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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

J. Andrew Davison
H
aving just returned from Bali after an absence of some 20 years, I was once again struck by its
stunning natural beauty which continues to make it one of the most beautiful islands in the
world. When I first went there in the 70s, the tourism traffic was just beginning. From well
under 100,000 visitors a year at that time, it has now grown to over 1 million today.
It was a little piece of paradise with its amazing rice terraces, volcanoes, lakes, beautiful beaches, year
round sunshine, great waves for surfing and the lovely Balinese culture and architecture. No wonder
the word quickly spread that is was a “must see” destination.
About a third of the foreign tourists are Australians, and it remains one of their most popular
destinations despite the many deaths they suffered in the two Balinese bombings in 2002 and 2005.
The rapid increase in tourism is of course taking its toll and the infrastructure is struggling to cope.
The local culture is becoming much more commercialised and money is a major focus - we were even
charged for a glass my four year old daughter accidentally broke at a hotel. The traffic problem is now
acute. Very narrow roads with ever increasing motor vehicles and countless motorbikes make traveling
around the southern part of the island, where most tourists hang out, something of a nightmare.
During our visit a local newspaper reported that during the previous three months a staggering
eight people a day had died on the Balinese roads. That’s with a population of just 3 million people.
Malaysia, by contrast, with a population of 24 million has around 20 road deaths a day.
There are minimal visible traffic regulations and enforcement of the rules. Most roads are very narrow
and are often partially blocked by illegally parked cars, motor bikes or goods dropped off at shops.
Some roads are even partially blocked by farmers drying their rice in the sun. Many roads are dug up
for purposes which are often not clear but are certainly not related to improving them.
The police blame the increase in road deaths on the substantial increase in motor vehicles. The
public seems to blame the police for not enforcing the traffic regulations and being more focused on
extracting kick backs from motorists, particularly those involved in accidents.
Some people worry that the whole island will come to a standstill as the increase in vehicles is not
being matched by new and improved roads. By contrast, Malaysia has done an outstanding job with its
roads. In fact, they have been adding new roads all over the country ever since I moved here in the late
80s. They needed to as the number of cars has more than doubled. However, I was interested to note
that while I was away a small back road behind our office was resurfaced and looked better than 90%
of the main roads we drove along in Bali.
The southern part of Bali is now overflowing with tourists and for many years
foreigners have been buying properties on the island. The prices have risen
a lot since I first went there and many of the waterfront homes now run over
US$1 million.
Clearly addressing some of the infrastructural problems is something which
needs to be prioritized or this beautiful tropical paradise will lose some of its
attraction. That might be good for places like Langkawi but sad for Bali.
Have a great month!
HITHERE!
Publisher
J. Andrew Davison
Consultant Director
Marybeth Ramey
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William Citrin
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31
71
75
CONTENTS | SEPTEMBER 2011 VOLUME 168
58-59
EVENTS
11 Events
13 Clubs and Associations
15 Expat News
22 Around The Expat Group
26 Expat Extracts
COLUMNS
17 Musings from Malaysia by William Citrin
19 My View by Marybeth Ramey
21 Heat Stroke by Paul Loosely
63 In My Anecdotage by Datuk Paddy Bowie
114 Locally Yours by Lydia Teh
MALAYSIA MATTERS
31 One Name, One Nation – Malaysia Day
32 The Woman in the Moon – Moon Festival
33 Malaysia’s Ambassador to the World – Ng Yen Yen
34 Signing up for the Anti-Corruption War
38 Getting Involved – RSYC Cleaner Marina Day
56 The Foundations of Friendship – Brickladies
THE ARTS
40 Artist Proﬁle – Soon Lai Wai
43 The Art of Investment
TRAVEL & TOURISM
44 Timeless Majesty – Siem Reap
46 Expat Airline Travel & News
BUSINESS & FINANCE
51 Championing International Business – MICCI
53 KL’s Mega Commercial Enclaves
55 Business Proﬁle – Brendon Osborn
EDUCATION
58 School Snaps
PENANG PROMENADE
64 The Gardens that Almost Never Were
Plus 30 pages of EXPAT INFORMATION
71 Promos
73 Restaurant Reviews and Dining Guide
86 Shopping and Services
110 The Expat Directory
112 Bulletin Board
The Expat
Card Monthly
Specials
page 93
22-25
44-45
Cover:
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WWW.EXPATKL.COM THE EXPAT 11
SEPTEMBER EVENTS
1- 30 September
Numerous art galleries will be taking
part in the 1Malaysia Contemporary Arts
Festival. This month-long event will give
an eye-opening insight into Malaysia’s
fascinating contemporary arts scene. For
further details, please visit www.tourism.
gov.my or call +603.2692 7111
3& 4 September
Classic film buffs will be thrilled: KLPac
will be screening classics from around the
world on 3 and 4 September. The two
movies for this weekend will be “Cache”,
an Austrian-French movie and “Wings”,
a black and white released in 1966. For
more information, visit www.klpac.org or
call +603.2142 2009.
11& 12 Sep 2011
On 11 and
12 September, the
Malaysian Philharmonic
Orchestra (MPO) will
showcase Beethoven’s
Greatest Hits on a
Saturday evening at
8.30pm and Sunday
at 3pm. The Orchestra will perform
the maestro’s symphonies No. 5 and 7.
under the leadership of conductor Claus
Peter Flor. Tickets are priced between
RM70 - RM150. To book tickets, call
+603.2051.7007 or email dfp_boxoffice@
petronas.com.my. For more information,
visit www.mpo.com.my
12September
Celebrate the lantern festival,
which falls on the eighth month of the
Chinese Lunar calendar every year.
Watch the huge processions with pretty
lanterns in every shape and colour
imaginable. Also don’t miss the chance to
savour the delicious mooncakes that are
prepared in abundance during this time.
For more details, please call +603.2693
7111 or visit www.tourism.gov.my.
12September
Yuna,
an independent
Malaysian singer-
songwriter who is
currently signed to
a New York-based
record label will be
performing at the Malaysian Philharmonic
at 8.30pm.
Head down to KLCC to be mesmerized
by her dazzling vocals. Tickets are priced
at RM80. For reservations, call +603.2051
7007 or visit www.mpo.com.my for details.
15- 17 September
Head down to the KLCC
Concourse and Esplanade to witness the
celebration of diverse music, arts and styles
in this country during MASIF. The three-day
event will showcase current happenings
through displays, performances and
interactive activities. Don’t miss a
chance to hear internationally renowned
Malaysians sharing their creative talents.
For more information, call +603.4270
3865 or visit www.masifestival.com.
15- 17 September
The 12th edition of the Sepang’s
12-hour endurance race, the Merdeka
Millenium Endurance Race, will run
this month to coincide with Malaysia
Day celebrations. The 3-day affair has
been an instant hit with international
teams and drivers and is regarded as
Asia’s Biggest Race. Come down to the
Sepang International Circuit to catch
this fascinating spectacle. For ticket
reservations, call +603.8778 2222 or
visit www.malaysiangp.com.my.
16September
Malaysia Day, celebrated on 16
September, marks the joining together
of Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak to form
Malaysia 48 years ago. Celebrations will
be held in different parts of the country.
For more information, call +603.2612
7600 or visit www.tourism.gov.my.
26September - 2 October
Alerting all tennis-lovers - the
ATP World Tour’s Asian route begins in
Southeast Asia with the Malaysia Open
on 26 September. Get ready to cheer
for your favourite men players at the
16,000 indoor Putra Stadium at this
week-long tennis extravaganza. Call
+603.7880 7999 to buy your tickets or
visit www.malaysianopentennis.com.
14to 16 October
The first-ever, massive cycling
event in Malaysia, the OCBC Cycle
Malaysia 2011, will be held in Kuala
Lumpur. There are four riding categories
for OCBC Cycle Malaysia 2011: The
100m Tricycle Ride for children between
2- to 5-years-old and the 4km Mighty
Savers™ Kids Race (for children, ages
6-12) on Saturday, October 15. On
Sunday, October 16, the Community
Ride (24km) and The Challenge (48km),
will wrap up the event weekend. For
more details, visit the OCBC Cycle
Malaysia website at: http://www.ocbc.
cyclemalaysia.com.my/.

CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS
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 or 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)
c/o Atlas International Movers (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
No. 29 & 31 Jalan PJS 11/16 Bandar Sunway
Technology Park 46150 Petaling Jaya Selangor
Darul Ehsan Mobile: 012.3750 215
Url: www.scandinaviansocietymalaysia.com or
www.snofida.com
email: info@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
AAM
Bahasa Malaysia - Level 1
Date: Wednesdays from September 7 to
November 30 (12 sessions),
Cost: RM540 (Members), RM640 (Non-
members),Materials fee: RM50
Venue: AAM Villa RSVP: Email aam_kl05@
streamyx.com by 26 August 2011
Now is the time to start learning the
language of your host country! This series of
classes is led by Puan Habibah from Applied
Language Systems who will not only teach
you the language but also share knowledge
that will make your time in KL richer.
First Fridays Newcomer Lunch
Date: 9 September, 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
Coffee Morning – Medicine in Malaysia
Date: 15 September, Time: 10 a.m. – Noon
Venue: AAM Villa, Cost: Free
RSVP: E-mail aam_kl05@streamyx.com
Description: If you were faced with an
emergency while in KL, would you know
what to do and who to call? Do you know
how to go about finding good doctors in
Malaysia? These questions and more will
be answered by Sister Kay McNaught, a
local nurse practitioner from Personalised
Patient Care Management Services, at our
September coffee morning.
Lunch Bunch
Date: 21 September, Time: 10:30 a.m. –
Noon, Venue: The Coffee Bean @ Pavilion
Kuala Lumpur (Level 3), Cost: Price of own
food and drink, RSVP: E-mail aam_kl05@
streamyx.com by 20 September
Kuala Selangor Firefly Cruise
and Dinner
Date: Saturday, 24 September
Time: 3:30 p.m – 11:30 p.m.
Venue: Bukit Malawati, pick-up at the
InterContinental Hotel on Jalan Ampang
Cost: RM135 Adults, RM80 Children 3-11
years (Members); RM150 Adults, RM95
Children 3-11 years (Non-Members)
RSVP: E-mail aam_kl05@streamyx.com by
Thursday, 15 September
Description: Bring the family on this tour
to see the famous fireflies of Kuala Selangor.
Tour includes a visit to Pasir Penambang, a
Chinese fishing village, and dinner at a local
restaurant famous for its seafood.
Japanese Cooking Workshop –
Sushi Party
Date: 26 September, Time: 10:00 a.m. –
1:00 p.m. Venue: AAM VIlla Cost: RM90
(Members), RM110 (Non-Members), RSVP:
E-mail aam_kl05@streamyx.com
ABWM
Save the date: 20 September, new comers
and welcome back brunch at Lafite
restaurant in the Shangri La Hotel from
11am. For more events and activities, visit our
website on www.abwm.com.my
KLOGS (KUALA LUMPUR’S OTHER
GOLFING SOCIETY)
The KLOGS gentlemen’s golf group meet on
the third Wednesday of each month, playing
prestige courses in and around KL.
Play as a guest on the 21 September.
Guest fee all inclusive including prizes and
après golf dinner RM270.
For details please email ‘El Pres’ at: mike.
maxcon.smith@gmail.com
MANZA
MANZA Drinks Night – September
This is an extra special drinks night!
The MANZA October drinks night will be
hosted by Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre
for MANZA members and guests.
An array of delicious finger food, wine, beer
and soft drinks will be served during the three
hours, specially prepared by Kuala Lumpur
Convention Centre culinary brigade of chefs.
Where: Level 4, Centre Core, Kuala Lumpur
Convention Centre, When: Thursday, 15
September 2011 7pm – 10pm, Dress:
Smart Casual, Entry fee: RM100 per person
(This money will go to help our MANZA
Charities), * Limited to 100 people
Please RSVP through: MANZA House by
Monday, 12 September 2011, A/H: Nikki
Wilson at 012 914-5130
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
LATIN LADIES ASSOCIATION OF
MALAYSIA
The Latin Ladies Association of Malaysia
(LLAM) is pleased to announce our upcoming
annual charity ball, Fuego, to be held at
the Kuala Lumpur Hilton Sentral, on 24
September, 2011.
This event is traditionally the highlight of the
LLAM’s annual social calendar. Don’t miss it!
The Gala tickets are offered for RM 300 each
or RM 3000 per table for members, and RM
350 each or RM 3500 per table for non-
members. Each table offers 10 seats.
For further information, please contact
Brenda Scalona at 017-2190809.
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’S EDUCATIONAL
ASSOCIATION
September 3- Crayfish party
September 6, 13, 20 - KL for newcomers
September 8- Coffee morning
September 22- Monthly luncheon
September 27- Excursion to FRIM

Freedom Estates Sdn Bhd (416346-K) Level 10 Menara BRDB, 285 Jalan Maarof, Bukit Bandaraya, 59000 Kuala Lumpur. T: +603 2688 2888
A wholly-owned subsidiary of Bandar Raya Developments Berhad
Your sanctuary,
within reach.
Visit our two show units
10am - 6pm
BRDB Sales Gallery, Jalan Penaga,
Bukit Bandaraya, Kuala Lumpur.
03-2095 1011 / 012-395 1322 / 017-675 5715 www.verdana.com.my

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.
INVEST KL BEING SET UP
Setting up Invest KL is one of the so
called Entry Point Projects (EPP) in the
Government’s Greater KL Plan. The
primary objective of this new body
is to attract 100 major multinational
corporations to set up operations in the
Greater KL area.
It was recently announced that Zainal
Amanshah will become the CEO of
this new body. He was previously CEO
of RedTone International a leading
broadband company. He joins many other
people from the private sector who have
decided to support the various initiatives
under the Government’s Economic
Transformation Programme.
Although Malaysia has had some success
at attracting foreign companies it pales
into insignificance when compared to
Singapore which has been very successful.
They are also currently home to most
of the major multinational regional HQs
based in Asia. It is our view that Malaysia
could attract quite a few of these to
relocate here.
Currently many expats in Singapore have a
rather negative view of Malaysia and this
acts as a barrier to considering moving
here despite the much lower operating
cost and the favourable lifestyle.
KLANG RIVER CLEAN UP AND
BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT TAKING OFF
Part of the Greater KL Plan involves
a major initiative to revitalize and
transform the Klang River. As most expats
are very well aware, KL is not known
for its attractive rivers or waterfront
developments. There are ambitious plans
to change all this.
RESIDENCE PASS TO BE EXPANDED
Currently the Residence Pass is only
available to people who have lived in
Malaysia for over five years and earn above
RM12,000 a month. It should be noted
that merely meeting the basic criteria does
not necessarily guarantee approval as the
applicant’s skill set has to be considered
relevant to those required in the country’s
key industries.
However, as previously announced, there
are plans to expand the availability of the
Residence Pass. This would most likely
allow foreigners who have obtained
a Master’s Degree or PHD in selected
subjects from a local university to be
eligible for the visa even though they are
on much lower salaries.
Eventually it would be made available
for people who have not even lived in
Malaysia but have special skills that the
country needs.
BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION MOVES
The British High Commission has
announced that it plans to relocate as
they are selling off the current property
which according to some sources has an
estimated value of RM200 million.
Officially the move is to give them more
space and it is expected they will relocate
to a prestigious office building in Central
KL. An official was quoted as saying that
the running cost of the current building are
very high and it would be a lot more cost
effective in a rented premises.
The British Government has been selling
off a number of its overseas embassies in
recent years and trying to cut costs as part
of the UK austerity measures.
The Government has recently announced
that Aecom, a US based engineering and
architectural firm, has been awarded
the master plan for the project with a
reported value of around RM1 billion.
The project has been named the
“River of Life” and involves cleaning
up the river Klang and beautifying a
ten kilometre stretch of the river. It will
involve redevelopment of some eleven
precinct areas along the waterfront
to include various amenities such as
pedestrian walkways, cycle tracks,
retail outlets, restaurants, bars and
other attractions.
PERMANENT RESIDENCY STILL
NOT EASY
Any hopes that Malaysia was going to
follow Singapore’s very liberal approach
to awarding Permanent Residency seem
very unlikely to happen. Singapore has
over half a million permanent residencies
– a staggering 10% of the population.
Malaysia does not reveal the number
of PRs in the country but it is safe to
assume it does not even reach 1% of
the population.
Although the process has been made
somewhat easier and the qualifying criteria
now includes foreigners who invest over
US$2 million and those with unique skills
needed by the country, it is still a slow and
highly selective process. Preference still
seems to be given to foreigners married
to Malaysians.
The best solution for people wanting to
stay here long term is either the MM2H
programme for those who wish to retire
and the Residence Pass for those who
want to work here.
Expat News

MUSINGS
FROM
MALAYSIA
initial shock and terror subsided, I was left
with, oddly, a strange sense of liberation. I
came to the realization that – simply put –
anything can happen anywhere, anytime.
My illusions of living in a land of security
and stability had been turned into dust that
day. Life became something both precarious
and precious, and I made the conscious
decision to live my life on my terms.
Three months later, I found myself on an
airplane, flying across the world to elope
with my then girlfriend (and now Mrs.)
who had returned to Malaysia from the
USA to be with her family. I didn’t tell
anyone where I was going, not my family,
friends or colleagues (only my wife, of
course). This type of impulsive, clandestine
action was completely out of character
for me. But 9/11 had changed me. And
I didn’t stop there: a little over two years
later, I was packing my things to move to
Malaysia with my wife, a dramatic decision
that would have been unthinkable before
the attacks as I – like the vast majority
of Americans – could not have imagined
myself living outside what I perceived to
be the sheltering embrace of the land of
liberty. Many of my friends and family back
home wonder how I, a nice and (seemingly)
normal boy from the sleepy suburbs of
Michigan, ended up all the way over here
in Malaysia. September 11 is the key to
understanding this. My proximity to death
made me, paradoxically, feel alive, and
ready to grasp the possibilities that life
offered me.
No doubt a lot was lost on that September
morning 10 years ago – lives, innocence,
and security. And for this I feel profound
sadness. But for me, 9/11 also provided a
sense of possibility, a ground zero on which
my new life was to be built.
9/11, 10 Years on
THE EVENTS OF 11 SEPTEMBER 2001 PROFOUNDLY ALTERED THE POLITICAL AND
IDEOLOGICAL LANDSCAPE OF THE WORLD. WILLIAM CITRIN REFLECTS ON HOW
THAT FATEFUL DAY A DECADE AGO SHIFTED THE AXIS OF HIS PERSONAL UNIVERSE
to remain calm and remain where they
were. And so we waited in the classroom
together, those students and I, watching
the towers smoulder, collapse and vanish
forever. I remember the distant sounds of
helicopters and sirens and screams, and
the faint whimpering of some of the girls
in the class, but mostly what I remember
is the silence. A teacher is supposed to
have all of the answers, but I must confess
that in that moment I had absolutely no
idea what to say. Those things that I had
thought were solid – things like buildings
and my sense of safety and security living
in the most powerful country on the planet
– were reduced to rubble. The only thing
that was real was the fear that we all felt.
We stayed sequestered in the classroom
and the parents came individually and
picked up their kids. Sadly, a few of the
parents of students in our school never
came to pick them up that day – they
perished in the attacks.
For me, September 11 was one of those
events (along with the births of my three
sons) that defy metaphor. There is nothing
in my experience that I can compare to
seeing two towering skyscrapers crumble
and a kingdom of ash rise and envelope
the sky before my very eyes. In the weeks
following the attacks, things returned to
some semblance of normalcy. But nothing
was ever really the same. September 11
had an enormous impact on the geo-
political landscape (as it spawned two
wars which I – like many Americans – was
adamantly against), but I will leave it to the
pundits and conspiracy theorists to banter
on about this.
The events of 9/11 affected me deeply on a
personal level, shaking me to the core and
changing the course of my life. Once the
Everyone knows where they were that day.
I was there.
It’s strange because that luminous
September morning seems simultaneously
like a lifetime ago (as my life has
completely changed since then) and like
yesterday (because I can recall every single
detail and they play over and over in my
mind as if I’m stuck in some Nietzschean
nightmare of eternal recurrence).
On the morning of 9/11/2001, I was
teaching English literature to a group
of hormone-rattled teenagers at a
government high school in Brooklyn,
New York City. From the windows of my
classroom, you could look out across the
brilliant East River and behold – for the last
time, as it turns out – that picture-postcard
view of the lower Manhattan skyline.
My lesson had just begun – the kids still
settling into seats and rustling around in
bags and cracking books and clicking pens
– when one student, a boy by the name of
Nicholas, one of those dreamer/ADD types
who ceaselessly stare out the window at
the horizon, raised his hand and said, “Mr.
Citrin, the World Trade Center is on fire.”
All heads turned and all eyes fixed on that
angry black torrent of smoke shooting
up out of the tower. Always the cool and
composed teacher, I proceeded unabated
with my lesson, believing the fire to be an
isolated incident and trying to beat back
the tide of panic that was rapidly rising
in the room. Around 15 minutes later,
Nicholas raised his hand again and, his
voice splintering with terror, cried, “Mr.
Citrin, the other tower is on fire.” It was
then that I stopped teaching. The principal
came on the PA system and told everyone
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.

