LIFE AS A LEO CLUB MEMBER

Alpha Leo Club: Leo Club of SMK Damansara Jaya, District 308 B2 (from 2000-June 2003)
Omega Leo Club: Leo Club of Petaling Jaya Integrity, District 308 B2 (since July 2003)

I could vaguely remember when was the first time I actually joined the Leo Club but of course, it was back in the year 2000. I have not heard of the Leo Club at any point of my life but not because of my uncle who is in the Lions Club movement, I would probably still be living in innocence. I have also heard of many of my peers who were my age then talking about the Leo Club. Well, I told myself, why not listen to what they have to say. The more they discussed about it, the more I am interested in it.

Well, I actually signed-up to join the Leo Club when the recruitment drive name list was posted on the Leo Club's notice board. It didn't take me long before I attended the interview session held by the Leo Club. It was a formality for most of the Leo Clubs to have an interview session to get to known our knowledge about Leo and as well as to know the reasons we chose the Leo Club.

I could remember clearly back then I joined the Leo Club because my uncle told me to do so. After hearing the benefits of joining such club, I was actually interested in it. The Youth Exchange Programme to Japan was appealing to me back then, but I didn't manage to go for it till today as it always coincides with our family annual vacation. Well, I can said that at least one of my family vacation covered Japan already.

Anyway, the reason behind me joining the Leo Club is totally not because of the benefits provided by the Leo Club. Since young, I have realized that there are many people who were so unfortunate compared to me. Why not join the Leo Club as my starting point to help those who were in need of my care? I couldn't find any other better organizations during my high school days to extend my hands to those unfortunate ones. This is one of my most basic reason but however there are many more others.

As year passes by, the Leo Club has shaped me into what I am today. The baton of leadership (though I wasn't in the Board of Directors before) I gained from the Leo Club has led me to lead many people in various clubs, societies and even the student union in my university. It is something money cannot buy but through the experiences that I have received, I am able to utilized it whenever I can.

Well, to be honest, Leo Club is an organization that mould youths into someone - one who needs to be aware of their internal and external environment as well as to grasp the leadership skills that they may find it useful for their future undertakings.

All in all, it is indescribable in words how much I have been moulded by the Leo Club programmes.

A TYCOON'S LEGACY

Who would expect that the day will come so soon that Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong has returned to His Creator. This day, 23rd October 2007 at 11:20 a.m. (Malaysian time), the late Tan Sri passed away peacefully in his sleep.

The nation is in grief of his demise and I thought it was one of the biggest loss not only to the nation but to the entrepeunuer and the business community. However, a great man with a vision dares to put his dream to turn a mountain into a highland resort. Unbelievable but this is Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong, the Founder and Life President of Genting Group.

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Genting Founder Lim Goh Tong Dies at 90 After Illness

By Stephanie Phang

Oct. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Lim Goh Tong, who built a hilltop casino in Malaysia and turned it into Asia's biggest publicly traded gaming company, died today. He was 90.

The founder of Kuala Lumpur-based Genting Bhd. and Malaysia's third-richest person, died peacefully after a short illness, his grandson, Justin Leong, said by phone.

Lim, who started out selling vegetable seeds in China, built Malaysia's only licensed casino, risking his life and facing bankruptcy along the way. He created what is now Malaysia's eighth-largest listed company, with interests in gaming, hotels and cruise lines from the U.K. to Hong Kong.

"He's a legend,'' said Tan Kai Hee, group managing director at Hai-O Enterprise Bhd. and a council member of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia."He's an impressive entrepreneur who went through very difficult and challenging times in building his business.''

The Genting group is constructing Singapore's second gaming resort and includes Resorts World Bhd., which operates the casino in Malaysia. The combined stock market value of the assets, including interests in oil palm plantations and property, surpasses $22 billion, according to the company.

Lim was born in the mountainous Anxi county in China's Fujian province. He was named after the parasol tree, considered auspicious among Chinese, by his maternal grandfather, who hoped the name would bring him good fortune, Lim said in his 2004 autobiography. Forbes in May put his wealth at $4.3 billion.

Vegetable Farmer

His father's death forced Lim to leave school and start selling vegetable seeds to support his family at the age of 16. In 1937, he left China for British-controlled Malaya, as the country was then known, where he became a building contractor.

During the Japanese occupation of Malaya from 1941 to 1945, Lim survived on vegetable farming and petty trading, before switching to dealing in hardware and scrap metal trading, on which he started to build his fortune. Lim, who narrowly escaped being killed by the Japanese during the occupation, said in his biography his brushes with death made him drive himself harder.

