31 December 2010
Today is the end of the year 2010. For me, the coming of any new year is an ocassion to celebrate because my birthdate is 30th December. Therefore, any new year celebration is also a celebration for me, I put it that way. I attended a company dinner which was held on 30 December 2010, attended by the staff and their family members. The dinner was well attended, well represented, a true 1Malaysia gathering! We had a wonderful time. They gathered all the staff born in the month of December and all of us cut the birthday cake together. I turned sweet 16!
Psst....On the way to dinner, I got a surprise call from London. My son Ammar wished me Happy Birthday Mama. That actually is the climax of my birthday celebrations and made my year 2010 complete.
Happy New Year to all. May 2011 be a better year for all of us wherever you are. To all Muslims, this is still the month of Hijrah, so berhijrah lah untuk menjadi Ummah yang senantiasa mengingati Allah.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Palm Information Centre, MPOB
30 December 2010
Today 30 December 2010 marks my 5th year of retirement from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board(MPOB). Five years ago on 30th December2005, the staff of the Palm Information Centre organised a farewell and retirement gathering for me at Anjung Sawit of the Palm Information Centre. It was a very memorable experience for me because after 33 years in the government service, I realised that I was retiring. However for me, retirement is just a change in career (I found out later). That day, I tried hard to retain my feelings inside me because deep in me, I actually was very very sad, having to leave my beloved staff, especially the senior ones who had been with me through thick and thin, planning and executing the duties and responsibilities of the former PORIM Library (now known as Palm Information Centre or popularly known as PMS for short), whom I had grown to trust and love throughout the years working with them - people like Pn Sakinah, Pn Robiah, Pn Norizan, Noraziah, Nor Lijah, NorAzman, Fuad, Ghazali, Saadiah, Amin, Ariff, Fatimah Hanim, Shahrul Aida, Rafidah....without their dedication and support, I would not have developed the Centre. Kindly go to http://palmoilis.mpob.gov.my/Vtour/index.htm for a glimpse of our small contribution to MPOB and our beloved country Malaysia.
NB. I had the opportunity of meeting up the former Director-General of MPOB recently. He asked me whether I visit the Centre and I wholeheartedly informed him that ..."saya sayu hati nak pergi balik ke MPOB sebab saya terima beberapa maklumbalas menyatakan yang PMS kini tak sama macam PMS dulu. Galeri tidak di kemaskini dengan baik; Produk Palmshoppe pun tak banyak seperti dulu; keseluruhan PMS sudah hilang keceriannya....". Even the virtual tour of 5 years ago which I developed before was never updated.
On another ocassion, I was also approached by the former Chairman of MPOB to come and discuss with him regarding the information requirements of the palm oil industry. But I never did because my principle in life is that once I leave an organization, I leave clean without any strings tied.
In December this year, I was on the audit panel of an auditing company. I was pleasantly surprised when the librarian commented that the Palm Information Centre is the benchmark for the library development in Malaysia. I felt humbled and at the same time proud of our achievement in setting an example for the library and information industry in Malaysia. Hearing this comment made me feel very sad since the Centre has lost its glory of yesteryears.
As a founder and former Head of Unit of PMS, I feel saddened by the unsatisfactory comments and "hati tersangatlah sayu untuk menjejaki kaki ke PMS, satu-satunya peninggalan saya di MPOB..."
Today 30 December 2010 marks my 5th year of retirement from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board(MPOB). Five years ago on 30th December2005, the staff of the Palm Information Centre organised a farewell and retirement gathering for me at Anjung Sawit of the Palm Information Centre. It was a very memorable experience for me because after 33 years in the government service, I realised that I was retiring. However for me, retirement is just a change in career (I found out later). That day, I tried hard to retain my feelings inside me because deep in me, I actually was very very sad, having to leave my beloved staff, especially the senior ones who had been with me through thick and thin, planning and executing the duties and responsibilities of the former PORIM Library (now known as Palm Information Centre or popularly known as PMS for short), whom I had grown to trust and love throughout the years working with them - people like Pn Sakinah, Pn Robiah, Pn Norizan, Noraziah, Nor Lijah, NorAzman, Fuad, Ghazali, Saadiah, Amin, Ariff, Fatimah Hanim, Shahrul Aida, Rafidah....without their dedication and support, I would not have developed the Centre. Kindly go to http://palmoilis.mpob.gov.my/Vtour/index.htm for a glimpse of our small contribution to MPOB and our beloved country Malaysia.
