Malaysia after 51 independence years

Independence was a great word in 1957 for Malaya. It was an official year this country were freedom from the British Empire. I was born in the 80's and lived half the independence so far, so let me share a little from a point of a malaysian-born-chinese citizen.

There are many versions of how Malaysia got the independence approval from Britain, I used to enjoy the stories from the elder Malaysian when I was young and got me wondering what would it be if we are still under the management of the British Colony? For a brief reading, you can click on this link.

As you all know, internal newspaper posting are totally different from other countries. Some also never heard of this country Malaysia but many PR was made 2007 to promote "Visit Malaysia" celebrating 50 Years of independence.

Like every country with covered-unseen negativity, I felt Malaysia was not managed by the right people. By now I am sure you already heard head line stories from our Prime Minister, ex-prime minister Dr. M, Mr. Anuar and more. I won't even want to blog anything political as to me, its a waste of my time. The right people is always hard to find and every taxi drivers in Malaysia claims they can manage this country even better! seriously, that was not a joke.

Malaysia is consider a very nice country to live in, you get rain and summer whole year round. My European pals do envy this a lot! I love this country as it has a beautiful beaches, food, culture, reserve forest.... and the list goes on.

I am eager to know from other countries, what do u know or think of Malaysia?

Travel-Blog : Cameron Highlands

I took a break with my family... guess where I went?



Here are some nice shots to share...
























Famous 4X4 in Cameron

Brunch Buffet : Agefuku Restaurant

Last weekend on Sunday, my ex-colleagues and I was hungry for some sushi. We decided to try the Agefuku Sunday Buffet which is RM40 per adults. Pictures speak louder than words...





















Personally this restaurant serve a reasonable buffet. During the M'sia economy issue, they provide their best in freshness and also service. Staffs are all smil-e and helpful. Even ice creams are handmade for you with tender loving care. Well, at least I paid for what I stuffed-myself and the service received.

Then we spotted Wall-E

Experiencing Malaysia

Sometimes along the way, you will loose touch towards the initial roots of being a Human Being. What do you live for, where is your goal, do you have a passion?

Passion, is something either you had it in you or you built it up yourself. Today society, Passion is hard to be found. They are like extremely rare gems.

My parents does not have much education, mainly because they came from a less fortunate growing up environment. Yet Senior-tze did not give up, built up a passion towards his bakery business. He is not a international well-known baker but was able to challenge any bakers out there whom claims only they can produce such beautiful food. This my friend is a passion towards baking.
I was not able to learn what he does, because my passion is not the same as his. However my brother has quite the similar passion, that is why they are close when comes to making good food.

I had my own passion too, right after I graduate I went to the automotive industry to work for a Fiber company. Almost 2.5 years, the passion is not able to carry on as I don't see myself advance further in Malaysia. The industry is small, so small they do not advance themself in technology and thinking. The company was only thinking of profit. The technology is very slow as compare to IT. So I stick back to my IT route to built another passion towards work, to me without passion... there is no meaning to work. I can say I found a steady job, earning money and experience to built a passion career.

I even encourage this to my brothers, relatives and friends... what about you? Have you found your passion?

Experiencing Malaysia

There will be some blogs on this chapter, mainly because of celebrating 51years of Independence Day for Malaysia on the 31st August.

Senario:
Newspaper Guy: "Hello, may I speak to Senior-tze?"
Senior-tze was in the loo, bombing tokyo (doing biggie)
tze : "I'm sorry, he is not convenience to come to the phone. What can I do for you?"
Newspaper Guy: "I need to confirm something important thru the phone, I need to speak to him"
tze: "Well why not call back in 15mins?"
Newspaper Guy: "I need his mobile, I will call him after this"
tze: "Like I said before, he is not convenience to talk on the phone"
Newspaper Guy: "Why Senior-tze so LAN-Si? Can't talk to me ah!?"
tze: "... As I was saying not at this moment."
tze thinking "WTF? whats ur problem? I spoke nicely already la, u want to have good relation with ur customer or not?"
Newspaper Guy: ... continuing his nonsense
tze: puting away the phone

Well 51Years, where do we stand today?