After the British returned to Malaya at the end of World War II, Lim benefited from the post-war reconstruction. He bought used machinery tendered after public projects were completed and sold them at higher prices.

Lim, who didn't speak English and had no knowledge of engineering, also ventured into mining and construction. His experience ``and a little layman common sense'' helped him succeed, he wrote in his autobiography.

`Against All Odds'

Enjoying the cool mountain air of a hill station while working on a hydroelectric project in 1963, Lim came up with the idea of building a hilltop resort nearer to Malaysia's capital of Kuala Lumpur. The plan stunned friends and fellow contractors, who warned Lim, then 45 and a successful businessman, against it.

``The Genting project basically fitted my idea of an ideal business,'' Lim wrote.

``No one was interested in it, which meant no competition. I took the plunge against all odds and held on steadfastly.''

He spent seven years developing Genting, laying a road and building a hotel on a 1,800-meter (5,900-foot) hill outside the city. Failing to lure others to join, Lim invested all his money in the project without getting any returns in the seven years it took to build.

``At one stage, I was teetering on the brink of bankruptcy,'' he wrote.

`Falling Trees'

Lim had support from the government of Malaysia, which gained independence from British rule in 1957. The Malaysian government permitted him to pursue the project and subsidized the road. It also gave Genting a casino license, renewable every quarter, and a six-year tax break for the resort business.

During construction, Lim almost lost his life at least six times from falling trees, driving mishaps and a landslide, according to his autobiography.

Genting, which means ``atop the clouds'' in Mandarin, is a complex of hotels, themed casinos, amusement parks, shops and restaurants. The resort attracts more than 18 million visitors a year.

``Besides being a tremendous individual achievement, Lim's success in developing Genting Highlands from virgin jungle into a world-class resort reflects Malaysia's economic progress in the last four decades,'' former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said in his foreword to the tycoon's biography.

``Even without the advantages of higher education, he has proven that nothing is impossible.''

Lim married Lee Kim Hua in 1944. They had three daughters, three sons and 19 grandchildren, according to his biography. His second son, Lim Kok Thay, is Genting's chief executive officer.

Kok Thay succeeded his father as president and CEO in 2002, before becoming chairman in December 2003. Genting needed to become a ``global corporation,'' Kok Thay said when he replaced his father as chairman in 2003.

ALL ABOUT & BY SAMY VELLU

Something to chill out your day (Kering Sampai Gusi bersama Samy Vellu) . . .

1) Samy Velu on pos laju "BESOK KIRIM, HARI INI SAMPAI"

2) The one on TV when in trying to sayhe was ashamed, he said:`Kemaluan saya besar`

3) On drugs, "Jangan hisap dada"

4) Samy said in a ceramah "Kita akan bina satu jambatan untuk orong-orong kampong disini", one pakcik asked, "Datuk, sini takde sungai, buat apa bina jambatan?" and Samy glorious replied, "Kalau takde sungai, kita bina sungai!"

5) Samy's favorite quote on national television "Toll naik sikit, manyak marah saya. You ingat semua ini toll saya punya bapa punya kah!"

6) During the water shortagecrisis : "semua orang diminta jgn membuang aiyerr..!"

7) During blood donation campaign in Sg Siput: "..marilah kita semua menderma dara.."

8) During the opening speech of various function: "... selamat datangsaudara-ma ra semua.." (actually is "saudara-saudari")

9) At an openingceremony: "mempersilakan datin paduka rafidah aziz (Actual Title: Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz) naik ke pentas utk membuka kain"

10) Commenting about hismodesty: "sebenarnya, kemaluan saya sangat-sangat besar"

And lastly u know why our N-S Highway concessionaire is named PLUS.

PLUS = Pungut Lebih Untuk Samy

ALMOST THE END OF MY BACHELOR DEGREE

I began my study life when I was 4 years old in a kindergarten back in Segamat, Johor which was operated by a convent. As I moved on, I was enrolled into a wrong class the following year. Eventually I was in a 6-years old class instead of 5-years old. However, I was moved to Pei Ji Methodist Kindergarten when I was six.

The moment that every parents are waiting for. I entered Standard 1 (December 1992 - Nope, not a typo error) and was enrolled into SRK Bukit Hampar, Johor and studied for few months before I was transferred out to SRK Taman Kosas, Ampang, Selangor whereby my dad works in KL. That was exactly a year and on 8th May 1994, I was again transferred to SRK (2) Damansara Jaya where I studied all the way till I obtained my UPSR end of 1998.

