Download to read offline
![WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT 33
F
rom the moment I shake hands with
Hughes de Courson it is clear that
he is going to be something of a
surprise; one of those people that defies
stereotype. For starters, he is not your
average Frenchman. Though he may have
been born in France, he moved to Spain
at the age of five thanks to his father’s job
in the military and spent 12 very happy
years living in Madrid – “it is my second
country,” he says, “sometimes I feel I am
really Spanish.”
The unexpected doesn’t end there.
He is introduced to me as a composer,
but his work is quite unusual, as are the
instruments he seeks out to create
his works.
“Classical instruments are like domestic
animals,” Hughes tells me, “but ethnic
instruments are like savage ones;
uncontrollable and wild.” His face lights
up as he tells me about all the far-flung
places he has visited, all the instruments
he has come across and just how rich the
cultural music he found along the way can
be. “I am fascinated by that which I don’t
understand,” he says with a smile.
“I sometimes find Western people are
stuck in a mind-set that classical music is
superior,” he says sadly, “I want to show
them that music is rich everywhere.”
His first steps to re-educate the Western
world on the intrigue of ethnic music saw
him creating an African version of Johan
Sebastian Bach, following it with an Arabic
Mozart and an Irish Vivaldi. By taking the
scores of the classics and incorporating
the notes and the instruments of different
cultures, he creates what he describes
as “more surprising music; it gives life to
classical music.”
“It started with flamenco,” Hughes
explains; an unusual admission in itself. “I
started playing the flamenco guitar when
I was six or seven and I was fascinated
by it.” His interest was more musical-
than flamenco-orientated and even at a
young age he flitted from instrument to
instrument, including a stint in a rock band
as a teenager. “Like everyone” he jokes.
He had a natural musical talent and a huge
interest, and yet it was never something
he considered as a career. He settled for
studying political science to please his
parents and harboured dreams of being a
novelist, “I actually wanted to be a writer”
he admits with a shake of the head.
During his years of study in France
he penned a few songs with a school
friend and, by a curious coincidence of
circumstances, one ended up in the hands
of a powerful music producer. Suddenly
19-year-old de Courson was listening to
his songs on the radio and finding himself
propelled into the music scene. “I was
lucky, I never had to work hard!” he jokes.
And while it may have been the
mainstream music industry that gave
him his first break, he couldn’t shake off
his fascination with the off-beat and the
unusual that had started with his love of
flamenco all those years ago and has now
led, via a stint with a successful mediaeval
folk band, to his work being commissioned
by the rich and powerful all over the
world, and he continues to spend a lot of
time travelling throughout the region and
the world to perform his work.
And yet despite his composition work
taking him around the globe, it was his
Bulgarian wife’s job at the EU Embassy that
brought him and his children to KL, and
as with all things, he embraced the new
experience; he even enjoys the traffic jams.
“I love to get lost,” he beams, “once
I spent 3 hours in the car with no idea
where I was. It was very poetic.”
Musically, Hughes was thrilled to discover
the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra
(MPO) – “such a good quality orchestra!
And the hall where they play has the best
acoustics I have ever heard” – but was a
little disappointed to find popular music
so commercialised. “All they do is copy
Western songs,” he laments, “it is a good
copy, but still…”
It is clear that while his family and home are
here in Malaysia, his heart travels the world
with his music and de Courson most often
finds himself in the Middle East, where his
work on Arabic music has garnered much
admiration from some highly-influential
people. Within two weeks of our chat,
Hughes was jetting off to Qatar for a
performance of a piece he composed after
a commission from the Qatar Royal Family.
“I am getting plenty of offers,” he admits,
“my music goes well with their [Qatar’s]
ambitions to be cultural.”
But the truer reason for the prolific demand
on his time is that Hughes is a man who
has given his life to his music, and since
he picked up a flamenco guitar 60-odd
years ago, he has loved every minute of
the journey and revelled in the unexpected
places and people it has lead him to.
“I love to play a game of surprises,” he
says, musing on his years in the business
and the lucky break that allowed him to
pursue his passion rather than follow the
path his parents’ envisaged for him. “And
you know what that first song was called?
That they played on the radio? ’Surprise
Me.’” He smiles delightedly, and says “and
now surprises are what I am all about.”
PROFILE
BY SARAH REES
A Life of Surprises](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/9020538a-2852-48bd-ba1d-700ac7782255-160912154354/85/theexpat-february-2012-33-320.jpg)
theexpat-february-2012
- 1. www.expatkl.com |february | DISCOVERMORE ABOUT YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME PP// ()
- 4. J. Andrew Davison E HITHERE!Publisher J.Andrew Davison Consultant Director Marybeth Ramey Group Editor William Citrin Staff Writer Milan Sadhwani Art Director Chai Siew Kim Senior Graphic Designer Charles Lee IT Director Rusli Arshad Online Content Editor Sarah Rees IT Rozalin Mahmood Saiful Safuan Media Director Timothy Mcvey Commercial Director Bill Cooper Project Development Director Nick Davison Business Development Director Zareena Alwee Sales Team Olivia Yap, Emily Tang Joey Tan & Jessy Lou Events Manager Antoinette Perera Membership Manager Michael Thorp Distribution Suriah Ali MM2H Manager Farzana Ali Finance / Admin – Senior Manager Khoo Poh Lian Group of Companies Tri-Concepts Sdn Bhd (204389-P) JAD Management Services Sdn Bhd (286845-U) Borneo Vision Sdn Bhd (295020-P) Borneo Vision (MM2H) Sdn Bhd (735406-W) Hemsworth Limited (536626) TEG Singapore Pte Ltd (200920711M) PUBLICATIONS WEBSITES EVENTS MEMBERSHIP MM2H Reaching the International Community since 1996 www.theexpatgroup.com printer Print Scope Sdn Bhd (596276-T) No. 38 & 40 Jln PBS 14/3, Taman Perindustrian Bukit Serdang, 43300 Seri Kembangan, Selangor for more information: Borneo Vision Sdn Bhd (295020 P) 7th Floor, Tower Block Syed Kechik Foundation Building Jalan Kapas, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03.2093 9539 / 2094 9664 Fax: 03.2094 9690 / 2094 9670 e-mail: expatmagazine@theexpatgroup.com sales@theexpatgroup.com editor@theexpatgroup.com xpats have seen significant changes over the years, both in the degree of hardship they endure living here as well as the size of their expat compensation packages. Perhaps equally revealing is the increasing number of expats who want to extend their stay in Malaysia. With most developed countries seeing increasing unemployment and the implementation of various austerity measures, life in Malaysia is looking more and more attractive. While historically expats were attracted by a combination of the adventure and opportunity to increase their savings today they are motivated by the desire to experience new countries and often the dismal economic outlook in their own country. The adventure element has decreased, as many Asian countries including Malaysia have developed their infrastructure so much that in many cases the facilities are at a similar level to those in expats’ home countries. The lifestyle offered in Singapore is often better than that which the expats enjoyed back home and Kuala Lumpur is moving in the same direction. The generous expat packages, however, are becoming a thing of the past. When I first came to Asia, forty years ago, the compensation packages were very attractive including first class travel even on annual home leave, generous housing allowances, extra vacation days, paid education for children, hardship and cost of living allowances and various other benefits. Approximately every five years, during the period I worked with a major multinational, the head office human resource team conducted a study to determine the total cost of all the expats and review their packages. Inevitably, they concluded that expats were a lot more expensive than their counterparts back home and they appeared to be enjoying a much better lifestyle than their head office peers. Naturally the recommendations were always the same - cut back or eliminate some of the perks. Of course, we were quick to explain all the hardships and deprivations we suffered being so far from home and made a big deal about the various risks we took by living in Asia! It rarely worked. When they threatened to reduce the hardship allowance given for working in Malaysia, I was quick to point out the risk of dengue fever, snakes, driving and anything else I could think of to support my case. They still decided to reduce it. Today very few companies (or expats if they are honest) consider this a hardship posting. As expats moaned and groaned about the loss of benefits, multinationals discovered that not only were there plenty of talented Asians, but many were more than happy to take assignments in other countries without the full packages. This was an appealing option to many multinationals. Western expats found themselves replaced by Asian expats who were less fussy about the packages. Over time even that dynamic changed as many western expats also decided they were willing to work on local packages. A recent survey of 200 multinational companies in Singapore revealed that 21% of their expat employees were on local packages. Many more companies offer a local-plus package where the base salary is commensurate to that paid to locals and then the expat receives some cash contribution toward other expenses such as housing or kid’s education. This trend has also been observed in Hong Kong and other countries. Today Malaysia has a growing number of expats wanting to extend their stay here and willing to accept local packages in order to do that. There also appears to be more expats setting up their own businesses as a means of staying on here and taking advantage of the improved economic environment. Given the Malaysian Government’s more liberal attitude to expats wanting to work here, we can expect a growing number to come here with either a straight local salary or some cash contribution. Very few expats will enjoy the full packages which were once the norm. However, based on our research most expats are not complaining too much, and with the options in their home country often looking distinctly depressing, Malaysia becomes that much more attractive. Publisher J. Andrew Davison Consultant Director Marybeth Ramey Group Editor William Citrin Staff Writer Milan Sadhwani Art Director Chai Siew Kim Senior Graphic Designer Charles Lee IT Director Rusli Arshad Online Content Editor Sarah Rees IT Rozalin Mahmood Saiful Safuan Media Director Timothy Mcvey Commercial Director Bill Cooper Project Development Director Nick Davison Business Development Director Zareena Alwee Sales Team Olivia Yap, Emily Tang Joey Tan & Jessy Lou Events Manager Antoinette Perera Membership Manager Michael Thorp Distribution Suriah Ali MM2H Manager Farzana Ali Finance / Admin – Senior Manager Khoo Poh Lian printer Print Scope Sdn Bhd (596276-T) No. 38 & 40 Jln PBS 14/3, Taman Perindustrian Bukit Serdang, 43300 Seri Kembangan, Selangor for more information: Borneo Vision Sdn Bhd (295020 P) 7th Floor, Tower Block Syed Kechik Foundation Building Jalan Kapas, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03.2093 9539 / 2094 9664 Fax: 03.2094 9690 / 2094 9670 e-mail: expatmagazine@theexpatgroup.com sales@theexpatgroup.com editor@theexpatgroup.com
- 6. 6 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of Borneo Vision Sdn Bhd. The publisher shall not be held liable for any omission, error, or inaccuracy. No parts of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the publisher’s permission. TO GET YOUR FREE COPY OF THE EXPAT DELIVERED EVERY MONTH, VISIT WWW.EXPATKL.COM TEL: 03.2094 9664 OR FILL IN THE FORM ON PAGE 62 40-41 67 69 CONTENTS | FEBRUARY 2012 VOLUME 173 63 EVENTS 8 Events 9 Clubs and Associations 11 Expat News 18 Around The Expat Group 22 Expat Extracts COLUMNS 13 Musings from Malaysia by William Citrin 15 My View by Marybeth Ramey 17 The Bright Side by Mr. J 90 Locally Yours by Lydia Teh FEATURES 28 Thaipusam Thanksgiving 30 Tiger Tracks - “CAT” Walks 33 Profile – Hughes de Courson 34 Industry Insider – A Tale of Tin 49 Business Profile – Kai Schlickum 50 Expat Homes 65 Property – Residential Projects THE ARTS 37 Theatre for Seniors – klpac 38 Artist Profile – Calvin Chua 40 Capturing Captivating Moments – John Ishii TRAVEL & TOURISM 42 Get Smart about Art – Malaysia’s Museums 44 Margaret River – Surfing the Vines 46 Expat Airline Travel and News EDUCATION 55 School Snaps 59 Education News PENANG PROMENADE 61 The Sensei of Place – Tan Twan Eng Plus 30 pages of EXPAT INFORMATION 67 Dining Promos 69 Restaurant Reviews and Dining Guide 80 Shopping and Services 86 The Expat Directory 88 Bulletin Board The Expat Card Monthly Specials page 64 24 50-51 Cover: CALVIN CHUA www.expatkl.com |february | DISCOVER MORE ABOUT YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME PP// ()
- 8. 8 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM FEBRUARY EVENTS 1st Feb - 12 Feb The World Press Photo Exhibition 11 will make its first appearance in Malaysia during its world tour with a show at the KL Convention Centre, where visitors can see a striking collection of over 160 award- winning press photographs from all over the world. Visit www.worldpressphoto.org/ events for more details. 1st Feb -19 March Shalini Ganendra Fine Art will present award-winning photographer’s Nirmala Karrupiah’s interpretation of Chinese opera in a series of images set against the backdrop of Karuppiah’s art film, ‘Capturing Twilight’. Karuppiah has been fascinated with this ancient dance form for a long time and has been provoked by the fact that it’s a dying art. Her black- and-white photography will leave an impression on you. For more information, visit www.shaliniganendra.com or call 03.7960 4740. 12Feb KLPAC will be starting their ‘Shakespeare on Film Season’ this month and kicking off will be Julie Taymor’s film interpretation of ‘The Tempest’, done with her usual liberties in favour of women’s equality. Starring Helen Mirren and Djimon Hounsou, admission to the film screening is free and starts at 3pm at KLPAC. For more information, please visit www.klpac.org. 16Feb -17 Feb World-famous Cloud Gate dancing troupe will be gracing our Malaysian shores with their performance entitled “Songs of the Wanderers”, which will evoke the cheerful memories of Buddha’s trip to Bodh Gaya. Cloud Gate hails from Taiwan and its dancers are skilled in martial arts, Chinese Opera, modern and classical dance and more. The performance will be at Istana Budaya, KL for two nights and tickets are priced from RM68. Penangites will be able to catch the troupe on 10 February. For tickets, please visit www.hands.com.my 18Feb - 19 Feb Noted as the conductor who conducts with his fingers, Nicholas McGegan will lead the MPO in concert ‘The Cuckoo and the Nightingale’ on Saturday, 18th February at 8.30p.m, which will then be repeated on Sunday, 19th February at 3p.m. Presenting works by Handel, Bach, Corelli and Rameau under the Age of Elegance series, the concerts will also feature organist Jennifer Bate on the majestic Klais Pipe Organ. For reservations, please call 03.2051 7007 or visit www.dfp.com.my. 22Feb - 5 March Come and experience a day of unique crafts during this 2-week long exhibition at the Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex. Hand-carved wooden furniture, beautifully-dyed textiles and clever ornaments will be on display, all of which are Malaysian-made. For more details, visit www.kraftangan.gov.my or call 03.2162 7459. 24Feb -4 March February brings a very exciting event to one of Malaysia’s most beautiful islands - le Tour de Langkawi will be celebrating its 17th edition with the tagline: Ready for the World. The tour will feature 22 teams from all over the world and the race will start in Putrajaya. Don’t miss out! For details, visit www.ltdl.com.my. 25Feb & 26 Feb The young and dashing bass- baritone Philippe Sly will present works by Mozart, Massenet, Borodin and Wagner, amongst others. Hailed as an exceptional opera singer, Sly’s performance is under the MPO Special series and the orchestra will present concerts themed Great Baritone Arias with the great conductor Karen Kamensek. Concerts are scheduled on 25 February at 8.30p.m and 26 February at 3p.m. For tickets, please call 03.2051 7007 or visit www.dfp.com.my for more information.
- 9. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT9 CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS AAM Bingo at Little Sisters of the Poor Date: Thursday, 2 February Time: 10am – 11am Venue: St. Francis Xavier Home for the Elderly Cost: N/A RSVP: E-mail aam_kl05@streamyx.com Description: Every first Thursday of the month, you can help spread the joy in this home for the elderly with a game of bingo! We will bring prizes for the winners. First Fridays Date: Friday, 3 February Time: Noon – 2 pm Venue: Ben’s @ Pavilion Mall, Level 6 Cost: Price of own food and drinks RSVP: E-mail aam_kl05@streamyx.com by Thursday, 2 February Description: This monthly social activity is especially for newly arrived expats and provides an opportunity to ask questions, gather information and to meet and relax with new friends over lunch. Thaipusam Festival 2012 Date: Monday, 6 February Time: 7:30pm - Midnight Venue: Batu Caves Cost: RM55 (Members); RM70 (Non- Members) RSVP: E-mail aam_kl05@streamyx.com by Tuesday, 31 January Description: Angie Ng of Heritage Travel will lead a guided bus tour to Batu Caves to see this unique religious festival of Thaipusam. Beginners’ Bahasa Melayu Classes – New Classes! Date: Wednesdays starting 8 February Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Venue: Meet at entrance of Central Market Cost: RM675 (Members); RM775 (Non- Members) plus RM50 materials fee RSVP: E-mail aam_kl05@streamyx.com by Thursday, 2 February Description: Now is the time to start learning the language of your host country. This series of classes is led by Puan Mas from Applied Language Systems who will not only teach you the language but also share knowledge that will make your time in KL richer. RSVP by 2 February 2012, to the AAM office to start this learning experience. Coffee Morning Date: Thursday, 16 February Time: 10am – 11am Venue: AAM Villa Cost: N/A RSVP: E-mail aam_kl05@streamyx.com by Wednesday, 15 February Description: Wondering how to convert your US driver’s license to a Malaysian license? Join us at the February Coffee Morning, where guest speaker Yeasmin Chain will give tips on all procedures and processes related to expats’ needs in Malaysia, such as work permits, maids’ permits, dependent passes, MM2H, setting up businesses, and conversion of driver’s licenses. Lunch Bunch Date: Tuesday, 21 February Time: Noon – 1pm Address Book American Association of Malaysia Address: Unit G-3A Villa Seavoy 7, Lorong Titiwangsa 8, Taman Titiwangsa, 53200 KL. Tel: 03.4021 4367 / 4368 Web: www.klamerican.com Email: aam_kl05@streamyx.com Association Francophone de Malaisie (AFM) 34, Jalan Dutamas Raya, 51200 Kuala Lumpur Email: afm.kuala@gmail.com Web: www.afmkuala.com Association of British Women In Malaysia (ABWM) Address: 88, Jalan Terasek 8 Bangsar Baru 59100, KL. Tel: 03.2284 4407 Web: www.abwm.com.my Canadian Association of Malaysia Address: CAM Mailing Address c/o Canadian High Commission, 17th Floor, Menara Tan & Tan, 207 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur. Web: www.canadians-in-kl.com German Speaking Society Of Kuala Lumpur (GSSKL) P.O. Box 707, Jalan Sultan, 46670 Petaling Jaya. E-mail: info@gsskl.com.my Website: www.gsskl.com.my International Women’s Association – Kuala Lumpur (IWAKL) Address: P.O. Box 269 Jalan Sultan 46670 Petaling Jaya, SDE. Web: www.iwakl.org E-mail: iwakl@iwakl.org Ibu Family Resource Group 78 Sri Hartamas 18, Taman Sri Hartamas, KL. Tel: 03.6211 0666 Web: www.ibufamily.org E-mail: ibu@ibufamily.org Japanese Club Address: 2, Jalan 1/86, off Jalan Taman Seputeh, Taman Seputeh, 58200 KL. Tel: 03.2274 2274 Fax: 03.2274 3584 Web: www.jckl.org.my KL Cobras Ice Hockey Club Contact: info@klcobras.com Website: www.klcobras.com KPC Melati Indonesian Women in Mixed Marriages Web: www.kpcmelati.org, Email: info@kpcmelati.org Contact: Rika O’Hanlon 017.601 7718 Malaysian Australian New Zealand Association (MANZA) Address: 38, Jalan Tempinis, Bangsar, KL Tel: 03.2284 7145 Fax: 03.2287 7151 Email: manzaoffice@gmail.com Web: www.manza.org South Africans in Malaysia Contact: Mrs Dorne Sherwood, email: dorne_roos@hotmail.com H/P: 012.9168506 Latin American Ladies Association Web: www.damaslatinas.com.my Email: dlm@damaslatinas.com.my / grupodamaslatinas@gmail.com The Royal Society of St George William Addington (President) E-mail: Michael McIver (Hon Sec) webmaster@stgeorgesmalaysia.com Web: www.stgeorgesmalaysia.com Scandinavian Society Malaysia (SSM) Scandinavian Society Malaysia Suite 303, F139, BSC, 285 Jalan Maarof, Bangsar 59000 Kuala Lumpur Email: info@scandinaviansocietymalaysia.com Web: www.scandinaviansocietymalaysia.com Swedish Women’s Educational Association Web: www.swea.org/kualalumpur/ E-mail: kualalumpur@swea.org St. Andrew’s Society PO Box 6210, Pudu Post Office, 55720 KL. Web: www.ssas-online.com Turkish Malaysian Friendship Association Contact: Ms. Nilufer Senyuva 019.396 4086 Venue: TGI Friday’s, Level 6 Pavilions Mall Cost: Cost of own food and drink RSVP: E-mail aam_kl05@streamyx.com by Monday, 20 February Description: Familiar food in a great location! A reservation will be made under “American Association.” Indian Cooking Class with Sheela Kalaivanan Date: Thursday, 23 February Time: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Venue: AAM Villa Cost: RM85 (Members); RM100 (Non- Members) RSVP: E-mail aam_kl05@streamyx.com by Thursday, 16 February Description: Learn how to make classic vegetarian dishes like jeera rice, paneer mutter, mixed vegetable kurma, raita, and mango kulfi (Indian ice cream). The class includes demo, printed recipes and followed by lunch. Annual Ball – The Magic of Motown Date: Saturday, 25 February Time: 7pm – 2 am Venue: Hilton Sentral Kuala Lumpur Cost: RM325 (Members); RM375 (Non- Members) RSVP: E-mail aam_kl05@streamyx.com to purchase tickets Description: Don’t miss the American Association of Malaysia’s annual ball, “The Magic of Motown”! Tickets include a gala dinner and open bar. Dress code is black tie or national dress. ABWM For upcoming events, please check out our web site at www.abwm.com.my KLOGS (KUALA LUMPUR’S OTHER GOLFING SOCIETY) The KLOGS gentlemen golf group meet on the third Wednesday of each month, playing prestige courses in and around KL. For details please email ‘El Pres’ at: mike. maxcon.smith@gmail.com KL COBRAS ICE HOCKEY CLUB Day, Time: Mondays at 9:30pm at Sunway Pyramid. We have over 50 players who participate in our league. The Cobras also play in tournaments around Asia Pacific, have regular social and charity events. Contact: info@klcobras.com Web: www.klcobras.com SOUTH AFRICANS IN MALAYSIA South African Coffee Morning! We meet every second Thursday of every month. Call or email Dorne Sherwood at 012.916 8506 or dorne_roos@hotmail.com SWEDISH WOMEN EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION 9 February - Coffee Morning 13 February – Cooking class 21 February – Lunchen 29 February – CPR course All activities are open to members only. Please visit web site for details: www.swea. org/kualalumpur
- 11. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT11 In recognition of the Malaysian Government’s plans to attract more foreigners to Malaysia and liberalise the rules on visas and work permits, we are introducing this news section to keep resident and prospective expats updated on news affecting them working or living here. Expat News MALAYSIA RANKS AS TOP ASIAN RETIREMENT DESTINATION International Living once again rated Malaysia the best place in Asia to retire. It ranked fourth in the world in their 2012 Retirement Index behind Ecuador, Panama and Mexico. Thailand was the only other Asian country which received high rankings, coming in at ninth place. International Living has been going for some 30 years and primarily focuses on American retirees, which may be the reason they tend to give such high ratings to Central and Latin American countries. However, they do offer a lot of information about the countries and claim to have over 400,000 people on their mailing database for their e-newsletters. Interestingly, once again the weather negatively impacted Malaysia’s ranking. With a score of just 66 out of a 100 for climate, it was even lower than Thailand which scored 75 points in this category. We find it rather confusing that Malaysia frequently gets penalised, as a place to live, because of its climate. We know it can get hot and humid here, but our own surveys repeatedly show that expats living here rate the weather as a major plus factor – not a negative. It seems that the people who do these surveys usually live in colder climates and focus heavily on the humidity factor to conclude the weather is very unpleasant. BROADBAND PENETRATION RISES The Government has announced that 62% of Malaysian homes now have broadband internet access up from 54% in 2012. This is good progress towards achieving the target of 75% by 2015. A key focus is those areas with limited access – mostly parts of Sarawak, Sabah, Pahang and Kelantan. This translates to around 6.5 million households now enjoying broadband access. One negative aspect of this growth has been cyber security with increased cases of spam, phishing, hacking, cyber bullying and other related problems. There were over 7000 cases referred to the Incident Centre at Cyber Security Malaysia last year. This is an agency set up by the Government to focus on cyber security issues. They operate a help desk for people facing problems. ISKANDAR REGION TAKING OFF There have been various positive announcements about the Iskandar Region (IR) since it was decided to develop this huge area around Johor. There are frequent news items about massive Arab investment although it is not always clear how much has actually come through. However, the cumulative foreign investment has been substantial. Our own efforts to get more information from the management, as well as suggest they might want to tell the expat community about their efforts, have never come to anything. The result of course is that many expats are not aware of some of the developments down there. Some of the big property developers have created some attractive developments in Nusajaya which is part of IR. They have been selling quite well, particularly to Singaporeans or expats living in Singapore. The cost differential from that country is enormous. The new Administrative centre for Johor is completed and the buildings are certainly attractively and creatively designed. Part of the overall plan is to set up a regional education hub in an area they are calling Edu City and that is making progress. The University of Newcastle has already opened its medical campus and the University of Southampton is recruiting students for its engineering campus. Marlborough College will also be opening their Malaysian private secondary school this year. Towards the end of this year, Legoland will open its first Asian theme park in the Iskandar Region. It will take up 76 acres and is targeting around one million visitors a year. INVEST KL NOW ESTABLISHED InvestKL is a new entity which has been established to help attract more foreign investment in Kuala Lumpur. The Ministry of International Trade and Industry has been doing this for many years. However, under the Economic Transformation Programme, the government is keen to see some big names enter Malaysia. Invest KL is specifically charged with attracting 100 of the world’s largest multinationals to set up operations in the Greater Kuala Lumpur area. It is headed up by Zainal Amanshah who was brought in from the private sector to become Chief Executive Officer at the end of last year. EARLY ELECTIONS There has been considerable speculation that the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition may call a General Election in the first part of this year. The parliamentary term is for five years, so the election must be called not later than 2013. Various parties have expressed their view that an earlier election might be on the cards to avoid being forced to hold an election if the Malaysian economy is negatively affected by the global economic slowdown which shows no signs of improving. The impact on expats would most likely be felt if the opposition gets in and decides it does not want to pursue the Transformation Programmes which the current government have introduced and which are now well underway and already showing some encouraging signs for the economy.