NB. I had the opportunity of meeting up the former Director-General of MPOB recently. He asked me whether I visit the Centre and I wholeheartedly informed him that ..."saya sayu hati nak pergi balik ke MPOB sebab saya terima beberapa maklumbalas menyatakan yang PMS kini tak sama macam PMS dulu. Galeri tidak di kemaskini dengan baik; Produk Palmshoppe pun tak banyak seperti dulu; keseluruhan PMS sudah hilang keceriannya....". Even the virtual tour of 5 years ago which I developed before was never updated.
On another ocassion, I was also approached by the former Chairman of MPOB to come and discuss with him regarding the information requirements of the palm oil industry. But I never did because my principle in life is that once I leave an organization, I leave clean without any strings tied.
In December this year, I was on the audit panel of an auditing company. I was pleasantly surprised when the librarian commented that the Palm Information Centre is the benchmark for the library development in Malaysia. I felt humbled and at the same time proud of our achievement in setting an example for the library and information industry in Malaysia. Hearing this comment made me feel very sad since the Centre has lost its glory of yesteryears.
As a founder and former Head of Unit of PMS, I feel saddened by the unsatisfactory comments and "hati tersangatlah sayu untuk menjejaki kaki ke PMS, satu-satunya peninggalan saya di MPOB..."
Monday, November 29, 2010
Cameron Highlands Again
24th November 2010
I had the opportunity of visiting Cameron Highlands again because my better half was invited to speak on his company's latest products, the 1-Rod Anchor System and the 4DEC Net at the JKR Seminar on Effective Slope Stabilization held at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Golf Resort at Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands.
I learned that water is the main culprit behind landslides and other earth movement, as manifested by the Bukit Antarabangsa tragedy in 1994 when 48 victims died. I also learned that the 1-Rod Anchor System(Patent pending) is the best system for effective slope management. Once installed, the site is maintenance-free. Their other product, 4DEC Net is also an environmentally product because after installing the anchor system, the site is covered with the Net that allows grass to grow, hence greening the environment. 
Having an eye for anything beautiful, I love to see the picturesque view of tea plantations, reminding me of my first visit to Cameron Highlands on a school trip way back in 1966. The view of the tea plantations remain unchanged. However, the surrounding areas had changed due to the development of the economy up the hill resort. There are many shophouses, restaurants, hotels and resorts, the weather is much warmer now than before. We were staying at the Strawberry Park Resort Hotel overlooking the greenery around us.
I learned that water is the main culprit behind landslides and other earth movement, as manifested by the Bukit Antarabangsa tragedy in 1994 when 48 victims died. I also learned that the 1-Rod Anchor System(Patent pending) is the best system for effective slope management. Once installed, the site is maintenance-free. Their other product, 4DEC Net is also an environmentally product because after installing the anchor system, the site is covered with the Net that allows grass to grow, hence greening the environment. 
Having an eye for anything beautiful, I love to see the picturesque view of tea plantations, reminding me of my first visit to Cameron Highlands on a school trip way back in 1966. The view of the tea plantations remain unchanged. However, the surrounding areas had changed due to the development of the economy up the hill resort. There are many shophouses, restaurants, hotels and resorts, the weather is much warmer now than before. We were staying at the Strawberry Park Resort Hotel overlooking the greenery around us.NB. The 4DEC Net has to compete with an earlier product that I know ie the EcoMat made of oil palm fibre. This Malaysian product has been widely exported to China, the biggest traditional market for our palm oil and used effectively at the Gobi Desert to prevent soil erosion due to heavy winds.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Birthday Celebrations
19 November 2010
NOVEMBER 19 is a historic date for the Aziz family because we celebrate this date every year without fail, big or small. This time, all of us chose to go to the FELDA plantation resort at Sg Klah (again!). Our children and grandchildren (now 3 in number) loved it very much. We had fun time, dipping ourselves in the the natural hotspring, and later celebrating their Dad (and Tok Dad's) birthday in the room that we bunked in together. I felt the family closeness together, but deep inside my heart I do wish my son Ammar would have been with us at that time. Nevertheless, we had quality time together, amidst the wonderful ambience provided by the oil palm trees providing the backdrop to our weekend getaway.
NB...The sulphur content in the natural hotsprings can heal skin irritations; the green moss from the hotspring can smoothen your outer skin. The staff told me that the hotsprings, if regularly visited can cure weakness in the knees and paralysis. They noticed over time that an elderly man kept on immersing himself in his wheelchair on his regular visits there. In 6 month's time, he was moving around without his wheelchair. This is a very good testimony of the healing and therapeutic characteristics of natural water from the hotspring.
Psst....I tried the traditional massage at the Spa Village, very relaxing indeed but the service can be improved. I have tried various massages in the course of my overseas visits to Thailand, China, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam. Nothing can beat the Thai massage at the Wat Temple. The masseau would bend your body over and your bones would give out cracking sounds! Your tired legs would be able to walk again, without feeling any pain at all. Very true to their claims! Practitioners in traditional massage in Malaysia must strive to develop a certain characteristic that is unique about them. Otherwise, traditional massages at the spas would not be able to market their services in the competitive wellness industry.
