Beautiful Bed ???

Once upon the time, there were 9 friends from Taylor's College School of Hospitality & Tourism who went to Genting for their holidays. But out of that 9 friends, 3 guys did something unusual. Oh well, you must be wondering what Beautiful Bed on the title actually really meant?

So, here is what they did:

From Left - Right: Johnson Moi, Dennis Ho & Ben Ong
sleeping outside the Genting Permai balcony

Their picture went into the Star Newspaper Thumbnails Contest
hoping to win the RM 50.00. The Star Newspaper: 28th September 2006

Well, I intervied Dennis and here was our conversation on MSN today.

me: why you guys decided to sleep outside

d3nni5: erm......cos it wasn't cold enough and whats the number one thing u care about when u go to gentings??? check the weather rite.

d3nni5: so it wasn't as cold as we wanted it to be

d3nni5: so sleep outside lor

d3nni5: and cos we were up till like 4 am or so discussing some matters that we don't really want the girls to hear...

d3nni5: so yea...we bunked out

d3nni5: but mainly cos of the weather

Well, I myself couldn't imagine that the Star could even make this 3 guys famous in just two days after Valerie sent that picture. Well, looks like Taylor's College students sometimes choose some infamous ways to turn famous too.

Drunkard Ben ???

DEBENHAMS MALAYSIA Closing Down ???

What will you think of when you see Berjaya Times Square Kuala Lumpur? Shopping? Food? I-MAX Theatre? Cosmo World? DEBENHAMS?

Berjaya Times Square's main anchor tenant is none other than Debenhams, 'Britain’s Favourite Departmental Store', occupying 100,000 square feet of retail space. There are over 40 exclusive brands developed by Debenhams including Maine New England, Red Herring, Spirit, Trader Jeans and many more. Designers at Debenhams will offer original designs at affordable prices with over 26 designer brands including 'J' by Jasper Conran, ‘Pearce II Fionda’ by Ren Pearce and Andrew Fionda, Philip Treacy, ‘BDL’ by Ben de Lisi, Rocha by John Rocha and other well-known brands.

Well these are not important anymore because DEBENHAMS MALAYSIA HAS CLOSED DOWN. When I first saw the picture posted in JackSQ's blog, I was shocked to see how this DEBENHAMS - 'Britain's Favourite Departmental Store' - as "claimed" will be closing down after three years opertaing in Malaysia. It might be late to realized how far behind I was, nevertheless, it is never too late for me to blog.

Picture was adapted from JackSQ's blog

Common sense will tell you that it will close down sooner or later. You may be paying in Ringgit Malaysia (RM) but that is the converted price from Pounds Sterling + taxes + duty, etc. What you are paying for are actually Pounds. Majority of us Malaysians here don't print RM notes and why bother paying so much for some "rugged cloths" from Britain?

It may be a good news for us Malaysians but many people foresee that many 'Datins' will cry their way out as no more DEBENHAMS for them to shop anymore.

Ultimately it is not DEBENHAMS fault for closing down and it is in a process of taking over by Metrojaya. Look at the fact, I would like to quote what Beachic posted in Allo' Expat Malaysia Forum:

Hmmm... I think the problem may or may not lie with Debenhams. If you look at Time Square as a whole, it's a complete failure.

Unclear zoning (increase shoppers' search cost), poor building management(once I was locked in the toilet on a Sunday afternoon and if the genitor didn't open the door any faster, I was about to knock it down, and have you tried asking for directions from the receptionist?), very very bad retail mix, and the themepark looks more like a horror land.

As for british retailer as a whole, i.e. Debenham and Marks&Spencer, the sizes of their clothing merchandise don't really fit the Asian customers. I do agree that the quality is good, (I buy my briefs from M&S), but their pricing is also steep, comparing with similar offerings from other imported brands. The consumer behaviour here is a little different, they pursue fashion trend which is fast changing, so, they normally won't spend too much on a single item, unless it's brands like Gucci, CK, etc.

To face the fact, DEBENHAMS MALAYSIA is closing down and so does the poorly managed Berjaya Times Square Kuala Lumpur. This is not trying to degrade the popularity of Berjaya Times Square but just stating the facts here.

Taylor’s Students Set Table with Style

Two Taylor's College School of Hospitality & Tourism (TCHT) Diploma in Hotel Management students beat out four professional hoteliers to win first and second place for “Theme Table Setting” in the Internasionale Food Exhibition KL Competition 2006.