- 13. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT13 MUSINGS FROM MALAYSIA In one book, the head of the victim is impaled by the lethal spikes of a falling fruit as she walks through a durian orchard at night. As any Malaysian will tell you, durian has “eyes” and will never fall from a tree onto a living thing. Who, then, fatally dropped the durian onto the woman’s head? In another story, a man dies after consuming excessive amounts of durian together with beer, causing his bowels to explode. Is this a tragic accident, or is it foul (fruit) play? In another one, a large suitcase of durian is smuggled onto an airplane and opened mid-flight, precipitating a wave of panic and a stampede in which an elderly billionaire heiress is tragically trampled to death. Was she just in the wrong place at the wrong time or is something suspicious “afoot”? You get the drift… I also had an idea to concoct a durian cologne called “Spiky Spice” and a perfume called “Forbidding Fruit”. Not sure if these will repel or appeal to the general public. Until one of these or one of my other durian-based business schemes comes to “fruition”, I will just be content to be an editor and a durian connoisseur, perpetually in search of the ultimate durian high. I would encourage my fellow expats to plug their noses and partake. Durian may smell like hell, but it tastes like heaven. Ode to the Odorous Fruit WITH DURIAN SEASON UPON US, WILLIAM CITRIN DECIDES IT’S TIME TO PAY HOMAGE TO THE “KING OF FRUITS” Malaysia ten years ago, and an assembled crowd of local friends watched me with great (and morbid) fascination – as if I were a monkey strapped into a rocket ship being blasted into outer space – to see if I would simultaneously combust upon consumption. They were shocked to see me gleefully sucking the meat of the fruit from its seeds. It was finger-lickin’ good (and durian literally sticks to your fingers), its taste complex and indescribable (although Anthony Bordain famously described it as being like “French kissing your dead grandmother”) and unforgettable (mainly because it lingered on my fingers and breath for days). It was unlike anything that had ever entered my mouth before (and you can’t even imagine what has been in my mouth) and I knew, from that first encounter, that I was hooked – or, in this case, spiked. Durian is not just a food, it is an experience. Like lovers and crabs (but not lovers with crabs), each and every durian possesses a unique personality which can only be discovered by breaking through the hard exterior to reveal the pods of flavour within (although the Borneo pygmy elephant eats durian by rolling the fruit in mud and then swallowing it, spikes and all, whole). Each and every durian begins as a mystery and ends as a memory. Speaking of mysteries, I once had the idea to write a series of books entitled “Death by Durian”, each about a murder with durian as the weapon of choice. Like Justin Bieber, motorsports and leather pants, durian is something you either love or hate. The mere mention of the name of this polarizing fruit – not to mention its smell and taste – has the capacity to unleash paroxysms of pleasure or disgust. But one thing both lovers and haters can agree on: durian has power, undeniable power. Unlike beer, jazz and monogamy, durian is not an acquired taste. Most people, it seems, don’t have the “durian gene” and are predisposed to detest it; their senses reflexively rebel against the smell of the king of fruits upon first encounter. These legions – and 97% of expats, I think, fall into this category – loathe the pungent produce with fanatical zeal, pursuing a campaign of utter segregation by banning durian from most buildings and enclosed public spaces. One time at a hotel in Kota Kinabalu, for example, the manager and two security guards knocked on my door late at night in search of the forbidden fruit – apparently its pong had seeped into the centralized air-con system and offended one of the guest’s olfactory glands. I suspect that most of these haters are unfairly judging durian by its spiky cover and, of course, its off-putting stench, and have never actually ingested it. With durian and me, it was love at first bite. I will always remember the first time its creamy, dreamy flesh touched my lips. It was during my maiden voyage to Even though he wrote this column, the views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of William Citrin, the Editor of The Expat. Email him at editor@theexpatgroup.com with your views.
- 14. W W W. M A R L B O R O U G H C O L L E G E M A L A Y S I A . O R G The best of British boarding and day education in 90 acres of Malaysia Senior School: Boarding and Day for children aged 11-15. Preparatory School: Day for children aged 4-11. To learn more about the School and for details of admissions, please email: asharp@marlboroughcollege.org or visit our website. An Invitation to Explore O P E N IN G A U G U ST 2012
- 15. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT15 MY VIEW Blinded by Social Boundaries An award winning writer, Marybeth is The Expat Group’s Consultant Director and has lived in Malaysia for 13 years. Her adult children grew up in Malaysia and now reside in the USA along with her grandgirl, Raya-Rosine. She welcomes your feedback @ consultant@theexpatgroup.com I have two sisters who went blind when they were about 10 years old due to a rare recessive gene disorder. My sister, Sue, who is just one year younger than me, is married to Artie, my husband’s cousin, who keeps a Blind Bloopers Book of Sue’s funniest, most “Helen Keller” moments. Yes, our family on both sides has what is probably the largest repertoire of Helen Keller jokes anywhere. I love this because although, of course, very sad and shocking, she can laugh about it and does so quite publicly demonstrating to others that she is not her disability but just Susie who happens to be blind. Although she is blind, she functions almost normally and is in fact a school teacher. The State of Massachusetts is very supportive of its disabled citizens and went through their home putting special Braille labels on switches, stove and teaching them some tricks of the trade. But things happen and instead of stressing or getting or upset, the entire family, the extended families and now you dear readers all over the world will all know too and laugh with them about her Blind Bloopers. My favorite one is Artie buying a gallon of Hawaiian Punch which feels just like the plastic gallon of Tide laundry detergent. Two weeks later, my niece, Meghan, discovered that her mom had been washing the family clothes in Hawaiian Punch all that time. I asked if they had been drinking that tasty, refreshing Tide, but evidently no. Another instance was her recent status on her Facebook page saying she had just taken the dog’s medicine and had given Sophie her hormone pill. Within hours there were dozens of catty (sorry Sophie for the feline reference) but hilarious comments on her page about her having to go that evening to her in-laws and to be sure not to bark, drool on the furniture or sit on her tail. Never mind the hormonal hell poor Sophie was probably going through, hehe On numerous occasions, she has attempted to get into the wrong vehicle when being picked up, only to realize once the door opens that it’s not her ride. Her descriptions of the varied reactions of the drivers are truly hilarious. One of her own favourites is the time she was walking with her dog in a new neighbourhood in very deep snow. She thought she was asking a young teenager directions but she was in fact conversing with a fire hydrant. Sophie the dog looked quite puzzled at this exchange as related by a person passing by who assisted her home. Then there was the fancy Thanksgiving Dinner with the extended family that particular year at their house. In this case, she had stored the casserole dish where she always had under a drawer near the kitchen sink. Nephew Eddie noticed the short silver nails first and much (American talk, of course) ensued about the lawsuit they would be slapping on the manufacturer at the green bean company. That is, until Artie went to wash up and realised those were HIS nails in HER cooking dish. He had moved them a drawer over without telling her not realizing they might drop into her casserole dish. Not only does Sue have a full time white collar job, she also has a second source of income; she crochets all kinds of baby and toddler apparel, bedspreads, carseat covers, etc. A few years ago she kept being annoyed at the clicking sound her diamond was making with the fast moving needles. So she extracted the diamond and plunked it in a wine glass where it lay forgotten until 6 months later at Easter Dinner, again at their house. Artie’s sister Audrey announced she believed she had a diamond in her mouth after taking a sip of a harmonious red wine. Very quickly she was ordered to spit it out or else risk having an enema on the dining room table. I’ve come to find out over these many years that if you can’t laugh at even the worst situations you might find yourself in, then you might as well go in the closet and die. Laughing at yourself is the best medicine there is. It is sad for me to see throughout many parts of Asia families still filled with shame over a family member with a physical or mental disability to the extent they keep the person inside the house all their lives. What a terrible waste of human capital knowing that one of those young children could be someone like my sister Sue. And even though it’s been five years now since my spine surgery which had some serious complications, taxi drivers who know me, office workers in our building and other local Malaysians who at first would actually tear up looking at me and race over to help, now just see my happy nature. This is why I refer to myself as a cripple. To me, it is a funny sounding word that is the opposite of being politically correct plus it is a fact and makes me laugh, resulting in the person I am with laughing too and we all relax. I always hope that if the older, more traditional Malaysians who know me might themselves have a family member who is not physically perfect understand better now that it is the person you are inside your physical structure that really counts.
- 16. from USA Sheraton ImperialHotel KL 129, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 KL Hotline : +6011 1507 7663 WWW.SIXT Y3KL.COM Supported by :
- 17. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT17 Good morning/afternoon/evening, or whenever it is you happen to be in your day. And whenever or wherever you are, I’m sure you had an interesting time getting there. Because of course one of the unadulterated joys of living in a city such as Kuala Lumpur is the public transport system. From the exciting Russian Roulette of happening upon that honest taxi driver to the sense of fellowship you develop with your fellow inmates as you stand at the KTM Kommuter platform, there’s a whole world of experience out there just waiting for you to… erm…wait for it. Ladies and gentlemen, if I have to pick a favourite - and apparently I do – it’s the LRT system. The next train to Gombak will be a two-carriage train! Oh, you jolly pranksters! Imagine the hilarity and sense of companionship as the assembled passengers try to guess where those two carriages will stop and then cram themselves in together, like it’s all just a big game of Sardines. I especially enjoy those times when you’re standing on the train and it just doesn’t move. After a large enough percentage of the day has passed, I generally give up and treat myself to a 45-minute sauna by attempting to walk home. And imagine how boring life would be if our LRT actually linked up to the Monorail. Who wants it to be that easy to get to Bukit Bintang? No. I for one would much rather relish the challenge of transporting a small child in a pram from Dang Wangi LRT to the Bukit Nanas Monorail without any visible signs of an elevator, before giving up and deciding to walk there from KLCC. Unfortunately, by the time you read this they may have confounded all this by opening the blasted Citywalk, which on paper and in theory all looks a bit too convenient and twee for my liking. And talking of convenient and twee, well lookee here – it’s the KTM Kommuter! Bored? Nothing to fill your day? Wondering what to do with the weekend? Then come on down to the platform at Mid Valley or any of their other 45 waiting rooms and marvel at the passage of time. You’ll feel the growing companionship as you give your fellow strandees a look which says they’ve cancelled the trains, haven’t they? They’ve cancelled them and they haven’t told us, haven’t they? I’m just waiting for you to leave – once you leave I’ll leave. Are you going to leave? Then when the train eventually does arrive, the sense of joy is so overwhelming it’s like Christmas and your birthday rolled into one. And don’t even get me started on the buses. Gasp at the sheer genius of these bus operators as you realize that the only way to avoid the pollution being belched out of these iceberg-melters is to actually get on one, whether you need to go anywhere or not. Don’t panic though, because not only does climbing on board give you access to the only fresh air in the vicinity, but for a mere RM1, you get a soft drink, a slice of cake and your own personal video screen. No, wait a minute, I think I might be getting confused again. Which is what happens whenever I get a taxi here in the Malaysian capital. Those nice drivers just get me so giddy and flustered! You see, I have a thing for the smell of digestive gases and the thrill of being conned out of the contents of my purse. If I’ve had a good day, and am feeling like a particularly happy boy, I’ll occasionally even splurge, by letting one of the boys in blue give me a ride. Of course, if you’re still not convinced about all the wonderful options we have here, then all you have to do is look South West, where the Melaka Monorail sits like the world’s biggest - though least well put together – train set. Laters. THE BRIGHT SIDE WITH MR. JMr J lives and works in Kuala Lumpur, and is ridiculously optimistic about the future. His latest novel Stranger in Taiwan is available on Amazon, and will have sold well over a million copies by the time you read this. GETTING AROUND KL USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT CAN BE QUITE AN ODYSSEY AND AN ORDEAL. MR J. RECOUNTS SOME OF HIS TRAVELLING TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS The Run around, around Town
- 18. 18 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM AROUND THE EXPAT GROUP A Scrumptious Success A Wine Dinner needs a few things in order for it to be a success: a scrumptious and hearty spread of food and luscious and full-bodied wine flowing throughout the night. The recent Expat Wine Dinner delivered just that at the newly opened Morganfield’s at Pavilion. Canapes were served to start off the lovely evening and these were paired with the pale Penfold’s Private Release Chardonnay. Guests were then treated to a pork gumbo soup bursting with vegetables. The option of a tropical fruit salad with fresh lettuce and mint yoghurt was available for non-pork eaters. Morganfield’s is renowned for their pork ribs and this was the main course – a delicious half slab of baby back ribs with a choice of hickory BBQ, Tuscan or peppercorn sauce. Penfold’s Thomas Hyland Cabernet Sauvignon was served with this dish, along with French fries and coleslaw. A choice of roasted lamb or honey-glazed turkey was then offered; both came with generous servings of meat and all the trimmings. There was also an option for blackened Norwegian salmon, spiced up with Cajun and shrimp sauce. The Wine Dinner aptly concluded with a helping of Christmas pudding served with whisky sauce. It was an eventful and satisfying night to be sure.By Milan Sadhwani TheExpatWouldLikeToThank: Morganfield’s C4.03.00, Level 4, Pavilion KL Shopping Mall, 168 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.2141 3192
- 19. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT19 Next Time: Date : 23rd February 2011 Time : 7pm to 10.30pm The Event : Sit down dinner Address : Chinoz on the Park G47, Ground Floor, Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur. Price : RM120 (Expat Card, MM2H and Wine Club Members) RM145 (Non-Members) Cosmpolitan Cuisine Suria KLCC is now becoming known not only for its sensational shopping, but also for its excellent eateries. One such establishment is Chinoz on the Park – a sleek, modern well designed lounge-restaurant, with great views of the KLCC fountains and park. There is also an al fresco area to better appreciate the view as well as a classy private dining area. Chinoz offers a Mediterranean-based menu as well as a good selection of seafood. Opened since 1998, Chinoz on the Park continues to attract a large number of expats and tourists, and to dazzle and surprise foodies from Malaysia and beyond. For reservations, please call Anis at 03.2094 9664 View more pictures of the The Expat Mingle at our Facebook page: facebook.com/theexpatmalaysia
- 20. 20 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM AROUND THE EXPAT GROUP TheExpatWouldLikeToThank: Finnegan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant @ Mid Valley Lot No.G(E)-003, The Boulevard Lingkaran Syed Putra 59200 KL. Tel: 03.2284 8157 W I N E S SINCE 1698 Ushering in 2012 the Irish Way! Touted as one of the best watering holes around Klang Valley, Finnegan’s played host to the last Expat Mingle of 2011. Woods in warm colours and spacious couches greeted the crowd upon arrival. Cozied up in this Midvalley outlet, guests enjoyed Strongbow cider sponsored generously by Guinness Anchor Berhad and delicious Cronier wines. Minglers of the night were also treated to delicious finger food, like the roast beef and asparagus canapes, camembert and strawberry on crackers, Danish blue-stuffed mushrooms and pork sausage rolls. Other snacks on the menu included green mussel roulette, roasted pork belly with tomato jam and homemade potato crisps. For the non-alcoholic drinkers, delightful Parisian fruit cocktails were available. There was a prize draw of two round-trip tickets to Jakarta compliments of KLM. It was a great night and definitely a great end to 2011. Do come and join us for the next Mingle and be a part of this fantastic monthly gathering! By Milan Sadhwani
- 21. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT21 Register online at or call Limited space only. Please book early/register online to avoid major disappointment! Another event by Jointly brought to you by 14 February 2012 (Tuesday) 7pm – 9pm Lot G-02/03/03A, Ground Floor, Cap Square Centre, No 7, Persiaran Cap Square, 50100 Kuala Lumpur. Regular Entry Free Flow Beer + Fingerfood The Expat Card Holders: RM40 Non Card Holders: RM55 Add on Wine Option Free Flow Beer + 3 Glasses of Wine + Fingerfood The Expat Card Holders: RM50 Non Cardholders: RM65 @ ® View more pictures of the The Expat Mingle at our Facebook page: facebook.com/theexpatmalaysia
- 22. 22 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM Expat Extracts Name: Grant Corban Home country: New Zealand Designation/Industry/Company: Owner of two successful Sdn. Bhd. companies. One focused on photography (www.grantcorban.com) and the other on web solutions (www.gdha.co) Marital status/Number of children: Happily married with 3 kids Other countries you have lived in: Hong Kong and New Zealand are the big ones. I spent working holidays in Niue, the Cook Islands, Indonesia, South Korea, India, Spain and Greece. Every country was unique and beautiful. What brought you to Malaysia and how long have you been here? Permanent home here since May 2006 but first arrived, as a schoolboy, in April 1962. Was always keen to live in Asia. Toyed with the idea of Indonesia, Hong Kong and Vietnam. Would choose Thailand as the next best destination now. What do you like and dislike most about living in Malaysia? Insanity on the roads and the poor state of repair of most by-ways. Name three typical weekend activities that you enjoy. Golf, wining and dining and travel. What is your favourite holiday destination in Malaysia or in the region? Why? Bangkok for a change of pace and some variety. Name: Paul Tyminski Home country: U.K. Industry: Aviation Marital status: Divorced with four daughters. Other countries you have lived in: Singapore, Indonesia, New Zealand, El Salvador Describe a memorable eating experience you have had here? Jalan Alor in KL, the Hawkers Market in Penang and the Roast Duck in Bangsar Village 1. Do you own property here? If so, where? If not, why? Yes in Kenny Hills. What do you miss most about your home country? Nothing except my daughters. What advice would you give to a newly-arrived expat? Keep an open mind and just jump right in. Is Malaysia a good country to raise children? Why? Wide choice of schooling, good healthcare, no shortage of affordable home-help and a splendid climate. What brought you to Malaysia and how long have you been here? A beautiful young 5’2” sweetheart I met while I was living in Hong Kong. I arrived nearly 20 years ago and received my PR 3 years ago. Coupled with my 6 years in Hong Kong I have lived longer in Asia than in New Zealand! What do like most about living here? I like the friendly people, great food, ease of doing business, and respect for other races and religions. Where else do you get so many holidays! Name three typical weekend activities that you enjoy. If I am not shooting pictures of beautiful people somewhere in the world, it is family-centric. Eating a meal, watching a movie, playing a board game, or just chatting. If it’s not with the family something is missing. Do you own property here? Yes. Our house in Petaling Jaya, and some tracts of land in Shah Alam and Rawang. What advice would you give to a newly-arrived expat? Get out and meet people. Malaysians are friendly and helpful and you will enjoy getting to know the ins and outs of the culture and Malaysian humour. How long do you plan to stay here? I have no plans to leave. I like it here and my social network is rich and entertaining. Rebuilding anything as deep and rich elsewhere would take years. We do plan on travelling but Malaysia will always be our home. Is this a good country to raise children? Yes because of the closeness of the extended family and respect for older people, and no because for many Malaysian professionals affordable quality education for their children has become a growing concern. Is Malaysia a good place in which to work and do business? Why? Malaysia is a good place to do business as English is still widely used as the lingua franca. Make sure you have a good company secretary to walk you through the ropes of setting up a company to avoid complications later. There are a lot of opportunities for an entrepreneur.
- 23. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT23 What brought you to Malaysia and how long have you been here? A long cherished desire to emigrate to this wonderful country and build a life here with my wife. We wanted to wait until our kids had flown out of the nest, but they took so long that we ended up pushing them out. They flew! We finally emigrated in July 2011. What do you like and dislike most about living in Malaysia? I like much more than there’s space here, but to name a few: the people, the trees and flowers, the food, the business climate, the weather. Only one dislike I can come up with: the driving style of cars and scooters: suicidal. Life here is much too good to die prematurely in a silly accident. Describe a memorable eating experience you have had here. Just last week my wife and I had the honor to be invited at an intimate family gathering of the famous and lovely Shirley Zecha, who had prepared a superb Indonesian-Dutch dinner that would sustain a small village for at least three weeks. We had such a wonderful time! What advice would you give to a newly-arrived expat? Dive in, nose first, just swim or tread water and enjoy, try the food from every cuisine, go to Jalan Alor, pick the joint where you don’t see any tourists, meet as many locals as you can, don’t go for a drive on Friday afternoons, visit the KL Bird Park, the Orchid Garden and the Butterfly Farm, never try to get a cab at Bukit Bintang, avoid Petaling Street. If all else fails: call me and I’ll show you how it’s done. What is your favorite area for your shopping sprees? Name: Ladislava Dundekova Home country: Slovakia What brought you to Malaysia and how long have you been here? It was work - boring! I got transferred (voluntarily) to Malaysia from Prague in April 2010. What were you impressions of Malaysia before you came? How have they changed if indeed they have? I knew virtually nothing about Malaysia which is quite unbelievable now because I’ve been to places that many Malaysians never visited or even heard of. Back then I knew this: Kuala Lumpur, PETRONAS Towers, Malaysian tiger and Malaysia Truly Asia. If you had to pick a sound, a smell, a taste or a touch to describe Malaysia, what would it be? Sound - either prayers (I live just above the mosque… but who doesn’t?) or manglish conversation – still can’t decide if I love it or hate it but it is definitely contagious, or birds chirping in Bangsar. For smell, of course, all kinds and type of makan; it attacks you on the streets and there is no escape. What are the 3 things you like most about living in Malaysia? Possibility to travel easily and frequently around the region; many public holidays – love that especially and the pool in my condo and the fact that you can enjoy it 365 days a year. What are the 3 things you dislike most about living in Malaysia? Traffic jams; the fact that you can’t go to the movies until the last moment unless you want to queue up and end up with a bad or no seat. Name 3 places you would take an overseas visitor. Chinatown and Central Market; Batu Caves on Thaipusam; Pavilion shopping mall. Name 3 typical weekend activities that you enjoy Travelling around; shopping and movies; going to the gym (this is plan for 2012!). What’s your favorite restaurant and bar in Malaysia? Sushi ZanMai. Are most of your friends Malaysians or expats? Expats. What do you miss most about your home country? Wide selection of delicious and cheap cheeses and yoghurts! Name: Jaap Snoeck Henkemans Home Country: Holland Marital Status: Married with 3 children (all living in Holland) Designation: CEO of Kewlox Cabinets Asia (www.kewloxcabinets.com) Other countries where I lived: India, France Bangsar in general, Sungai Wang Plaza and Publika@Solaris Dutamas. The latter because it’s so unlike your regular shopping-mall and a challenge to the mind to find your way around. Is Malaysia a good place in which to work and do business? For me it most certainly is! My company is Southeast Asia’s sole importer and distributor of a unique brand of high quality colorful storage furniture from Europe, and fortunately there’s really a great demand for it here. It’s hard work right now, but I’m not complaining! What’s more: all my local Malaysian business partners are very helpful and forthcoming. Name three typical weekend activities that you enjoy. Weekends? Apakah ini?