Psst....I tried the traditional massage at the Spa Village, very relaxing indeed but the service can be improved. I have tried various massages in the course of my overseas visits to Thailand, China, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam. Nothing can beat the Thai massage at the Wat Temple. The masseau would bend your body over and your bones would give out cracking sounds! Your tired legs would be able to walk again, without feeling any pain at all. Very true to their claims! Practitioners in traditional massage in Malaysia must strive to develop a certain characteristic that is unique about them. Otherwise, traditional massages at the spas would not be able to market their services in the competitive wellness industry.
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| Hotspring water has therapeutic values |
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Sunday 14 November 2010
Today I took the opportunity to visit an exclusive eco-resort, Tanah Aina, in Bentong, Pahang. And what a wonderful time I had experiencing the back-to-nature feeling. The visit was made more meaningful because we were given a conducted tour of the 5 resort facilities by the gracious host herself, Pn Sri Sabrina.
All the 5 resorts were beautifully designed to fit the terrain of the orchard land - the hills, the waterfall and the river - and decorated with such exclusive taste by the owner herself. The most attractive common feature of all the resorts is the serene and picturesque backdrop of surrounding environment.
For further information, please go to http://www.tanah-aina.com/
Along the way, we stopped by an Orang Asli settlement, comprising 13 families, and we donated some food and clothing items. Tok Batin, the headman of the settlement, was there to receive the goodies.
NB. The environment especially the hilly areas around the Bentong has been ravaged by development. We could clearly see hilly slopes being cleared for oil palm cultivation, which to my mind is a good development because the forest clearing is being replanted with new vegetation, this time our golden crop, the oil palm. Despite many foreign-based environmental groups condemning our Malaysian government on the cultivation of oil palm, I stand by the belief, backed up by authoritative R and D facts and figures that Oil Palm Feeds the World, Greens the Earth!
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| The River |
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| The Beautiful Backdrop |
For further information, please go to http://www.tanah-aina.com/
NB. The environment especially the hilly areas around the Bentong has been ravaged by development. We could clearly see hilly slopes being cleared for oil palm cultivation, which to my mind is a good development because the forest clearing is being replanted with new vegetation, this time our golden crop, the oil palm. Despite many foreign-based environmental groups condemning our Malaysian government on the cultivation of oil palm, I stand by the belief, backed up by authoritative R and D facts and figures that Oil Palm Feeds the World, Greens the Earth!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Happy Deepavali
5 November 2010
This year, Deepavali falls on 5th November, coincidentally my first grandson's birthday. So in a way, we celebrated his 4th birthday bash at Saujana Resort, the residence of my beloved niece, who kindly hosted the celebrations. So, another family gathering, this time an outdoor one at the gazebo around the swimming pool.
The next day, we took a drive around Little India@ Brickfields which recently was officially opened by our Prime Minister, YAB Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. The VIP guest was the Prime Minister of India himself, Mr Man Mohan Singh. His Excellency's visit to Malaysia resealed the very good diplomatic relations we have had with India in terms of trade as well as social relations. Malaysians looked up to India, being the oldest democracy in Asia. India too is the greatest traditional market for palm oil, Our Golden Crop. Historically speaking, the British brought in Indians to work at our rubber plantations in the 1880's when the East India Company started the rubber industry in the then Malaya. So, Malaysia and India have many things in common, then and now.
The development of Little India at Brickfields is a deserving project to promote tourism in Malaysia. I personally loved to visit Brickfields to get some Indian trinkets here and there. However, we have to make sacrifices in the face of development - the old Pines, which used to be the favourite haunt for many people wayback in the 70's - is no longer there. New eateries took their place. Many shops and eating outlets were still closed because of the Deepavali holiday break.
We stopped by for lunch at Nagas, a newly revamped restaurant serving dosai, chapatti, briyani rice and other Indian delicacies. While eating our sumptious meal, my eyes caught an advertisement on the noticeboard of the restaurant. It is about a book called the Malaysian Indian Dilemma. A best seller, it says. Must be interesting reading.....
Psst...Happy Deepavali to all our Indian friends. May the Festival of Lights enlighten our lives in the spirit of 1Malaysia.
Today 8th Nov 2010, the Star highlighted Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's statement, "We want to achieve a developed nation status and no one race can do it without the support and commitment from the other races. We are not only taking about the Malays, the Chinese, the Indians; but all ethnic groups, including those in Sabah, Sarawak and the Orang Asli."