Champion Lim Ying Yee and first runner-up Stanley Lim impressed the judges with their skills and creativity in setting a table to the theme of “Valentine’s Day” in one hour.

Despite it being their first-ever competition and competing against professionals from Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur, Nikko Hotel, Hotel Istana and Corus Hotel, Ying Yee and Stanley stayed confident and focused.

After the organisers released the table setting theme a week before the competition, both students brainstormed ideas, conducted research, got advice from their lecturers, shopped for the right materials and spent many hours practicing.

“I came up with a non-traditional Valentine’s Day concept because I wanted my table setting to be unique and stand out,” said Ying Yee. “So instead of using traditional colours like red, pink and white, I chose purple and silver.”

Stanley on the other hand chose to go with a blend of maroon and pale yellow for his table setting. His concept was based on Valentine’s Day in a fairy-tale land during olden times.
Although aiming to do their best, both students never expected to win.

“It was a huge surprise, but of course a very good one. This is a positive beginning for me and inspires me to improve myself further,” said Ying Yee.

So how did a couple of amateurs beat more experienced industry professionals?

“Definitely thanks to the help and guidance from our dedicated lecturers,” Stanley said.

“We couldn’t have done it without the strong training we’ve undergone during our studies. We’ve been taught to pay attention to every detail from the start right up to the finish,” Ying Yee explained.

In addition to a trophy and certificate, Ying Yee and Stanley walked away with cash prizes of RM500 and RM300 respectively.

The Internasionale Food Exhibition KL Competition 2006 was held in September at 1 Utama Shopping Centre. Participants were judged based on: processes of preparation, preparation for presentation, use of proper table setting techniques, eye for detail and creativity.

Briton at Asia Cafe Arrested by Malaysian Police for Online Money Laundering

He was a regular sight at Asia Café. He was the man whom some labeled as the computer Einstein as he was the white-haired Caucasian man with the Einstein hairstyle that spent hours everyday from morning to afternoon ‘working online’ from his Dell laptop at Table C4.It is believed that more than 1000 Taylor’s students have noticed him before. But it was not until just a few days ago when his true identity and work was revealed. He was the man behind the online scam that attracted 100,000 global investors. He was just arrested last Wednesday (30th August 2006) by Malaysian police officers for online money laundering involving a massive sum of RM26, 679,371.

Don't they look alike???

I’m guessing that you might most probably have seen him before. Isn’t it a little surprising? Actually right from the start, I was already sensing something was not right when he was sitting there at the same table (C4) working on his Dell laptop for hours from morning to afternoon almost everyday or should I say, virtually everyday. Why would someone spent hours on his laptop everyday in such a humid and busy place when he could be comfortably working back from his home? Perhaps, he might be just another Caucasian enjoying the tropical weather and Asian scene that he can’t get back in his country?

But the truth was revealed a few days ago when he was arrested. All these while when he was at Asia Cafe, he was actually working on his online scam from his laptop. He was using Asia Café’s internet connection to disguise his identity and IP address so that he could not be tracked down by Malaysian police.

It’s also a little scary to know how looks can be deceiving. It’s like having to know that a usual guy sitting next to you actually might be a real criminal inside? I guessed no one thought that this man could be the person money laundered from more than 100,000 global investors through his online scam that he has been continuously working on from Asia Café.

This is the news report published from The Star & New Straits Times respectively:

Feel free to click the link below to read the full newspaper article:
The Star Newspaper Report

P.S. The following information posted here is intended to disseminate news information to dispel the curiosity of many Taylor’s College students. All information posted above has been checked for accuracy and has been confirmed by very reliable witnesses, official sources & strong evidences. Any unintentional errors is very much regretted.

My personal note:
I have actually saw this guy many times already in Asia Cafe during my visit quite often. I have never thought that this guy is a criminal until I actually saw this in the newspaper and via Taylor's Friends Network.

Kudos! to Adrian Yam and team for posting this online.

Courtesy of Taylor's Friends Network

REMEMBERING 9/11 - THEN & NOW

At left, New York's downtown skyline is dominated by the World Trade Center towers in this photo from March 3, 2000. At right, the skyline as seen on Friday, Oct. 12, 2001.

Today, the divided world marks 9/11 attacks. A divided world remembered the fifth anniversary of the September 11 attacks on Monday, with allies in the war on terror renewing their resolve to fight fanaticism, but with militants pledging continued resistance.

U.S. President George W. Bush joined thousands gathering across America Sunday in tearful tributes, prayers and quiet reflection.