- 24. 24 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM T he Magical 1 Malaysia Festival promises to be the largest Celebration of Wonder ever held in Asia! From March 22nd through 25th, 2012, over a dozen of the world’s finest magicians will appear at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. There will be two International Gala shows daily, “The All-Star Magical Matinee” and “The Concert of Illusions”. Both of these will showcase the finest in Magical Artistry, from Close-up and Stage to Grand Illusion. The All- Star Cast for the Festival includes many acts that have never been seen in Asia! Producing this spectacular event is the dynamic duo of Jay Scott Berry and Mahdi Moudini, who have spent over three years in planning and preparation. Berry is an internationally renowned Master Magician, Recording Artist and Producer who has created and performed thousands of shows from Las Vegas to Monte Carlo. He will also be one of the headline acts and compere of the evening gala, “The Concert of Illusions”. Moudini is a 3rd generation Master Magician and now living in Kuala Lumpur. A multi- talented showman, he performs everything from intimate close-up magic to dazzling stage illusions. Since arriving in Malaysia, Moudini The Magical 1 Malaysia Festival has taken the country by storm and his stellar reputation is spreading rapidly around the world, He is constantly in demand for high class parties, performing for royalty and international dignitaries. He is the Founder of the Festival and also one of the headline acts. In addition to the Gala shows, the weekend’s schedule includes four magic lectures by Michael Ammar, Dirk Losander, Rafael Benatar and Tom Noddy. We are very pleased to announce that our Official Guest of Honour for this 2012 Festival will be Grandmaster magician, Johnny Thompson, direct from Las Vegas! We are also very honoured to welcome a host of International Magic VIPs, including Domenico Dante, 2012 FISM President, Derek Lever, Producer of the annual Blackpool Convention England, Tony Hassini, President of the International Magic Society and Irene Larsen, Founding member of the Magic Castle Hollywood. And, that’s not all! By special arrangement, Tony Hassini will be presenting the very first “Grandmaster Merlin Awards” live on stage during Gala dinner. This is a world premiere event - Only at the M1M Festival 2012! For more information, visit www.magical1malaysia.com
- 26. 26 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM
- 27. WINNER OF THE MOST INNOVATIVE TOURISM PUBLICATIONAT THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM AWARDS Malaysia: (50% Discount) : RM72 RM36 Asia: RM168, Europe: RM240, Rest of World: RM288 AMOUNT TO BE BILLED: RM Please enter your credit card details here Visa Mastercard American Express (tick one) Name of bank: Credit card number 3 digit CCV2 code (on back of credit card) Expires on Month Year Your name as printed on the card: Signature: Alternatively, you can enclose a cheque or money order payable to BORNEO VISION SDN BHD. NEWS W e are thrilled to announce that Senses of Malaysia received the Innovative International Tourism Publication award at the prestigious Malaysia Tourism Awards 2011, picking up the prize for the second time running. Established in 1987, the Malaysia Tourism Awards – organised by Tourism Malaysia – take place every two years and recognise and reward the achievements of those who “excel in the development of the nation’s tourism”. There are 12 different award categories and each is judged using a stringent set of criteria to ensure that the best tourism operators, products, and Senses of Malaysia Wins Malaysia Tourism Award again! CEO of The Expat Group and Publisher of Senses of Malaysia Andy Davison (second from left) with Tourism Malaysia officials at the 2011 Tourism Malaysia Awards services are selected as winners. Senses of Malaysia was recognized as the best tourism publication in 2009, and took home the award again at the 2011 awards ceremony held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre – much to the delight of the dedicated team at The Expat Group who produce this magazine which showcases everything that makes Malaysia a great place to work and live. Look out for more, in-depth coverage of all of the 2011 Malaysia Tourism Awards winners in the March issue of The Expat. SENSES OF MALAYSIA SUBSCRIPTION: Please tear out or photocopy this page. Alternatively go to www.sensesofmalaysia.com and sign up online. Full Name (Mr / Ms / Mrs): Mailing Address: City/Town: Postcode: Country: Telephone: E-mail address: P a y m e n t D e t a i l s Senses of Malaysia is a new breed of tourism andtravelmagazine,whichhighlightsMalaysia’s bestbeaches,finestfoods,mostluxurioushotels and the many unique holiday destinations and adventures which makes this country fascinating. This bi-monthly magazine covers a host of topics from relaxation and recreation to education, from world music to flora and fauna, horse riding to golf. It also covers other aspects of life in Malaysia including property, foreign investment, the Malaysia My Second Home programme and health tourism. This publication also makes a unique gift subscription for friends or family overseas. Limited-time 50% Discount on subscriptions to residencies in Malaysia
- 29. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT29 FESTIVALS I t may seem like an unusual way to “celebrate”, but if you find yourself among throngs of people with shaved heads with spears through their cheeks or hooks in their backs while around them crowds smash coconuts against the ground, you know you are in the right place. Thaipusam – full of light, colour and music – is an important yearly Hindu observance that attracts over a million religious followers and visitors annually. The celebration in Malaysia is unique with its eclectic mixture of multicultural participants who join together to celebrate on this very important occasion. Thaipusam always falls on the full moon of the month of “Thai”, which in 2012 means it will be celebrated on 7 February. Hindu devotees believe that observing prayers and often painful piercing rituals will demonstrate gratitude and exonerate their transgressions. This festival, which is celebrated by devotees and tourists alike, honours Lord Murugan, the Tamil god of war. With his golden spear he won a victory over evil and he is seen as the granter of favours – if a wish is granted then he needs to be repaid through sacrifice. Some excellent locations to observe Thaipusam as it is being celebrated are at the Balathan Dayuthapani Temple or Waterfall Hill Temple in Penang, the Sri Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Sungai Petani, Kedah, and the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Gunung Cheroh, Ipoh, Perak. However, the largest and best known festivities occur a stone’s throw away from KL, at the Batu Caves Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Selangor. THE PROCESSION Thaipusam at Batu Caves opens with a splendid display of colour that winds through the streets of Kuala Lumpur in an eight-hour demonstration of devotion. Incense bearers precede the image of Thaipusam Thanksgiving Lord Murugan. A five-tonne silver chariot adorned with jewels and hauled by two specially chosen bulls carries the deity to the Temple Cave as devotees pay their respects along the way. Following the chariot, priests, musicians, and dancers create an electric atmosphere with sound and movement. Intermingled are the followers, moving forward in an intent, trance-like state, attached to their kavadi, paying their penance and respects to their revered Hindu god on the 15-kilometer walk to the Batu Caves. The sound of drums and flutes herald their coming and people line the streets to support them on the journey and thousands of fresh coconuts are cracked on the road in the wake of the chariot along the route, which is lined with refreshment stalls playing devotional songs. GRATITUDE THROUGH DEVOTION Devotees show their devotion, atone for their sins or give thanks for answered prayers in numerous ways, from shaving their heads or smashing coconuts to piercing their tongues or bodies. Many carry silver pots of milk on their heads while others carry a heavier load by wearing kavadi. Kavadi, which means an altar or burden, vary in shape and size but are often elaborate and festooned with ornaments and paintings. Often they are attached to the skin with steel hooks through the chest, face and back during a special ceremony with an offering of ritualistic prayers. The more devoted undertake a regime of vegetarian fasting and general abstinence in the month preceding the festival to cleanse their bodies before being a part of this important event. Standing and watching tens of thousands of burdened, punctured bodies struggle by, it may seem that payment for favours granted is steep. However, Thaipusam is indeed a celebration, anticipated, appreciated and remembered by participants and visitors alike. BATU CAVES The Batu Caves is a network of 400 million year old caves located in the Gombak district of Selangor. The main cave is inhabited by a 100 foot golden statue of a Hindu god and is the main venue for the Malaysian Thaipusam Festival every year. With three main caves and several smaller ones visitors need to traverse 272 steps to reach the top of the limestone cliffs and enter the caves. Devotees carry out different acts of devotion as they climb the steep manmade staircase carrying their kavadi to the Temple Cave. Though by far the most popular time to come is during Thaipusam, the awe- inspiring Batu Caves are worth a visit any time of the year where any visitor can immerse themselves in the caves’ opulent history spanning centuries and enjoy the picturesque temples and colourful wooden sculptures that lay within the caves interiors. Batu Caves during Thaipusam BY AMY DE KANTER
- 30. 30 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM GETTING INVOLVED “W hat about that?” says Shirley, pointing to the deadly trap at the base of a small tree. We turn and look. It is a cunning snare designed to slip over then grip an animal’s neck. The tightened noose chokes the animal by a homemade bungee cord of rubber strips connected to the wire when it tries to escape. The bait is a salt water drip made from a bamboo tube that keeps some fruit moist and salty. We record the time and location then photograph the trap before Shirley deactivates it and Azura hurls the salt dispenser far into the forest. Had it not been found it could have taken the life of a tapir, wild pig, barking deer or even a tiger. We cut the wire into short useless lengths and scatter it in the forest. I have joined volunteers on a CAT (Citizens Action for Tigers) walk. It is a “recreational walk with a difference” enabling ordinary people concerned about declining tiger and wildlife populations to actively participate in conservation. Research shows recreational use of wilderness areas can be beneficial to wildlife in a number of ways. Apart from jobs for guides, spending in local economies, and Tiger Tracks: Walking for Wildlife CITIZENS ACTION FOR TIGERS OR “CAT” WALKS SERVE THE DUAL PURPOSE OF HELPING AUTHORITIES TRACK AND CONSERVE WILDLIFE POPULATIONS AND ENABLING PARTICIPANTS TO ENJOY THE WONDERS OF NATURE. ASHLEIGH SEOW TAKES A “CAT” WALK ON THE WILD SIDE providing locals with a stake in conservation, the presence of hikers protects wildlife from poaching indirectly. Poachers are disturbed by seeing people around who might notice them and their traps so they move further away. But many are local people and do not travel far. If it becomes inconvenient to do so, some will look to other sources of income. CAT walks go beyond establishing a presence and deactivating traps. Volunteers also learn to recognise and measure animal tracks and scat (faeces) and record their location. Data is sent to the Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers (MYCAT). Volunteers who see signs of illegal human activity report through the Wildlife Crime Hotline. Plotting the sites and signs enables MYCAT and the authorities to understand the human and animal activity in the area. The snare Shirley found led to the discovery of 51 others, some with decomposing carcasses, by Wildlife officers following up. This carnage is not rare. In another area I found a 5km trapline. That’s what is facing wildlife today – not a villager catching dinner but poaching on a near industrial scale.
- 31. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT31 We head for a rocky outcrop that juts into a lovely small river and have a leisurely picnic, compare impressions and swap stories about places we’ve been. There is enough time for a refreshing dip in the creek and even a short snooze and sun bathing. The Sungai Yu (Yu River) wildlife corridor links the Main Range to Taman Negara National Park like the cross stroke in a capital H. It is a vital route for wildlife, particularly big mammals like elephants, gaur, tigers, bears and tapirs, moving between those two large tiger landscapes (habitats) and also serves as a genetic corridor for their long term survival. It is however too late for sambar, the largest deer in Malaysia. Due to its highly prized meat, the sambar have virtually disappeared outside the park. Highway 8 from Bentong to Gua Musang runs North- South and development from both directions has left a 12 km wide forest linkage. This might seem like a lot, but effectively it is even narrower as there is sporadic settlement along that stretch and metal railings, steep embankments and wide drains are barriers to many species. The corridor is a choke point conveniently concentrating wildlife for poachers. Buoyed by our success, we continue walking along the Sungai Yu looking for tracks by the river bank. Since animals have to drink, the soft soil around water sources is an excellent place to observe signs. We do not see any on the bank but several metres away someone finds a cat print. I lay out the rulers in an L - shape and photograph the paw print while another volunteer saves the coordinates to the GPS. We decide the print is too small to be a tiger – it was probably a leopard. Tracking is exciting work. At a small stream, we see many tracks and our guide explains what happened: at night a moon rat came down to look around and left; two otters walked on the bank then went into the stream; later a monitor lizard came out but some dogs harassed it and it ran back into the water. On another trip, we found the main prize. While following an elephant trail with its unmistakable footprints, we saw tiger tracks and record them. The tracks went on about 4 km and we realised they were also following the elephants’ route to a river. But the track size differed and it seemed there were two tigers, perhaps a mother and her cub. After we handed in our co-ordinates, a MYCAT team installed cameras on that trail and within a few weeks a “new” tiger was photographed. Its stripe pattern did not match any of the tigers already on the database so it was a new arrival. This is good news. What about risk? We do not want to be eaten by a tiger or fall into a poacher’s trap and get impaled by spikes. These are common misconceptions. A tiger will avoid us and will dash into the jungle, especially during the day; noisy people are intimidating. So far volunteers have been attacked by wildlife only once - by wasps. The snares we find are variants of the simple noose and are not set on human paths but near the intersection with game trails. They are also quite obvious to another human since the poacher also needs to find them. They are designed to snare a paw or a neck and, in the latter case, the noose is no higher than knee height, and none of us are crawling around the jungle on all fours anyway. Pit or box traps are labour intensive compared to snares (how many deep pits could you dig in a day?). There is also no need to fear battering rams or nets that lift you upside down into the trees like in the movies! MYCAT does not seek adversarial relations with villagers. It is looking for more volunteers for its Outreach programmes with communities and schools recognising that a “poacher-turned- gamekeeper” strategy is the best way to eliminate the problem. This is their most successful programme and their presence at local markets has been invaluable in finding supporters and useful intelligence on poaching activity. Besides the CAT walks, MYCAT also conducts Trailblazer – a 5-day boundary trek in Taman Negara to check the boundary markers of the park, clear an inspection path and look out for illegal entrance sites. This is a tougher, but immensely rewarding, undertaking done with Wildlife Department officers. CAT walks are a way to wander the forests and streams, not as a tourist, but as a contributor to the conservation of wildlife by helping to monitor the tiger population. It’s not all work as the walks combine recreational activities like bird watching, trekking, camping or visiting caves as well. It is also great fun and a chance to meet new friends or bond again with the old one- Mother Nature. Those interested should contact MYCAT at mycat.so@ malayantiger.net, find them at www.facebook.com/ themalayantiger or visit www.malayantiger.net Medium cat printCAT walkers on the trail
- 32. FOR SALE 04 953 3108 100%Available to Foreign Buyers Completion May 2012 SEAFRONT LUXURY APARTMENTS
- 33. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT33 F rom the moment I shake hands with Hughes de Courson it is clear that he is going to be something of a surprise; one of those people that defies stereotype. For starters, he is not your average Frenchman. Though he may have been born in France, he moved to Spain at the age of five thanks to his father’s job in the military and spent 12 very happy years living in Madrid – “it is my second country,” he says, “sometimes I feel I am really Spanish.” The unexpected doesn’t end there. He is introduced to me as a composer, but his work is quite unusual, as are the instruments he seeks out to create his works. “Classical instruments are like domestic animals,” Hughes tells me, “but ethnic instruments are like savage ones; uncontrollable and wild.” His face lights up as he tells me about all the far-flung places he has visited, all the instruments he has come across and just how rich the cultural music he found along the way can be. “I am fascinated by that which I don’t understand,” he says with a smile. “I sometimes find Western people are stuck in a mind-set that classical music is superior,” he says sadly, “I want to show them that music is rich everywhere.” His first steps to re-educate the Western world on the intrigue of ethnic music saw him creating an African version of Johan Sebastian Bach, following it with an Arabic Mozart and an Irish Vivaldi. By taking the scores of the classics and incorporating the notes and the instruments of different cultures, he creates what he describes as “more surprising music; it gives life to classical music.” “It started with flamenco,” Hughes explains; an unusual admission in itself. “I started playing the flamenco guitar when I was six or seven and I was fascinated by it.” His interest was more musical- than flamenco-orientated and even at a young age he flitted from instrument to instrument, including a stint in a rock band as a teenager. “Like everyone” he jokes. He had a natural musical talent and a huge interest, and yet it was never something he considered as a career. He settled for studying political science to please his parents and harboured dreams of being a novelist, “I actually wanted to be a writer” he admits with a shake of the head. During his years of study in France he penned a few songs with a school friend and, by a curious coincidence of circumstances, one ended up in the hands of a powerful music producer. Suddenly 19-year-old de Courson was listening to his songs on the radio and finding himself propelled into the music scene. “I was lucky, I never had to work hard!” he jokes. And while it may have been the mainstream music industry that gave him his first break, he couldn’t shake off his fascination with the off-beat and the unusual that had started with his love of flamenco all those years ago and has now led, via a stint with a successful mediaeval folk band, to his work being commissioned by the rich and powerful all over the world, and he continues to spend a lot of time travelling throughout the region and the world to perform his work. And yet despite his composition work taking him around the globe, it was his Bulgarian wife’s job at the EU Embassy that brought him and his children to KL, and as with all things, he embraced the new experience; he even enjoys the traffic jams. “I love to get lost,” he beams, “once I spent 3 hours in the car with no idea where I was. It was very poetic.” Musically, Hughes was thrilled to discover the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) – “such a good quality orchestra! And the hall where they play has the best acoustics I have ever heard” – but was a little disappointed to find popular music so commercialised. “All they do is copy Western songs,” he laments, “it is a good copy, but still…” It is clear that while his family and home are here in Malaysia, his heart travels the world with his music and de Courson most often finds himself in the Middle East, where his work on Arabic music has garnered much admiration from some highly-influential people. Within two weeks of our chat, Hughes was jetting off to Qatar for a performance of a piece he composed after a commission from the Qatar Royal Family. “I am getting plenty of offers,” he admits, “my music goes well with their [Qatar’s] ambitions to be cultural.” But the truer reason for the prolific demand on his time is that Hughes is a man who has given his life to his music, and since he picked up a flamenco guitar 60-odd years ago, he has loved every minute of the journey and revelled in the unexpected places and people it has lead him to. “I love to play a game of surprises,” he says, musing on his years in the business and the lucky break that allowed him to pursue his passion rather than follow the path his parents’ envisaged for him. “And you know what that first song was called? That they played on the radio? ’Surprise Me.’” He smiles delightedly, and says “and now surprises are what I am all about.” PROFILE BY SARAH REES A Life of Surprises
- 34. 34 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM INDUSTRY INSIDER T in has been in existence since the Bronze age when the mix of tin and copper gave the world its yellowish-brown alloy. In its raw, unrefined state, tin looks like tiny rough grey-black pellets some perhaps a little larger than bird seeds, others more refined. Whereas the first area of prominence for the industrialization of tin was Cornwall, England around 1500 B.C., the country from which tin eventually dominated the world was Malaysia. Along its spine Malaysia has great mountains formed from granite or quartzite, and tin ore owes its origins to the granite of those huge ranges. Historians suggest that tin mining near Sungei Lembing, Pahang probably dates back to pre-historic times but mining in Malaysia on any industrial scale did not begin in earnest until around the 1820s, following the influx of Chinese immigrants to the country. Two centuries earlier, Dutch and British traders had introduced the natives to tin and taught them how to barter it on favourable terms. The Tale of Tin AUTHOR PAUL CALLAN TRACES THE FASCINATING DEVELOPMENT OF THE TIN INDUSTRY IN MALAYSIA Mural – Kampar mining As far back as the 16th century, Westerners were already displaying a lack of understanding towards mining in the East: they believed that machinery was the most efficient way of extracting tin ore from Malaysia’s soil. Even Thomas Raffles got it wrong! In the early 19th century he believed that British skill and capital was the way forward when in fact Malaysia’s tin industry cried out for cheap labour in great numbers. Chinese traders first visited Malaysia in the 14th century and whilst tiny clusters of Chinese settled in Melaka, where tin was eventually mined, Chinese immigrants only arrived in numbers after the 1780s. Indeed, by the 1840s, a time which stands out in the annals of the Malaysian tin industry as the period of great discoveries of tin riches, many Chinese arrived in Malaysia at the invitation of Malay rulers. Although Sungei Lembing saw one of the largest underground tin mines in the world, excavation of tin largely took the form of deep open pits with the perimeters of a football pitch. This was because the Chinese labour force had a superstitious dread of working underground, hardly surprising when they had to face the perils of flash floods, falling rocks and suffocation. Another popular form of tin mining was dulang washing – a method where the tin was separated from the soil by sieving it in water with the aid of a wooden conical-shaped pan, a task usually performed by females. Smelting (heating and melting) of the tin often took place on site when the liquid was poured into small boxes to form an elongated pyramid shape known as a bidor. After the 1840s, more and more Chinese immigrants arrived in Melaka and moved on to Negri Sembilan and Selangor, where some became wealthy tin miners or businessmen. In 1860, the mines of Melaka were abandoned because of their poor returns, at which time mining flourished in Lukut, Kanching and Ampang in Selangor. By 1865, Chinese miners were swarming all over the mines in the Malaysian states and Straits tin was in popular demand in the British and European metal markets because of its improved quality. In the
- 35. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT35 The Dulang Washer, a novel by Paul Callan, takes place in the tin-mining camps of Perak’s Kinta Valley, where only the strongest and bravest survive ... and the strongest and bravest of them all is Aisha, the beautiful solitary dulang washer who labours to support two families.The Dulang Washer is available in all good local bookstores. For more information, visit www. thedulangwasher.com Dulang method of tin mining 1880s, when Malaysia was the number one producer of tin in the world, the Kinta Valley in Perak had become its most important tin-mining region. In the pioneering days, and long before the late 19th and early 20th centuries when construction of proper roads and rail began, transport of the tin out of the jungle was by means of internal waterways, human porters, bullock-drawn carts and elephants. Because of the reluctance of Malays, farmers contributing to the food chain, to work for a set wage heavy reliance was place on Chinese labourers. During the 19th century and early decades of the 20th century, repeated drought, famine and flooding drove tens of thousands of men to Malaysia annually. Chinese mining methods was labour-intensive and the miner’s life was a harsh one in a brutal and unforgiving jungle terrain where the death rate was high: miners were unaccustomed to the tropical heat and suffered greatly from such diseases as malaria and beriberi (a nutritional disease) and were encouraged to smoke opium as a means of helping them through their daily lives. Needless to say, vast numbers became addicts, and opium soon reached the status of the highest tax revenue earner, after tin. Most miners travelled to Malaysia with the help of loans from agents, they were then bound to mine owners for a year or more and all were paid six-monthly in arrears. In effect, they became economic slaves to the mines. Upwards of 3 million men immigrated and since most never returned it has been said that they died working the mines. In the mines of Larut, Perak alone, the death rate was put at 50 per cent annually! By 1890, the position of the labour force had so improved that miners were able to save substantial sums and by 1895 the Malaysian tin industry had reached the position of world dominance. Other forms of mining that came to prominence much later on were opencast mining using mechanical shovels, gravel pump mining, where the pay-dirt was blasted with jets of water and the material driven to the surface by means of pumps, and dredging, where a huge mechanical contraption operated like a massive bucket, which was first introduced to Malaysia in 1913. Just before World War I, the limestone caves of Perlis came to the attention of European miners who introduced more modern methods of mining to those employed at the time. Using dynamite they blasted open small crevasses to enable the workforce to get at the tin. In the early 1930s, laws were passed restricting the immigration of men, but did not exclude women so that between 1933 and 1938 the number of Chinese women arriving in Malaysia was placed at 190,000. Ironically, for such an industrialized nation as Japan, during the Japanese occupation of Malaysia from 1941 to 1944 Malaysian tin production was at its lowest. The Japanese actually dismantled the railroad from Ipoh to Tronoh and used the tracks on the infamous Thai-Burma railroad. In the mid-sixties, and when Malaysia still retained its 1880s status of the world’s largest tin producer, the country had over 1,000 gravel pump mines, 600 of which were in Perak and 200 in Selangor. Also in that decade, the world’s largest dry-excavated opencast tin mine (extracting the pay-dirt mechanically and treating it at the surface) was to be found near the capital city, Kuala Lumpur, which had its origins in tin. Whereas in the late seventies Malaysia was supplying the world with over 60,000 tons of tin annually, a figure that represented 30 per cent of world output, and employed over 40,000 in the industry, by 1994 the country was producing only 10 per cent of this tonnage. In the mid-eighties the world price of tin crashed by 50 per cent and Malaysia’s tin industry declined dramatically. The crash was largely due to low deposits and escalating operating costs. One of the great survivors of Malaysian tin however, and a source of much pride to the country, is pewter which contains over 90 per cent of tin in its alloy, and is produced by the world renowned Royal Selangor company, which came in to being in 1885, at the very height of the tin industry. With its global brand and unique decorative and artistic products, the company serves as a wonderful reminder to the world of the ability of Malaysia to achieve number one status in areas to which it sets its sights. Kampar mining
- 36. 36 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM Rawa Islands that dreams are made of, secluded white beaches and palm fringed; images which can be found here in Malaysia, to add to the dream blazing sunlight and never ending circles. Visitors on the beach wallowing in the sunlight. Ah! The simple pleasures of Rawa Island is 16 km off Mersing Johor, a gem of an island discovered by the lucky few. Pulau Rawa is truly a paradise island. There are many caves for exploration and offshore coral reefs rich with marine life. Rawa Safaris Island Resort Tourist Centre, 86800 Mersing, Johor, West Malaysia. Tel : +60(7) 7991204/ 7991205 Fax : +60(7) 7993848 Website: www.rawasfr.com E-mail: rawaisland@live.com KL International Jazz presents the David Sanborn Band Live in Kuala Lumpur Following the successful launch of the KL International Jazz Festival 2012 recently, KL International Jazz is presenting David Sanborn Band live in Kuala Lumpur on 6 March 2012. With six Grammys, eight Gold and one Platinum album David Sanborn is an inspiration to countless other musicians. He continues to be one of the most highly active musicians of his genre and is an artist who pushes the limits and continues to make music that challenges the mind and goes Straight to The Heart. The David Sanborn Band Live in KL is a prelude to the KL International Jazz Festival to be held from 18-20 May 2012. For further information, please contact the producers, KL International Jazz at 03.5637 7742/ 5637 1539 or visit www.klinternationaljazz.com KL International Jazz presents the Live in Kuala Lumpur Following the successful launch of the KL International Jazz Festival 2012 recently, KL International Jazz is presenting David Sanborn Band live in Kuala Lumpur on 6 March 2012. With six Grammys, eight Gold and one Platinum album David Sanborn is an inspiration to countless other musicians. He continues to be one of the most highly active musicians of his genre and is an artist who pushes the limits and continues to make music that challenges the mind and goes Straight to The Heart. The David Sanborn Band Live in KL is a prelude to the KL International Jazz Festival to be held from 18-20 May 2012.