This year, Deepavali falls on 5th November, coincidentally my first grandson's birthday. So in a way, we celebrated his 4th birthday bash at Saujana Resort, the residence of my beloved niece, who kindly hosted the celebrations. So, another family gathering, this time an outdoor one at the gazebo around the swimming pool.
The next day, we took a drive around Little India@ Brickfields which recently was officially opened by our Prime Minister, YAB Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. The VIP guest was the Prime Minister of India himself, Mr Man Mohan Singh. His Excellency's visit to Malaysia resealed the very good diplomatic relations we have had with India in terms of trade as well as social relations. Malaysians looked up to India, being the oldest democracy in Asia. India too is the greatest traditional market for palm oil, Our Golden Crop. Historically speaking, the British brought in Indians to work at our rubber plantations in the 1880's when the East India Company started the rubber industry in the then Malaya. So, Malaysia and India have many things in common, then and now.
The development of Little India at Brickfields is a deserving project to promote tourism in Malaysia. I personally loved to visit Brickfields to get some Indian trinkets here and there. However, we have to make sacrifices in the face of development - the old Pines, which used to be the favourite haunt for many people wayback in the 70's - is no longer there. New eateries took their place. Many shops and eating outlets were still closed because of the Deepavali holiday break.
We stopped by for lunch at Nagas, a newly revamped restaurant serving dosai, chapatti, briyani rice and other Indian delicacies. While eating our sumptious meal, my eyes caught an advertisement on the noticeboard of the restaurant. It is about a book called the Malaysian Indian Dilemma. A best seller, it says. Must be interesting reading.....
Psst...Happy Deepavali to all our Indian friends. May the Festival of Lights enlighten our lives in the spirit of 1Malaysia.
Today 8th Nov 2010, the Star highlighted Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's statement, "We want to achieve a developed nation status and no one race can do it without the support and commitment from the other races. We are not only taking about the Malays, the Chinese, the Indians; but all ethnic groups, including those in Sabah, Sarawak and the Orang Asli."
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Have a Cuppa Tea...
Boh puts the Ummph in Your Life!
The Tea Tree - must be many years old, looking at the moss-covered trunks and branches
Sunday 31 October 2010
Today, I went up Cameron Highlands just to accompany my other half who has some work to do up there. What a wonderful time we had visiting the Boh Tea Plantation at Sg Palas. We also visited the Tea Cafe, the Tea Gallery as well as the Tea Factory owned by Boh Tea Plantations. The moment we reached the Tea Cafe, I felt like I was in some foreign land because the weather, the ambiance, the feel and the facilities around were clean and welcoming. It was only later after touring the Galeri and Exhibition that we found out that Boh Tea Plantation is owned by a Md Salleh, Caroline Russell, the great, great grandchild of the founder, John Russell. Way back in the1930's, John Russell foresaw the potential of tea production in Cameron Highlands, which is situated about 1,500 metres above sea level. Boh Tea's tagline is Boh Puts the Ummph in your Life! I rather like the tagline of another tea plantation, Bharat Tea Plantation, down the road at Tanah Rata. It says Any Time is Tea Time, very Malaysian indeed!
NB : The Chinese history of tea began in 2737BC when Chinese Emperor Shen Nung sat beneath a tree waiting for his servant to boil drinking water. A leaf from the tree fell into the water and he decided to try out the brew from the wild tea tree. The Indians too have a saga on the tea. It was said that Gautama Buddha tore his eyelids off and threw them on the ground because he fell asleep despite vowing to remain awake during a pilgrimage. His eyelids took root and germinated into tea plants that sprouted leaves the shape of eyelids.
Legends abound, the tea have found a permanent place in the lives and hearts of diverse people in the world for over 4,500 years. The English enjoy their afternoon tea with hot scones. The Muslims in Mecca break fast with their tea (called chai) and dates. Malaysians are now mixing their tea with all the specific herbs, Misai Kuching, Mas Cotek, Pandanus Leaves, not only for the flavour but also to benefit from their healing properties. Assoc Prof Dr Faridah Qamaruz Zaman of Universiti Pertanian Malaysia(UPM) told me that the University had come up with tea made from oil palm leaves. I suppose this is to take advantage of the abundance of the vitamin E content in the palm leaves.
It is well known fact that tea drinking is a healthy habit. Tea leaves contain flavanoids and other antioxidants which are healthy for the total body system.
Psst...Have you had your cuppa today?
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Visiting London
28 October 2010
Through Facebook, I discovered that an old friend of mine has gone into the travel and tours business. She and husband is operating a holiday service to visit London, providing accomodation and other travel facilities in and around the UK. Go to http://www.mhhlondon.blogspot.com/ and you can choose all the attractive travel itinerary to the popular tourist attractions in UK. Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, London Eye for first-time travellers to the UK; trip to the Cotswalds for the nature lovers; Stratford-Upon-Avon for the literary enthusiasts; Roman Baths for the history lovers, and many many more.