MY
VIEW
I also note many local doctors who are
licensed and trained as one type of
speciality yet have gone into the cosmetic,
beauty and anti-aging business. Their
use of potent hormones without proper
training is indeed very troubling. Local
newspapers here have been warning
people for years not to patronize these
places.
I learned the hard way. The physical
therapist I went to had a large, imposing
building located in the centre of town
with some impressive equipment inside,
yet was primarily a businessman with
no medical training. He has since closed
down and disappeared. Please do be
cautious because the enforcing of the
many regulations the government has
put in place, has not kept pace with the
technologies out there now.
Being able to walk normally and even
for long distances now has freed me
from a prison of social and professional
isolation not to mention depression. I
can go shopping now, go to the many
functions I am invited to and basically
get my life back; something that I had
almost despaired of just six months ago.
Best of all I can fly over to California and
spend Christmas holidays with my lovely
daughter, Rebecca and my sweet grandgirl,
Raya. Right now I am merely one of her
favourite TV shows in that I “come on” at
9am every Saturday via Skype on the family
computer monitor. I’ll be walking back into
her life too and I can’t wait.
Walking Back Into My Life
over. The Botox kicked in slower than I had
expected but a few weeks later sufficiently
enough to allow me to stand upright. I
have a strikingly youthful Iliopsoas muscle
now which my face is jealous of however,
Thanks to Drs. Julia Shahnaz Merican, a KL
Neurologist and her brother, Radiologist Dr
Shanrin Merican who guided the injecting
needle using ultrasound. They both
epitomize the very best of what a caring
doctor is all about.
Once my therapists, Peter Seah and
Joaquin Fernandez (two of the best physios
in Malaysia) had me standing upright,
after months of rigorously stretching my
leg, I could then graduate to the Miracle
Worker… my new walking contraption
I fondly call my Wheelie. It has 3 large,
rubber wheels, handlebars and a few
lightweight pipes and is amazingly pliable.
I lean lightly on the handlebars and am
able to walk at a 90% correction. Not only
am I walking normally and not like a circus
attraction, but every step I take exercises
my weak back muscles. Within a month or
so, I won’t need Wheelie anymore and the
past five years will be just a bad memory.
It has always troubled me along with
qualified medical professionals here I have
spoken with over the years, that there are
quite a few unethical people in business
purporting to be experts or even qualified
in a medical speciality when in fact they
lack the proper academic and clinical
qualifications. I see it all around me at Hair
Salons and Beauty Centres, for example
that now offer their customers Botox,
Liposuction and other invasive medical
procedures without regards for their safety
but just for the lucrative profits involved.
Marybeth Ramey is an award winning writer and our former
Group Editor who has lived in Malaysia for 13 years. She is a
former academic and currently an Educationalist in Malaysia as
well as the proud mother of Rebecca Millis and Naim Ramey,
now adults and living back in the USA. Her granddaughter,
Raya-Rosine is the light of her life.She welcomes your feedback
at consultant@theexpatgroup.com
It was a moment to cherish. For the first
time in almost five years, I stood upright
almost all the way and walked like normal
people do. Then I strode up and down
and around in circles in my condo, and
then I even ran. What a feeling it was and
mind you, it still is. My life changed in that
moment and it was at long last for the
best. Thank you my dear Karma. But what
took you so long?
I had had a very skilfully done, difficult and
complex spinal rod fusion surgery almost
five years ago. I was even back at the
office in four weeks but definitely needed
a physical therapist to guide me to become
fully mobile. I was no spring chicken either
springing back to normalcy like the young
teenagers having the same surgery around
me who had fully recovered in just a few
weeks. I had 18 bolt sets fastened to the
titanium rod and it had taken 10 hours
to fit it all onto my rather small back all
to correct a serious double scoliosis I had
been born with...
In a move to save money, I went to what
we now know was an unqualified physical
therapist. One session and the next day
the 18th bolt set broke off and landed in
a nerve cluster. My entire lower right side
was on fire with nerve pain for the next
seven months and to accommodate the
pain I twisted my posture and the result
was strong muscles in the wrong places
most of which held my torso down.
Unlike most people who get Botox injected
in minute quantities on their face, I had a
full bottle injected into my upper right leg
muscles so the spasming would relax them
and thus allow my back muscles to take

So there we were, the ‘Old Dutch’ and
myself; in New York City 1999 watching
a movie somewhere off Broadway. And
on comes the trailer for a film called
‘Entrapment’. And to our great surprise up
came, the not long completed, Petronas
Twin Towers, and there, swinging perilously
and slightly phallically between them, was
the fragrant Catherine Zeta-Jones (not yet
Douglas and somewhat slimmer). My wife
and I leapt up and started whooping and
punching the air with heartfelt patriotic
zeal. And, in equally heartfelt New York
style, several unfeasibly large ‘brothers from
the hood’ asked us mofos to sit the f*^k
down! Fearing they might pop a cap in our
asses (gosh, I wonder what that means?
Everything’s bottoms with you Americans.)
we sat the f*^k down, toot sweet.
“The point?” I hear you ask. Well does
familiarity breed contempt? If not contempt
then at least indifference. I mean Jalan Tun
Razak is not overflowing with Malaysians
leaping up and punching the air at the
sight of the Twin Towers, unless, of course,
a motorbike has just scored a two foot
long gash that approximately describes
the course of the Klang River along your
wonderful new car. The point is (oh dear,
I’ve lost your interest already!) we tend
to take things at home completely for
granted; sure everyone does it, but perhaps
Malaysians do it best. Or worst.
Steely Dan; the American band, in their
song ‘Reeling in the Years’ crooned the very
appropriate words, ‘you wouldn’t know a
diamond if you held it in your hand’, which
seems to, very nicely, sum up the attitude to
so many things.
Take the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra;
a constant and abiding love of mine. It’s
superb, it’s world-class and it beats spots
off the Singapore Symphony. But most
Malaysians don’t really care that much. I go
often and there are rows of empty seats for
the performances of sublime pieces played
by sublime musicians. It’s very affordable;
RM10 for some concerts and the Dewan
Filharmonik is light, spacious, comfortable
and acoustically magnificent. Some say
there are too few Malaysians in the band;
but then how many Londoners are in the
London Symphony Orchestra? It don’t
work like that! So, there I am, in England,
driving around the M25 (the world’s
biggest car park) heading off to Stratford-
upon-Avon; I tune the radio to Classic FM,
and low and behold; shock and awe; the
Malaysian Philharmonic come on playing
a bit by Dvorak. So right in the middle of
the rural English countryside there was ‘our
orchestra’. In a fit of undue pride I again
put my life at risk and begin swerving about
like an idiot. And this time I’m greeted by
good old-fashioned Anglo-Saxon hand
gestures from unfeasibly large lorry drivers.
This pride thing is a dangerous business!
But it is worth the risk.
Now I am also convinced that some of
our efforts at promoting tourism lack
conviction. Many years ago I recommended
to the Malaysian tourism folks that they
advertise in the UK directly after Christmas
– this being when the Brits, en mass, book
their summer hols. Ah! said the tourism
folks, this is the most expensive time of the
year to advertise, let’s advertise in May. But,
said I, by May they will have all booked their
holidays already lah! Yes, said they, but it’s
so much cheaper. Such impeccable logic!
But then I did get the genuine impression
that there was an ulterior motive. Sure there
are fantastic sites, fantastic food, fantastic
beaches, fantastic jungles, but who wants
all these strangers turning up spoiling the
atmos? I mean, staying in our hotels, eating
our food, disturbing the wildlife, buying
our stuff, snapping pictures, giving chewing
gum to our children and plying our women
with nylon stockings!
And there’s more. Nine times out of
ten when overseas and you see a
Malaysian restaurant they tend to be run
by Singaporeans. Bloody cheek. In Mr
Chow’s famous restaurant in Hollywood
I had a ferocious row with the manager
for advertising Satay as a Thai dish. That
problem could be easily fixed. Make it
compulsory in all Malaysian movies for the
lead actors to, at least once, yaffle half
a dozen sticky sticks of tasty Malaysian
satay. In fact they should have thrust a
few sticks in the hands of Catherine Z-J
to munch while swinging about over KL.
(Perhaps they did, and it went straight to
her bosoms!). Product placement at it’s
very best.
Oh my word yes, much more needs to be
done to display pride in all things Malaysian.
Cannot say “too shy, one!” And most of
all one cannot be so concerned about the
total rubbish that goes on at home that we
forget Malaysia’s multi-cultured society is
its greatest possession and the one thing
the world should be told about again and
again, and again.
So what about the coconut shell, Paul, you
oblique SOB? Well, for those of you that
don’t know, there’s a wonderful Bahasa
Malaysia turn of phrase; ‘Katak di bawah
tempurung’ (frog under a coconut shell). A
perfectly apt metaphor for a parochial and
insular point of view which seems to cover
brilliantly the general lack of appreciation
for great stuff here in Malaysia or
anywhere for that matter. I actually use it
a lot, especially when I get hopping mad;
boom, tish!.
Paul Loosley is an English person who has been in Asia for 32 years; 12 as an
advertising Creative Director, 20 making TV commercials. He guest lectures at
KLPac and LUCT. Any feedback; mail p.loosley@gmail.com (A prophet is not
without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house; ribbit, ribbit)
From under the Coconut Shell