- 37. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT37 THE ARTS BY MILAN SADHWANI T he inaugural sessions last year of “Theatre for Seniors” were a resounding success. Two more sessions are planned for this year, the first intake being in the month of February and another one in June. The course fee is RM400 and there will be a registration fee of RM50. This workshop will limit its participants to 18 people. This programme is specially designed to meet the numerous requests from retirees, parents and those with time on their hands for a theatre appreciation course – particularly for those who have not had any, or only remote, experience with the local performing arts scene, the facilitator for Theatre for Seniors, Mano Maniam, tells me. Interestingly, expats were a specifically targeted group when discussions for the workshop initially took place. “Many expats, particularly MM2Hers, by law cannot work and are of any age and maybe they’d like to do something which back home, they probably had easy access to. Unfortunately, even watching a play is a big deal here,” said Maniam with a smile. Maniam’s own motivation for deciding to facilitate was his desire to bring the people who watched Malaysia grow and develop into a space together. According to him, there is a very small percentage of living people that have lived through that. Theatre for All in “Theatre for Seniors” Programme Klpac had been successfully doing runs of theatre for young people so it seemed like a wise and natural decision to set up something similar for the other extreme of the age spectrum. However, Maniam stresses that the workshop is under no circumstances only for senior people. The course is three weeks long, every Thursday and Friday plus Saturday on the 3rd week when participants will perform for their families and friends. Mano Maniam likens this to community theatre, which he describes as a bastion in established societies. Prior to the advent of technology, it was always performance arts, performed live to carry the message of history and the values learned. On the state of arts in Malaysia, Maniam says that Malaysian theatre is new as Malaysia is a young society that will have to develop its own signatures through storytelling, song and dance. It will take the bright young generation of today to develop and hone this art. This is essential as Maniam points out performance arts are vital to any society. “Theatre is what keeps the memory of culture, and the memory of people,” stresses Maniam. The outcome of this theatre course is for participants to get theatre-savvy. “You get to read Shakespeare scenes, understand what a musical is, what they mean when they say mime,” says Maniam. What is done in the workshop covers a broad spectrum; where there is something for everybody, even for first timers, like those who have never been to a play. It is to de-mystify theatre and to dispel the idea that theatre is highbrow. There is also learning about what a director does and the role of a stage manager plays. The participants who attended the first workshop are allowed to attend the workshop in February for free, in the hopes of amassing at least eight people by the time the fourth workshop comes along to participate in a major production – one that people will pay to see. Fact File: Intakes for Theatre for Seniors in 2012: 1st intake class dates : February 16,17,23,24 March 1,2,3 2nd intake class dates : June 14,15,21,22,28,29,30 Time: 10am - 2pm Maximum participants: 18 pax For more information, please visit www.klpac.org or call 03.4047 9060.
- 38. 38 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM W hen Calvin first sent me some photos of his paintings, I knew he had to be on our Expat cover. He is another example of a highly talented and skilled artist coming out of a small, rural village and getting a Diploma in Art iin the big city of KL, then going on to great international success. I love the effects his watercolour combination portrays, especially the exceptionally well drawn faces of his subjects. You can tell he has a deep connection to the local Malaysians he paints and it is that personal connection is what makes his paintings poignant, compelling and beautiful. One feels as if they were too taking part in the activities and the play. Calvin would like as many of you as possible to enjoy his work so he is offering his lowest rates for purchase. If you have an Expat Membership card, you may deduct a full 10% off. Please call me on 017-654-4858 or email me at marybethramey@gmail.com to set up a meeting with Calvin or for more information. THE ARTS BY MARYBETH RAMEY 2.1. 3. 4. The Artist Profile of Calvin Chua CALVIN CHUA CHARMS1. Purest Smiles Media | Water Colour Size | 56 x 76cm Price | RM8000 2. Sweet Memory Media | Water Colour Size | 56 x 76cm Price | RM7500 3. Twins Media | Oil on Linen Size | 73 x 73cm Price | RM7500 4. Swing Media | Mix Media Size | 72 x 72cm Price | RM7500 5. Splash Media | Mix Media Size | 72 x 72cm Price | RM7500 5.
- 39. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT39 6. “ I grew up in a quaint village in Alor Setar, a town in the state of Kedah. I have always enjoyed drawing and painting from a young age. Growing up in northern Malaysia, my early works featured mostly village scenes and my childhood friends. My friends and I would go fishing by the river after school, or hop onto our bicycles and make our way to the nearby orchards during the fruit season. Other times when I was alone, I would pick up a brush, and start painting these scenes – making my very own visual records of those days. Until today, the depiction of rural life remains the central theme of my art pieces. I treasure the close ties between man and nature in our daily lives, and I enjoy expressing this symbiotic relationship in an artistic form. Painting subjects that I hold close to my heart gives me a tinge of nostalgia; old but gold. Urban development today has made these sights and sounds rare, and I wish that through my art works, I would be able to spark a change and heighten awareness among people. Our world is changing, and it is our duty to conserve and preserve what is left of Mother Nature. They say a picture paints a thousand words; I think paintings do more than that. Every stroke of the brush is a message from the artist’s heart to the viewer. The only limitation is one’s imagination. A free mind and a vibrant play of colours could weave together a vivid tapestry of memories – making them art. - Calvin Chua ” 6. Here Is My Heart Media | Acrylic on Linen Size | 73 x 73cm Price | RM7500 7. Season’s Greetings Media | Oil Painting Size | 132 x 132cm Price | RM8000 8. Morning Bath Media | Oil on Linen Size | 73 x 73cm Price | RM7500 7. 8.
- 40. 40 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM THE ARTS BY RAVINDER KAUR I first had the pleasure of meeting John W. Ishii, an Asian American, at a photography workshop held in 2011 at the Equatorial Hotel Kuala Lumpur. Olympus Malaysia had successfully organized the comprehensive photography workshop. John shared his experiences and secrets concerning outdoor shoots. He captivated the participants (present company included!) with his spellbinding photographs and generously shared important key points in photography, things that had taken him years to master. A former AFP (Agency French Press), and freelance photographer for Associated Press, John’s images have appeared in major international media outlets Capturing Captivating Moments including CNN, USA Today, Washington Post, BBC World News, ABC news, NBC News, and Associated Press. His work has been published in many of the major newspapers throughout the Asia Pacific region as well. John’s life in Malaysia began in 1965, when his family moved here from Washington DC. His father was an economic advisor to Malaysia’s first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman and Malaysia’s newly formed government. “I attended school at the International School Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) and my older sister was in the first graduating class of 1967. We lived in Petaling Jaya in Section 16 and at that time we could only watch TV after 5pm so the rest of the day was spent out in the hot sun playing in the jungle or playing lots of football. My favorite food was Wan Tan Mee (noodles with soya sauce) at Ruby’s coffee shop in new town PJ, costing as little as 50 cents for a small bowl and 80 cents for a large bowl. Then my buddies and I would ride our bikes into KL to have a nice cold Chendol (shaved ice with sweet syrup and coconut milk) for only 15 cents. Of course my favorite drink was Kelapa Muda, (fresh coconut) so refreshing,” John reflects. Life in Malaysia in his younger days was most historical indeed for John had the great privilege of knowing the Malaysian Prime Minister at that time. He also witnessed history in the making.
- 41. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT41 “When I was growing up in Malaysia, my most memorable experience was when I met Tunku Abdul Rahman. My sister and I climbed up to his house and there he was sitting on the porch reading the paper and he gestured for us to come to the gate. We went up to the house gate and his guards told us to come in. Tunku came down and presented us each with an autograph on his personal stationary. I tell many of my Malaysian friends that I know more about Malaysian history than they’ll ever know. I lived and experienced it and have met all the founding fathers. I was even here during the 13 May riots, where I could see KL burning. Time goes by and I’ve been able to capture it on film,” says John. John attended school at Seattle University and owned a business on Capital Hill in Seattle for many years. He returned to Malaysia in 1995 and worked for an American company. As a trained photographer, John decided to get back into photography after the Asian economic crisis. “I’ve been here so long it feels like I’ve melted in with Malaysian society. Being Asian American is a big plus for me, I just blend in to the society and nobody sees me otherwise. I think I’m the only Japanese American in KL, but of course as soon as I speak then I’m exposed. My Manglish is not too bad though,” John jests. In 2004, John was most fortunate (and most unfortunate at the same time) to be holidaying in Phuket Thailand, on the day the Tsunami had hit the region. It presented him with a rare opportunity to depict the disaster graphically to the world. “I was the only professional photojournalist there when the Tsunami hit. Since I freelanced for AP I had the very first images out for the breaking news. By 5pm that day my images were in every major newspaper in the world,” John recounts. Besides photojournalism, John is an established commercial photographer and he has serviced big names such as Westin KL, Tanjung Rhu Resort Langkawi, Equatorial Hotel Group and ATSA Architects. “My favorite assignment was when I did a job for Insight guide books on Langkawi and Penang. It was great to spend weeks in Penang and Langkawi taking photos and experiencing the travel aspects of these two beautiful places,” John reminisces. John’s photography has been exhibited at the National Art Gallery of Malaysia, the 50th Anniversary of US and Malaysia’s Relationship Photography Exhibit. He has also staged solo exhibits. John is the editor for PC.com and he conducts many photography workshops for all aspiring photographers out there. To view more of John’s work, visit www.johnwishii.com John W. Ishii
- 42. 42 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM MALAYSIA TRAVEL Get Smart about Art WHETHER YOU’RE INTERESTED IN ANCIENT KHMER POTTERY OR EDGY PERFORMANCE ART, MALAYSIA HAS A LOT TO OFFER TO ART LOVERS OF ALL TASTES AND PREFERENCES. KATRINA MELVIN TAKES US ON A TOUR OF SOME OF THE COUNTRY’S TOP ART GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS NATIONAL ART GALLERY Malaysia’s National Art Gallery was established in 1958 after a campaign spearheaded by Tan Sri Mubin Sheppard and Frank Sullivan, who became the first administrator of the gallery. In 1998, with a need for additional galleries and storage, it was moved to its current location on Jalan Tun Razak. This modern building is one of the largest national galleries in South East Asia. The National Art Gallery houses a large collection of more than 2,500 works of local and foreign art, as well as several temporary exhibitions. More than just a venue, the gallery is committed to restoring, preserving, documenting, promoting and improving art and artists in Malaysia. It regularly hosts art competitions, seminars and workshops for art practitioners and students as well as numerous art-related events for the general public. The gallery is open from 10am – 6pm daily (closed on Friday from 12:45-2.45 pm). Guided tours are available. Admission is free. Contact: www.artgallery.gov.my ASIAN ARTS MUSEUM Located on the campus of Malaysia’s oldest university, the University of Malaya, this museum aims to preserve and promote Asian arts and cultures. There are currently over 6,000 artefacts spanning 4,000 years of Asian history. Main collections include Malaysian, Indian, Chinese and South East Asian objects, including Tzu Chou and 9th - century Khmer pottery. The gallery is open from 9pm to 5pm Mon-Thurs with reduced opening hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Admission is free. Contact: +603 7967 3805 PETRONAS GALLERY Petronas Gallery, also known as Galeri Petronas, is located on the 3rd of floor of KLCC Shopping Centre. It is owned and funded by Petronas, Malaysia’s national oil & gas corporation. The primary aim of the gallery is to provide a venue for current local artists to gain exposure for their work. There is a well-stocked art resource centre, regular local and foreign Petronas Gallery Textile Museum, KualaLumpur
- 43. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT43 resident artists, and annual art conference. Art classes are open to the public. The current special exhibition, Antara Budaya, features object d’art presented to Petronas by representatives of the various countries in which the company has worked. Petronas Gallery is open 10am-8pm daily except Mondays. It is open on public holidays except the first week of Ramadan and the first day of Hari Raya. Admission is free. Contact: www.galeripetronas.com.my RIMBUN DAHAN Rimbun Dahan is a private property which has been developed for artists’ residencies and for some beautiful heritage houses that would otherwise have been lost had they not been moved here and restored. One is a century old kampong house from Parit, Perak, the other an Anglo-Malay bungalow from Penang. The compound covers over 14 acres and is planted with indigenous forest species. This is the only indigenous Malaysian species garden in the world. Rimbun Dahan is just a 40 minute drive from KL, a few kilometres north of Sungai Buloh on the Kuang road. Rimbun Dahan plays host to WWF Malaysia’s annual Art for Nature exhibition, featuring some of South East Asia’s best artists. Rimbun Dahan is open to the public only during exhibitions, or by appointment. Contact: www.rimbundahan.org THE ANNEXE The Annexe Gallery, located just behind Central Market, has had a big impact on the Malaysian arts scene in only the four years since it opened. This centre for contemporary arts provides spaces for exhibitions and shows of a diverse nature for both local and foreign artists. The eclectic programme of events is organised either by The Annexe or in collaboration with outside parties, ranging from fashion shows to performance art to talks to music and more. The centre has attracted a community of artists and art lovers which continues to grow and explore new ways to express itself. Contact: www.annexegallery.com ISLAMIC ARTS MUSEUM MALAYSIA Opened in 1998, the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM) has the region’s largest and finest collection of Islamic art and heritage. Located near the greenbelt of Kuala Lumpur’s Lake Garden opposite the National Mosque, the museum’s collection contains over 7,000 artefacts as well as an excellent Islamic arts library. Displays range from intricate jewellery to scale models of famous mosques throughout the world including the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca. There is an emphasis upon Asia, India, China and South East Asia in the collection but the 12 galleries here are set up according to themes rather than geographical location. Permanent galleries are based upon the following themes – Ceramics and Glassware, Arms and Armour, Textiles, Jewellery, Metalwork and Woodwork. The museum is a modern building with Islamic architectural detail and four striking turquoise domes on the top of the building. These Persian Safavid- styled domes were designed and the ornate tiles cut by Isfahan artisans. These domes were inspired by the Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan and the inverted dome on the inside of the museum is another significant feature. The museum’s opening hours are from 10am – 6pm, Mondays to Sundays, including public holidays. Contact: www.iamm.org.my TEXTILE MUSEUM, SARAWAK Sarawak offers one of Malaysia’s finest textile traditions with the woven cotton ikat produced by some of the state’s ethnic communities being intricate, collectable and forming an important part of their culture. The three-storey rectangular building itself is architecturally fascinating with its combination of English colonial and English Renaissance styles. Examples of local pua kumbu ikat are displayed alongside Malay kain songket. Open daily from 9am to 4.30pm and entry is free. Contact: www.museum.sarawak.gov.my TEXTILE MUSEUM, KUALA LUMPUR The National Textiles Museum is located in The Sultan Abdul Samad Building on Merdeka Square, recognisable by its ochre and cream horizontal stripes. This strikingly striped heritage building is the perfect repository for the nation’s textile heritage. There are four exhibition galleries: Pohon Budi Gallery, focusing on the origins of fabric since prehistoric times and the evolution of fabric trade and techniques; Pelangi Gallery, showcasing selected heritage collections from Malaysia’s many ethnic groups; Teluk Berantai Gallery, which holds an extensive collection of Malay fabrics and costumes; and, Ratna Sari Gallery, exhibiting jewellery and accessories of Indian, Malay, Chinese and Orang Asli origins. Open daily from 9am to 5pm and entry is free. Contact: www. jmm.gov.my/national-textiles-museum ARTISTS’ COLONY, KUALA LUMPUR CRAFT COMPLEX Within the ground’s of Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex on Jalan Conlay, the artists’ colony allows visitors to watch traditional artists and craftspeople at work in a traditional village setting. Stroll by the wooden huts and observe pottery, batik and jar making, painting, and songket weaving. Visitors are also given the opportunity to try their hand at a traditional craft in one of the regular demonstrations. Open from 9am to 6pm daily. Contact: www.kraftangan.gov.my National Art Gallery
- 44. 44 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM REGIONAL TRAVEL consistent growing season. Combine these essential natural elements with advanced and technological winemaking plus the enthusiasm of its winemakers and the result is some of the world’s leading wines. Margaret River produces the “best of the best” when it comes to Australian wines as it contributes 10% of the nation’s premium wines. While it only produces 3% of Australia’s total output, much of this is premium wine so you don’t need to be Robert Parker to appreciate that the wines here are among Australia’s finest. Interestingly enough, the first vines were only planted some 40 years ago. With a climate similar to France’s Bordeaux, it’s not surprising that Margaret River’s wine reputation is derived from Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Other grape varieties that do well are Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Chenin Blanc and Riesling. Today, most of the region’s 125 wineries provide wine tastings and sales. Wineries like Leeuwin Estate have helped put Margaret River in the sights of wine connoisseurs.This estate produces some of Australia’s finest and most expensive wines with their Art Series Chardonnay being one of Australia’s most iconic whites. Such Chardonnays set the benchmark by which others in the district, and Australia, are measured. The winery is a natural ampihtheatre surrounding by towering karri and jarrah forests and the annual February vineyard concerts are held on the grassy expanses within the grounds of the winery. W hile Margaret River is only a small town, the region extends from Cape Naturaliste near Dunsborough in the north to Cape Leeuwin and Augusta in the south. Mild Mediterranean temperatures and cool sea breezes from the Indian and Southern oceans not only help contribute to the growth of premium grapes but ensure that the weather is perfect for enjoying the invigorating Australian outdoors. These oceans are also the playground for those who come to surf or just laze around on long, uncrowded sandy beaches. It’s a comfort for those who swim off the panoramic headland of Gracetown for example that the only thing between there and South Africa is the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean. Yallingup is one of the most popular beaches but there are another 75 between there and Augusta in the far south with Prevelly Beach being the closest to Margaret River. Whale watching is also popular during the season from June to November with several companies offering cruises to see Humpback and Southern Right Whales. During the season (May to November), to see a population numbering some 35,000 whales breach the surface of the water to provide an excellent family attraction. DISTINCTIVE WINES The Margaret River wine region is noted for its warm gentle summers, mild frost- free winters, ample rainfall, rich soils and Margaret River: Surfing the Vines LONELY PLANET NAMED WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S MARGARET RIVER AS ONE OF THE TOP TEN REGIONS IN THE WORLD TO VISIT. AND IT WASN’T JUST THE FAMOUS WINES THAT ENSURED THE REGION WAS ON THE LIST. THE BEACHES, SURF, CAVES, FORESTS AND FARMS IN THE SOUTHWEST OF AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST STATE MAKE THIS A DESTINATION THAT SATISFIES MANY PEOPLE’S HOLIDAY DESIRES, AS DAVID BOWDEN DISCOVERS. Grounds & restaurant Leeuwin Estate Margaret RiverGrounds & restaurant Leeuwin Estate Margaret River Large barriques, Cape Mentelle
- 45. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT45 One of the smartest and oldest wineries in the district is Xanadu. With grapes covering 85ha, visitors can expect some of the finest wines made from Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc varieties. Other notable regional wineries include Devil’s Lair, Laurance, Pierro, Voyager Estate, Vasse Felix, Cullen, Moss Wood, Howard Park and Cape Mentelle. TOURING THE VINES Considering Perth is less than six hours flying time from Kuala Lumpur on AirAsia X, its understandable that it’s a popular holiday destination. From Perth, Margaret River is another 300km or three and a half hour’s drive south of the Western Australian capital. Hire a Red Spot Rental car at Perth Airport and using their helpful maps, head out of the city and onto the freeway south to Bunbury and Margaret River. The Dolphin Discovery Centre in Bunbury is well worth exploring and the underwater observatory at the end of the Busselton Jetty is a popular educational attraction. One way of discovering the region and especially its wineries is to cycle despite the distances being longer than expected. Join a “Sip n’ Cycle Tours” with Dirty Detours which offers a perfect balance of rural scenery, energetic cycling and wine tasting with a small group of cyclists. Enjoy their luncheon platter with a glass or two of local wine in a scenic picnic location. In spring, the forests especially in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park burst into bloom with wildflowers. Underneath the ground the spectacular Jewel, Lake, Mammoth, Ngilgi and Yallingup Caves are other attractions that have drawn tourists for decades. The Caveworks Interpretation Centre provides valuable educational information. There are some 100 caves to discover with Jewel Cave, near Augusta being the state’s largest show cave. For those who like a little adventure and exercise the Margaret River “Rails to Trail” track is 15km long that follows an old train line, making it suitable for biking or hiking. There are walks in Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, around the lighthouse at Cape Naturaliste, Vasse-Wonnerup Wetlands and the Heritage Walking Trails through historic Margaret River. While it looks easy, stand-up paddle boarding requires skill and concentration with a lesson in the shallows off Gnarabup Beach being the best way to get started. Take a walk along the coast around Smith’s Beach with Cape to Cape Explorer to admire the untouched and rugged coastline, ragged rocks and whales patrolling offshore. WINING AND DINING It goes without saying that the Indian Ocean is home to seafood that fishmongers throughout the world only dream of selling. Try the king prawns, blue crabs, scallops, blue-lip abalone, rock lobsters, bream and snapper and you’ll quickly discover why. Back on land, there’s fresh local venison and lamb, dry-aged beef, Wagyu and even kangaroo. There’s also an abundance of micro breweries in the region to ensure no one goes thirsty. One of the best times to experience all that the region has to offer is during the Margaret River Wine Region Festival in March. The heady combination of surf, sand, sun and solitude combine to produce one of the finest locations in the world to visit. GETTING THERE: AirAsia X (www.airasia.com) flies daily to Perth departing Kuala Lumpur late in the evening and arriving into Perth just after daybreak to ensure that visitors can reach Margaret River by lunchtime in a Red Spot Rentals (www.redspotrentals.com.au) with their competitive flat rates and no extra costs. WHERE TO STAY: Much of the district’s accommodation provides self-catering so preparing meals is possible with full kitchen facilities. An excellent choice in the self-catering stakes is Riverglen Chalets in Margaret River (www. riverglenchalets.com.au). Other choices include All Seasons Margaret River (www.allseasonsmargaretriver. com), Caves House Hotel in Yallingup (www.caveshousehotel.com.au) and the Grand Mercure Apartments in Busselton (www.grandmercure.com. au). In Augusta, check into Alouarn Apartments (www.alouarnapartments. com.au) and visit Leeuwin Lighthouse, walk the Southern Ocean coastline and enjoy golf with the kangaroos at Augusta Golf Course. CONTACTS: Dirty Detours (dirtydetours.com.au), Leeuwin Estate (www.leeuwinestate. com.au), Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association (www. margaretriver.com), Legends Charter (www.www.legendcharters.net.au), Western Australia Tourism (www. westernaustralia.com), Cape to Cape Explorer (www.capetocapetours. com.au) and Xanadu Wines (www.xanaduwines.com). Board Riding at Beach
