31st December 2008) ...



Why am I remeniscing?
I remember my days in the UK, when I worked at ... Whiston!

DucKing at Jaya One is a fraud!?

Add: DucKing @ 8-G Block M, Jaya One No.72-A Jalan Universiti , PJ
Tel: +603 7957 9819

Hmm! Shock, horror! After enjoying the duck (and fish!) at this restaurant in Jaya One, at both Whye Mun's farewell meal and my first visit to this restaurant with my family .... I found out from a local online forum and the local dailies that it may be a fraud!

Hmm ... but the food is good :-)

WARNING NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that PT. Makmur Utama Bersama, a company incorporated under the laws of Indonesia with a registered office at JI Metro Pondok Indah Blok IV-TA, Pondok Indah Mall 2, Lt.3 No 340-341, Kebayoran Lama, Jakarta Selatan 12310, Indonesia, is the owner and proprietor of the above trademark and also the copyright which subsists therein.
Restaurants bearing the above trade mark are a well known restaurant in Indonesia. The above trade mark has been registered in Indonesia under Reg. No. IDM000010663 and Singapore (series of 2 marks) under Reg No T07.20173A. PT Makrmur Utama Bersama has also filed an application of the same mark in Malaysia under Application No. 08003300.
TAKE NOTICE that it is wrongful to use the above trade mark without the consent of PT. Makmur Utama Bersama. PT. Makmur Utama Bersama has never consented and/or allowed any parties in Malaysia to use the above trade mark in respect of the aforesaid services. Further, PT. Makmur Utama Bersama has never set up any restaurants bearing the above trade mark in Malaysia.

Any person of firm or company, without permission of PT Makrmur Utama Bersama reproduces or uses the above trade mark without the permission or consent of PT. Makmur Utama Bersama is infringing their rights.
PT. Makmur Utama Bersama shall take steps to protect their rights in the above trade mark and will not hesitate to take legal action against any person, firm or company that infringes their rights including, among others, injunction, claim for damages including aggravated damages and accounts or profit.

Malaysian Today - Santai, TTDI

As featured in the local paper, MALAYSIAN TODAY.

This is my 6th write-up, featuring Thai-Malay restaurant Santai which is located at Taman Tun Dr Ismail, KL.

Santai, Taman Tun Dr Ismail

As featured on Malaysian Today, 30th October 2008!

One of the definitive "local-celebrities-tea-hangout" and best Malay restaurants in town, this is ... Taman Tun Dr Ismail's Santai.


Add: Santai Restaurant and Café @ 10, Persiaran Zaaba , Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, KL
Tel: +603 7728 8173

Seafood Tom Yam - Spicy, but well balanced, and full of flavour. RM$6.50


Telur Bungkus - Another one of Santai's signature dishes, tasty but not too sweet. Close to perfection! RM$5


Prawns with Petai (RM$6), Stir fried Kai-lan with Salted Fish (RM$5.50) ... Nothing to shout about, but still decent.

My other favourite Santai dish, after their Tom yam ... Nasi Goreng USA (Choice of chicken or beef, I chose the latter), RM$7.50.

Malaysian Today - Chinoz on the Park, KLCC

As featured in the local paper, MALAYSIAN TODAY.
This is my 5th write-up, featuring Chinoz on the Park, located in KLCC.

Tastings by Chinoz on the Park, KLCC

As featured on Malaysian Today, 23rd October 2008!

Menu: Tastings by Chinoz on the Park
Add: Chinoz on the Park, G47, Ground Floor, Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603 2166 8277
Note: Pork-free


I was in the mood for some fine-dining one evening, and we made our way to the Twin Towers in the heart of KL. This was my first visit to the much talked-about Chinoz on the Park. The decor is rather stark, with a blend of steel and light-coloured wood used as decor. For a moment I wasn't quite sure if the "fine-dining" theme worked, but when we were presented with the chef's special menu, known as "Tastings", my eyes lit up.
Chef Haffizul Hashim who was appointed as Chinoz’s new chef de cuisine in early 2008, came across as being quietly confident, and had a boyish charm about him. He was clearly passionate about his food, especially when he presented us with details of the menu items. He has a bachelor of culinary arts degree from London, following which he worked in the gastronomic capital's finest restaurants, including the Mirabelle and Ritz. It was here where he learnt the trade from Michelin-star rated Chez Bruce.

Before the meal arrived, we enjoyed warm nutty wholemeal bread, followed by a dainty pumpkin-based pallet-cleanser. The latter was so good, and it made me eagerly await the main courses.



I could not resist selecting the Degustation Menu, RM$160, which was a selection of Chef Haffiz's creations, and it was a scrumptions choice! The meal started with a Cauliflower veloute with hokaido scallop and truffle. This was served as a shot-glass of Cauliflower foam, which was really good in its own right. However, when combined with the really fresh scallop and thinly sliced truffle, the flavours come alive.



The next course was the Blue fin tuna, with lemongrass-vanilla oil. Whilst having this dish, my dinner partner pointed out Chef Haffiz's signature style of mixing textures. The finely sliced green beans as well as little flowers sprinkled over the top, provided a burst of textures and colours, and was well appreciated.


On to the two main courses, the first being the Roasted barramundi in potato wrap, with seared scallop, parsnip vanilla puree. The barramundi was full in flavour, and the potato wrap was remarkable, tasting of potato yet having a rosti-like texture which I have not had since my days in the UK. The scallop was once again fresh and flavoursome, whilst the parsnip was delicious.


Then came the masterpiece, a slow braised daube of beef cheek a la Bourguigonne with pomme puree. The beef flakes away when the knife is applied, and it simply melts in your mouth. This was probably the result of the classical french cooking technique of slow stewing and reduction, and it was simply marvelous.


I had to make room for the dessert, which was the Chocolate parfait peanut tuile, beurre de cacahuete ice cream. Tasting of peanut butter, with crisp-to-bite textures, this was a chocolate lovers dessert. Coffee was then served. I felt that the quality of food and reasonably generous servings more then made up for the RM$160 price tag of this menu.

RC who had chosen the restaurant, having previously enjoyed the many creations of Chef Haffiz on two previous seatings, chose the ala carte "Tasting" menu instead. She had a starter of Parsley risotto with sauteed escargot, portobello mushroom confit, RM$36. The flavours of the escargot, mushrooms were perfectly blended with the beautifully cooked risotto. Simply a marvelous starter!


For the mains, Chef Haffiz strongly recommended a fish, the Red Mullet, which was served with two citrus fruits, both Blood orange as well as Grapefruit at RM$78. It was so beautifully grilled that the flavours and moist texture of the mullet were well preserved, and the citrus combination complemented the dish perfectly.

For dessert the delicious and heavy Pistachio and Olive Torte, with strawberries, vanilla ice cream, RM$20, was well enjoyed. This was a truly generous portion, with two large slices of torte or cake served, and the sharp tasting minced strawberry flakes went well with the sweetness of the pistachio torte.

Overall, the service at Chinoz was attentive, and the food was both beautifully presented and creative, as it was delicious and enjoyable. Do give this special venue a try, whilst Chef Haffiz is in town. Be prepared for a sublime dining experience in KL!