AROUND THE EXPAT GROUP
Frivolous Fun at Four Seas
The last Wine Dinner was a night of elegant and contemporary Chinese food at the
beautifully-decorated Four Seas, where expats came together to eat and drink and
talk the night away. Palates were tempted with the Four Seas Homemade Golden
Spring Roll and the Wasabi Mayonnaise Crispy Deep Fried Prawn. These were paired
with the Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc. Up next was the Corn and Crabmeat
Broth paired with the Nederburg Chardonnay. The Duo of Mushrooms consisting of
crispy salt and pepper enoki mushrooms and braised shitake mushrooms in superior
sauce, also paired with the Nederburg Chardonnay. The real star of the night was the
Aromatic Smoked Duck Breast with Black Pepper Coulis which got everyone talking.
The spicy kick was well matched with the fruit salad and the Louis Jardot Bourgogne
Rouge. The Barbecue Spare Ribs with Four Seas Fried Rice also won some people over
and this was paired with Crispy Kai Lan Ribbons and the Pinot Noir from before. The
meal ended splendidly with the Lemongrass Jelly, a brightly coloured and refreshing
dessert drink. The guests of the Wine Dinner were treated to a visit from the chef,
who was warmly greeted with a round of applause;
apparently the food was that good! Diners were offered an
enticing complimentary wine dinner when they applied for
the Citibank PremierMiles Credit Card at the event.
A pleasant night indeed. By Milan Sadhwani
Purveyor Of Fine Wines & Spirits
TheExpatWouldLikeToThank:
Four Seas Chinese Cuisine
65, Jalan Bangkung,
Bukit Bandaraya, Bangsar
59100, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: +603.2092 1222

View more pictures of the The Expat Mingle at our Facebook page:
The Expat Group (TEG Malaysia)
Next Time:
Date : 22 September 2011
Time : 7pm to 10.30pm
The Event : Sit down dinner
Address : Songket Restaurant
No. 29, Jalan Yap Kwan Seng,
Kampung Baharu,
50450 Kuala Lumpur.
Price : RM120 (Expat Card, MM2H
and Wine Club Members)
RM145 (Non-Members)
Complimentary with Citibank
PremierMiles - details as below
Traditionally Tasty
Here’s your chance to try traditional Malay
food and make some new friends. Songket will
charm you with its modern Malay decor and
elaborately dressed staff. There is a sizeable free
parking lot and you won’t have to hunt around
for parking in downtown KL. Enjoy the fried
appetizers and rich coconut-inspired mains
while you relax comfortably in an oasis of calm
amidst the city buzz.
The bar at Songket is a nice touch but the bigger
attraction usually starts at 9pm every night.
This is when Malaysian dancers come out and
perform their cultural numbers for the guests of
the night. If you’re brave enough, you will have
your chance to join them. At Songket, you’re
guaranteed a great night out.
Take delight in a complimentary Wine Dinner*,
courtesy of Citibank when you apply for the
PremierMiles Card. The Citibank PremierMiles
Card is the perfect card for your travels and
everyday spending. Every spend will earn you
PremierMiles, which can be redeemed on over
5 frequent flyer programmes, covering more
than 70 international airline partners. As a
PremierMiles cardholder, you will experience
a wide range of exclusive travel, hotel and
airport lounge privileges, both locally and
globally. For your complimentary Wine Dinner,
please apply for the Citibank PremierMiles
Card at the Wine Dinner Event.
For more details on this offer, please visit
http://www.expatkl.com/winedinner
* Terms and conditions apply.

AROUND THE EXPAT GROUP
Terriﬁc Terrace Arms
TheExpatWouldLikeToThank:
Terrace Arms Steak & Grill House
21G, PJU 5/21, The Strand,
Kota Damansara 47810
Petaling Jaya Selangor.
Tel: +603.6150 5277
A cosy Terrace Arms, Minglers of the night shared Johnny Walker whisky, crisp Tiger
beer and Cronier wines, pairing their drinks with an abundance delicious canapés.
The Expat Group’s Mingle guests were treated to smoked salmon with cream
cheese, chives and caviar on Japanese cucumber canapés, mozzarella cheese with
cherry tomato and black olives skewers and sautéed wild mushrooms with Italian
parsley, which came with parmesan cheese on toast. They also enjoyed roast beef
with gherkin, onion and mustard skewers, tomato bruschette with fresh basil on
French toast and poached shrimp topped with cocktail sauce.
Our Mingles are not to be missed, come register with us and experience one of the
hottest events on the expat social calendar! By Milan Sadhwani
W I N E S
SINCE 1698

View more pictures of the The Expat Mingle at our Facebook page:
The Expat Group (TEG Malaysia)
Register online at
www.expatkl.com/mingle
or call 03.2094 9664
Limited space only.
Please book early/register online
to avoid major disappointment!
Another event by
Jointly brought to you by
Date: 14 September 2011 (Wednesday)
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Venue: Gridiron Sports Cafe & Lounge
11 & 15 Jalan Telawi 2
Bangsar Baru
59100 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
@
2 Hours of Tantalising,
Fascinating Encounters!
An opportunity to meet,
mix and mingle with new friends.
®

Expat Extracts
Name: Renata Kamphaus
Home country: Germany, born in Kazakhstan
Designation: Controller
Marital status/Number of children: married, one daughter (8 years old),
and one son (4 years old)
Other countries you have lived in: Kazakhstan, Russia
What brought you to Malaysia and
how long have you been here?
A ﬁve-minute decision after a small
discussion with my husband and 1.5 years
of preparation. Now we have already been
living in Malaysia for two Years.
What are the three things you like most
about living in Malaysia?
The good food, having so many
different cultures, and the many friendly
local people.
What are three things you dislike about
living in Malaysia?
Locals using a highway slip road, thinking
green is not in everybody’s head in
Malaysia, always getting a different and
higher price with the “white skin” factor.
Name three places you would take an
overseas visitor.
Perhentian Island, Little India,
Jalan Alor.
Name three typical weekend activities
that you enjoy.
Having a nice “roti canai” for breakfast,
swimming with the family, Meditation.
What´s your favorite restaurant and
bar in Malaysia?
Golden Seafood restaurant, House
Frankfurt bar in Bangsar.
What brought you to Malaysia and how long have you
been here?
My boyfriend brought me here and I have been here 7 years.
If you had to pick a sound, a smell, a taste or a touch to
describe Malaysia, what would it be?
Durian.
What are some things you like most about living
in Malaysia?
The satay is good and of course the shopping, it’s so cheap here!
What are three things you dislike about living in Malaysia?
Motorcyclists and when the shops close early.
Name three places you would take an overseas visitor.
Cameron Highlands, Batu Caves and Melaka.
Name: ‘Van’ Srisuvanna
Home Country: Thailand
Occupation: Bar Maid/Waitress
Marital Status/Number of Children: Divorced
Other Countries you have lived in: Hong Kong
Name three typical weekend activities that you enjoy.
I enjoy sleeping, going to the swimming pool and
eating good Thai food.
What’s your favourite restaurant and bar in Malaysia?
Basil restaurant in Bangsar Village, House Frankfurt and
Zeta Bar at the Hilton Hotel.
Do you own property here? If so, where?
If not, why?
No, I can’t afford it right now.
Are most of your friends Malaysian or expats? Why?
Mixed.
What do you miss about your home country?
The temple in my hometown and my mother’s cooking.
Do you own property here? If not, why?
No, because the whole world is open
for us, who knows where we will be in a
few years.
Are most of your friends Malaysians or
expats, why?
Most of them are expats, but we are
happy to have local friends, too. Our kids
go to the German International School and
we are living in a compound where expats
live mostly.
What do you miss most about your
home country?
The four seasons, walking in a typical
German forest and breathing that fresh air.

Name: Karin Liebenberg
Home Country: South Africa
Company: SAP HR/Payroll Consultant, NorthgateArinso
Marital Status: Married, 2 children (21 and 23)
Other countries lived in: Netherlands
What brought you to Malaysia and
how long have you been here?
Project work. I’ve been here since March
2011 and I’m staying until Dec 2011.
What were your impressions of
Malaysia before you came?
How have they changed, if indeed
they have?
I didn’t know much about Malaysia before,
but now I know about the awesome
tropical jungles and the multi-cultural,
friendly people.
If you had to pick a sound, a smell,
a taste or a touch to describe
Malaysia, what would it be?
Definitely durian, and hearing the
phrases “Wait wait” and “Coming in
five minutes”!
What are the three things you like
most about living in Malaysia?
Hot weather, cheap public transport, and
the fact that KL is the gateway to Asia.
What are three things you dislike
about living in Malaysia?
KL traffic; confusing/incorrect road
signage; not knowing the local languages
causing misunderstandings.
Name three places you would take an
overseas visitor.
Cameron Highlands, Pangkor Island,
Taman Negara.
Name three typical weekend activities
that you enjoy.
Sightseeing, outdoor activities like walking
and swimming, Watching rugby on TV.
Do you own property here?
If so, where? If not, why?
No, we don’t plan to settle here long term,
so it’s not worth us spending the money.
Are most of your friends
Malaysians or expats? Why?
Both, from many different countries
and cultures, and a wide variety of
backgrounds. I love meeting and
chatting to people from all walks of life.
What do you miss most about
your home country?
Besides the obvious family, friends and
home, I miss the food a lot: braais, biltong
and boerewors, golden delicious apples,
naartjies, koeksusters, rusks and rooibos
tea! I do enjoy the food here, but I miss
the taste of home.
Name: Eric T. Reuter
Home country: Germany
Designation/Industry/Company: Director, Atlantic Logistics Asia
Marital status: Single
Other countries you have lived in: Hong Kong, China, Singapore
What brought you to Malaysia and how long have you
been here?
A headhunter with an attractive job offer. 6 ½ years.
What were your impressions of Malaysia before you came?
How have they changed, if indeed they have?
Hot weather, humidity, different races...yummy food...nothing has
changed – especially the food...no chance to lose weight.
If you had to pick a sound, a smell, a taste or a touch to
describe Malaysia, what would it be?
Sound: the mosque in my neighbourhood. Smell: besides durian,
motorbikes. Touch: I don’t touch – I’m using SMART TAG J
What are the three things you like most about living
in Malaysia?
Quality of life, cost of living, Malaysia “boleh”.
What are the three things you dislike about living
in Malaysia?
Slow cars on the highway, the humidity, Malaysia “boleh”.
Name three places you would take an overseas visitor.
KLCC, Langkawi, Pulau Redang.
Name three typical weekend activites that you enjoy.
Pub scrawling, diving, watching “Tatort”.
What’s your favourite restaurant and bar in Malaysia?
House Frankfurt.
Do you own property here? If so, where?
If not, why?
Yes, a condo in TTDI. Didn’t want to waste rental anymore.
Are most of your friends Malaysians or expats? Why?
It’s a good mix. I’m pretty open-minded.
What do you miss most about your home country?
Four seasons; Appelwine.
What football team do you support?
Eintracht frankfurt.