In New York, the president and first lady Laura Bush placed wreaths in pools of water where the World Trade Center's twin towers stood before two commercial airliners toppled them five years ago.

Other memorials were held in Washington, where another hijacked passenger plane slammed into the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where a fourth jet crashed into a field.

The death toll from the twin towers was estimated at 2,749, including the 87 passengers aboard American Airlines Flight 11 and the 60 on United Airlines Flight 175. Among the dead were 60 police officers and 343 firefighters who responded to the scene.

An estimated 2,973 people were killed in the attacks.

Dawn breaks over ground zero on the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Monday Sept, 11, 2006 in New York

Where were you 5 years ago? I remembered so clearly where I was. I was only Form 3 and I was attending tuition in Pusat Tuisyen Kasturi, PJ. At that time, it was my BM subject tuition. Well, obviously my mind wasn't fully concentrating on what my teacher was teaching. I was more than worried on my uncle's (Mr. Phang, Consul-Investment Consulate General of Malaysia to New York) family because his office was near to the WTC & Pentagon. Thank goodness he didn't go to the office that day.

I followed CNN closely through one of the mamak shop downstairs of my tuition center and awaiting my dad's eldest brother's news on my uncle's family situation ove there. We heard of the news and felt thankful that they are all alright.

5 years has passed, what we once see standing magnificently gracing the skyscrapper of New York was the World Trade Center and Pentagon are vanished from the world's eyesight. What is left is the innocent victims have been killed.

All we can do is to pray continuously for them and remember them in our hearts though we don't even know a single soul there.

Let me share with you the Timeline for September 11, 2001:

8:00 a.m. — American Airlines Flight 11, Boeing 767 with 92 people aboard, takes off from Boston's Logan International Airport for Los Angeles.

8:14 a.m. — United Airlines Flight 175, Boeing 767 with 65 people aboard, takes off from Boston's Logan airport for Los Angeles.

8:21 a.m. — American Airlines Flight 77, Boeing 757 with 64 people aboard, takes off from Washington Dulles International Airport for Los Angeles.

8:40 a.m. — Federal Aviation Administration notifies North American Aerospace Defense Command's Northeast Air Defense Sector about suspected hijacking of American Flight 11.

8:41 a.m. — United Airlines Flight 93, Boeing 757 with 44 people aboard, takes off from Newark International Airport for San Francisco.

8:43 a.m. — FAA notifies NORAD's Northeast Air Defense Sector about suspected hijacking of United Flight 175.

8:46 a.m. — American Flight 11 crashes into north tower of World Trade Center.

9:03 a.m. — United Flight 175 crashes into south tower of World Trade Center.

9:08 a.m. — FAA bans all takeoffs nationwide for flights going to or through airspace around New York City.

9:21 a.m. — All bridges and tunnels into Manhattan closed.

9:24 a.m. — FAA notifies NORAD's Northeast Air Defense Sector about suspected hijacking of American Flight 77.

9:26 a.m. — FAA bans takeoffs of all civilian aircraft.

9:31 a.m. — President Bush, in Florida, calls crashes an "apparent terrorist attack on our country."

9:40 a.m. (approx.) — American Flight 77 crashes into Pentagon.

9:45 a.m. — FAA orders all aircraft to land at nearest airport as soon as practical. More than 4,500 aircraft in air at the time.

9:48 a.m. — U.S. Capitol and White House's West Wing evacuated.

9:59 a.m. — South tower of trade center collapses.

10:07 a.m. (approx.) — United Flight 93 crashes in Pennsylvania field.

10:28 a.m. — North tower of World Trade Center collapses.

11:00 a.m. — New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani orders evacuation of lower Manhattan.

1:04 p.m. — From Barksdale Air Force base in Louisiana, Bush announces U.S. military on high-alert worldwide.

2:51 p.m. — Navy dispatches missile destroyers to New York, Washington.

3:07 p.m. — Bush arrives at U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.

5:25 p.m. — Empty 47-story Seven World Trade Center collapses.

A TRIBUTE TO "CROCODILE HUNTER" STEVE IRVIN

Australia's 'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin holds a pure bred Sumatran tiger cub at Mogo Zoo, south of Sydney in this April 27, 2004 file photo. Irwin, the quirky Australian naturalist who won worldwide acclaim, has died in a marine accident off Australia's northeast coast, local media reported on September 4, 2006. Sky Television reported that Irwin, whose television show 'The Crocodile Hunter' won international acclaim and popularised the phrase 'Crikey', had been stung by a sting ray. Australian emergency officials could not immediately confirm the reports. REUTERS/Will Burgess/Files (AUSTRALIA)

***** ~ *****

SYDNEY, Australia (CNN) -- Steve Irwin, the TV presenter known as the "Crocodile Hunter," has died after being stung by a stingray in a marine accident off Australia's north coast.