Good News, our petrol price came down to RM2.55 per litre diesel at RM2.50per litre. For roadtax diesel cars are much higher in amount for RM per Cc. Wonder what the Religion-Goverment has to say?

Hiking Days #0006

It has been awhile since I last step foot into Bkt Putih (3 weeks to be exact) and many people already telling me there is other entrance.

I won't reveal the entrances, but it was great to get back into this hill.

The entrance I used has a small walking distance, the parking is avail just on the main road.



Time was 7.30 AM and weather was rather ok as it rained yesterday.


Track starts on an uphill manner, rubber trees can be spotted


No signs of water after 15 mins hiking, weather was extremely nice cold & windy.


It was a great feeling as the track gets a little tough


There is so many logs here calling you to take a rest, but I didn't stop.


Then I bumped into some pretty girls just going for a morning walk, but when I looked up.. this is even more beautiful on a sunday morning.
Thing is I was not able to capture her picture.

As I arrived to a junction, there were 2 options:
1) Level 3
2) Level 6

Senior-Tze says to try Level 3 as Level 6 was very easy.

Then from far, that log looks like a wild boar.


Finally, a small river. From here I manage to go on... and reach Level 3

I met a bunch of people wondering & deciding where to go.

As Mama-Tze came along, we decided to go Level 6 as many hikers advice it is safe and less steep. Well, route condition was like a walk in the park. So I started to jog on my way to Level 4 and 5. Then I was so excited to read this sign:

Too bad today no one is interested to go with me


Here is the list of people to call for SOS in Bukit Putih


From Lvl 6 towards the entrance, it takes about 45mins.

Overall it took me 2Hours from Entrance > Lvl 3 > Lvl 4 > Lvl 5 > Lvl 6 > Entrance

I was feeling great, people don't dare to asked me how long the distance as my sweating effect seems to worried them.

1.5cc Car Review : Toyota Vios

Toyota in Malaysia has been known as a reliable car since 1980s. My Mom brought her 1st Toyota which is a Vios in 2005. This car was used mostly by my parents and brother. When I sold off un-faithful car, they handed down the car for me to look after (or the other way round) but mostly I just used it to work.

2003 version of Toyota Vios was market in Malaysia as a 1.5cc Dohc VVTi FWD car. It fit perfectly for 4... 5 as what the car registration said. This model is the 1st Generation of Vios which is market mainly as the first car for a small family / youth drivers. I remembered UMW Toyota Malaysia uses Ms Britney Spears to market this car. Around the world this car has different engine and variant specs from 1.5cc 1NZ-FE engine, 1.3cc 2NZ-FE engine and some said there was a 1.0cc too. The 1.5cc has a 40 Litre of storage on petrol and could run average 550km until it goes to the last line on the petrol blinking indicator. Bare in mind this car still run on the 1.5 year old 15" Goodyear NCT5 tyres.

2006 Toyota has face-lifted the 1st generation of Vios but from far they both looks the same on the outside but rather enchanced some of the interior. Owners now can rest their arm on a plastic arm rest right above the hand-brake. Yet comparing to these 2 models, some customers still prefer the 2003 Vios looks mainly because it was simple and adorable?

Anyway it still performs same as the 1st Vios.

End of 2007 UMW Toyota took in the Belta (Japan) to replace Vios, you can read more about that in Paul's blog. M'sia 2nd Generation of Vios share parts with Yaris, but Toyota did a great job in creating the Vios more towards functionality design.

I manage to test out the G-Spec and found it rather noisy as the muffler is underneath the driver seat but overall its has the same engine performance and a slightly bigger interior compare to the 1st generation Vios. One of the main features available in all the 2008 Specs:
ABS , EBD & BA
"The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) helps to prevent wheel lock-up when braking on slippery roads, while the Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) applies optimum braking power to each wheel. Further control is in your possession with the Brake Assist (BA) that works to give you significant reduction in braking distance."