HAPPENINGS
A Brilliant Brunch
It was a glorious and glamorous Saturday in July for around 70 readers and friends of The Expat Group who were treated to a divinely
delicious brunch at the swanky KL Hilton by Marriane Liow, General Manager of Tiﬀany & Co.
Guests also had the opportunity to watch a wonderful demonstration of how to produce an exquisite bouillabaisse by a KL Hilton chef.
Everyone left happy after spending a splendid Saturday morning indulging in great food and conversation.

MALAYSIA MATTERS
BY WILLIAM CITRIN
W
hat’s in a name? A lot, when
it comes determining the
difference between “Malaya”
and “Malaysia”. With the nation-wide,
annual celebration of Malaysia Day on
16 September, it is an opportune time to
delve into the distinction between the two
often-confused monikers for the country.
By doing so, we can learn a bit about the
history of this lovely land we live in.
Malaysia – which in its current form
comprises 13 states and three federal
territories – was once a nation divided
under British colonial rule. The British set
foot on the Malay archipelago in Penang
in 1771, and, together with the Malay
Sultans, governed various parts of the
Malay Peninsula and Borneo to varying
degrees for nearly two centuries.
In the early 1800s, the name “British
Malaya” came into common use as
an umbrella term for the areas on the
peninsula under the control of the colonial
administration. Over time, British Malaya
came to comprise the Federated and
Unfederated Malay States of Selangor,
Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Johor,
Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, and Terengganu
(for which the British oversaw foreign
policy and defense, while the Malay
Sultans retained control over domestic
affairs) and the Straits Settlements of
Melaka, Penang, Singapore, and Labuan
(which were under the sole sovereignty of
the British Crown).
“British Borneo” refers to the parts of the
island of Borneo – namely, Sabah (referred
to then as “North Borneo”), Sarawak, and
Labuan – which were largely under British
administrative and commercial influence
from the second half of the 19th century
through first half of the 20th century.
All of the territories in British Malaya
– with the exception of Singapore and
Labuan – were brought together in 1946
under consolidated British control to
form the Malayan Union, a short-lived
entity which was dissolved in the face of
widespread discontent and resistance by
Malay nationalists over the diminished
authority of the Malay Sultans in this
new confederacy.
The symbolic position of the Malay
Sultans was then restored with the
establishment in 1948 of the Federation
of Malaya – a union of nine Malay states
and two British Straits Settlements
(Penang and Melaka).
On 31 August 1957, after a series of
protracted and peaceful negotiations
between the British government and
Malayan leaders, the Federation of
Malaya was granted its independence
within the Commonwealth of Nations
with Tunku Abdul Rahman as the
country’s first Prime Minister.
Sabah (still called North Borneo), Sarawak
and Singapore, however, remained British
Crown colonies until 1963 when they
unilaterally declared independence and
joined the Federation of Malaya to form
the new nation by the name of Malaysia.
The official formation of Malaysia was
slated to take place on 31 August 1963, to
coincide with the date of the establishment
of the Federation of Malaya. But, due to
external opposition from Indonesia and
the Philippines and internal issues within
Sabah and Sarawak, the founding of this
new nation had to be delayed until 16
September 1963.
Singapore later withdrew from Malaysia in
1965 due to ideological differences, and
the country – in its current form – was
brought into being.
This, in a nutshell, is the head-spinning
story of how “Malaya” came to be called
“Malaysia”.
Malaysia Day, which falls every year on
16 September, was declared a public
holiday in 2010. It is an occasion on which
Malaysians of different colours and creeds
can come together in a celebration of the
nation that unites them all.
One Name, One Nation

MALAYSIA MATTERS
BY KATRINA MELVIN
T
he Autumnal Equinox is one of two
occasions in the year when day and
night are of approximately equal
length. This takes place on the 15th day of
the 8th lunar month, which this year falls
on the 12th September. On this day, the
Moon Festival is observed in various forms
through East Asia, including Malaysia’s
Chinese communities.
The Moon Festival is a celebration of the
legend of Chang’e, the moon goddess
of immortality. According to Chinese
mythology, she worked in the palace of
the Jade Emperor (heaven) during the
reign of Emperor Yao around 2200 BCE.
There are various versions of the tale, the
most gruesome of which is this; Chang’e’s
husband, Houyi, slaughtered nine of the
ten suns that were thought to orbit the
earth (yes, the sun went round the earth
in those days) and was made King of the
Sun Palace as a reward for this shadowy
act of violence.
Typical of newly-promoted nouveau riche,
the power and glory went to his head;
he became something of a tyrant. Like
the best comic villains and mad kings,
he became obsessed with immortality,
and after a series of probably horrific
experiments, he discovered that he could
make an immortality pill by grinding up
the body of a teenage boy every night for
one hundred nights. Chang’e grew tired
of her husband’s perverted pottering,
stole the pill, and swallowed it to end his
interminable reign and to save a few of the
boys in the process.
The magical pill gave Chang’e both
immortality and the power to fly. Knowing
her husband would be mightily miffed to
find the pill gone, Chang’e took off into
the skies. Houyi pursued his fleeing wife
across the heavens, hoping to retrieve his
pill by air-borne Heimlich manoeuvre, but
was eventually grounded by high winds.
The
Woman in
the Moon
Chang’e escaped to the moon, where she
coughed up the pill, meaning she could
no longer fly and had no way to return to
earth. Fortunately, she met the hare who
lives on the moon. She tasked the hare,
who happened to be the medicine man
for immortals, with making another pill to
allow her to fly home. The hare is said to
be pounding and grinding his medicinal
herbs still.
We can assume that Chang’e forgave
Houyi for the boy-grinding incident, as
he has been visiting her once a year on
the night of the Moon Festival for at least
a couple of thousand years. Feminine
Chang’e on the moon symbolises Yin,
while masculine Houyi in his Sun Palace
represents Yang – on the night when they
come together the moon is at its fullest,
roundest and most beautiful, and Yin
and Yang are in perfect harmony with
one another.
Several hundred years ago an unknown
but obviously enterprising Chinaman,
impressed by the marketability of Chang’e
and Houyi’s tragic tale, looking for a way
to monetise the Moon Festival, came up
with Mooncakes. In an endorsement of
his business acumen, these sometimes
sweet and sometimes savoury treats have
become an integral part of the Moon
Festival such that the period is often
known as Mooncake Festival. This is akin
to calling Christmas Fruit Cake Day, or
Easter Chocolate Egg Day.
Just like fruit cake and chocolate eggs, you
can start stocking up on mooncakes weeks
before the day itself and enjoy cut-price
mooncakes for weeks after. Start looking
out for mooncakes in Malaysia this year
towards the end of July and make sure
you’ve had your fill before the end of
September when they’ll disappear until
next year. (The average mooncake contains
approximately 1000 calories, so it’s
probably just as well they aren’t available
all year long!) Traditional mooncakes are
decorated on top with Chinese characters
representing harmony and longevity,
sometimes accompanied with the name
of the bakery and the type of filling.
Additional images include Chang’e on the
moon, the moon, and the hare (Chang’e’s
lunar pharmacist and guardian of the
moon). They are filled with a dense sweet
paste, usually made of lotus, sweet bean,
jujube or nut paste, and often containing a
salted duck-egg yolk in the centre. Dense,
chewy and calorific, mooncakes are meant
to be sliced and shared – you may plan
on spending a night at home alone with
a mooncake and a cup of tea, but eating
a whole mooncake in one sitting is not
recommended.
Over the centuries, mooncake
manufacturers have diversified. Fillings now
include fruit, jelly and ice cream, chocolate,
coffee, ham, green tea and even custard
– pretty much anything that can be made
into a paste. The latest innovation is the
snowskin mooncake, which has a crust of
glutinous rice or jelly and is chilled rather
than baked. You can find almost every
imaginable permutation of the mooncake
in Malaysia, from small white Indonesian
mooncakes to Vietnamese bánh trung
thu filled with sharks fin or pork to ultra-
modern mooncakes filled with low-fat
probiotic yoghurt. You can even attend a
mooncake buffet in many of the country’s
5-star hotels where you can sample a
wide selection.
When tucking into multicoloured
mooncake platters this month, be sure
to look up at the heavy harvest moon
and spare a thought for poor stranded
Chang’e and the indefatigable hare. Come
September 12th Chang’e will be spending
just one night with (repentant?) hubby,
Houyi – let’s hope he has the generosity to
bring along a slice or two of mooncake.
PHOTOBYSUNWAYRESORTHOTEL&SPA’S
WESTLAKEGARDENCHINESERESTAURANT