Media reports say Irwin was diving in waters off Port Douglas, north of Cairns, when the incident happened on Monday morning.

Irwin, 44 was killed by a stingray barb that went through his chest, according to Cairns police sources. Irwin was filming an underwater documentary at the time.
Ambulance officers confirmed they attended a reef fatality Monday morning off Port Douglas, according to Australian media.

Queensland Police Services also confirmed Irwin's death and said his family had been notified. Irwin was director of the Australian Zoo in Queensland.

He is survived by his American-born wife Terri and their two children, Bindi Sue, born 1998, and Robert (Bob), born December 2003.

Irwin became a popular figure on Australian and international television through Irwin's close handling of wildlife, most notably the capture and relocation of crocodiles.

Irwin's enthusiastic approach to nature conservation and the environment won him a global following. He was known for his exuberance and use of the catch phrase "Crikey!"

But his image suffered a setback in January 2004 when he held his then 1-month-old baby Bob while feeding a crocodile at his Australian zoo. (Full story)

In a statement released to Australian media, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer expressed his sorrow and said that he was fond of Irwin and was very appreciative of all the work he had done in promoting Australia overseas.

In 2003, Irwin spoke to the Australian Broadcasting Corp.'s Australian Story television program about how he was perceived in his home country.

"When I see what's happened all over the world, they're looking at me as this very popular, wildlife warrior Australian bloke," he said, the ABC reported.

"And yet back here in my own country, some people find me a little bit embarrassing. "You know, there's this... they kind of cringe, you know, 'cause I'm coming out with 'Crikey' and 'Look at this beauty.'"

An Uncertain Day

The Chief High Priest of Malaysia and Singapore, Venerable Dr K. Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Maha Thera, passed away peacefully at the Subang Jaya Medical Centre at 12.42pm yesterday. He was 87. Those who wish to pay their last respects may do so at the Buddhist Maha Vihara in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, until 2pm on Sunday.

A eulogy ceremony will be held at 1pm on Sunday and the cortege will leave at 3pm for the Nirvana Memorial Park in Semenyih. Devotees are advised to use public transport and also not to send wreaths during the funeral ceremony. They are also advised to wear white.

Rev Dhammananda was born on March 18, 1919, in southern Sri Lanka. He came to Malaya on Jan 2, 1952, to administer to the needs of the Buddhist community here. Revered by both Buddhists and non-Buddhists throughout the world, Rev Dhammananda wrote more than 47 books on Buddhism which were distributed worldwide and translated into various languages.

Buddhist Maha Vihara president Sarath W. Surendre described Rev Dhammananda as a wise and caring man who related well to both the young and the old.

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On the other hand, the Honourable Prime Minister tables the Malaysian Budget 2007 in the Parliament at 4.00 p.m. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Friday tabled the 2007 Budget in Parliament.

It is Abdullah's third budget since he became Prime Minister and Finance Minister.

The Economic Report 2006/2007 was also released simultaneously. (Click here for the full report)

The Government proposed that the corporate tax rate be reduced by two percentage points in two stages - the tax will be reduced to 27% in 2007 and 26% in 2008. This is aimed at promoting greater private sector investment, said Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in presenting the Budget.

He announced a wide array of tax and financial incentives for the private sector to help it to continue as the catalyst that will spearhead the nation's economic growth.

Tax incentives are offered to the biotechnology sector. Bionexus companies, for instance, will be given tax exemption for 10 years.

Abdullah noted that computer ownership is low. Hence, the eligibility period for the incentive to buy a computer, currently given once in every five years, is shortened to once in every three years, and the RM500 tax rebate is replaced with a tax relief of RM3,000.

Among the highlights of the budget are:

RM112.9bil is allocated for operating expenditure, an increase of 11.6%.

RM46.5bil is allocated for development expenditure, an increase of 31%.

The budget deficit will be reduced to 3.4% of GDP in 2007.

A Customs tribunal will be established for appeals on decisions made by the Customs Director-General.

Tax rebate of RM500 for computer purchases will be replaced with tax relief of RM3,000, once every three years.