- 46. 46 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM GREAT NEWS FOR RUSSIANS Russian expats will be delighted to hear that they can at last fly direct from KL to the capital of Moscow, thanks to airline Transaero making its inaugural flight late in 2011. Transaero, Russia’s second largest airline, is the only Russian airline operating in Malaysia and offers a weekly flight to Moscow from KLIA, as well as an extensive network throughout Europe upon arrival in Moscow. The airline previously flew into KL on charter flights, but the demand has proved high enough to warrant a permanent slot on the flight schedule and it is a move that will be great for travelling expats as well as for improving tourism between the two cities. Visit www.transaero.com In association with Citibank PremierMiles Card Expat Airline Travel & News Visit: http: //www.citibank.com.my/premiermiles MORE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN KL AND JAKARTA Lion Air, Indonesia’s largest private carrier, celebrated its inaugural second daily flight from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta late in 2011; a flight that will be welcomed by the many passengers who regularly travel between the two capitals. Lion Air President Director Rusdi Kirana said the start of the second daily flight from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta was in response to greater demand from both the neighbouring countries, while Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd Managing Director Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad said he welcomed the addition. The need for a second flight reflects the ever increasing demand for the Kuala Lumpur-Jakarta route, and will be further benefit passengers in terms of wider spread of services and greater connectivity. The airline operates with the brand new Boeing 737-900ER, with the Boeing Sky Interior for this route. In addition, passengers are offered low fares and free 20kg baggage allowance with the privilege of aero-bridge facility for greater safety and comfort from the main terminal building of the award-winning KLIA. To book flights visit www.lionair.co.id A GREAT NEW PARTNERSHIP The UAE flag-carrier Etihad recently announced a new partnership with Germany’s second largest airline air berlin, providing passengers with a combined total of 239 destinations across 77 countries via the hub in Abu Dhabi. This will be a useful connection for Germans flying home, as from 15 Jan air berlin will commence four-weekly flights between Berlin and Abu Dhabi, where travellers can pick up a flight to and from KL. Other benefits from this partnership include being able to collect and redeem frequent flier miles on both Etihad and air berlin, with the chance for top tier members to get priority boarding and excess baggage. Visit www.etihad.com or www.airberlin.com for more details or to book flights. SABAH STATE SEEKING FLIGHTS The tourism minister of Sabah has been making plans to safeguard the tourism industry, which ministers feared would take a knock after the cancellation of many Malaysia Airlines flights to the state. China Eastern Airlines, who used to fly to Sabah, have been persuaded to reinstate flights to the state, and have offered to schedule two or three charter flights each week, with a view to adding more if demand proves high. The state’s ministry are also holding talks with other airlines to try and tempt them to fill the gap left behind due to the cancellation of flights to destinations such as Perth, Haneda, Seoul and Osaka. To further boost the state’s tourism officials are encouraging shopping malls to keep their service standard high and ensure cleanliness to keep visitors coming back Visit www.flychinaeastern.com MAS CUT BACK ON ROUTES As part of its business plan, national carrier Malaysia Airlines will be ‘rationalising’ – or stopping - some of their routes in 2012 to help curb losses on the less popular routes. The list of routes to cease service and the implementation dates are as follows: Osaka, already implemented Singapore, already implemented already implemented
- 47. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT47 A great way to make your flight more comfortable is to avoid annoying the staff or your fellow passengers, as you will be stuck with them for a long time! Here are some top tips for being a good passenger: 1. The worst time to make requests on the staff is before take-off, as they have a lot of security checks to do. Try and leave them alone until you are airborne. 2. If the stewardess asks you to turn off your phone, make sure you actually do it to save them having to come down and remind you. 3. Negotiate your own seating changes on board, as the staff can’t actually make a passenger move unless it is for a safety reason. You will find that people who are travelling alone will be accommodating if you are polite. 4. Be nice to the staff; thank them when they help and be polite in your requests – remember they are probably tired and stressed and they will be much friendlier if you treat them with respect. 5. Do say hello to your neighbour, but don’t tell them your complete trip itinerary or the ages and individual interests of all your grandchildren. Most people enjoy privacy and quiet when they are flying. 6. Get everything you want out of the overhead locker before you take your seat to avoid having to keep getting up and disturbing those around you. 7. If you know that you need to get up a lot during a long-haul, politely ask if you can have the aisle seat. Often people will prefer to swap seats with you than have to keep getting up to let you pass. already impemented 31 Jan effective 31 Jan Aires, effective 1 Feb Haneda, effective 1 Feb effective 21 Feb Malaysia Airline’ Group CEO Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said “the above route rationalization is expected to have minimal impact on Malaysia’s position as a top tourist destination in Asia.” Malaysia Airlines regrets for the inconvenience to passengers as a result of these changes and assures that it will honour all forward bookings ticketed to date on the affected routes. The Company will make alternative carrier arrangements, at its own cost, to ensure minimum discomfort to passengers. Fir more information, visit www.malaysiaairlines.com FIND A SEAT MATE Just when you thought the all-consuming touch of facebook had limits, it is finding its way into travel arrangements too. Various airlines are beginning to look at linking the passengers’ facebook profile to their flight booking so that people can locate ‘seatmates’ that have similar interests or backgrounds. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines are set to announce their “meet and seat’ service soon, giving passengers the option to link their facebook or Linkedin profile to their check in information. Malaysia Airlines are also launching a service that will let passengers see which of their friends are taking the same flight or travelling to the same destination as them. These services will always be optional, so passengers who enjoy the anonymity of flying won’t be forced to make it public. To book flights with the airlines mentioned above, visit www.klm.com or www.malaysiaairlines.com Flying Tips THE WORLD’S MOST LUXURIOUS AIRCRAFT At the end of last month, staff from The Expat Group and VIPs were lucky enough to be invited to Kuala Lumpur International Airport to get the chance to explore the interior of what is claimed to be one of the most luxurious aircrafts. The A380 is a double-decker jet that will be making its first appearance in Malaysia as Emirates commence its route to Dubai with this amazing new plane. Passengers on board the new aircraft will be suitable impressed: from private suites and shower spas in First Class, flat-bed massage seats in Business Class to on- board lounges for chilling and chatting, flying is going to get far more comfortable. For more information about the new plane and to book flights on the new aircraft for the KL-Dubai route visit www.emirates.com. Check out our Expat Airline Travel & News section at www.expatkl.com/ airlinetravelnews
- 48. The world's highestconcentration of millionaire households is in Whether it's for accumulation of wealth, sustained economic development or flourishing tourism, Southeast Asia continues to establish itself as one of the most dynamic regions in the world. For breaking news, new features and expanded coverage of Southeast Asia's business, finance, real estate, culture and travel, visit the new Southeast Asia section of WSJ.com today. SINGAPORE WSJ.com/SEA S O U T H E A S T A S I A S E C T I O N F R O M
- 49. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT49 I n any industry, it’s hard for a company to rise to the top, but even harder to stay on top. In the automobile industry, Mercedes-Benz has achieved the near-impossible by remaining the standard bearer since time immemorial. But this premier position is not taken for granted by the people who work for this automotive giant. “We at Mercedes-Benz cannot rest on our laurels. Trust is a bank which we need to keep paying into with exciting new products, value added solutions, outstanding customer service and the professional management of our relationship with the customer,” says Kai Schlickum, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sdn Bhd. This 37-year-old Aussie, who (like the company he works for) is originally from Germany, went on to add: “As the inventor of the automobile, nobody has more knowledge and experience in building cars than Mercedes-Benz. I believe the allure for the brand comes about because the people and dealers that work for it are just as convinced of the value as the customers. This drives everybody in our organization to top performance and to provide our customers with the best.” Much like the company he works for, Kai exudes confidence, drive, sophistication, and a passionate pride in his role. Through his professional dedication, he has risen up through the ranks at Mercedes-Benz, and in his current role oversees numerous aspects of the company’s business in Malaysia including sales, product management, marketing, and vehicle preparation. A big job, no doubt, but Kai is up to the challenge. A LIFELONG LOVE AFFAIR WITH CARS Kai’s career trajectory can be traced back to his early youth in Australia when this self-professed car buff - “my heart beats for cars,” he smiles - began playing incessantly with all sorts of toy cars, even crafting his own vehicles out of leftover boxes that his father brought home. Kai seemed destined to make his mark in the automotive industry - and he has, by seizing the opportunities that have been given to him throughout his career and devoting himself to the pursuit of professional success. After finishing his studies in Australia at the age of 22, he moved to Germany where he did a sales traineeship in passenger cars at Mercedes-Benz Aachen. More than 16 years later, Kai is still working for Mercedes-Benz, having held an impressive and diverse array of positions in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and, finally, Asia. He beams with pride when talking about the privilege and prestige of working for such an illustrious company: “Who can get up every morning and say that their job is their hobby? Cars have been my life ever since I was born. For me there was no alternative than to work in the car industry, and to work for the company that invented the car is a blessing.” MALAYSIAN MILESTONES Kai was based in Stuttgart, Germany in early 2011 when the call came offering him a chance to relocate to Malaysia and assume the role of Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Having always wanted to live in Asia, he jumped at the opportunity and jumped on a plane to Kuala Lumpur in April 2011. In sunny Malaysia, Kai has blossomed – both professionally and personally. He openly praises his predecessors at Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, as well as his current team, which under his management has continued to fortify the brand’s position here as market leader in the luxury car segment. “My professional highlight was achieving the results which we were able to achieve in 2011,” explains Kai, “It is recognition that everything we do every day is done right. We enjoy an exceptional reputation in Malaysia thanks in no small part to our very professional dealer network.” The evidence is plain to see on the roads throughout Malaysia: Mercedes-Benz is by and large the luxury car of choice in the local market. Besides his professional achievements during his time on Malaysian shores, Kai has taken time to explore, develop and indulge his personal passion for cooking and gourmet cuisine, as well as immersing himself in local history and culture by collecting antiques and artefacts on his frequent visits to Penang and Melaka. For a man often to be found in the driving seat, he finds Malaysia has a plentitude of opportunities to rest and relax. From deep sea fishing expeditions to homely dinner parties with newfound friends and his fiancé, Kai does not see Malaysia just as a career posting. Rather it is now a place he fondly calls home. It is apparent that, whatever Kai does – personally and professionally – he does with passion. Inspired by “the heritage of the Mercedes- Benz brand and its reputation for quality, safety and value”, Kai – along with his team at Mercedes-Benz – is driven to be the best. BUSINESS PROFILE BY WILLIAM CITRIN Driven to Be the Best
- 50. 50 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM EXPAT HOMES “I t’s all about location, location, location,” laughs Tony, as he and his wife Gail welcome us into their home. “And this place had a pretty good view.” Indeed it is the view that draws your gaze the minute you pass through the huge wooden door and into the cosy living room: the long windows running along two sides of the lounge offer a spectacular panorama of the city, with a vista of the PETRONAS towers gleaming in the sunshine just across the park. This is Park Seven, a gorgeous condominium nestled right by the side of KLCC park, and it seemed unnecessary to enquire why the Australian couple chose this as their home. “We looked at 7 or 8 places,” explained Tony, “but we liked this one. The architecture is interesting, it is slightly modernistic.” The Park Seven building does have a minimalist, ‘urban’ feel with exposed concrete and simple tiling around the car park and security office, but from sweeping into the couple’s personal lift lobby and into their home, a sense of classic style and cosy comfort takes over. The Aussie couple are old hands at setting up home, having spent almost the entirety A Room with a View of their married life moving around the world, following the trajectory of Tony’s job and creating their nest in places as diverse as Syria, Texas and Indonesia. Gail enjoyed the opportunity to pick up “memories”, as she calls them, along the way, and much of the furnishings trigger moments spent in various corners of the world: a painting from Texas, a wooden screen from Indonesia, a rug from Turkey to name but a few of their exotic pieces. “It’s a bit of an eclectic mix,” smiled Gail as she shows us around, “but I like it.” Unlike many expats who leave much in storage, Gail and Tony have complemented the furniture they collected on their travels with pieces from their home in Brisbaine. “We prefer to have our own,” explains Tony, “plus some of them are old family pieces.” Gail points out a delicate chair sitting in the corner of their bedroom which was upholstered by Tony’ Aunts, and her favourite piece is her beloved “corner chair” which is nestled beside their antique dining room table. “This chair is one of the first antiques I ever bought,” Gail explains, “so it is a bit more special than the others.” SOME OF THE MOST STUNNING HOMES IN MALAYSIA ARE OWNED AND OCCUPIED BY EXPATS SEEKING TO CREATE AN OASIS FOR THEMSELVES IN THEIR NEW COUNTRY. SARAH REES TAKES US ON A TOUR OF ONE OF THESE BEAUTIFUL HABITATS The living room is neat and classy Various treasures A good place to watch the sunsetThe spacious kitchen Inside and out, the place is eye-catching
- 51. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT51 Gail’s passion for antiques is something that has stayed with her during their various postings to foreign shores, and perhaps her most fascinating piece is a polyphon – an antique disc music box - which she found at an estate sale in Houston. “I had a friend from LA who owned an antique shop and she used to take me shopping to all these wonderful places!” Gail explains, as she pulls out a handle and sends the wheel spinning, sending delicate music seeping out of the wooden box. Gail’s eye for style extends into her craft work and tucked in the study is a sewing machine and a work table, from where she creates quilts. While most can be whizzed on the sewing machine, her piece de resistance is a quilt made entirely by hand that has been in progress for three years. “It is nice to have my work table in the study where Tony’s computer is,” says Gail. “We can both do our work together then.” When the work is done, Gail and Tony enjoy seeing the sun slip below the horizon from the comfort of their wicker chairs on the balcony, sitting among the plants and flowers that almost seem to extend from the greenery in the park beyond. Plant life also adds a warmth to the interior, as Gail makes weekly visits to Chinatown or an orchid farm out of town to collect beautiful flowers to brighten up the house. “I went for red roses this week,” she explains, nodding at the rich maroon flowers extending from the depths of a delicate vase. “It keeps the Christmas feeling going even though we have taken down the tree.” It is clear that Tony and Gail are very happy with their choice of home, not only for its superb location (Tony can walk to his office in the twin towers) but also for the style of the place, the facilities and the comfort they get from feeling well looked out for. “The staff will do anything to help,” says Tony, “which is wonderful. We have heard some horror stories from some of our friends about other places, but we feel very well-looked after here.” The two swimming pools and fully-equipped gym is a bonus for when the children or grandchildren come to stay – “we have five grandchildren so far,” beams Gail, “with one more on the way!” – and thanks to a shuttle bus run by the condominium to drop residents at the nearby malls, or even to KL Sentral to catch a train, life at Park Seven could not be better. The TV room is cosy The extendable dining table is from the early 1800s The master bedroomGail and Tony feel settled in KL Pieces ready for the quilt Gail’s quilts are vivid and add a homely touch
- 53. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT53 PROPERTY BY ALI ZARA N otwithstanding the largely negative global economic conditions, Malaysia managed to register 4.4 per cent economic growth for Q3 2011. Likewise, the country’s property market has been experiencing growth to date. According to CB Richard Ellis (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, capital values of high-end condominiums are expected to hold at the current price levels, supported mainly by local investors. Furthermore, attractive financing packages and continuing low borrowing costs (with effective lending rate of between 4.20 per cent and 4.40 per cent) are still supporting developer sales. The recent quarter witnessed several launches of high- end condominiums. Among these, phase 1 of Verdana Condominium at Kiara North is priced at an average of RM580psf, Mirage and The Face at KLCC at an average of RM1,200psf and RM1,300psf respectively, serviced apartments at Sunway Velocity at an average of RM700psf, and The Greens at Taman Tun Dr Ismail at RM720psf. Take-up rates of units priced below RM1 million have been encouraging. Phase 1 of Verdana Condominium reportedly sold over 60 per cent of the total 298 units while The Greens’ 165 launched units were fully sold. Meanwhile, the subsale market has recorded marginal price increases while the rent of high-end residences remained stable since early 2011, averaging RM3.50psf in KL. Selling prices of the units are between RM3.3 million and RM4.4 million, or RM900psf. The average monthly rental value of high-end condominiums in KL is stable at RM3.50psf but new completions are expected to keep the rate competitive. The DTZ Fair Value Index, published in mid-2011 on a score of 65 for Asia Pacific where well over 80 per cent of the markets remain at or above fair value, has classified KL as “warm” market. A more recent report by Knight Frank’s Global House Price Index maintained its confidence on KL, predicting a modest growth (less than five per cent) despite the backdrop of mounting pressures on the global economy with no clear solutions to resolve the Eurozone debt crisis. Malaysia is ranked 11th ahead of neighbours Singapore at 13th and Exciting Residential Projects in the Pipeline Verdana Condominium Indonesia at 16th, with a 6.6 per cent year-on-year increase. Hong Kong, which ranks at the top of house price increases, registered 19.3 per cent growth. These numbers are expected to see a weaker phase of growth, but luxury properties are envisaged to be better insulated throughout the phase as affluent purchasers continue to take advantage of the low mortgage rates introduced earlier as a stimulus measure against the late 2008 global financial crisis. There’s also expectation that the latest measure introduced by Singapore – the imposition of additional buyer’s stamp duty on foreigners and permanent residents buying properties there – would benefit developers in Iskandar Malaysia, Johor. Foreigners and companies will now have to pay an extra 10 per cent stamp duty on residential property purchases in the island republic. Johor Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association branch chairman Simon Heng said foreigners buying properties in Singapore for investment might look elsewhere in the region. It looks like the Malaysian property market has its votes of confidence.
- 54. 54 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM
- 55. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT55 EDUCATION SCHOOL SNAPS Garden International School Presents ‘Dracula Spectacula’ to Showcase the Talented Secondary Students in Drama and Music Garden International School (GIS), the largest private, co-educational school in Malaysia with over 2,000 students from over 60 nationalities, has recently presented an impressive school production titled ‘Dracula Spectacula’ with the collaboration of drama and music faculties. Dracula Spectacula’ is a comedy-cum-spooky musical about Ms Nadia, a Geography teacher who takes her students on a school trip to Transylvania where they encounter Dracula, his mother, Wraith and his quirky hunched back assistant, Genghis. The 1-hour and 20 minutes musical was held in the evenings for 3 consecutive days at the Grand Hall located in the main campus and had sold a total of 700 tickets. The Grand Hall was fully transformed into a scary graveyard filled with cobwebs and spiders on tombstones, skeletons, flying bats on a 2.5 metre stage. An orchestra comprising of 10 musicians were placed in the middle of the stage. The musicians were represented by 8 students and 2 teachers led by Mrs Helen Long. The music arrangements were re- written to suit the capabilities of the students. In addition, the production of props, make up decorations and costumes were done by the students with some assistance from the Arts, Music, Drama teachers and parents who voluntered. Fantastic turnout for the AISM Triathlon 2011 The Australian International School Malaysia hosted its 2011 triathlon on 19th November and what a fantastic race it turned out to be. A number of AISM parents participated in the novice race and the turn out from AISM students was excellent. In all there were around 150 participants aging from four years old right up to our more senior parents. The races were hotly contested and many of the AISM triathletes placed in the top five of their events. The sport of triathlon is about participation and establishing a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and the number of people participating certainly demonstrated a commitment to this healthy pursuit. For more information about the Australian International School Malaysia, kindly visit the AISM The Australian International School Malaysia Middle School production of “Hating Alison Ashley” was a great success Australian International School Malaysia (AISM) recently held a stage adaptable of Robin Klein’s best selling novel about a girl called Erica Yurkin, who comes from a poor family and just wants to be liked by all her peers at school. One day Alison Ashley, a tall and beautiful girl, enrols at the school and Erica becomes extremely jealous. They eventually realise that both their lives are not perfect and in the end become the best of friends. The play was set in a school so simple everyday clothing and three backdrops covered in graffiti were used to represent the rough, run down schoolyard. The performance was very well received by the audience. Over 150 people attended the evening performance and the AISM Middle School students and 20 students from Nexus International School attended the matinee performance. For more information about the Australian International School Malaysia, kindly visit the AISM website at www.aism.edu.my.