PROFILE
BY WILLIAM CITRIN
T
he work of the Malaysian Minister
of Tourism never ends. Tourism
is a booming business here; the
tourism sector is a major contributor to
the Malaysian GDP, with over 24.6 million
arrivals and RM56.5 billion in receipts in
2010. The woman who is tasked with
overseeing and expanding the tourism
industry is the dynamic and engaging
Dato’ Sri Dr Ng Yen Yen, who has been at
the helm of Tourism Malaysia since 2009.
With a long and illustrious career in public
service, Dr Ng brings to the job a wealth
of experience and an abundance of
energy. She graciously agreed to take time
out of her hectic schedule to sit down
with William Citrin of The Expat recently
at the Malaysia Tourism Center (MaTiC)
in Kuala Lumpur to discuss the highlights
of her tenure as Tourism Minister thus
far, the upcoming events and initiatives
on the tourism calendar, and overall what
makes Malaysia such a strong magnet for
tourists and expats.
Dr Ng began by waxing lyrical about the
country’s virtues: “What makes Malaysia
such an attractive tourist destination to so
many is first of all, the country’s stability
and prosperity. No tourist wants to go
somewhere where anything can happen,
and Malaysia is definitely a safe place.
Secondly, our diversity. No Tourist wants to
go anywhere that is monotonous because
tourism is all about experiencing different
cultures and lifestyles and Malaysia offers
just that. Our diversity is well-positioned
by our famous tagline ‘Malaysia, Truly
Asia’.Thirdly, the weather and natural
environment here. We have year-round
sunshine in this nature lovers’ paradise
where 46 percent of our land is still virgin
forest. Lastly, Malaysia caters to the tastes
of all types of tourists: those eco-tourists
looking for adventures in nature, those
tourists who want to shop, or eat, or
learn about our arts and culture, or who
love sports or food…” Dr Ng continued
unabated, singing the praises of Malaysia
as a tourism destination and enumerating
the many compelling reasons to visit. The
country inherently has a lot to offer in
terms of its natural, cultural, and human
resources, and these are no doubt what
draw many visitors here. But Dr Ng and her
team at the Tourism Ministry have worked
tirelessly to improve and augment the
country’s tourism products and services.
Looking back on her time at the Tourism
Ministry (she also served as Deputy
Minister for Tourism from 1999 to 2003),
Dr Ng identifies some of her major
achievements and contributions: “I helped
to open up Malaysia as a travel destination
to the Chinese market. In 1999, Chinese
visitors comprised only a small percentage
of the total visitors to Malaysia. Now
China is the top tourist provider after
ASEAN with 1.1 million visitors in 2010.
Another highlight of my career in the
tourism sector has been opening up the
country to Arab tourists. Around 2000,
nobody even considered the Arab tourism
market, but now we are a major player.”
Dr Ng added that Malaysia is currently
striving to tap into other tourist markets,
such as Russia and India. With palpable
passion in her voice, Dr Ng went on to
describe the various and sundry events
and programmes that the Tourism Ministry,
under her leadership, has spearheaded
and developed. These initiatives all serve
to raise awareness and appreciation of
various aspects of Malaysian lifestyle and
culture and to, of course, attract tourists.
“Coming up, we will have the Fabulous
Food 1 Malaysia festival. For three months
we will be celebrating our country’s
glorious foods: in October we will promote
the amazing array of gourmet foods
available here, in November Chef Wan
will take us on the ASEAN Food Heritage
trail, and in December we will feature our
scrumptious hawker food,” Dr Ng says.
She went on to elaborate on other major
Malaysia’s Ambassador to the World
tourism events: “Right now we are in the
midst of the Malaysia Contemporary
Arts Tourism Festival, a three month event
which seeks to create an awareness of
and appreciation for Malaysia’s arts and
to develop the Malaysian art market.
Every April, we organize the Malaysia
International Shoe Festival, which has
proved to be immensely popular, and we
also have sports events – such as golf,
diving, and Formula one – as well as the
Malaysia Mega Sole Carnival, through
which we have positioned ourselves as
a world-class shopping destination for
tourists.” The list of events and activities
goes on and on (for more information,
visit www.tourism.gov.my); Dr Ng and her
team at Tourism Malaysia are “constantly
creating and innovating to ensure the
progression and transformation of the
tourism industry.”
When asked to name Malaysia’s “must
see” attractions and “must do” activities,
Dr Ng says: “Tourists must see the Petronas
Twin Towers at night. They are so iconic.
I’m always filled with pride when I see
them. You must also visit Bukit Bintang
street at night to soak up the breathtaking
diversity of people and cultures there.
And you should definitely go to Melaka
to see the history and heritage, and visit
our jungles, visit the Crafts Complex
in Kuala Lumpur to buy some fantastic
souvenirs, go to Chinatown and Little India
to take in the cultures, and if you have
time, I recommend our exotic islands as
well as Sabah and Sarawak, or drive up
to Kedah to see our paddy fields, or visit
the Pasar Siti Khadijah, the main market
in Kelantan, or…” Dr Ng could go on
endlessly about Malaysia’s myriad alluring
tourist attractions. “To know Malaysia is to
love Malaysia. We offer tourists a variety of
experiences and value for money. Malaysia
is “Truly Asia”, truly diverse in terms of
people and nature. We can give you
everything (except snow),” she says with a
beaming smile.
Dato’ Sri Dr Ng Yen Yen

MALAYSIA MATTERS
Signing up for the War
N
o one expected the fight against
corruption to be easy and it
hasn’t been. When The Expat first
talked to Dato’ Hisham Nordin earlier this
year about his role at the forefront of the
government’s anti-corruption initiatives, he
was unhesitant about the evils that come
with corruption. He called it “an epidemic
that can destroy a whole nation”.
In 2009, Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Najib
Tun Razak unveiled the Government
Transformation Plan (GTP) to set the nation
on track for Vision 2020. Six National
Key Result Areas (NKRAs) were identified,
including better rural infrastructure, higher
standard of living for the poor and better
access to affordable quality education.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s
Department, Dato’ Seri Nazri Aziz,
was made lead minister of the NKRA
corruption-fighting initiatives and he
entrusted Dato’ Hisham with heading
the Delivery Management Office of these
NKRA initiatives.
As candid as he was about the difficulties
ahead, Dato’ Hisham was equally blunt in
saying that corruption was not something
the government could tackle alone. Other
sectors, from individuals on up, had to get
involved. “People know corruption has to
be fought by the whole country.”
Andy Davison, CEO of The Expat Group,
agrees that addressing corruption
is critically important and should be
an effort which involves not just the
government but everyone living and
doing business in Malaysia.
COMPANIES AROUND MALAYSIA ARE TAKING THE SYMBOLIC STEP OF
SIGNING A PLEDGE TO WAGE THEIR OWN WAR AGAINST CORRUPTION.
AMY DE KANTER TELLS US MORE ABOUT THIS CORPORATE
COMMITMENT TO FIGHTING CORRUPTION
“Malaysia is becoming increasingly well-
known internationally. It now ranks as
one of the world’s more popular tourist
destinations and is increasingly seen as a
wonderful place to retire,” says Davison.
“An increasing number of companies
are choosing to set up businesses here.
The Government’s ambitious Economic
Transformation Programme will result in
Malaysia receiving a lot more interest and
lot more investment. It would be a shame
if corruption is allowed to negatively
impact those efforts.”
NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL
The fight has had its share of critics and
setbacks. Nevertheless focus has never
wavered and the effort continues to garner
support, by making individuals, groups and
now businesses aware of what should be
changed and increasingly adding to the
fighting army.
One of the challenges has involved
changing the way some Malaysians and
expats may believe business is conducted
in Malaysia. The perception that official
palms must be greased before anything
can get done tarnishes the country’s
image. If these rumours are believed,
honest companies could think twice
before setting up in Malaysia, while
companies who have no qualms about
encouraging corruption would be drawn
here, making the problem ever more
serious and self-perpetuating
For this reason, the government is asking
companies in Malaysia to voluntarily
sign a pledge to uphold anti-corruption
principles in order to demonstrate their
commitment towards creating a business
environment that is fair, transparent and
free from corruption.
This pledge is not issued by any one
regulator or authority but is a result
of collaboration between the Bursa
Malaysia Berhad, the Companies
Commission of Malaysia, the Malaysian
Institute of Integrity, the Malaysian
Anti-Corruption Commission & NKRA
Corruption Monitoring & Coordination
Division, Securities Commission Malaysia,
Transparency International Malaysia
and the Performance Management and
Delivery Unit (PEMANDU), and the Prime
Minister’s Office. It is made available
through the Malaysian Institute of
Integrity, who are also maintaining the list
of signatories. The pledge is a voluntary
tool, to aid companies that recognize the
importance of anti-corruption measures
in being a competitive business and
operating in increasingly competitive and
globalised markets.
MORE THAN WORDS
Institut Integrity Malaysia explains that
“the principles are more than a statement
of mere intent; by signing the pledge
to uphold the principles, companies
are voluntarily taking the first step in a
longer-term programme to create an
effective system to increase integrity in
the Malaysian corporate sector through
practicing good governance, including
anti-corruption measures.”
When taking this first step, companies
are asked to draw from their board,
workforce or other stakeholders to form