I have always loved London since my University days in 1975. Being a student then, I seldom had the chance to travel because of study commitments and financial constraints. The city of London has certain charms that only someone who has been there knows how to describe them. Somehow, once you visit London, you want to go back there again and again and again.....
Pssst....I love London but that does not mean I love Malaysia less!
Through Facebook, I discovered that an old friend of mine has gone into the travel and tours business. She and husband is operating a holiday service to visit London, providing accomodation and other travel facilities in and around the UK. Go to http://www.mhhlondon.blogspot.com/ and you can choose all the attractive travel itinerary to the popular tourist attractions in UK. Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, London Eye for first-time travellers to the UK; trip to the Cotswalds for the nature lovers; Stratford-Upon-Avon for the literary enthusiasts; Roman Baths for the history lovers, and many many more.
I have always loved London since my University days in 1975. Being a student then, I seldom had the chance to travel because of study commitments and financial constraints. The city of London has certain charms that only someone who has been there knows how to describe them. Somehow, once you visit London, you want to go back there again and again and again.....
Pssst....I love London but that does not mean I love Malaysia less!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Happy Birthday Celebrations
What a wonderful time we had at Tan Sri Salleh's 70th birthday bash at Pondok De Rimba situated at his hometown, Dangi, Kuala Pilah, Negri Sembilan. Invitees who came all the way to celebrate his birthday came from all walks of life, I could see that. Old friends and families came by the dozens....His so called pondok is so sweet with a beautiful tangga Melaka going up the house. Tan Sri Salleh obviously documented all of his life achievements by framing all his credentials and displaying them on the walls of his Anjung. What a meaningful personal gallery he has there for him and his friends to reminisce his track record of achievements.
The Palm Oil man Tan Sri Augustine S H Ong was there with his charming wife, forever looking young as ever. Its the palm oil, I think that is behind the heathy ageing and living.
Tan Sri Salleh told me personally, just as we were leaving, that he shall invite us over again for his 110 th birthday! InsyAllah.....Tan Sri, dipanjangkan umur, di murahkan rezeki. We shall be there...
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Melaka 2010 - Developed City
20 October 2010
20/10/2010 is a proud day for Malacca - the historical state in Malaysia. Today, Malacca (Melaka in Malay) is officially declared as a "developed state" and finally recognised so by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Jon Hall, who has been leading the OECD's Global Project on Measuring the Progress of Societies, said Malaccans had higher than the OECD's minimum levels in virtually all indicators.
To commemorate this auspicious occasion, the Malaccan government launched the monorail along the Malacca River, running from Taman Rempah (Spice Garden) in Pengkalan Rama to Kampung Bunga Raya Pantai in the heart of the historic city. The RM15.9m project is part of the state's aim to further tap the potential of the Malacca River as a tourist attraction.
Reliable sources told me that the Malacca River Cruise will in future be expanded to cruise along the Linggi River. Hope this will come true because way back in the late 90's, 3 of us bought an orchard lot each in Linggi, for reasons of our own. Hopefully, we can harvest some returns from our investment with the expansion of the River Cruise., insyAllah....
20/10/2010 is a proud day for Malacca - the historical state in Malaysia. Today, Malacca (Melaka in Malay) is officially declared as a "developed state" and finally recognised so by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Jon Hall, who has been leading the OECD's Global Project on Measuring the Progress of Societies, said Malaccans had higher than the OECD's minimum levels in virtually all indicators.
To commemorate this auspicious occasion, the Malaccan government launched the monorail along the Malacca River, running from Taman Rempah (Spice Garden) in Pengkalan Rama to Kampung Bunga Raya Pantai in the heart of the historic city. The RM15.9m project is part of the state's aim to further tap the potential of the Malacca River as a tourist attraction.
Reliable sources told me that the Malacca River Cruise will in future be expanded to cruise along the Linggi River. Hope this will come true because way back in the late 90's, 3 of us bought an orchard lot each in Linggi, for reasons of our own. Hopefully, we can harvest some returns from our investment with the expansion of the River Cruise., insyAllah....
Oil Palm - Replanting
19 October 2010
The Star today carried a news column on oil palm replanting, highlighting the role of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board(MPOB) on this issue. This semi-government agency under the Ministry of Plantation Management and Commodities is entrusted with the job of encouraging oil palm smallholders to replant their trees with higher-yielding clones once the palms passed thier economic life of 25 years. The smallholders will be given cash of RM1000 per acre if they undertook this replanting scheme with MPOB. However, response from the scheme has been lukewarm. The big players in the palm oil industry too are delaying to replant oil palm because of the relatively high prices that the commodity is fetching in the market place. If both the smallholders and their big brothers are unwilling to replant for reasons of their own, our country is going to be affected in terms of national oil palm productivity. We may no longer be the No 1 Palm Oil producer because our neighbour Indonesia is slowly overtaking us sooner than later!