- 57. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT57 There was another first at Kinabalu International School recently which resulted in the appointment of the school’s first-ever Primary House Captains. The three successful students were decided after running their own campaigns which culminated in a round of rousing speeches and an exciting vote amongst their peers. These important roles will see the students concerned representing and co-ordinating social and charitable activities on behalf of their house in conjunction with staff, the Parent Teacher Association and the Primary Student Council. The Principal of KIS, Mr Stuart McLay, commented ‘KIS has always had a strong tradition of student leadership in our Secondary School and I am delighted that these new posts are a positive reflection of our intention to create leadership opportunities for our younger students too.’ The opening of Tenby Schools Penang was officiated by the Chief Minister of Penang, The Honourable Mr Lim Guan Eng recently to a crowd of audience comprising the students, staff, parents and guests of the school. The ceremony commenced with a speech from the Director of Schools, Mr Phillip Brisley, MBE, who thanked the school community for making the transition to the new campus possible. He is pleased that the school has become a vibrant centre for learning, allowing students and staff to create opportunities for development and success as individuals. After this formal start to proceedings, the students contributed a few items of performance; from the “Samba Drums” and Choir to the “Tang Hup Moo Duk Kwan” martial arts demonstration to the delight of the audience. It was a joyful occasion for the school and they look forward to further successes in 2012. For more information on Tenby Schools, please visit www.tenby.edu.my To launch their latest IPC topic, ‘Let’s Celebrate!’, Year 1 and 2 children at The International School @ ParkCity (ISP) decided to get some firsthand experience of celebrations around the world. The International Primary Curriculum brings a global flavour to the UK National Curriculum, and with the help of parents, the lucky children enjoyed a day packed full of multi-cultural festive traditions. Fitting a whole year’s worth of celebrations into a single day was quite a challenge, yet the children proved that they were up to the task! Activities included a Pancake Toss (UK), Thanksgiving Turkey Handprints (USA), Easter Egg Decoration and Hunt (Europe), Dragon Dance and Fan making (China) and Henna Hands (India). They also played some traditional Korean and British party games. The children ended the day with a fantastic feast of celebration food contributed by the parents, which once again demonstrating how the parents, staff and children at ISP support each other to contribute to the life and ethos of the school. Kinabalu International School Appoints First-Ever Primary House Captains A World of Celebrations at The International School @ ParkCity Official Opening Ceremony of Tenby Schools Penang at Tanjung Bungah EDUCATION SCHOOL SNAPS
- 58. 58 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM QR code Opens in September 2011 Day and boarding education Boys and girls aged 11 to 18 Weekly, full and flexi-boarding options Situated in BOTANICA.CT in Balik Pulau Preparation for the best universities in the world www.powiis.edu.my Contact us at admissions@powiis.edu.my, telephone +604 258 9812 8 & 10 Jalan Sungai Air Putih, Bandar Baru Air Putih, 11000 Balik Pulau, Penang, Malaysia
- 59. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT59 EDUCATION Award for Bright and Deserving Scholars F or the second year running, the Alice Smith School is proud to award four bright and deserving post SPM Malaysian students’ full scholarships amounting to more than half a million ringgit, enabling them to pursue their A-level studies. The scholarships commenced in January 2012 and will run until July 2013. It is anticipated that scholars will complete their A-levels in five school terms. The full scholarship will cover tuition fees, building levy and enrolment fee including all textbooks and materials, external examination fees and curriculum-based trips. During the scholarship reception, the scholars and their family were all smiles as the Principal of the Secondary Campus, Roger Schultz warmly welcomed them.“We are in awe by your level of self-motivation, determination and outstanding ability to achieve the goals you aspire to. Equally impressive was your sense of self awareness and maturity, indicated by your understanding of what this scholarship could mean for you and for others. I believe that you will all have a rewarding and successful time here at the school,” said Roger Schultz. Scholar Sharmaine Quake who was the Head Prefect of S.M.K Convent, Jalan Peel said, “I dream to further my studies abroad, preferably in the UK and will persist until I achieve my goals. This scholarship means a lot to me.” Sharmaine is passionate in helping the community. She wishes to pursue either psychology or pathology for her higher education. She’s extremely grateful to the school for offering her this scholarship and would one day wish to make her own contribution to society. An outspoken person with high ambitions, Narmadha Kali Vanan aspires to be a doctor. “My dad’s perseverance and determination serves as an inspiration for me. It will be a great transition for me from a local school; however, I can’t wait to experience the diverse opportunities available.” A high achiever academically, scholar Lai Yongqun also looks forward to starting at the school. “I am confident in acclimatising to the environment and am excited to experience the different cultures and traditions. The scholarship will also allow me to obtain a quality British learning experience which will be a key step as I am keen to pursue a Quantity Surveyors programme in a British university.”
- 60. 60 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM HAPPENINGS E xpressions is a showcase of all sorts of lively and memorable performances from school kids attending international schools here in Malaysia. The winning schools will also be doing their bit for charity as well. Students from the various international schools will take part individually or as a group with a maximum of four people in each team. The content of the presentation is completely up to the respective participants. It can consist of a sketch, song, rap, dance, magic show, and/ or a combination of all elements. The two categories are primary (7 to 12 years old) and secondary (13 to 18 years old). Each school can send in a maximum Getting Creative for Charity of 2 representatives per category. The time allocation for each participant will be 3 minutes for the preliminary round and 4 minutes for the final. There will be a charity element incorporated into this event. The Expat Group will donate a total of RM12,000 to schools represented by the winning students, which will be given to the respective school’s favourite charity. Check www.expatkl.com for ongoing updates on the Expressions event. PRIZES IN EACH CATEGORY: Primary: RM600 (Student/s) and RM300 (Student/s) 3 consolation Secondary: RM600 (Student/s) RM300 (Student/s) 3 consolation prizes All finalists will receive a trophy and vouchers. All cash prizes given to the winners will be donated to the respective school’s favourite charity. expressionsexpressionsexpressionsexpressionsexpressionsexpressio expressionsexpressionsexpressionsexpressionsexpressionsexpressio PRELIMINARY AUDITION: 24th March 2012, 3pm – 7pm FINAL: 25th March 2012, 4pm – 7pm VENUE: Bangsar Shopping Centre The International School Talent Show For more information, contact linidavison@theexpatgroup.com EXPRESSIONS 2012 Show us what you’ve got! An Event byVenue SponsorSponsor Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority
- 61. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT61 PENANG PROMENADE T an Twan Eng has a new book coming out this month: The Garden of Evening Mists. It’s his first full- length publication since being long-listed for the Man Booker prize for his debut novel The Gift of Rain in 2007. In Penang for the George Town Literary Festival in late November, he only modestly mentions it. Perhaps this self-effacing trait comes from his Chinese heritage or perhaps it’s simply the natural stance of an introverted writer who writes the books that he himself wants to read. Twan Eng’s second book also has a Japanese theme, or should I say, develops The Gift of Rain’s theme of the complexities of relationships between people who are native to Malaysia and their Japanese sensei. A sensei is a master, a teacher, and the ‘hero’ of Rain, Philip had a convoluted relationship with his sensei, Endo-san, which leads in the end to an impossible choice. The Garden of Evening Mists, set in the Cameron Highlands of 1951, is the story of a woman who has had to do what it took to survive one of the Japanese occupation’s brutal prison camps. After enduring this terrible experience, and yet scarred by it, she goes to ask the creator of the only Japanese garden in Malaya to make one for her in KL. Himself a refugee, and so also culturally dislocated but in a different way, he refuses at first but finally allows her to study the art of Japanese gardening with him. Against the backdrop of the Emergency in Malaya many mysteries and perhaps healings unravel in unexpected ways. When I first speak to Twan Eng I had hoped for a method of translating the streets of George Town into the actual locations of The Gift of Rain. But his approach is far more diffuse. It’s the sense of place tempered by the imagination of The Sensei of Place FRANCES WILKS EXPLORES GEORGE TOWN IN THE COMPANY OF TAN TWAN ENG, AUTHOR OF “THE GIFT OF RAIN” history that he writes about. He researches through meticulous reading and also by listening to the stories of old people. He nicer to write.” And he loves editing, the playing with language, and fine tuning of phrases until they sing. I meet him in an anonymous global coffee chain overlooking the now muddy, marshy shoreline of Gurney Drive, which we can both remember was once a golden sandy beach. As he gazes towards the new development of Straits Quay, which he him where he would like to go in George haven’t seen it in a while,” is the enigmatic answer. It’s also very clean, a romanticized yet antiseptic interpretation of the past. The old Khoo Kongsi clan house, which I remember in the 1960’s as a sprawling living place full of scraps, dogs and cooking smells, is now an immaculate museum. With its gilding smartly re-done it’s the epitome of glossy heritage. We enjoy its gilded halls in fully tourist mode and then take a stroll down Armenian Street. Twan-Eng gently challenges my romantic notions of the past when I spy a man with a typewriter sitting on the pavement and say that it reminds me of the old letter writers who used to ply their trade as recently as twenty years ago in people are literate, and so don’t have to rely on others to write their letters,” he suggests. Before we go for a mango lassi in the tiny café of Amelie he wants to find his father’s old house in Armenian Street. He can just remember it from the 70’s but is disappointed that it looks so ordinary, so unreconstructed. There’s just time to dodge into a second- hand bookshop where he scans to volumes with an experienced eye before we say good bye. I was left with the impression of thoughtful but with a hidden warmth. A true sensei of his craft. Accidental tourist, Tan Twan Eng, on the steps of the Khoo Kongsi Tan Twan Eng
- 62. 62 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO EXPATS LIVING IN MALAYSIA Full Name (Mr / Ms / Mrs / Dr): Mailing Address: Postcode: City/Town: Tel Home: Tel Office: Mobile: E-mail: Nationality: Occupation: If retired, are you here under the Malaysia My Second Home programme: Yes No (please tick one) Marital Status: (please tick one) Single Married Divorced Widow Age group: (please tick one) 20 - 30 31- 40 41-50 51-60 over 60 Number of children living with you: Age of children: (Please enter number in each group) Up to 5: Aged 6 - 12: Aged 13 - 18: Aged over 18: Borneo Vision Sdn Bhd (295020-P) 7th floor, Syed Kechik Foundation Building, Jalan Kapas, Bangsar, 59100 KL. Tel: 03-2093 9539 Fax: 03-2094 9690 E-mail: subscribemag@theexpatgroup.com We offer a free monthly subscription to any expats living in Malaysia. Your free subscription includes the monthly magazine, a copy of The Expat Welcome Guide and two other annual supplements. Malaysian readers are asked to contribute RM60 a year, which covers about half the cost of producing and mailing out the magazine. We charge Malaysians a fee as our magazine is primarily intended to help expats enjoy Malaysia more and our advertisers are only paying us to reach expats on our mailing list. Why do we ask for personal details? Our advertisers place a lot of value on demographic data and they are our sole source of revenue. We never release individual details for any subscriber, just summary information. Contact us at 03-2093 9539 or email zana@theexpatgroup.com for more information. THE MALAYSIA MY SECOND HOME PROGRAMME RETIRE IN MALAYSIA AND ENJOY A ten year renewable visa Tax free car Tax free overseas income No inheritance tax Low cost of living Sun, smiles, sea and sand Good infrastructure Friendly people Much more Find out more at WWW.MM2H.COM
- 63. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT63 BUYING, SELLING, RENTING PEN PROPERTIES E(3)1095 PENANG PROPERTIES... www.penangproperties.com Tel: (6)04-2106060 Mobile:(6)016-4148188 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION PENANG 16 Jalan Tan Jit Seng, Hillside, Tanjung Bungah 11200 Penang Tel: 04.898 2540 Email: info@iwa-penang.info Website: www.iwa-penang.info ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE PENANG 46 Jalan Phuah Hin Leong, 10050 Penang Tel: 04.227 6008 Email: dirpenang@alliancefrancaise.org.my Website: www.alliancefrancaise.org.my PENANG IRISH ASSOCIATION Tel: 012.462 5596 Email: penangpia@gmail.com Website: www.penang-irish-association.com MALAYSIAN GERMAN SOCIETY 250-B Jalan Air Itam, 10460 Penang Tel: 04.229 6853 Email: office@mgs-penang.com Website: www.mgs-penang.com PENANG JAPANESE ASSOCIATION 256 Jalan Air Item, 10460 Penang Tel: 04.229 3635 Email: jimukyoku@pja.org.my Website: www.pja.org.my PENANG PLAYERS MUSIC & DRAMA SOCIETY Always looking for new talent, acting, singing or backstage. Website: www.penangplayers.org PENANG HERITAGE TRUST 26 Church Street, 10200 Penang Tel: 04.264 2631 Email: phtrust@streamyx.com Website: www.pht.org.my/introduction.htm BRITISH COUNCIL 3 Weld Quay, 10300 Penang Tel: 04 263 0330 Email: penang@britishcouncil.org.my Website: www.britishcouncil.org/malaysia.htm PENANG INTERNATIONAL HASH HOUNDS Website: www.penang-hounds.com Email: newsletter@penang-hounds.com SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS PENANG Jalan Jeti Jelutong, Penang Tel: 04 281 6559 Email: spca4060@streamyx.com Website: www.spca-penang.net YMCA TOASTMASTERS CLUB OF PENANG Website: http://ymcapenang.freetoasthost.net Contact information for Penang consulates is available at www.expatkl.com What’s on around Penang? PENANG PROMENADE PENANG ASSOCIATIONS Kek Lok Si Temple Lights 1 February 6.00 for 6.30pm Enjoy dinner at the Temple’s Vegetarian Chinese Restaurant then see the temple magically lit with thousands of lights and lanterns for Chinese New Year. Children welcome - and don’t forget your cameras.RM40 per adult, RM20 per child (7-12), Children below 6 free To book: call 016 4570221 or email spiralsynergyinfo@yahoo.com. Quiz Nite @ Euro Deli, Gurney Plaza 2 February at 7-30pm General Knowledge and ‘taste the sausage’ questions with special priced draught Carlsberg organized by the IWA. Free – you pay for your own drinks and food. All welcome and no booking necessary. Weekend Market 4 & 5 February Straits Quay, Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang, Tanjung Tokong, Penang Chap Goh Mei by-the-sea 6 February Lantern Festival, sometimes regarded as the Chinese version of St. Valentine’s Day, celebrating love and affection between lovers in Chinese tradition and culture. Straits Quay, Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang, Tanjung Tokong, Penang Scottish Dancing 7, 14, 21, 28 February at 8pm The Scottish Country Dance Group meets every Tuesday evening at 8pm. Hall, St Nicholas Home for the Blind in Jalan Bagan Jermal, Penang. Thaipusam Tour 7 February Full day guided tour of Thaipusam highlights. RM100 per person to include guided tour & refreshments. Suitable for adults only. To book: call 016 4570221 or email spiralsynergyinfo@yahoo.com. Lifestyle Market 11 & 12 February Straits Quay, Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang, Tanjung Tokong, Penang IWA (International Women’s Association) AGM 21 February 9-30 am Cost: RM 30 per head (which includes breakfast). All welcome but only IWA members are eligible to vote. Tanjong Bunga Beach Hotel, Tanjong Bunga, Penang Argentinian Food and Wine Pairing 21 February 7-30 onwards @ That Little Wine Bar Four course meal with specially paired wine for RM98 To book: Louise on 016.456 0611 or info@atthatlittlewinebar.com Flea Market 25 February Straits Quay, Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang, Tanjung Tokong, Penang
- 64. Mingle on 14February at Modesto’s Capital Square Members: RM40 – RM50 Wine Dinner on 23 February at Chinoz on the Park Members: RM120 These and other great deals are available exclusively for The Expat Card holders. For more information, visit www.expatcard.com or call Michael at 03.2094 9664 or email michael@theexpatgroup.com Save Around 20% on TEG Events Special ‘Members Only’Offers For February First Come First ServedFor more information check out www.ExpatCard.com or contact Anne at 03.2093 9539 or e-mail anne@theexpatgroup.com Garden Villa 4days/3nights USUAL PRICE RM3714 SPECIAL PRICE RM740 PLATARAN BALI RESORT & SPAIMPIANA RESORT CHERATING 1 night stay – Deluxe Seaview with breakfast for 2 USUAL PRICE RM290 SPECIAL PRICE RM145 KLM / AIR FRANCE Flight tickets – 20% off the internet rates A FAMOSA RESORT 1 night stay – 3 Room Condo with breakfast including admission to Animal World Safari, Water World & Cowboy Town for 6 pax USUAL PRICE RM928 SPECIAL PRICE RM550 THE EXPAT MEMBER SINCE MEMBERSHIP NUMBER VALID THRU MM2H GROUP THE EXPAT MEMBER SINCE MEMBERSHIP NUMBER VALID THRU JOIN NOW GRIDIRON SPORTS CAFÉ & LOUNGE Vouchers for F&B USUAL PRICE RM100 SPECIAL PRICE RM10 Family Pool Villa – 3days/2nights USUAL PRICE RM4402 SPECIAL PRICE RM880
- 65. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT65 T here are hundreds of companies across Malaysia that have specifically selected their products or services with expats in mind. We’ve found the very best of these restaurants, shops, doctors and bars – putting in the effort so that you don’t have to! Hotel Maya more information at www.ExpatKL.com / www.TheExpatGroup.com THE EXPAT-INFORMATION
- 67. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT67 Surprise your loved one for the best Valentine’s Day treat in romantic setting, beautiful ambience and excellent food at Hotel Equatorial Kuala Lumpur. Make a reservation for a romantic dinner for two at Chalet for the last time before the hotel closes for renovation. Chalet is one of the oldest restaurants in town, famed for its award-winning cuisine and unique atmosphere. Chef de Cuisine Hafizzul Hashim will help you win your loved one’s heart with a divine six course menu prepared exclusively for this celebration with Rendezvous Valentine’s Day Dinner on 14 February 2012 priced at RM298++ per person. The menu will include fresh Belon oysters natural ossetra caviar and chive as well as warm asparagus and truffle parfait Morel Madiera jus for the appetizer. This followed with cerviche of Norwegian divers scallop, Australian yabby Fennel salad and Chardonnay jelly as the entree. Diners will be served rose Champagne granite sorbet before the main dish. The main course offers a choice of either olive oil poached Atlantic halibut fillet saffron risotto, Tasmanian mussels and curried sea urchin veloute or pan roasted Angus tenderloin and pan seared goose liver wilted spinach, potato gratine and red wine jus. Finish the meal with a classic opera cake with berries. If you are not able to celebrate this romantic festival with your better half on 14 February, the restaurant is also offering this exquisite six- course dinner menu on 13 February 2012 which is on the eve of Valentine’s Day. Dinner will be served from 6.30pm until 10.30pm. Diners will receive cupcakes as door gift, a stalk of rose for ladies and digital photo as a momento of the precious moments for two days. The resident strollers, Los Muchachos, will serenade diners = with love songs while you dine. For reservations, please call 03.2161 7777 ext 8333. Succulent Seafood @ Still Waters The celebration continues in February, the month of love, at The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur. With seven distinctive dining venues to choose from, celebrate Valentine’s Day with a delicious Italian meal overlooking the scenic lake at Senja, Japanese delicacies in a traditional countryside setting at Kogetsu, or specialty cocktails and electrifying sounds of a live band at RP Entertainment Centre. The newly-refurbished Senja is set to melt discerning diners’ hearts with its exquisite menu and intimate ambience. Home-made rustic Italian cuisine prepared by Chef Giovanni Ricci will leave lovers wanting more. Spend Valentine’s Day with a candle light dinner at Senja, dine with the harmonious tunes from a stroller band and indulge in a lavish four-course wine pairing dinner. Priced at RM148++ per person anad RM250++ (with wine pairing). In Japan, the ladies give men gifts on 14 February and men reciprocate with their gifts on 14 March. At Kogetsu, ladies can treat their men to a scrumptious Japanese feast just like the age-old tradition. Look out for delicious garlic fried rice, fresh raw fish and many more. This Teppanyaki Valentine’s Day set at Kogetsu is priced at RM280++ per couple. For reservations, call 03.7840 5502 or email dine@thesaujana.com or visit www.thesaujanahotel.com Throughout February, enjoy the fresh succulent taste of bounty from the sea at Still Waters. A fresh selection of seafood dishes prepared Japanese and Cantonese style will be featured for two months. From the Japanese selection, among dishes offered will be Trio De Oyster ((1/2 dozen baked oyster with three types of sauce), Kani Korage (deep fried crabmeat with vegetables), Mix seafood ringo Motoyaki (grilled mixed seafood gratin in Fuji apple) and Seafood okonomiyaki (mix seafood pancake Japanese style). For die-hard fans of Cantonese cuisine, choose to order from the promotional menu comprising Wok Fried Scallop with Wild Mushroom and Garlic Flakes, Crispy Soft Shell Crab with Spicy Sea Salt, Salmon Fritters with Butter Milk Sauce and Fried Snapper with Chives & Nuts. The Succulent Seafood promotion offers dishes priced from RM 35 to RM 50 and is available during lunch and dinner. For reservations at Still Waters, please call 603 2711 8866 extension 260. All prices are in ringgit Malaysia and subject to 10% service charge and 6% government tax. Love Is In The Air @ Hotel Equatorial Kuala Lumpur Choices are Aplenty during the Month of Love @ The Saujana Hotel Dining Promos
- 69. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT69 It is easy to see why this welcoming American diner is named after the iconic and very cool singer McKinley ‘Muddy’ Morganfield. With the subtle décor, the comfortable wooden benches and tables, the vintage jukebox nestled in the corner, a well-stocked bar and plates appearing piled high from the kitchen, Morganfield’s is a cool place to chill and fill up on wholesome American meals. I simply couldn’t stop by the self-proclaimed “home of the sticky bones” without trying these Danish-reared pork ribs for myself, and a platter of Ribs on Ribs provided myself and my fellow diners with a glimpse of just why so many people stream into Morganfield’s for ribs. “They are slow-cooked for two and a half hours in hickory smoke before being grilled,” explained Ryan Poh, Director of Marketing. “We want them to be crispy on the outside but tender inside.” Mission accomplished. The huge plate of smoked peppercorn spare ribs disappeared in a trice: there is no doubt that rib-fiends would go wild for this place. That said, I had my reservations that the rest of the extensive menu – seafood, poultry, salads, sandwiches and burgers – could not compete with the extraordinary pork ribs, but the plates that arrived as we were wiping our hands on our rib “aprons” were to prove me wrong. The beer-battered fish fillets served with chips and tartar sauce were a fish ‘n chip lovers delight, while the unusual tequila-spiked chicken provided a whopping portion of tender chicken. Those who can’t face the American-sized portions of the meaty mains can opt for one of the appetizers or a salad and the set lunch menu was drawing in the crowds as diners can pay just RM16.90 for a main course, a soup or salad and a drink. And let us not gloss over the drinks. The wine, beer and cocktail list is good, while the non-alcoholic drinkers will relish the great choice of chilled and blended coolers including a delicious Cucumber, Apple and Mint Spritz or the moreish milkshakes. If you can squeeze in some pudding, the bread pudding with bourbon sauce and ice cream was comfort food at its spongy best. By Sarah Rees Big Portions, Big Taste Fact File : Morganfield’s C4.03.00, Level 4 Pavilion KL 168 Bukit Bintang 55100 Kuala Lumpur Tel: +603.2141 3192 Business Hours: 11am-late, Mon-Sun For more restaurant reviews visit: www.DineMalaysia.com PHOTOSBYMORGANFIELD’S
- 70. 70 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM
- 71. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT71 Fact File : THE MEAT EXPERTS TME at Hartamas Shopping Centre aims to provide a place to appreciate fine cuts of meat with little nibbles at cheese and freshly baked bread. At TME, you can shop for imported products, while sampling said products. One thing for sure: The Meat Experts are serious about meat. Posters of prime cuts and consumer guides adorn the fridges and bare brick walls of this establishment. Variety and quality are assured. David, the owner of TME, tells us that he stocks not just any bangers and meats from overseas, but award-winning ones! A Turner and Son, voted best British banger recently by Bpex is available there, as well as Blackthorn (TME is the only place in Malaysia where it’s available). Johnsonville is very popular in the U.S. and is stocked here too. I spot a few novelty items among the piles of meat like the gourmet spicy pork burger, perfect for those experimenting with their cooking at home, and there’s even organic ground pork. The traditional English hog’s pudding is another surprise find and the range of cheese would delight any expat longing for quality dairy goods. We chose two types of pork bangers, one flavoured with garlic, the other with black pepper. Both were extremely delicious, especially with a dollop of mustard. We were also treated to a variety of cold cuts such as Italian salami, Spanish chorizoa and parma ham also from Italy. This was coupled with some incredibly soft Italian cheese that went quite well with the meat. We also got to try some warm focaccia bread – the array of par-baked breads will definitely be swept up along with the exquisite meats. David tells us that the breads need only be thrown in the oven for about 10 minutes before being served and voila: fresh warm bread. The highlight of our meal, a huge serving of pork knuckles, served with sweet chili sauce can be easily shared among two people. What seemed like an endless mound of crisp and tender pork, roasted to meaty goodness will go down well with a beer or two. The reasonably priced beer and wine list is notable; Paulaner draft, Naturtrub & Dunkel beer is available as well as wines from Australia, California Germany and more. We also tried the interesting Aglio Olio with our crispy roast pork – a dish that was a delight on the senses with soft pieces of pork mingling with the garlicky spicy pasta, slick with olive oil. The Meat Experts have recently started the all-new catering service, for parties that want to serve unique options, opting out of the typical meehoon-curry puff routine. Breakfast and dessert options also available here, but don’t leave their store without some good ol’ fashioned quality meat and imported cheeses. By Milan Sadhwani Mad about Meat The Meat Experts G15&G16, Hartamas Shopping Center No.60, Jalan Sri Hartamas, Sri Hartamas 50480 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.6205 2577 E-mail: themeatexperts@gmail.com www.themeatexperts.com Opening Hours: (Daily) 10am – 10pm For more restaurant reviews visit: www.DineMalaysia.com PHOTOSBYCHARLESLEE
- 72. 72 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM
- 73. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT73 AUSTRALIA’S winemaking history of less than two hundred years is brief by European measures though, like Europe, punctuated by periods of extreme success and difficult times. From the earliest winemaking days Penfolds has figured prominently and few would argue the importance of Penfolds’ influence on Australia’s winemaking psyche. Without the influence of Penfolds the modern Australian wine industry would look very different indeed. Sitting comfortably outside of fad and fashion, Penfolds has taken Australian wine to the world on a grand stage and forged a reputation for quality that is without peer. If there is anything traditional about Penfolds, it is the practice of constantly reviewing the wines it already does well, and continuously evolving and refining styles as vineyards mature and access to ever older and more varied vineyard sites improves. PENFOLDSTHOMAS HYLAND SHIRAZ The Thomas Hyland Shiraz, a buoyant, fresh style contains plenty of juicy blackberry fruit aromas and flavours, chocolaty, ripe tannins and some savoury oak nuances. Sourced predominantly from the Barossa, McLaren Vale and Upper Adelaide regions, the wine shows distinctive spice notes and typically rich and well-defined fruit characters. There is no doubt this is a contemporary wine of which Thomas Hyland would be immensely proud. PENFOLDS THOMAS HYLAND CHARDONNAY Minimal filtration preserves the elegance of these fruit flavours and the wine is barrel fermented to increase complexity of aromas. After primary fermentation the chardonnay is matured in French oak barriques for around seven to nine months. The wine is regularly stirred on lees to further enhance palate texture and flavours. Malolactic fermentation is also employed to encourage creaminess and weight. PENFOLDS THOMAS HYLAND CABERNET SAUVIGNON The Thomas Hyland Cabernet Sauvignon is a shining example of the benefits of multi-regional blending. Cabernet sauvignon from the southeast of South Australia, including Coonawarra, often features prominently, bringing perfume and generosity of flavour on the palate; while the addition of ripe, powerful McLaren Vale fruit and elegantly proportioned Robe cabernet enhance the overall style. The classic varietal elements of ripe blackcurrant/cedar aromas and fine-grained tannins are also present, to produce a wine with a firm, yet supple structure, subtle oak character and rich depth. Special Price RM72 Members Price RM68 each! This Month’s Special WINES FROM AUSTRALIA PENFOLDS PRIVATE RELEASE CHARDONNAY Pale straw colour. Lifted aromas of rock melon meld with notes of freshly peeled yellow peach. An instantly approachable wine. Medium bodied, creamy mid-palate supported by a tropical fruit core. Special Price RM52 Members Price RM48 each! PENFOLDS KOONUNGA HILL SHIRAZ The Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz is a wine that clearly illustrates the strengths of the Penfolds multi-regional blending philosophy. This shiraz is a plumper style with plush red-berried fruits, generosity of flavour and supple ripe tannins. It has excellent structure and length, and while it is ready for drinking now, the Koonunga Hill Shiraz will gain further complexity over the next two to four years. Special Price RM63 Members Price RM59 each! TO ORDER: Call Anne at 03.2094 9664 or e-mail anne@theexpatgroup.com. For free delivery in KL/PJ area, minimum order is 12 bottles (you can mix wines). Delivery charges for less than 12 bottles is RM10. (We will require payment by cash or credit card (ExpatCard members can pay by cheque). American Express, Visa and MasterCard payments are subject to a 4% administration charge because of the low margins on these special offers.