a coalition for corporate integrity. This
coalition has to take a good, strong look
at the company’s practices and come
up with a plan of action to strengthen
corporate integrity. Once formed, the plan
is implemented. To ensure that there is no
slipping backwards, companies are further
encouraged to include anti-corruption
elements in their audits.
Institut Integrity Malaysia emphasises that
“the longer term programme is intended
to see companies gradually moving
toward self-assessment, identifying gaps
and action plans to close them and
eventually reporting on anti-corruption
measures, in line with the UN Reporting
Guidance on the 10th Principle under the
Global Compact.”
THE SUPPORT
As corruption targets expats as much
as locals, so do the initiatives to protect
both groups equally and both foreign and
multinational corporations have joined local
firms in signing the pledge. Among the
notable signatories (although taking this
step alone makes a company notable) are:
On 8 August, 2011, Andy Davison signed
the pledge on behalf of The Expat Group,
promising to do its part in the war against
corruption.
A company shall strive to create a Malaysian business environment that is free from
corruption through the following actions:
1. COMMITTING TO PROMOTING VALUES OF INTEGRITY, TRANSPARENCY AND
GOOD GOVERNANCE
1.1 To prohibit bribery and corruption in any form, whether direct or indirect, in
the business place and in all business relationships, including with suppliers,
contractors, customers and other third parties;
1.2 To ensure full compliance with codes of ethics at all times; and
1.3 To create a positive culture that upholds integrity in order to create a clean
business environment.
2. STRENGTHENING INTERNAL SYSTEMS THAT SUPPORT CORRUPTION
PREVENTION
2.1 To develop an anti-corruption programme that articulates values, policies and
procedures to be used to prevent corruption from occurring in all business
activities;
2.2 To improve existing systems and procedures to prevent any corrupt practices;
2.3 To include corruption prevention, ethics and integrity as areas for training and
development for management, employees and staff;
2.4 To create a secure and accessible channel through which employees and others
may report violations in confidence and without risk of reprisal.
3. COMPLYING WITH LAWS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES RELATING TO
FIGHTING CORRUPTION
3.1 To ensure that all laws and company policies and procedures relating to fighting
corruption are strictly complied with; and
3.2 To ensure that the good governance is practiced, checks and balances put in
place, and business is conducted with transparency and accountability to avoid
conflicts of interest, abuses of power and misconduct.
4. FIGHTING ANY FORM OF CORRUPT PRACTICE
4.1 To take proportionate action against any employee, staff or other person involved
in corruption in relation to the business, regardless of position and status; and
4.2 To report any corrupt practice that occurs in the business place to the
appropriate authority.
5. SUPPORTING CORRUPTION PREVENTION INITIATIVES BY THE MALAYSIAN
GOVERNMENT AND MALAYSIAN ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION (MACC)
5.1 To support anti-corruption efforts by the Government and MACC; and
5.2 To maintain relationships with the authorities, regulators and MACC and provide
full cooperation in relation to corruption detection, prevention and enforcement
of laws against corruption.
THE PLEDGE
By signing the document, companies promise that they will:
the Company hereby pledges that it shall:
corruption offence under any law, such as the MACC Act 2009 or Penal Code;
any of its employees, representatives or agents to commit such offences; and
to create a business environment that is free from corruption, and
its business and in its interactions with its business partners and the Government.
Anti-Corruption Principles for
Corporations in Malaysia
Andy Davison, CEO of The Expat Group,
signing the corporate integrity pledge.
For more information about Malaysia’s fight against corruption, please visit
www.nkracorruption.gov.my or for more information on Anti Corruption Business
Principles and Corporate Integrity Pledge, please visit www.cism.my

TALENTCORP NEWS
“S
orry I’m late, traffic was bad,”
is an excuse that you’re likely to
hear while working in the urban
centres of Malaysia. Often, it’s just bad
time management although the morning
and evening traffic snarls are known to
make a lot of drivers fume. While the
Malaysian government is working hard
at improving the public transport system,
will probably not be seen for a few years
yet. As a result, many companies help
expats out by supplying a company car,
and the following tips should help you get
into the driver’s seat.
GETTING A DRIVING LICENSE
In order to drive in Malaysia, you must
have a valid driving license: Either a
Malaysian driving license, a foreign driving
license or an international driving permit.
However, it must be noted that foreign
driving licenses may only be valid for a
few months. As a result, if you are staying
in Malaysia for a longer period, you may
want to convert your foreign driving
license to a Malaysian license.
If you are lucky enough to come from one
of the countries with which Malaysia has
a bilateral agreement, your license can be
converted automatically. Otherwise, you
will have to write an appeal to the Director
of the Road Transport Department for an
automatic conversion. (In the possibility
you fail the appeal, you will have to sit for
a practical test!)
The full list of steps required to convert
your license can be found at http://www.
mm2h.gov.my/pdf/mm2h11.pdf.
TINTING YOUR CAR
While car air conditioning helps, blocking
out the harsh rays of the midday sun by
installing window tints will also greatly help
you cope with the tropical heat. However,
care must be taken when doing so.
The existing rules for tinting, as set by
the Road Transport Department, call for
a maximum of 70% light penetration
for the front windscreen and 50% light
penetration for the rear and side view
windows, except for senior government
officials – such as the chief judge, high-
ranking police and army personnel – who
are exempted from this rule.
A good vehicle workshop will be able to
advise you whether the tint you are asking
for is within the legal limit, although most
will happily accede to a request for a
darker tint if requested. However, please
note that if you are stopped by the traffic
authorities for having too dark a tint,
you will be the one at fault, and not the
workshop that applied the tint.
PARKING YOUR CAR
One of the more frustrating aspects of
driving in Malaysian cities is that it’s not
always obvious to know where and how
to park. Parking is only legal either on
private land or on clearly marked spaces
in public areas. Private parking areas are
usually clearly marked as such, and it’s
clear where and when you can pay. At the
very least, you’re not usually allowed to
leave without paying!
On the other hand, the method of paying
for public parking is dependent on the
and PJ, you buy a ticket from a machine by
the side of the road and display your ticket
on the dashboard. In Penang, however,
you may be approached by a parking
attendant on a bicycle.
You may be tempted to follow some of
the locals and just park illegally, but be
warned that it’s a bit of a lottery, and you
may get a summons for your attempt to
“fit in”!
In short, if it’s not obvious where and how
you should pay for parking, it’s safest to
ask a local passerby to help you out.
RULES OF THE ROAD AND ETIQUETTE
Malaysia follows similar road laws to
that of the United Kingdom as cars drive
forward on the left lane, with the driver’s
seat constructed on the right hand side
of the vehicle. Officially, there isn’t much
difference in the laws of the road either.
However, the ugly side of driving in
Malaysia sometimes does rear its head
and it’s every man for himself out there
on the roads! Quite frequently you will
find that people overtake on the left-
hand side, cars will sometimes try to nip
into the main road to take advantage of
your hesitation approaching a junction
and ‘yellow’ can signal ‘press on the
accelerator’.
Yet, the paradox is that most Malaysian
drivers do acknowledge other drivers and
their indicator lights, and will allow you to
go first - even if they don’t necessarily slow
down to open up more space for it.
The key to surviving life on the Malaysian
roads is to practice defensive driving with
lots of confidence. Be aware of the cars
around you and the fact some may switch
lanes without signaling first. But if you stay
in your lane and signal when you want
to change, you can be certain the other
drivers will respect your way.
FINDING A DRIVER
Drivers are quite easy to find through
friends, recommendations or
advertisements. They represent a good
solution for those who want to avoid the
stress of driving, or unfamiliar with the
roads in Malaysia. Moreover, it can also
represent an economic solution for couples
sharing a car. The salary for experienced
drivers usually starts at RM1,000 and can
rise up to RM2,000.
TAKING A ROAD TRIP
Although most of the time your car will be
used to travel to work and errands in the city,
it is worth your time to occasionally drive out
and discover the rest of the country. So much
of Malaysia’s beauty is only a short car drive
away, and can be more rewarding than an
uninspiring plane flight.
Highways connect all corners of Peninsular
Malaysia, and the longest drive is only
a few hours to reach most destinations.
However, you can easily double that if
you stop to savour the sights, sounds and
tastes of the country – something that will
be well worth your time.

GETTING INVOLVED
BY DAVID BRADLEY AND GUDRUN NIENABER
O
ur love for the sea and sailing and
many years of participation in
“Clean Up Australia” campaigns
in Sydney, Australia, has led us to focus on
leading an initiative in Malaysia to clean up
the marinas and local waterways where we
spend so much of our time.
The Expat Group as a major supporter,
partner and sponsor of the Edu-Cat-
Malaysia initiative, has been instrumental
in helping to ensure the success of our
mission. To achieve lasting results it is
critical that not only do we undertake
specific manageable clean-up campaigns
to raise awareness of the current
situation, but we also must implement a
long-term education campaign focussed
on awareness of the environment and
how we can all change old habits.
The aim is to help prevent further
environmental degradation and keep
Malaysia as pristine as possible.
Rather than attempt to do everything
at once we believe that better results
would be obtained by undertaking one
specific project at a time. Right now we
are bringing various government and
government-affiliated organizations,
businesses, community groups and
individuals together to participate in the
“RSYC Cleaner Marina Day” to be held
on the 15 October 2011 at the Royal
Selangor Yacht Club in Port Klang. This
will be a fun-filled day with a huge
message that we must all take more care
of our environment.
Our objectives for the “RSYC Cleaner
Marina Day” are to Clean up the
waterways around the RSYC and
Working towards Cleaner Waterways
create awareness of the need to
prevent the pollution and degradation of
Malaysia’s waterways.
We are actively and successfully recruiting
partners and sponsors to help us achieve
our short and long term objectives.
With Special thanks for the early and
unwavering support of our first partner,
The Expat Group, we have also partnered
up with the Rotary Club of Bandar Bukit
Tinggi, who will be providing a great
deal of local support. We also have the
full support of M.P. Klang, the local
council, who will be providing substantial
assistance in providing waste containers
for the pick-up, sorting, collection and
recycling of the enormous amount of
flotsam and jetsam we expect to collect
from the Klang on this day.
We plan with the wonderful support of
Simpson Marine and the RSYC to actively
involve the professional fishing community
of Port Klang, who will be recruited to take
volunteers onto their boats on that day
to pick up the rubbish floating along the
river. As an added incentive, we intend to
compensate the fishermen for their time
and resources.
We are delighted that we also have
secured support and commitment from
several very prestigious corporate sponsors.
Corporate social responsibility is alive and
well! Mercedes-Benz-Malaysia have agreed
to provide designer caps and T-shirts for
the individual volunteers for this event,
Neways Worldwide have donated enough
of their excellent sun-block, “Sunbrero” to
ensure that our volunteers do not get too
sun-burnt on the day and Simpson Marine
will be providing re-usable “goody”
bags to hold the caps, T-shirts and other
incentives for the registered volunteers
who participate in the big clean up. There
will be other private and business sponsors
who want to become involved in our
mission and provide the necessary support.
Our longer term goal is to continue to
conduct a range of activities and programs
to positively improve local environments
and to initiate ongoing education
campaigns promoting responsibility for
caring for the environment at all levels
of the community, focusing on water
resources in particular.
To stay up to date with the rapidly
growing support and enthusiasm for the
mission of “Edu-Cat-Malaysia” please
visit our beautiful new website www.
educatmalaysia.com, proudly sponsored
and managed by The Expat Group.
If you would like to join us on 15th
October as a participant, please
complete and submit the VOLUNTEER
APPLICATION REGISTRATION form that
can be found on the Edu-Cat-Malaysia
website. Only registered volunteers
will be able to participate in “RSYC
Cleaner Marina Day” and numbers will
be restricted to the first five hundred
individuals who have completed and
submitted the registration form.
Successful applicants will be advised.
This will be a very fun day in the sun
participating in a very worthwhile cause
so, don’t delay! Get in early and join us in
caring for Malaysia’s beautiful waterways.
Further details will be published in the
October issue of The Expat magazine.