I was eager to be a "taiko" and here I was. I entered Form 1 in the year 1999. As time passes by, I developed my talents in the school and I enjoyed a lot of my secondary school life. Life in high school wasn't the same when I was a child and in the primary school. Responsibilities one after another burdens me a lot and I took it wholeheartedly with full dedication. As the year 2003 approaches the end, it is time for me to move on. I was in the ever-famous SMK Damansara Jaya (formerly awarded "Sekolah Harapan Negara" in 1990 by Ministry of Education Malaysia)

I moved into my college years in 2004 and obtained my Diploma (Ontario Secondary School Diploma - Year 12) in the then Taylor's College Subang Jaya. Then I moved on to Taylor's College School of Hospitality and Tourism whereby I obtained my Higher Diploma in Hotel Management at the end of 2006. Here I began to taste the bitterness of the working world.

The life simply gets tougher when I moved on to my final level of my education life whereby I studied my Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism (Hons) with Taylor's College School of Hospitality and Tourism awarded by the Universite de Toulouse le Mirail, France. I've taken up a part-time job with Starbucks Coffee and was part of the opening team to open up one of its new store here in Malaysia.

Anyway, my classes are over for now (up to this point I am typing it) but I will be sitting for my Semester 2 examinations next week. Thereafter, I will be heading for my internship which will begin on 29th October 2007 up to 18th February 2008.

It is part and parcel of my permanent job with the hotel already. As many of you have asked where I will be working and the answer is enclosed below:

For your information (any food lovers / media / press / etc.), Le Meridien Hotel Kuala Lumpur will be showcasing its 6th Food and Beverage outlet very soon. Stay tune and be amongst the first to know the latest news.

Singapore Short Film - The Letter

Dear Friends,

I am sharing with you this touching "Gay" film as shared by my friend to me. It may not be easy for some to Gay issues but you need to be open to watch this movie. There are no sexual explicit actions or scenes in this short film. I am not trying to promote "gay" culture but it is worth watching it before you draw a conclusion on what I am trying to draw your attention to.

Thank you and I hope to receive a feedback from all of you soon.


A note by the Director of this film, Justin Kan of Singapore enclosed below.

Story Quickbite:
This story is based on a true life story about a boy struggling with his forbidden love. Rated R21 by MDA.

A short film directed by Justin Kan and produced by Dex Tan. Starring Lawrence Wong, Edric Hsu, Candice De Rosario, Sun Yi, Roy Nerng, Liting, Aishah and Renee Chua. Music by Kevin Fok and Kenny Ong.

Disclaimer and credits:
We would like to make it clear that while the filming was done in AJC, the story is NOT based on anyone in AJC. AJC was the only school which has kindly lent us its premises to shoot this film. So we do hope that viewers would not misunderstand. We also would like to take this opportunity to extend our thanks to AJC for allowing us to shoot the film on their premises. We would also like to thank VS for lending us their video equippments.

Note:
For those who liked the song, the two songs are called "Beautiful" and "It's You". Written and sung by Kevin Fok. For song downloads, go to http://www.purevolume.com/punkd1

On another note, thank you for all your support. I hope to be able to put up the final cut of "The Letter" and some bloopers up very soon. Watch out for my upcoming first feature film "Carmen and Joe" coming to your little screens soon in 2007. (more)

OKTOBERFEST IS BACK !!!!!

The "OKTOBERFEST" is back once again for its 3rd Edition in 1 Utama Shopping Centre. It's only RM 1.00 and all you need to do is to exchange two 50 cents coins = RM 1.00 for a bottle of Warsteiner. That's absolutely very easy.

OKTOBERFEST @ 1 UTAMA
Date: 26 - 28 October 2007
Time: 5pm onwards
Venue: LG Floor Rainforest

For a bigger view of the poster, please click here.

Come and party with me. I will be there. Will you? Who wants to join me? Do let me know. Cheers . . .

Dear All,

You ,ay be wondering if I've abandoned my blog for the past week but the fact is that I have not abandoned it. I'm currently in France on an assignment trip to Université de Toulouse II le Mirail, France. I shall be back to Malaisie very soon.

Hope to blog more about France very soon.

Signing off for now from Université de Toulouse II le Mirail, FRANCE.

Cheers,
William Ng