Psss.....Do the smallholders need a much bigger incentive to replant oil palm????
The Star today carried a news column on oil palm replanting, highlighting the role of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board(MPOB) on this issue. This semi-government agency under the Ministry of Plantation Management and Commodities is entrusted with the job of encouraging oil palm smallholders to replant their trees with higher-yielding clones once the palms passed thier economic life of 25 years. The smallholders will be given cash of RM1000 per acre if they undertook this replanting scheme with MPOB. However, response from the scheme has been lukewarm. The big players in the palm oil industry too are delaying to replant oil palm because of the relatively high prices that the commodity is fetching in the market place. If both the smallholders and their big brothers are unwilling to replant for reasons of their own, our country is going to be affected in terms of national oil palm productivity. We may no longer be the No 1 Palm Oil producer because our neighbour Indonesia is slowly overtaking us sooner than later!
Psss.....Do the smallholders need a much bigger incentive to replant oil palm????
Monday, October 18, 2010
Golden Age of Palm Oil
18 October 2010
The other day on ASTRO, there was a documentary and interview with Datuk Seri Lim Keng Yaik, the former Minister of Primary Industries on Palm Oil. Despite his retirement from the industry years ago, this man is still passionate about our Golden Crop. My personal opinion is that he had been the champion of palm oil during his Ministerial days, after taking over from YB Datuk Paul Leong Kee Siong during the mid 1980's. In fact, the period of mid 80's till 2005 was the golden age of palm oil, to my mind. It was during this period that PORIM (now MPOB) made such a big impact in the edible oils and fats industry in the world. We made breakthough discoveries on the nutritional values of palm oil, fighting off the Anti Palm Oil Smear Campaign waged by the American Soyabean Association(ASA) with the positive results MPOB obtained from the research grants given to various established Universities all over the world to conduct research on palm oil. MPOB then was the premier research institute on oil palm and palm oil, true to its Mission and Vision statement. For the past 5 years, MPOB gradually lost its oomph somehow, even though Malaysian Palm 0il remained as the No 1 Oil in the world. (Pardon me, if I am wrong). Leadership plays an instrumental role in the rise and fall of an organization. It is Leadership also that make or break an organization.
I was happy and proud serving MPOB during the golden age of palm oil 1982-2005. During this period, Tan Sri Yusof Basiron was the Director-General of MPOB and YB Datuk Seri Lim Keng Yaik was the Minister of Primary Industries of Malaysia.http://www.mpob.gov.my/
The other day on ASTRO, there was a documentary and interview with Datuk Seri Lim Keng Yaik, the former Minister of Primary Industries on Palm Oil. Despite his retirement from the industry years ago, this man is still passionate about our Golden Crop. My personal opinion is that he had been the champion of palm oil during his Ministerial days, after taking over from YB Datuk Paul Leong Kee Siong during the mid 1980's. In fact, the period of mid 80's till 2005 was the golden age of palm oil, to my mind. It was during this period that PORIM (now MPOB) made such a big impact in the edible oils and fats industry in the world. We made breakthough discoveries on the nutritional values of palm oil, fighting off the Anti Palm Oil Smear Campaign waged by the American Soyabean Association(ASA) with the positive results MPOB obtained from the research grants given to various established Universities all over the world to conduct research on palm oil. MPOB then was the premier research institute on oil palm and palm oil, true to its Mission and Vision statement. For the past 5 years, MPOB gradually lost its oomph somehow, even though Malaysian Palm 0il remained as the No 1 Oil in the world. (Pardon me, if I am wrong). Leadership plays an instrumental role in the rise and fall of an organization. It is Leadership also that make or break an organization.
I was happy and proud serving MPOB during the golden age of palm oil 1982-2005. During this period, Tan Sri Yusof Basiron was the Director-General of MPOB and YB Datuk Seri Lim Keng Yaik was the Minister of Primary Industries of Malaysia.http://www.mpob.gov.my/
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Oil Palm Replanting
13 Sept 2010
At our Raya Open House, I had wanted actually to request my old classmate Mr K Perumal to explain to my 2 brothers the economic feasibility of planting oil palm on rubber land. But the ocassion, I suppose, was not right, simply because it was Hari Raya and people do not want to discuss any heavy issues. I hope there will come a good time to discuss whether it is now timely to convert our rubber estate to oil palm. Our family rubber estate of 13 acres is now more than 25 years old, nearing its lifespan. Something needs to be done on the land, even though my aged mother convinced me that she is still getting some income from the rubber estate. I suppose I have to put this conversion idea on hold for some time yet.