FOR
SALE
04 953 3108
100% Available to Foreign Buyers
Langkawi’s Premier Apartment Development
Fabulous Views of The Mountains and Sea
Facilities Include: Gym – Spa –
Luxury Poolside Area – Secure Underground Parking
– Jacuzzi – Aerobics Studio –
Poolside BBQ – 24 Hour CCTV Security
Completion May 2012

S
oon Lai Wai is a soft spoken elegant man whose innate sensitivity to the beauty he
sees around him has made him such a successful artist. Lai Wai was born in a historical
quarter of Penang and as such grew up in an environment lush with fauna, the sparkle
of the sea and all framed by the hills and mountains that are part of the landscape.
He’s a graduate of Saito Art Design College in the late 1980’s along with so many other
highly regarded artists who have created a generation of expressive Malaysian artists.
It was Soon’s various characterizations and interpretations of the lotus blossom though that
first brought him acclaim. He draws heavily on influences from both east and west cultures
to create his unique versions of this highly symbolic flower in Chinese culture.
Since then he has been a prolific artist painting in many genres and styles and using both
watercolours and oils and acrylics as his mediums.
My favourite Lai Wai paintings are his renditions of clusters of wild flowers as their colours
and form seem to jump off the canvas and into my own imagination. He’s right too, that
they cheer people with their vibrancy.
Recently he travelled to a rainforest in the city here and spent a week camped out in a
small hut. He tells me the experience was mesmerizing and he couldn’t wait to share it
with others by painting a new series he calls Mountain Series.
“I felt the strong, raw power of Nature and how insistent she is as driving rains drenched
the hut but all around me were visages of splendid light and greenery. It took my breath
away and I felt newly inspired,” he enthusiastically told me recently.
”Everywhere I looked I could see the brilliant harmony and perfection of nature pulsating
throughout the forest from even the smallest plant and the tallest trees all dancing in a
highly complex symphony together with the powerful deluges of rain.”
Lai Wai also has completed a new Lotus Series which is simply stunning.
“I interpreted my latest lotus in far less colour then before something I call dream silence.
The finished painting is almost entirely in black and white form because I want to illustrate
that life is sometimes just so simple. By using a minimum of colours I want to express that
THE ARTS
BY MARYBETH RAMEY
The Artist Profile of Soon Lai Wai
AWAKENING DREAMS ON THE CANVAS
“I love to explore how
interesting life can be
by just looking carefully
around myself especially
in the natural world and
then transposing my
ideas and emotions onto
the canvas in the hope
of bringing cheerfulness
to those who view it.”
1. 2.

1. Mountain Series 28-Life
Media | Oil on canvas
Size | 165cm x 128cm
Price | RM17,500
2. Mountain Series 37
Size | 91cm x 122cm
Price | RM8,600
3. Garden of Art 5 - All in the family
Size | 61cm x 183cm
Price | RM8,600
4. Dream. Silence 7
Size | 70cm x 124cm
Price | RM6,800
5. Mountain Series 34
Size | 76cm x 76cm
Price | RM4,800
6. Dream. Silence 1
Price | RM11,500
7. Garden of Art 6
Price | RM15,500
although many factors influence our lives, that it is the simplicity of having inner peace in
your soul that is what is important.
I like painting in the abstract although it is difficult because your emotions are always
changing and therefore you want to change your colours or use different strokes to
capture and express your feelings in the immediacy of that moment. I also live to paint on
large canvases because it allows me more freedom of expression.” “I find painting to be an
almost magical process where my thoughts, intuition and ideas take shape on the canvas
and I can create my own harmonic movements with the paint as I try to capture the beauty
I see around me and preserve it for others to also enjoy.”
I believe Lai Wai’s vision is eloquently expressed as his talent and artistic skills are
masterfully demonstrated by the paintings on these pages.
If you would like to purchase one perhaps to brighten up a space in your home, just email
me at marybethramey@gmail.com. Lai Wai is also holding a special exhibition in Penang
from 4 to 30 September.
3.
4. 5.
6.
7.

EX
EX
THE ARTS
BY PAT FAMA
The Art of Investment
J
ust five years ago, collecting modern
art in Malaysia was a niche activity
to say the least, with both limited
buying and selling opportunities. While it
is still a long way from being a mainstream
activity, its popularity is rising at an
impressive rate. Probably the most visible
sign of this is the success of the second
annual Art Auction Malaysia, which was
held in June.
Of the 104 artworks under the hammer,
92 were sold at the auction itself, and six
more afterwards, with a total sale price of
3.17 million ringgit. The best-selling piece,
Pago-Pago Forms (1968) by Abdul Latiff
Mohidin, fetched more than half a million
ringgit, well over its estimate of 280,000-
350,000 ringgit.
While these figures may not be much
in international terms - Christie’s Spring
auctions in Hong Kong netted just shy
of 100 million US dollars - they represent
solid progress for the local market. Lim
Eng Chong is President of Henry Butcher
Malaysia, which organised the auction:
“We sold 84% of the 62 works offered
in 2010. Though 42 more works were
consigned this year, we were cautiously
optimistic of attaining at least a similar
result because of the quality of the
artworks included. So, we were quite
pleasantly surprised by the sales achieved.”
Lim says the art market in Malaysia is
catching up fast with more established
markets in the region, such as Thailand
and Indonesia. He notes growing demand
from both seasoned, as well as new,
collectors. Of course, at this stage is it still
very much a hobby for most of buyers of
contemporary art in Malaysia. And perhaps
it is not a bad thing that people are
primarily buying art they like, to display in
their homes, rather than because they see
it as a good investment.
Art Auction Malaysia is at this stage
limited to an annual event, but for those
interested in buying contemporary art,
opportunities exist throughout the year.
The country has a number of excellent
independent galleries, particularly in
Kuala Lumpur, which for the most part
showcase affordable works by local
artists. The problem is that no overall
body exists to promote the sector as a
whole. Or if it does exist, it is not doing a
very good job of promoting itself.
The best opportunity for potential buyers
to see work from several artists with
ease is the annual Art Expo Malaysia.
This year’s event, which is expected to
be the biggest so far, will take place
from October 28 to November 1, at
the Matrade Exhibition and Convention
Centre in KL. A total of 49 galleries,
from Malaysia and 18 other countries,
exhibited at last year’s expo. Some 12
thousand people attended the event, and
sales tallied up to 11 million ringgit.
Up until very recently, the idea of tourists
coming to Malaysia specifically to buy art
would have been virtually unheard of. But
the thriving independent gallery sector,
together with the success of showpiece
events like Art Expo and Art Auction
Malaysia, has raised the serious possibility
of art tourism.
The Ministry of Tourism has been quick to
recognise the potential of a new way to
entice visitors, organising its first Malaysian
Contemporary Art Tourism Festival in
2010. The fair, which this year brings
together 17 events in eight different states,
was the brainchild of the Tourism Minister,
Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen:
“For us, it’s about tourism... getting
tourists to come here through one major
event. Our ultimate aim, our ultimate
hope, is that when people talk about
art in Southeast Asia, people talk about
Malaysia; that when people want to collect
art, they think about Malaysia.”
One major development in this year’s fair,
is that eight shopping complexes will be
taking part, including big names such as
Pavilion KL and the Starhill Gallery. Dr Ng
maintains that involving the malls in this
way will help increase the market for art,
and in turn encourage creative activity:
“Art is not only creativity and talent.
Art is economy. If we want to encourage
more Malaysians to go into art, and
flourish, and achieve their dreams, they
must have buyers.”
It could be argued however, that an
over concentration on sales could have
a negative impact on creativity, by
encouraging a safety-first approach. It is
no coincidence that many of the world’s
greatest pieces of art have been fashioned
by penniless artists. But art for art’s sake
appears to be an outmoded concept
these days. And given the choice, the vast
majority of artists would prefer to sell
their work than see it languishing unsold
in their studios.
As Lim acknowledges, Malaysia is as yet a
very young market. He says further work
is needed, both to support local artists
within Malaysia, and also to promote
Malaysian art abroad. But overall, one
benefit from starting from a low base, is
that the only way is up:
“There is a very perceptible trend of
growing interest in art for both modern
and contemporary works. The market
is poised to expand in both depth and
breath. It won’t be too long before
you find an artwork in most Malaysian
homes and growing interest from
foreign collectors.”
“Feeding Durian” (1988) by
Chuah Thean Teng
“Pago-pago Forms” (1968)
by Abdul Latiff Mohidin
Art Auction Malaysia, 2011

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 RM12,700
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.
PRESSIONSEXPRESSIONSEXPRESSIONSEXPRESSIONSEXPRESSIONSEXP
PRESSIONSEXPRESSIONSEXPRESSIONSEXPRESSIONSEXPRESSIONSEXPEXPRESSIONS 2011
FINAL
30th October 2011
5pm
Bangsar Shopping Centre
PRELIMINARY AUDITION
29th October 2011
4pm
Bangsar Shopping Centre
An event by
Show us what you’ve got!
INTERNATIONALSCHOOL
STUDENTSTALENTSHOW
Venue sponsor

theexpat-september-2011

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