- 74. 74 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM Embark on an enchanting gastronomic journey with your loved ones at Le Midi this Valentines, where our vibrant and deliciously diverse Mediterranean cuisine will awaken your senses and invigorate your palate. www.lemidi.com.my True Mediterranean Cuisine French, Italian, Spanish and more @ 3rd Floor Bangsar Shopping Centre For reservation Call + 603 2094 1318 E-mail Reservation @ lemidi.com.my Five Course Valentine Set Dinner At RM298++ per person Inclusive of welcome drink Lanson Black Label N.V Champagne “Love Is In The Air ” at Lemidi this Valentines
- 75. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT75 Make an evening of it by swaying your hips to the Latino beats at the free Latin class held each night, while the 14th February will see a Salsa Dating Party being hosted to help singles find their match.
- 76. 76 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM EF Intake: 20t e a e t ate nt a nt an e a nt Inte nat na a n : t a t t e e t ate 2 eeken e n Intake e e at a t a e ½ Next intakes: t e a t i CRAFT BAKERS
- 77. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT Themost delectable dishes and desirable deals are now all in one place. o to ine ala sia.com toda or the best o ers news e ents bars and resta rants in ala sia.
- 78. 78 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM Pavillion, Level 5 The Gardens, Level 2 Bangsar Shopping Centre, Level 1 Hartamas Shopping Center, Level 1 Empire, Level 1 A tender way to grow from 1 month to 14 years Beer&chocolatefestival2012 Be e r&chocolateFestival20112BeER&&ChocOLATEfESTIVAL Beer&ChocolateFestival2012 Taman Mahsuri the Royale Chulan Hotel 31 Mar 2012 (Saturday) 10am - 10pm MyDEAL Presents chocolates beers cheese mixology throw down open bar wine pairing and more! EuphoriaHotline03-26986994Websitewww.mydeal.com.my/toe use this code toe12 to get free drinks Beer & Chocolate Festival Beer&ChocolateFestival2012
- 79. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT79 MANY EXPATS are looking for advice on how to get married in Malaysia. It is surprisingly not an extremely complicated procedure, just bear in mind that bureaucracy can sometime slow the process so be sure to start early and plan ahead. Here are some simple steps from the Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN – National Registration Department) website: 1. Non citizen applicants should reside in marriage district for 7 days before applying for registration of marriage. 2. The solemnization shall be conducted after 21 days but not after 6 months from date of application. 3. Documents needed: Passport with copies of personal information and arrival date in Malaysia, 1 colour photograph (32mmx38mm) against BLUE background for both, Letter of Confirmation of Marital Status from applicant’s country and endorsed by Malaysian embassy of your country OR Embassy of your country in Malaysia certified by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Putrajaya. All documents including original Passport to be submitted to Marriage & Divorce Division, HQ of JPNM Putrajaya for approval. 4. The statement of marital status should not exceed 3 months validity from date of actual marriage and most embassies and consulate will provide such paper quite easily. Remember to select two witnesses to come with you to process your application. For more information, visit www.jpn.gov.my Tying the Knot in Malaysia EXPAT TIPS
- 81. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT81 Is it Time for Europeans to “Pay the Piper”? WHATEVER CORNER of this world we European expats decide to call home, we cannot hide from the fact that financially most of our homelands are in chaos. The questions are, apart from cancelling our newspapers and refusing to watch television which dedicates a large percentage of their coverage to scaring the life out of us, how can we ignore it and what, if anything, can we do to insulate ourselves from the inevitable “fallout” from austerity measures and cash strapped governments scrambling to raise bailout funds any way they can? Unfortunately Europeans may find change is inevitable, as unlike our American counterparts who have been burdened for years with worldwide taxation on all income wherever they reside, most of us Europeans have enjoyed huge tax benefits by leaving our home shores behind. However, the estimated 30 million of us expats are in fact soft targets to raise billions of extra revenue with one swipe of a Brussels pen. Take the British system for example: not only do British expats enjoy a zero UK tax rate when living abroad on any tax free overseas income and capital gains, they also have the facility to transfer their UK paid pensions, which the government subsidizes during payments with tax relief, to an offshore QROPS and receive all income on retirement tax free along with other benefits. This alone would raise billions in revenue if proposed legislation goes through. As from 6 April, 2012, HMRC is proposing that anyone with a QROPS should not benefit from tax relief that is not available to residents. "It puts the onus on the finance centres’ own legislature to change their tax regulations to encompass QROPS. This means that well run jurisdictions such as Guernsey will have to decide between a 0 to 20% tax rate for everyone," explains Gavin Pluck, European Director at Guardian Wealth Management. There has long been murmuring about bringing tax systems into line with our American counterparts and making it law to file annual returns back home, and interestingly enough if passed it would make a massive dent in the monies needed to stabilize Europe. The EU directive brought in a few years ago means that the banking systems know where we are, and how much we have got, so it wouldn’t be difficult to implement and even more worrying they could justify it. So the question is: Can we do any anything at all to protect ourselves outside of undergoing plastic surgery, giving up our passports and becoming citizens of Belize? There is no easy answer for Europeans but if anything can be done the answers will come from the UK offshore islands of Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man who have always tried to protect expat assets from taxation by using their jurisdictions. Although now they have to report by law all assets held to our tax resident countries, they will fiercely resist retrospective legislation as they could become obsolete if there are no benefits to investing in offshore centers. This means that if you believe the worse is coming, looking at structuring yourself offshore before legislation kicks in should be investigated. The one thing that is for sure, and that all economists agree on, is that these times we are in are not just a blip on the chart. This is with us for years to come and will affect us all financially in one way or another. Written by John Marks, The ExPat Investment Club. British Expats Please Read If you have pension funds in the UK, proposed new legislation takes affect in April 2012. This legislation will reduce the
- 83. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT83 A LIFESTYLEFOCUSED and upscale mall located in Subang, Empire Shopping Gallery (also known as ESG), is a shopper’s paradise that encompasses five levels and 180 retail outlets. It features a refreshing blend of local and international F&B outlets as well as an amazingly wide range of retail stores including fashion, children’s specialty, home, and edutainment outlets. ESG is owned by Couture Homes Sdn Bhd and is part of a freehold Empire Subang commercial development that includes the Empire SoHo, Empire Tower and a boutique Empire Hotel. Empire SoHo offers 210 home offices, while the Empire Tower is a 12-storey office block. Empire Hotel offers stylish getaway options for business and leisure travelers. With a great list of celebrated brand names and popular outlets, ESG is a new contemporary lifestyle destination that’s designed to appeal to all ages. The mall’s junior anchor tenants include the only Tangs outside of Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle, the first Fitness First Platinum gym that features a lap pool, Jaya Grocer’s new concept outlet with a gourmet dine- in area, the all-time favourite Popular Bookstore and the latest flagship store from Toys “R” Us. Also in located in ESG are Aino Living, which offers high quality dining sets and decorative items at affordable prices and Kizsports & Gym, a one stop total child development centre. ESG’s strategic location attracts those living in Subang Jaya, Ara Damansara, Bukit Jelutong, Damansara, Shah Alam, Puchong, Klang and Petaling Jaya. But there are those shoppers who travel all the way from Kuala Lumpur just to check out the latest buzz in Subang Jaya. THE BUZZ AT ESG Dig in: From choices in exotic cuisines to local favourites, dining is a class apart at ESG. Here, one enjoys an extensive list of notable eateries that include La Bodega, Madam Kwan’s, Belanga, Rakuzen, Serai @ Empire, Italiannies, Chili’s, Din Tai Fung, Sao Nam, Pasta Zanmai, The Loaf, Whisk and Ole-Ole Bali. Dress up: ESG carries international fashion brands for clothes and accessories such as Coach, Ed Hardy, Guess, Warehouse, Dorothy Perkins, La Senza, Levi’s, Skechers, Evita Peroni, Pedro, Timberland and Florsheim, along with well-loved local brands like Thomas Chan, Poya, Mitra by Bhaju, Muse by Alvin Tay, Ms. Read and Dude & Duchess. Empire Shopping Gallery: The New Shopping Landmark in Subang Shop, play, get fit: Special junior anchor tenants here -- Jaya Grocer, Tangs, Toys ‘R’ Us, Popular, Aino Living, Kizsports & Gym, and Fitness First Platinum – complement and enhance the lifestyle of modern, vibrant family-oriented consumers. A haven for children: On the First Floor, ESG showcases a variety of fashion brands for children, such as Guess Kids, Poney, My Lil Ones, Pumpkin Patch, Chateau de Sable, Kidz World, Lovely Lace Baby, Cotton Club, Wonder Tots and Adam Kids. Empire Shopping Gallery also brings in the latest in the edutainment field to stimulate young minds through play. Fun educational programmes and creative classes are offered at My Favorite Art House, Plaster Fun House, Bake Me Wonders, Dance Space, Beethoven Music World, and Morris Allen English. It’s all about chemistry and convenience at Empire Shopping Gallery whether it’s in shopping, eating, playing, learning, or just relaxing. For more information, please check out Empire Shopping Gallery’s official website at www.esg.com.my
- 84. 84 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM Jungletrax Adventures Jungletrax Adventures
- 85.
- 86. 86 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM RESTAURANTS ASIAN/WESTERN Albion 31 Jalan Berangan, 50200 KL. Tel: 03.2141 9282 www.albionkl.com Alexis Bangsar Baru 29 Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru 59100 KL. Tel: 03.2284 2880 Alexis Ampang Lot 10 & 11, Great Eastern Mall 303 Jalan Ampang, 50450 KL. Tel: 03.4260 2288 Alexis BSC Lot 15A 1st floor, Bangsar Shopping Centre, Bukit Bandaraya 59100 KL. Tel: 03.2287 1388 Alexis The Gardens Lot f209 1st Floor, The Gardens Mid Valley City, Lingkaran Syed Putra, 59200 KL. Tel: 03.2287 2281 Aria No. 44 & 44M, Plaza Damansara Jalan Medan Setia 2, Bukit Damansara. Tel: 03.2095 0016 Bergie Evergreen Pub & Restaurant No 27, Jalan Berangan off Jalan Nagasari KL. Tel: 03.2141 5955 Bubu Restaurant No.42A, Tengkat Tong Shin, KL. Tel: 03.2142 2988 www.bubukl.com.my Bumbu Desa Indonesia Restaurant LOT G-49@ The Curve, Mutiara Damansara. Tel: 03.7729 1612 Celsius Restaurant & Bar LG2-01 Farenheit88 170 Jalan Bukit Bintang. 55100 KL. Tel: 03.2145 3131 www.celsiuskl.com Chez Rose 6-5, Jalan Batai, Damansara Heights, 50490 KL. Tel: 03.2092 1978 El Meson Restaurant & Tapas Bar No 61-63, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, Bangsar, KL, Malaysia. Tel: 03.2282 8290 F Concept Dining By Buffalo Kitchen 69-1, Jalan Telawi Tiga, Bangsar Baru, KL. Tel / Fax: 03.2201 1710 Facebook: ‘F’ by buffalo kitchens Fitou Gourmet Lot GF2, The Waterfront @ Park City, 5, Persiaran Residen, Desa Park City, Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03.6280 8978 For reservation, please log in www.fitougourmet.com/ reservations.htm or call 03.6280 8978 Gaucho Grill – Argentina Steak House Block B. Lot 5, Chulan Square 92, Jalan Raja Chulan, KL. Tel: 03.2145 4268 IR 1968 Indochine Restaurant & Bar 1st Floor, 241-B, Lorong Nibong, Off Jalan Ampang, KL. Tel: 03.2141 3550 Jake’s Charbroil Steaks Starhill Shopping Centre LG11 Lower Ground Floor, 181 Jalan Bukit Bintang, KL. Tel: 03.2148 1398 Medan Damansara 21 Jalan Setiapuspa, Medan Damansara, KL. Tel: 03.2094 5677 www.jakes.com.my Le Midi Bangsar Shopping Centre 3Rd Floor 285, Jalan Maarof 59000 KL. Tel: 03.2094 1318 Manhattan Steak House Block B-05, Plaza Kelana Jaya, Jalan SS7/13A, Petaling Jaya, PJ Selangor. Tel: 03.7876 2188 RSVP: 03.7874 8088 http://manhattansteakhouse. com.my Riblee’s restaurant Wisma CKL 41-1, Jalan 23/70A, 50480, Desa Sri Hartamas, Wilayah Persekutuan. Tel: 03.6201 0180 Sanook dine, lounge & club Synergistic Duo Sdn Bhd C-06 Plaza Kelana Jaya, SS7/13A Petaling Jaya, 47301 Malaysia. Reservations: 03.7877 3636 reservations@sanooking.com Savory Bistro Basement 3-06,The Fare, 10 Mont Kiara, Jalan Kiara 1, Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03.6211 5100 Social@Bangsar 57-59, Jln Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, KL.Tel: 03.2282 2260 Songket Restaurant No. 29, Jalan Yap Kwan Seng 50450 KL. Tel: 03 2161 3331 Social @ Changkat 22 Changkat Bukit Bintang, KL. Tel: 03.2142 8260 Sutra@The Sanctuary Lot 151 & 151a, 1st Flr @ The Curve, Mutiara Damansara, PJ. Tel: 03.7710 5033 The Meat Experts G15 & 16, Hartamas Shopping Centre, 60, Jln Sri Hartamas, Sri Hartamas, Sri Hartamas, KL Tel: 03.6205 2577 / 019.653 2843 www.themeatexperts.com BRITISH SIDS Pub Plaza Damansara 10-G, Jalan Setia Medan 2, Damansara Heights, 50490, KL.Tel: 03.2094 7437 www.sidspubs.com Terrace Arms 21G, PJU 5/21, The Strand, Kota Damansara, PJ. Tel: 03.6150 5277 The George and Dragon Lot G130, Ground flr, Bangsar Shopping Centre, KL. Tel: 03.2287 8316 CHINESE Tai Zi Heen Level 2, Prince Hotel & Residence KL Jln Conlay, KL. Tel: 03.2170 8888 FRENCH Mediteranean Restaurant Le Midi Restaurant Sdn Bhd Lot T3, 3rd Floor, East Wing, Bangsar Shopping Centre 285 Lorong Maarof, Bukit Bandaraya 59000 KL. Tel: 03.2094 1318 The Press Room Lot G110 Grd Floor, Bangsar Shopping Centre, Jalan Maarof. Tel: 03.2095 8098 GERMAN Bavarian Bierhaus Restaurant & Bar (Non-Halal) No.G 8, Ground Floor, Wisma Uoa Ii, No.21, Jalan Pinang, KL. Tel: 03.2166 7268 House Frankfurt No. 12, Jalan Telawi 5, Bangsar Baru, KL. Tel: 03.2284 1624 www.housefrankfurt.com Weissbrau German Bistro & Bar 3.05.02 & C3.16.00, Level 3, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.2142 0288 ITALIAN Espressamente illy Pavilion KL Lot 3.10.00 Level 3, Pavilion KL. Tel: 03 2141 0028 Bangsar Village 1 Lot F 12 & 13A First Floor, Bangsar Village 1, Bangsar Baru Tel: 03.2287 7078 Web: www.gastrodome.com.my Garibaldi Restaurant LG 10 & G22 Bnagsar Village 1 Jalan Telawi Satu Bangsar Baru 59100 KL. Tel: 03.22823456/7 www.garibaldi.com.my Jojo Restaurant Lot NW01, Ground Floor, Tropicana Golf + Country Club, 47140 KL. Tel: 03.6203 5800 www.jojoitalianrestaurant.com Leonardo’s Dining Room & Wine Loft No.61-1, Jalan Bangkung, Bukit Bandaraya 59100 KL. Tel: 03.2096 2226 Modesto’s Lot G-02/03/03A, Ground Floor Cap Square, 50100, KL. Tel: 03.2697 4020 www.modestos.com.my Opus Bistro 67, Jalan Bangkung, Bukit Bandaraya Bangsar 59100 KL. Tel: 03.2092 4288 Porto Romano Taman Tun Dr Ismail 28, Persiaran Zaaba, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, KL. Tel: 03.7710 0509 Mont Kiara K-1 Mont Kiara Banyan, 28 Jalan Kiara, Mont Kiara, KL. Tel: 03.6207 8171 Jalan Ampang G02-06 Ground Floor, The Ampwalk, 218 Jalan Ampang, 50400 KL. Tel: 03.2162 6799 www.porto-romano.com Spasso Milano 347, Nihonkan Club, Jalan Ampang, KL. Tel: 03.4252 7088 JAPANESE EUJU Level 2, Prince Hotel & Residence KL, Jln Conlay, Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.2170 8888 Gyuchi Japaneses BBQ Restaurant No 3, Jalan 19/70A, Plaza Prisma Ville, Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480, KL Tel: 03.6205 2233 http://www.gyuichi.com.my Xenri D’Garden Terrace Lot No. 2–04, Second Floor, Podium Block of Menara Hap Seng, Jalan P. Ramlee, KL. Tel: 03.2078 6688 Xenri D’River View No. 20, Wisma Elken, Jalan 1/147C, Batu 5, Jalan Kelang Lama,KL. Tel: 03.77838118 Yoko’s Restaurant 36, Changkat Bukit Bintang, KL. Tel: 03.2144 3378 OTHER ASIAN Tamarind Hill 19 Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 KL. Tel: 03.2148 3200 Tamarind Springs Jln 1, Tmn TAR, Ampang. Tel: 03.4256 9300 SPANISH/LATIN/GREEK Cava Restaurant No. 71, Jalan Bangkung, Bukit Bandaraya, KL. Tel: 03.2093 6637 La Bodega 14-16, Jln Telawi 2, Bangsar Baru, KL. Tel: 03.2287 8318 La Bodega @ BSC G109, Grd floor, Bangsar Shopping Centre, Jln Maarof, KL. Tel: 03.2287 2768 La Bodega @ Pavilion Lot C3.06.00, Level 3, Pavilion KL, Jln Bukit Bintang, KL. Tel: 03.2148 8018 www.gastrodome.com.my BARS & LOUNGE BAR Club Quattro (Restaurant & Club) Ground & Mezzanine Floor Avenue K 156, Jalan Ampang Tel: 03.2166 6566 www.clubquattro.com The Library Gastropub Lot 23A, Ground Floor, E @ Curve, Mutiara Damansara Tel: 03.7726.2602 Midvalley LOT G 001 & 001 Ground Floor, Mid Valley Megamall Tel: 03.2282 6001 IOI Boulevard B-GF-01 IOI Boulevard Jln Kenari 5, Bandar Puchong Jaya Puchong, Selangor Tel: 03.8070 8077 Avenue K Grd Floor , Avenue K 156, Jalan Ampang LOUNGE T Club No 8 Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru 59100, KL. Tel: 03.2284 4003 SHOPPING CENTRES Great Eastern Mall 303 Jln Ampang, KL. Customer Care: 03.4259 8090 Suria KLCC Kuala Lumpur City Centre Tel: 03.2382 2828 Tel: 03.2382 3326 Concierge www.suriaklcc.com.my Sunway Pyramid Concierge Counter Tel: 03.7492 9998 / 03.7494 3100 / 03.7494 3101 / 03.7494 3102 JLN PJS 11/15, Bandar Sunway, PJ SHOPS AUTO SALES City Motors Sdn Bhd Lot 21 Jln Maarof, Bangsar KL. Tel: 03.2283 3599 Mobile: 012.2013503 (Peter Fong) Email: Peter@citymotors.com (www.citymotors.com.my) Bakery Craft Bakers D2-G3-05, Solaris Dutamas, No. 1, Jalan Dutamas 1, KL Tel / Fax: 03.6205 3913 Website: www.craftbakers.org.uk CARPETS Razi Gallery Lot 1.01 1st Floor, The Ampwalk, 218, Jln Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.2166 3775 Carpet-Inn G-26, Grd Floor, KL i-Design Centre 237-241, Jalan Ampang 50450 Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03.2145 6786 Nasim Carpets 133 Jalan Maroof Bangsar 59100 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.2093 8786 / 012.278 6786 Persian Collection Desa Sri Hartamas 32-2 & 34-2, Jalan 25/70A Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 KL. Tel: 03.2300 6966 B.S.C Lot S12, 2nd Floor, Bangsar Shopping Centre, 59000 KL. Tel: 03.2094 6966 1MK L1-9,1st Floor, 1 Mont Kiara Mall, No.1,Jalan Kiara 50480 K.L Tel: 03.62059033 ARTS & CRAFTS Art House Gallery Lot 2.38-2.43, 2nd Flr, Wisma Cosway, KL. Tel: 03.2148 2283 Art Valley B 812 , Level 8, Kelana Square Jln. SS7/26, Kelana Jaya. Tel: 03.7880 0991 www.artvillage.com.my FURNITURE & ANTIQUES Carpet Inn / Rustic Instincts G-26, Grd Floor, KL i-Design Centre 237-241, Jalan Ampang 50450 Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03.2145 6786 Courtyard 1.07, 1st flr, The Ampwalk, 218, Jln Ampang, KL. Tel: 03.2163 2868 Eastern Charm Lot 5, Level 2, Great Eastern Mall, KL. Tel: 03.4253 4903 East Heritage 40 Jalan Dato Abu Bakar 16/1 46300 PJ. Tel: 603 7960 5820 www.eastheritage.com Heritage of The Orient 15 Bukit Travers Off Jln Bangsar, KL. Tel: 03.2284 2912 Isofu Modern Living Concepts KL Showroom A3-UG-03, Solaris Dutamas, Nio 1, Jalan Dutamas 1, 50480 KL. Tel: 03.6207 9823 Penang Showroom 170-04-72, 4th Floor, Gurney Plaza, Persiaran Gurney, 10250 Penang, Malaysia. Tel: 04.229 6823 www.isofu.com.my Jonassen Collection C-G02 Perdana Condo Jalan PJU 8/1, Bandar Damansara Perdana, Petaling Jaya Selangor. Tel: 03.7726 6001 Web: www.jonassencollection.com E: morten@jonassencollection.com Kian Classic Taman Tun Dr Ismail Tel: 03.7710 0377 The Curve Tel: 03.7726 3771 Kota Damansara Tel: 03.5140 8771 Sunway Pyramid Tel: 03.5638 8772 Shah Alam (SACC Mall) Tel: 03.5510 1177 Cheras Tel: 03.9132 1170 Kajang Tel: 03.8737 0117 Klang Tel: 03.3326 2770 Jusco Serdang Tel:03 8941 8771 Lasting Impressions Petaling Jaya (Premier Gallery) 2 Jalan PJU 3/47, Sunway Damansara, PJ. Tel: 03.7806 1379 2nd Floor, Bangsar Village II 2 Jln Telawi 1, Bangsar Baru, KL. Tel: 03.2094 6495 Nile Valley Sdn Bhd M-18, Mezzanine Floor, Wisma UOA II, No.21 Jalan Pinang, 50450 KL. Tel: 03.2166 2657 Email: info@mynilevalley.com www.mynilevalley.com Scent of the Orient 39, Jln PJU8/5A, Bandar Damansara Perdana, PJ. Tel: 03.7729 3628 Email: scent_orient@yahoo.com Tian Yi Fine Furnishings G08A-1 Ground Floor, The Ampwalk, 218, Jalan Ampang, KL. Tel: 03.2161 5513 www.tianyi com.my GROCERIES Cold Storage www.coldstorage.com.my This directory contains contact details for all restaurants, bars, shops and other services which advertise with us. RESTAURANTS BARS TO DISCOVER THE BEST OF RESTAURANTS AND BARS IN MALAYSIA VISIT WWW.DINEMALAYSIA.COM 86 THE EXPAT WWW.EXPATKL.COM