Previous discussion with Perumal made me want to convert it immediately, but it would have to be a family decision when to embark on it. Once planted, it would take 3 years for the oil palm to bear its fruits, as compared to rubber which takes 7 years to harvest.
At our Raya Open House, I had wanted actually to request my old classmate Mr K Perumal to explain to my 2 brothers the economic feasibility of planting oil palm on rubber land. But the ocassion, I suppose, was not right, simply because it was Hari Raya and people do not want to discuss any heavy issues. I hope there will come a good time to discuss whether it is now timely to convert our rubber estate to oil palm. Our family rubber estate of 13 acres is now more than 25 years old, nearing its lifespan. Something needs to be done on the land, even though my aged mother convinced me that she is still getting some income from the rubber estate. I suppose I have to put this conversion idea on hold for some time yet.
Previous discussion with Perumal made me want to convert it immediately, but it would have to be a family decision when to embark on it. Once planted, it would take 3 years for the oil palm to bear its fruits, as compared to rubber which takes 7 years to harvest.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Hari Raya - Balik Kampung!
Hari Raya to me means going back to my hometown Kg Chin Chin, Jasin MELAKA (Malaysia). And this time, we held an Open House on the third day of Raya. What a wonderful turnout it was! My remaining old relatives were there - of course my aged mum Hjh Teh Zaharah and her equally ageing youngest sister Hjh Shamsiah Hj Musip. These are the remaining primadonnas of Kg Chin Chin, the flag bearers, so to speak, of the growing Lord Chin Chin Clan. Of course, there were also the young and vibrant members of the same clan, meeting up each other in the midst of the good mood of Raya, good food and drinks, strengthening the good relations that we always had for each other....
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Month of Ramadhan
11 August 2010
Today is the Ist day of the month of Ramadhan Al-Mubarak. All Muslims are required to abstain themselves from eating and drinking from dawn till sunset. It is also a time for inner reflection, devotion to God and self control. The month of Ramadhan is an opportunity to gain by giving up, to prosper by giving and to grow stronger by enduring weakness. As a secondary goal, fasting is a way of experiencing hunger and developing sympathy for the less fortunate, and learning to thankfullness and appreciation for all of God's bounties. Fasting is also beneficial to the health and provides a break in the cycle of rigid habits or overindulgence.
Medical doctors would advise his patients to fast for specific reasons. Fasting is another way to detox the body.
Find out more at http://www.submission.org/
Today is the Ist day of the month of Ramadhan Al-Mubarak. All Muslims are required to abstain themselves from eating and drinking from dawn till sunset. It is also a time for inner reflection, devotion to God and self control. The month of Ramadhan is an opportunity to gain by giving up, to prosper by giving and to grow stronger by enduring weakness. As a secondary goal, fasting is a way of experiencing hunger and developing sympathy for the less fortunate, and learning to thankfullness and appreciation for all of God's bounties. Fasting is also beneficial to the health and provides a break in the cycle of rigid habits or overindulgence.
Medical doctors would advise his patients to fast for specific reasons. Fasting is another way to detox the body.
Find out more at http://www.submission.org/
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Goodbye London!
Today is a very sad day for me because we are again leaving our son in London. After the mini heatwave hitting London over the weekend, there is rain and the day is cloudy, just as if the day is sympathising with my feelings and emotions for the moment. He has just registered himself as a post graduate student for the Chartered Institute of Marketing(CIM), at Herftferdshire University which he will do on a part time basis while working part time as well. He must be good at juggling these two things in his life right now. The newly announced decision by the new British government to put a cap on immigrant labour from non-EU countries is a big blow for new graduates like him in the UK. However, Great Britain needs new people to enrich the labour market now that the Government is increasing the pension age to a ripe 70 years old.
Nevertheless, deep in my heart, I know he can make it there reasonably well, insyAllah...Semoga Allah murahkan rezeki Ammar di London.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Scottish Highlands
On the 2nd day, we drove up to Glasgow and Edinburgh, seeing more grazing land with sheep, cows and horses in the meadows, lazying themselves in the hot summer sun. Glasgow is not a tourist city, we found out later, even though the tourist brochures say so. There is the Buchanan Street, a pedestrian walk lined with some shopping outlets and the George Square, where we saw the statue of Sir James Watt, the one who discovered the steam engine (pardon me, if I am wrong). So we moved on to Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland. Here, life is more vibrant, looking at the city centre, the Princes Square and the shopping malls. Of course, everybody is enjoying the sun, on the streets and in the park. At some street corners, you can hear the beautiful melodic sounds of the Scottish bagpipes. Edinburgh is famous for its castles, namely the Edinburgh Castle and the Balmoral Castle(Scottish home to the Royal Family), perched strategically on the hill tops.