Toyota uses their gearbox SUPER ECT to match with the engine, this is to reduce the maintainance cost as to compare to SUPER CVT-i which i believe runs on timing belt. Honda City owners do know how high maintenance the 7-Speed CVT gearbox is.

SOME-SAYS that is the reason why the new VIOS is more fuel efficient. Too bad the STIG [topgear] have not the chance to test out this car, well I would expect him saying only this ".... ... ...... .... .... .... .. (with some hand gesture)... ". SOME-SAYS the new version has a lag of acceleration power as compare to the 1st version.

July 2008 Vios J-Spec was launch and it has all the basic accessories that needed in a car, but if compare to E-Spec you will found out NO signal light on the side mirrors, electronic mirror control, fog lamp, sport rims, AIRBAGs, mp3 player, some colored interior plastics... you will then found out more as you sit into the other specs. Even the safety-feature seatbelts will be different. However 1 thing I found out, the J-Spec has the same black interior with S-Spec. Guys like me do prefer black interior being easy to maintain.

J-Spec was market for people whom are looking for a cheap reliable new Toyota at the price around RM70k-74k. Senior-Tze always bug me to buy this version mainly due to the reason of "RMs". I took my parents on a test drive on the Manual J-Spec around the hill roads of Cheras.
Gear shift and driving experience is quite the same as the Perodua Myvi / Nauticar. It has the ability to go uphill smoothly with 4 adults and was quite smooth on a short 80Km speed drive. Front and Rear cabin space was even better as compare to the 2003 version, but Senior-Tze head just nicely fit.. not my brother whom is slightly taller.

THEN AGAIN...
Honda City on the other will stop production by Oct'08 and will continue to focus on the 2009 Model. Price may be estimated around RM83~89K with just i-Vtec SOHC FWD without the 7-Speed CVT-gearbox. Varies website has been posting the spy shots, rumours has it will launch in Thailand and India soon.

Nissan has Latio 1.6cc, Chevrolet has Aveo 1.4cc. Proton could complete IF they were to come out with a reliable 1.4cc Dohc Campro FWD setup SAGA with 4 reliable power windows & reliable accessories?

*pictures taken from: autoworld / toyota / thai website

Hiking Days #0005

I have been hiking on another locations since Bukit Putih entrance was closed.

I have no idea what this place is called, but the entrance is near towards Ketumbar Condo. in Cheras. It will link to Bukit Putih too, if you do have the time and effort to find the way.

This is my first time hiking on this hill with my dad, as newcomers we tend to ask around which normal route should we take.


Parking is extremely huge, on weekends you need to pay RM1 per vehicle.

Track is normal, but a rather long one. Right about 45mins from the starting point towards the Level 4. Gym area. This hill has a dry track, not much water as compare to Bkt Putih. I went with my Dad 2 times, both taking a different route. Track is slippery if you are coming down on a dry day.


The track is not very challenging, it has a 15mins tough climb to Level 4.


Senior-tze was able to get some good sweats


Weather is rather humid, not much wind. On this hill, you can see Petronas Twins Tower clearly.

There is also a place to stop, its called Lvl 3 Scene Station, you can see part of PJ and KL on a clear fine day.

This is towards Cheras and Selangor, do you notice that Menara TM?


This particular picture is a keeper and also part of this hill challenge.

The man in the picture is actually a "Chee Cheong Fun" seller at a nearby morning Market. I manage to bump into him after breakfast.

Things I notice on this hill, there are many people bringing their dogs. I also bump into many elder people trying to keep the place keen by clearing the rubbish they saw on their daily hiking experience.

So people living in Malaysia, be considerate! It takes ages to come out with such beautiful nature, it takes 1 fire to burn it down.