Students with 10A1s in SPM from families earning RM1,500 and below to be given scholarships for tertiary education. Tax relief on purchase of books increased from RM700 to RM1,000.

Lower taxes for dividends received from real estate investment trusts (REITs).

Dividends received by local and foreign individual investors and local unit trusts from listed REITs will be taxed at 15%, and for foreign institutional investors, 20%.

To promote tourism, especially for Visit Malaysia Year 2007, income tax exemption for eligible tour operators is extended for five years.

To foster a culture of maintenance, expenses incurred by property developers within the defects liability period will be allowed as deduction from the same project.

Sime Darby will lead several new projects in agriculture, high tech industries and tourism in the Northern Corridor Perlis will be declared a promoted area in which designated projects will be eligible for a higher level of tax exemption.
RM3.6bil allocated to the agriculture sector.

Exam fees for all public examinations abolished in all Government schools, beginning with 2007 school session.

Excise duty on cigarettes up by one sen per stick. Duty on liquor with alcohol content of more than 40% up by RM5 per litre.

Tax deduction for Zakat paid by cooperatives and trust bodies up to 2.5% of their aggregate income.

Minimum compound of five times of the total tax payable be imposed for under declaration and smuggling of high duty goods.

RM20bil worth of projects had been identified to be implemented under the private financing initiatives (PFI) on a build, lease and transfer basis.

The RM20bil PFI projects will be financed and owned by the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) and the Pension Trust Fund (KWAP) and leased back to the government.

The government's support of PFI projects include sponsoring students to private institutions of higher learning as well as providing land and basic infrastructure.

The Fund for Food to be increased to RM1.9bil from RM300mil.

Non-Food Agriculture Scheme to be set up with an initial allocation of RM20mil.
RM111mil to be allocated to implement livestock projects.

RM40mil to be allocated for the implementation of the beef valley in Gemas, Negeri Sembilan.

RM92mil to be allocated for the development of the aquaculture industry.

Khazanah Nasional to establish an agriculture fund of RM200mil, to be funded jointly by the government, Khazanah Nasional and the private sector.

Bank Negara Malaysia to establish another agriculture fund of RM200mil to invest in integrated agriculture and livestock projects.

RM210mil to be allocated for the development of the biotechnology sector.

RM59mil to be allocated under the R&D for genomics and molecular biology, production of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products as well as promotion of agrobiotechnology activities.

Halal Industry Development Corporation to be established under the Prime Minister's Department, with a launching grant of RM25mil.

RM50mil is allocated to set up halal parks in Pasir Mas, Gambang, Chendering and Padang Besar.

RM20mil to be allocated for SME Bank to finance halal park entrepreneurs.

Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) to receive RM154mil allocation.

The Content Industry Development Fund to be established with an initial funding of RM25mil.

MIMOS to be allocated RM162mil.

Universal Service Provision fund will be expanded to include broadband infrastructure in rural areas.

The MSC Grant Scheme to be allocated RM20mil.

RM193mil is allocated to agriculture research agencies.

Several PFI projects valued at RM4 billion will be implemented in 2007.

RM1bil to be provided for the maintenance of buildings and public facilities, to be awarded to small contractors.

RM33.4bil to be allocated for operational and development expenditure to further strengthen the education and training system.

RM1bil allocated for 22 new primary and secondary schools to be operational next year plus 198 schools to be built, including fully residential schools.

RM90mil is allocated for the construction of two new Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) and for the purchase of equipment for existing MRSM facilities.

RM782mil to be allocated for teacher training.

RM101mil to be allocated to implement 67 housing projects for teachers especially in rural areas.

RM288mil to be allocated under the Bestari school programme to enhance computer usage in schools.

From 2007, Chinese language will be taught as a full subject in 150 national schools while Tamil will be taught in 70 national schools.

RM195mil to be allocated for the upgrading and improvement of facilities in existing universities.

RM450mil to be allocated for the construction and upgrading of polytechnics and community colleges.

RM148mil will be allocated for construction two Industrial Training Institutes and four Advanced Technology Training Centres under the Ministry of Human Resources.

RM214 million to be provided for several training programmes under Mara, Advanced Skills Training Institutes, Giat Mara programme, and UniKL.

RM30mil grant for NGOs to undertake women, family and community programmes.

RM50 subsidy for every mammogram done in private clinics and hospitals.

RM721mil to be provided to implement various youth and sports programmes.

RM91mil to be provided for sports and training programmes.

Click here for the full text of the Budget 2007 speech by the Prime Minister