PSSS...The Istana Negara is now being built somewhere in Damansara Heights(?). Hopefully, DBKL does a good job of this project in line with the majesticity that the King's Palace will command to tourists visiting Malaysia.
Scottish Highlands
We are off to Scotland these 2 days. Travelling on the motorway M6 towards the North along the country side was a wonderful experience for all of us. England is having a hot summer right now, with temperatures rising 20's to 30's centigrade.
Basically, England is an agricultural country, with a vast expanse of productive grazing land. Despite the Indusrial Revolution, agriculture is still the main stay of her economy.
We stayed at a B and B hotel, the Ravenshill House Hotel owned by Sheila, the owner-cum-manager. It is a beautiful country house converted into a B and B hotel facility.We had a sumptious dinner - roasted beef and of course haddock - all agricultural products from the nearby farms!
Actually, we were quite surprised that on the menu, there was this item Malaysian chicken served with savoury rice. We found out later that Sheila met a Malaysian chef on one of her holiday trips on a ship and they exchanged recipes then. As Anthony Bourdain, the celebrity chef, once said in Asian Food Channel over ASTRO, food is an international language. Very true indeed!
Psss. Actually, I have often dreamed of providing a B and B facility for the tourists coming to Shah Alam, the capital city of Selangor. However, I have reservations going into this venture because tourism is not the core industry in the state of Selangor, not for the next 10 years or so....
Friday, June 25, 2010
English Summer
Thursday, June 24, 2010
24 June 2010
Recycling has been a big issue in Gt Britain. All sorts of advertisements by corporate bodies are all over the place, on buses, in the tubes, all promoting the mission of going green. We were at Pret-a-Manger a few times to take a bite or two and I noticed that even the napkins also carry the green message. "This napkin is made from 100% recycled stock (Pret's environment department is militant, we're makng headway). If Pret staff get all serviette-ish and hand you huge bunches of napkins (which you don't need or want) please give them the evil eye. Waste not want not."
Quality too is their goal - their food labels carry the following message "Made today. Gone today. No 'sell-by' date, no nightlife.
These are little observations I made which can be practised by our local Malaysian food vendors. They should serve with the customers in mind - their serviettes are at the counter top at the cashier and we can get to use them only upon request.
NB: PUSPANITA organised a Recycling Seminar towards the Green Mission on 23 June, with the main objective of developing compost fertilizer from domestic waste. Hopefully it is a successful seminar and the ladies will benefit from this new knowledge of recycling waste within their household environment. http://www.puspanita.org.my/
Psss. Our Malaysian palm oil industry has always been practising this green mission towards Zero Waste. Every part of the palm and their process is being studied to produce palm-based products and services with R&D and innovation. http://www.mpob.gov.my/
Recycling has been a big issue in Gt Britain. All sorts of advertisements by corporate bodies are all over the place, on buses, in the tubes, all promoting the mission of going green. We were at Pret-a-Manger a few times to take a bite or two and I noticed that even the napkins also carry the green message. "This napkin is made from 100% recycled stock (Pret's environment department is militant, we're makng headway). If Pret staff get all serviette-ish and hand you huge bunches of napkins (which you don't need or want) please give them the evil eye. Waste not want not."
Quality too is their goal - their food labels carry the following message "Made today. Gone today. No 'sell-by' date, no nightlife.
These are little observations I made which can be practised by our local Malaysian food vendors. They should serve with the customers in mind - their serviettes are at the counter top at the cashier and we can get to use them only upon request.
NB: PUSPANITA organised a Recycling Seminar towards the Green Mission on 23 June, with the main objective of developing compost fertilizer from domestic waste. Hopefully it is a successful seminar and the ladies will benefit from this new knowledge of recycling waste within their household environment. http://www.puspanita.org.my/
Psss. Our Malaysian palm oil industry has always been practising this green mission towards Zero Waste. Every part of the palm and their process is being studied to produce palm-based products and services with R&D and innovation. http://www.mpob.gov.my/
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Later in the evening, we went to the Charcoal Kebab House at WoodGreen. To me, they serve the best kebab in London. The food is delicious, the serving is big and the price is reasonable at only GBP4.50 per plate. I am pretty sure they use either oilve oil or sunflowerseed oil as salad oil in their cooking. I wonder when these restaurants will use our palm oil, maybe never at all because Malaysia is not promoting enough usage of palm oil as salad oil.
While there, we met a family friend from Shah Alam who is doing her Masters at Middlesex Uni, where my son graduated last July 2010. A very small world indeed!
Monday, June 21, 2010
English Marriage - English Style
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