- 87. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT87 SHOPS SERVICES FOR SHOPS AND SERVICES THAT WELCOME EXPATS, GO TO WWW.EXPATKL.COM AND CLICK ON DIRECTORIES outlets Klang Valley Cold Storage, Great Eastern Mall Cold Storage, Mutiara Damansara Cold Storage, Mid Valley Cold Storage, Solaris Mont Kiara Cold Storage, Subang Parade Cold Storage, Alamanda Putrajaya Cold Storage, Bangsar Shopping Centre Cold Storage, Suria KLCC Cold Storage, The Mall Cold Storage, Time Square Cold Storage, Summit Mall Cold Storage, One Utama Cold Storage, Jaya One Shopping Mall Penang Cold Storage, Island Plaza Cold Storage, Gurney Plaza Johor Cold Storage, Plaza Pelangi Ipoh Cold Storage, Ipoh Parade Cold Storage, Melaka Mall West Malaysia Cold Storage, Green Heights Kuching Jaya Grocer Empire Subang, Mutiara Tropicana, Damansara Perdana, Jaya 33 Web: www.jayagrocer.com HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS Eurochef Malaysia Unit P-1-21, Block P, Plaza Damas 60, Jln Sri Hartamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.6201 8863 Email: sales@eurochef.com.my www.eurochefasia.com WINE Cronier Wines (M) Sdn Bhd 5-6 One Avenue, PJU 6A, Jalan Masjid 47400 Petaling Jaya Selangor, Malaysia. Tel: 03.7722 2252 / 4219 www.cronierwines-my.com SERVICES AIRLINES Oman Air Suite 9-03, 9th Floor Menara Hap Seng Letter Box 55, Jalan P Ramlee 50250 KL. Tel: 012.3239 418 www.omananair.com ARTS/FRAMES Aidea Art And Frame 1st Floor, Hock Choon Supermarket 241-1, Jalan Ampang 50450 KL Tel: 03.2144 3895 Art Accents / Art Archive Asia No 2F-10, 2nd Floor, Bangsar Village II, Jalan Telawi 1, Bangsar Baru, 59100 KL. Tel: 03.2287 1908 Fax: 03.2287 1983 Rustic Instincts G-26, Ground Floor, KL-i DC, (next to Hock Choon Supermarket), 237-241 Jalan Ampang, 50450 KL. Tel: 03.2145 6786 Talens Fine Art & Frames 34, Jln Tun Mohd Fuad 1, Tmn Tun Dr Ismail, KL. Tel: 03.7727 9820 Winson Loh Pinkguy Malaysia Art & Frame Marc Service Residence A-G-02, No.3 Jalan Pinang, Kuala Lumpur City Centre Tel: 03.2166 2166 / 019.319 9235 Email: pinkguymalaysia@yahoo.com Website: www.winsonloh.com BBQ ACCESORIES BBQ King Outlets BBQ King Bangsar Village LG 15, LG Floor, Bangsar Village Shopping Centre, No 1 Jln Telawi Satu, Bangsar Baru, KL. Tel: 03.2287 0399 BBQ King Pavilion KL Lot 6.24D, Level 6, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Lot 168, Jln Bukit Bintang, KL. Tel: 03.2141 1309 BEAUTY/FITNESS Beauty Chemistry Sdn Bhd Suite 01-05, Level 1, Fraser Place, Lot 163, No 10, Jalan Perak , 50450 KL. Tel: 03.2164 1288 www.beautychemistry.co.uk Circuit25 KLCC, Lake Gardens, Taman Jaya, TTDI. www.circuit25.com Tel: 017.312 8491 (Jeremy Bird, NASM Certified Personal Trainer) Chi Fitness A1/01, Ground Floor, Block Annexe, PJ Trade Centre, No 8, Jln PJU 8/8A, Bandar Damansara Perdana, 47820 Petaling Jaya selangor.(PJ) Lot 1-01 & 1-02, BRDB Tower, 285, Jalan Maarof, Bukit Bandaraya, 59000 Bangsar, K.L, Malaysia (BSC) Tel: 603-2282 2366 (BSC) www.chi-fitness.com Tel: 03.7492 1023/3344 0171 (PJ trade centre) Marc Optic Gallery F-238 First Floor, The Gardens Malls Mid Valley City, Lingakaran Syed Putra 59200 Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03.2283 6889 Dental Teo & Partners Dental Surgery 2F-35, Bangsar Village II, 2, Jalan Telawi Satu, Bangsar KL Tel: 03.2283 1898 www.preciousmiledental.com.my Bangsar Utama Dental Specialist Center 12-1, Jalan Bangsar Utama 9, KL Tel: 03.2282 4339 www.bangsardental.com Bangsar Dental Specialist Centre 43-1, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, KL. Tel: 03.2282 6800 www.malaysiadentist.com Hair Care Holistic Hair Care Sdn Bhd Hartamas 38, Jalan 24/70A, Desa Sri Hartamas, KL Tel: 03.62058199 / 6205 8299 Puchong 53, Jalan Puteri 1/6, Bandar Puteri, Puchong. Tel: 03.8063 8899 / 8063 7518 Cheras 15, Jalan Manis 6, Taman Segar. Cheras, KL. Tel: 03.9130 1899 HEALTHCARE/HOSPITAL PMCC - International Sdn Bhd Unit 17-3A, 3rd Mile Square 151, Jalan Kelang Lama, Batu 3 1/2, 58100 KL. Tel: 012.248 3439 www.monikawyss.com The Natural Health Practice For appointments: 03.2094 1335 For inquiries: 012.637 7993 Add: Natural Harmony, 8-5, Jalan Batai, Damansara Heights 50490 Kuala Lumpur. Tropicana Medical Centre 11. Jalan Teknologi, Taman Sains Selangor 1, Pju 5, Kota Damansara 47810 PJ. Tel: 03.6287 1111 www.tropicanamedicalcentre.vom CAR RENTAL Avis Rent A Car Crowne Plaza Mutiara Kuala Lumpur Main Lobby Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 KL. Tel: 03.2144 4487 www.avis.com.my Email: sales@avis.com.my SK Travel & Car Hire (M) Sdn Bhd 012-2065071 (Mr Sara) COACHES Plusliner / Nice – KL Nice Counter, Mezzanine Floor, KTMB Building, Jln Sultan Hishamuddin. Tel: 03.2272 1586 / 2274 0499 SINGAPORE Copthorne Orchid Hotel, 214, Dunearn Road, 299526 Tel: 02.6256 5755 PENANG Garden Inn Hotel, 41, Jln Anson, 10400. Tel: 04.227 7370 KL ODYSSEYDECK Lot 1E, Shoplex at Mont’ Kiara, 15 Jalan Kiara 50480 KL. Tel: 1 300 888 121 SINGAPORE ODYSSEYLOUNGE 214, Dunearn Road, Copthorne Orchid Hotel, #01-09, Singapore 299526. Tel: 1 800 639 7739 First Coach No. 48, Jln Kemuja, Bangsar, KL. Tel: 03.2287 3311 Lot C02B, Concourse Level, KPMG Tower, 8 First Avenue, Bandar Utama PJ. Tel: 03.77253311 AEROLINE LUXURY COACHES B-5-8 Megan Avenue 1, 189 Jalan Tun Razak KL. www.aeroline.com.my DRINKING WATER Sterling Pure Drinking Water 52 Jln 11/62A, Bandar Menjalara, KL. Tel: 03.6274 7088 INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS Full list available at www.expatKL.com FURNITURE RENTAL Carpet-Inn G-26, Ground Floor, KL-i DC, (next to Hock Choon Supermarket), 237-241 Jalan Ampang, KL. Tel: 03.2145 6786 Fax: 03.2145 6780 Expats Furniture Rental 45, Jalan Maarof Bangsar KL Tel: 03.2283 2088 M.K. Homes Ampang Showroom: 15, Jln Persiaran Ampang Hilir, Ampang, KL. Tel: 03.4256 7518 Bangsar Showroom: 126, Jln Maarof, Bangsar, KL. Tel: 03.2092 1555 Office: Tel: 03.6189 3331 / 6189 0801 www.mkhomes.com.my Penang Showroom: 521D–08–01, The Cove Jln Tanjung Bungah 11200 Tanjung Bungah, Penang Tel / Fax: 04.8902 987 Mobile: 016.4506 745 KINDERGARTEN / CHILDREN Children’s Discovery House Mont Kiara - Tel: 03.6204 0088 Bangsar - Tel: 03.2093 9592 Ampang - Tel: 012.205 6756 www.childrensdiscoveryhouse.com Hils Learning Centre No. 13-2 Jalan Solaris 4 Mont’Kiara Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.6203 0029 www.hilslearning.net Little Mandarin House 2, Jalan Limau Purut, Bangsar Park, Bangsar KL Tel: 03.2093 0069 229, Jalan Ara, Bangsar Baru, KL Tel: 03.2287 00689 Summerfields Kindergarten 32, Jalan Sri Hartamas 15, Taman Sri Hartamas, 50480 KL Tel: 03.6201 2388 email: enquiry@summerfields. com.my LANGUAGE SCHOOL Applied Language Systems Tel: 012.3391675 / 03.60383192 MAID EMPLOYMENT Agensi Pekerjaan Professional Services No 62A, Jln SS 22/25, Damansara Jaya, Petaling Jaya. Tel: 03.7727 8093 SP-CM Agensi Pekerjaan Sdn Bhd No 22, Jalan SS 3/6,Taman Sentosa, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03.7875 2155 MOVERS/RELOCATIONS Allied Pickfords Tel: 03.6253 6553 (Kuala Lumpur) Tel: 04.6464 278 (Penang) www.alliedtoallied.com Armstrong Moving (M) Sdn Bhd 2, Jalan 5/149H, Taman Sri Endah Sri Petaling, 5700 Kuala Lumpur Tel: +6 03.9059 5595 / Cell: +6 016.2233 581 www.ArmstrongMoving.com.my Crown Line Expatriates Services Lot 37645, Jalan 5/37A Taman Bukit Maluri Kepong 52100 KL. Tel: 03.6275 1830 Felix Relocations No AR-3A, Megan Ambassy, 225 Jln Ampang, 50450 KL. Tel: 1-300-88-5511 Inter Grace Movers (M) Sdn. Bhd. Lot 116, Jalan Semangat, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. Tel: 03.7954 4908 (Hunting Line) Email: move@intergrace.com.my Royal Relocations 35, Kompleks Selayang, Batu Caves, Selangor. Tel: 03.6120 8903 MUSIC SCHOOL Musikhaus Enrichment Centre (formerly known as Kidz Talent Lodge @ Ikano Power Centre) No. 80, Jalan PJU 7/12A, Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya. Tel: 03.7728 0834 www.musikhaus.com.my Allegro Music & Arts 91B & C, Lorong Mamanda 1, Ampang Point, Selangor. Tel: 03.4251 5780 www.allegromusic.info PROPERTY AGENTS IOI Properties Level 2, Two IOI Square, IOI Resort, Putrajaya. Tel: 03.8947 8632 Pen Properties 163-F-4 Jln Perak, Penang Tel: 04.210 6060 H/P: 016.414 8188 www.penang-property.com Property Link 91, Jln Telawi, Bangsar Baru KL. White Space International Add: 1-3, Jalan Solaris 2, Solaris Mont Kiara KL. Tel: 03.6209 9988 www.whitespaceinternational.com Zerin Properties 36th floor, Menara Maxis KLCC, KL. Tel: 03.6251 8007 Email: info@virtualrealty.com.my PUBLICATION The Wall Street Journal Asia by Dow Jones www.wsj-asia.com SALONS ish Salon 46-1, Jln Telawi, Bangsar Baru, KL. Tel: 03.22870920/1 Saw Hair Salon Lot 401k, 4th Floor, Suria KLCC, 50088 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tel: +603.2171 1881/1882 www.saw.com.my SPAS Body Perfect™ Ladies Beauty & Slimming Spa Embassy Row, Ampang** Lot 208, 2nd Floor, The Ampwalk. Tel: 03.2161 8882 ** subject to change from January 2011 onwards. The Boulevard, Mid Valley City Unit 23-G (Ground Floor). Tel: 03.2938 8883 The Plaza, Northpoint, Mid Valley City Unit B-M-1, Mezzanine Floor. Tel: 03.2287 87883 The Sphinx, Sunway Pyramid Unit LG1.102, Lower Ground One. Tel: 03.5636 8882 Website: http://www.bodyperfect. com.my Email: customerservice@ bodyperfect.com.my Danai Spa 103 Tanjung Bungah Park, Tanjung Bungah, Penang. Tel: 04.899 0899 Donna Spa S20–27, Pamper Level, Starhill Gallery, 181, Jln. Bukit Bintang 55100 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.2141 8999 www.donnaspa.net Hammam Lot 3F-7 & 3F-8, Bangsar Village II, 2, Jln Telawi 1, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.2282 2180 Email: info@hammambaths.com Jati Spa Novotel Hydro Majestic KL, Level 4, No. 2 Jln Kia Peng, 50450 Kuala Lumpur. Tel 03.2147 0888 (ext 7690) or 03.2161 2460 Ozmosis Health & Day Spa Level 1, 14 –16 Jln Telawi 2, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.2287 0380 SPORTS Cue Station Lot 07-61, 7th Flr, Berjaya Times Square, 1, Jln Imbi, Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.2144 3128 TAILOR Lord’s Tailor Lot1.10 & 1.11, 1st Floor, The Ampwalk (Ampang Walk). 218, Jalan Ampang, 50450, Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.2166 0918, 2166 1918F18 & F19, 1st Floor, Bangsar Shopping Centre, Jalan Maarof, 59100 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.2094 9776 Summermen Tailor Shops Pavilion KL - 03.2148 9825 Klang - 03.3324 3462 Ampang Point KL - 03.4252 3668 TRAVEL Mitra Malaysia Sdn Bhd Lot G-01, Menara Park, Megan Avenue II No: 12 Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, 50450 KL. Tours: 03.2161 1311 Reservation & Ticketing: 03.2161 2133 Email: info@mitra.travel Website: www.mitra.travel Prohighway Travel 141, Jln Maarof, Bangsar Baru, KL. Tel: 03.2282 7979 Tirtha Bridal Jalan Raya Uluwatu Banjar Dinas Karang Boma Desa Pecatu 80364 Bali, Indonesia. Tel: +62.361 8471151 www.tirthabridal.com
- 88. 88 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM bulletinboard www.expathomekl.com YOUR EXPAT REALTOR (+012) 3391 675, (+03) 6150 2236 mazypuyi@yahoo.com Meet our friendly instructors for a total learning experience! 25 years in the moving business. Well experienced and trained staff. Expert in moving house, office, studio and etc. KUALA LUMPUR PENANG JB SINGAPORE The most effective way to reach resident expats… Just e-mail us at sales@theexpatgroup.com Natural Way of Strengthening Our Immune System Against All Diseases In 4 Intelligence Ways! Recognize , Respond, Remember & Regulate Contact Us: 012-2352846 / 016-6183040 www.AmazingForLife.com
- 89. WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT89 bulletinboard Cert. Systemic Therapist / Psychological Counselor Licensed Heal Your Life® Workshop Leader NLP Master Practitioner ys mic Family and Business Cons a on based on ert He inger - Workshops and One-2-One Session sycho-Kinesiolog eal Your Life® Workshops based on Louise Ha ife & Transforma on Coachin Tel: 012 248 3439 or Email to: monika@monikawyss.com www.MonikaWyss.com ATop Realtor Specializing in the Expat Market Suite 8-7-12, (7th Floor) Menara Bangsar, Jalan Liku, Off Jalan Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: +603 2287 3873 Fax: +603 22873872 Wendy Lian has spent more than 13 years traveling the world and living in major global cities as an expat. She truly understands the stress, frustrations and hardship one faces in a foreign country. Now back in her own country, Wendy has built a premier reputation within the expat community, representing quality properties in Kuala Lumpur, Damansara Heights, Bangsar and Mont Kiara. Whatever you are looking for, whether it is your dream home or your ideal investment opportunity, she is here to make your search and experience as easy,satisfying and stress free as possible. RESTAURANTS BARSSHOPS SERVICES TO DISCOVER THE BEST IN RESTAURANTS, SHOPS, BARS AND SERVICES THAT WELCOME EXPATS, GO TO WWW.EXPATKL.COM AND CLICK ON DIRECTORIES
- 90. 90 THE EXPATWWW.EXPATKL.COM LOCALLY YOURS Lydia Teh is as Malaysian as nasi lemak, char kuay teow and roti canai. Like all Malaysians, she can eat six meals a day but refrains from doing for the sake of her waistline. Born and raised in Klang, Selangor, she still lives in this royal town which is known for its bah-kut-teh: herbal stewed pork washed down with Chinese tea. She has written six books including the best-selling Honk! If You’re Malaysian and Fun for Kids in Malaysia. She manages an English language centre, writes a newspaper column and dreams of literary world domination. She can be contacted via www.lydiateh.com. T he sweetest name on earth is our own, isn’t it? When we hear our name, our ears perk up. Dale Carnegie, the author of How to Win Friends and Influence People strongly advocates using people’s names in conversations to make the other party feel good. However, this is not always possible for one reason or another, especially in Malaysia. Consider these situations and how to get around the dilemma without sounding arrogant, rude or clueless. When you’re shopping and need assistance from the sales promoter, this is how you would address a young woman at the counter: Leng Lui. If she was wearing a bulldog expression before you greet her, see her immediate transformation into a smiling vixen. Leng Lui is Cantonese for “pretty girl” and you will surely lift her like a helium balloon with that greeting. Guaranteed she will wait on you hand and foot. Of course, if she looks like one of Cinderella’s stepsisters, calling her Leng Lui would be overdoing it. The male equivalent of Leng Lui is Leng Chai. I have seen with my own eyes how these words work like magic. I was at an electrical appliance warehouse sale looking for a good bargain. The camera counter had a thick belt of visitors around it. My feeble attempts at getting the attention of the sales promoter fell on deaf ears because the young man was being Leng Chai-ed left, right and centre by a savvy woman. Though the promoter looked better than William Hung, he was no Brad Pitt either. I could’ve called him “boss” but that would have been a lie. He’s a wage-earner, that’s why he was manning the counter. Hi Boss! If the setting was at a shop, the man behind the counter could be the boss himself. When dealing with small-time businessmen, it’s preferable to call them “boss” or “towkay” which is Chinese for “proprietor”. Boss or towkay is also a very safe way to greet someone whose name you’ve forgotten. Let’s say you bump into an acquaintance or a business associate whose name you have forgotten. “Hi, boss! How are you? Long time,no see…”can save you from embarrassment, especially if he remembers your name. If the person you meet is an older friend or a relative, “aunty” and “uncle” are safe bets. But you’d better be sure that the aunty and uncle are a good decade older than you or you might end up getting an icy response that will freeze you with its animosity. Some men have an interesting albeit uncouth manner of greeting male friends. “You barsket. Where have you been hiding? Haven’t seen you since the last World Cup.” Now “barsket” shouldn’t be confused with the shopping basket. Barsket is Manglish for “bastard” and should never be used on burly strangers or you might end up with your teeth knocked out from your gums. “Datuk” is an honorific bestowed by Malaysian royalty. Once a person is bestowed a Datukship, his individuality vanishes like a soap bubble. Overnight he becomes a nameless person. Relatives, friends and business associates will call him “Datuk”, period. He will only be addressed by his name if he’s in the company of another Datuk. “Datuk” may be used as a salutation for ordinary people too but it is usually reserved for respected members of society such as the CEOs of large corporations or a VIP who hasn’t been bestowed with a Datukship, yet. If you meet a senior executive, especially one who wears a glossy batik shirt at official functions, it is acceptable to address him as Datuk. But use Datuk judiciously as we don’t want Malaysia to be overrun with Datuks. In our society, we’re not used to being “Sired” or “Ma’ammed” unless we’re in fine establishments such as five-star hotels or high-class boutiques. Occasionally, you might find this form of address where you least expect it. In my case, I found it at the rojak and cendol stall near my mother’s house. The husband and wife team preface and end each sentence with a sir, ma’am, please, excuse me or thank you. “One rojak and one cendol, ma’am? Take a seat please.” When she serves the food, she says, “Excuse me, ma’ am. Thank you” as she gently puts down the plate so as not to splash the rojak sauce on your clothes. When you’re at food courts or coffee shops with several stalls, you can’t yell “waiter!”or “captain!”as you would in a restaurant. Instead you call the vendors by the food they serve. Hence, the fried koay teow man is “koay teow,” the popiah seller becomes “popiah” and the grilled fish hawker is “ikan bakar.” With all due respect to Mr. Carnegie, can you see now that we don’t need to know people’s names in order to make them feel good? Now go win some friends and influence some people.
- 92. Door to doormoving with Allied Pickfords Allied Pickfords is one of the largest and most respected providers of moving services in the world, handling over 50,000 international moves every year. We believe that nothing reduces stress more than trust, and each year thousands of families trust Allied Pickfords to move them. With over 800 offices in more than 40 countries, we’re the specialists in international moving and have the ability to relocate you anywhere anytime. Move with Allied to Allied worldwide. Call us now on +603 6253 6553 - Kuala Lumpur +604 646 4278 - Penang www.alliedtoallied.com PC9943 moving?