DISCOVER MORE ABOUT YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME. november 2011

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DISCOVER MORE ABOUT YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME

PP// ()

www.expatkl.com |november |

Reaching the International Community since 1996

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s long time readers know, every year we send out a Deletion Notice to avoid sending the magazine to people who have left the country. We take this opportunity to ask a few questions including how we are doing versus the competition and what readers would like to see added so we can continuously make the magazine as relevant as possible. It’s important for us to know if we are delivering the kind of information of interest to resident expats. We also like to make sure we are still the preferred magazine. As usual we asked respondents to advise us what other expat magazines they read and rate them against ours. This is a time when our editorial team gets a little nervous as they wait to see if we are still doing things right. It was satisfying to see that we are still rated as the top magazine by those that do read other publications. However over 50% of you say that you only read The Expat and of course we have no problem with that. While this is all very good news we did not want to rest on our laurels so we sent out an e-mail questionnaire asking for your feedback on the magazine and how well it meets your needs. We were looking for areas where we might be more relevant and helpful. We received a very satisfying response - the highest of any survey we have conducted. The feedback was very valuable to us and helps us make adjustments as we move forward. It was very pleasing to see that the three new sections we introduced in the last year – Expat News, Expat Extracts and the Airline News – were all very well received by the majority of readers. We took note that many of you would like more travel stories and we will try and accommodate that demand in future issues. In this context, we are happy to announce that one of our staff, Bill Cooper, has been elected Chairman of the Tourism Committee for the Malaysia International Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He was the person who recommended we start the Airline News section so we expect his new appointment will ensure he continues to push for more coverage on tourism related matters. We took note that a number of the subscribers who live outside the Klang Valley felt there was too much KL focus in the publication. Unfortunately, there is not a lot we can do about that, given that 80% of our subscribers live in this part of Malaysia. If readers living outside KL want to send us stories we will certainly look at publishing them. If you organise events for expats we would also be willing to feature these in the magazine together with any photos. I know some readers did not receive the survey. There are two main reasons for this. Either our e-mail ended up in your junk mail because of anti-spam software or you are one of the subscribers who never gave us your e-mail address. If you would like to participate in future surveys and get our monthly E-newsletter then please send your e-mail address to [email protected]. It should be noted that we keep all personal contact details securely and never share them with third parties. We did not have time to conduct the lucky draw before going to press. Winners will be listed in the December magazine and sooner in our news section of our website, www.expatkl.com. For those who did not participate in the survey but would like to give us feedback we truly welcome it. Write to me at [email protected] if you wish to be heard. We listen to everyone.

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Have a great month.

for more information: Borneo Vision Sdn Bhd (295020 P) 7th Floor, Tower Block Syed Kechik Foundation Building Jalan Kapas, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03.2093 9539 / 2094 9664 Fax: 03.2094 9690 / 2094 9670 e-mail: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

J. Andrew Davison

CONTENTS

|

NOVEMBER 2011 VOLUME 170

TO GET YOUR FREE COPY OF THE EXPAT DELIVERED EVERY MONTH, VISIT WWW.EXPATKL.COM TEL: 03.2094 9664 OR FILL IN THE FORM ON PAGE 98

EVENTS

20

9 11 13 20 26

Events Clubs and Associations Expat News Around The Expat Group Expat Extracts

COLUMNS

25 73

37

15 17 19 106

Musings from Malaysia by William Citrin My View by Marybeth Ramey Rees’ Pieces by Sarah Rees Locally Yours by Lydia Teh

FEATURES

29 30 33 37 51 53 55

Not Waiting for Anyone – Mizz Nina Ensuring Integrity – NKRA Getting Involved – Mang Tha Sports – Rubgy Rugrats Business Profile – Sanjeev Nanavati A Quick Guide to Malaysian Property Taxes A Budget for All

THE ARTS

34

Artist Profile – Kuen Stephanie

TRAVEL & TOURISM

38 44 46 48

77

Cats, Caves, and Culture – Sarawak Happening Ho Chi Minh City Expat Airline Travel & News Cycling the Sights for Charity

EDUCATION

58 61

School Snaps Educator Profile

PENANG PROMENADE

63

Not Just any Old Loaf

Plus 30 pages of EXPAT INFORMATION

81

69 71 83 102 104

Promos Restaurant Reviews and Dining Guide Shopping and Services The Expat Directory Bulletin Board

xpat The E onthly M Card ecials Sp

50 page

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Cover:

KUEN STEPHANIE

6 THE EXPAT WWW.EXPATKL.COM

The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of Borneo Vision Sdn Bhd. The publisher shall not be held liable for any omission, error, or inaccuracy. No parts of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the publisher’s permission.

Oman Air | Suite 9.03, 9th Floor, Menara Hap Seng, Letter Box No. 55, Jalan P Ramlee, 50250 Kuala Lumpur | Tel: +603 2145 6123

NOVEMBER EVENTS

9

November

It is never too early to get shopping for Christmas, and 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the American Association of Malaysia’s annual Christmas Bazaar. The event will be held at the Royale Chulan Hotel from 10am-2pm and feature more than 100 vendors. Tickets are RM15 in advance or RM20 on the door and all proceeds go to charity. For more information call 03.4021 4368

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- 11 November

No holiday season would be complete without the pantomime from the KL Players, the best amateur dramatics group in Malaysia. This year’s pantomime will be The Grinch, a heartwarming tale about the triumph of the holiday spirit and the importance of community. The Grinch will be performed at the Alice Smith School JB Campus. Ticket prices are RM50 for adults, and RM30 for children More information can be found on www. klplayers.com, www.facebook.com/ klplayers or email [email protected]

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The Terry Fox Run, also known as the Marathon of Hope, was started in 1983 to raise money for cancer and keep the spirit alive of Terry, a young man who died of the disease while attempting to run across Canada to raise funds and awareness. This year’s event will be held at Padang Merbok and more details can be found on www.canadians-in-kl.com/ upcoming-events.

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- 12 November

The Langkawi Live One Earth Music Festival is set to take the island by storm with an impressive list of musicians. The performances will all be staged on the Frangipani Langkawi Resort & Spa’s gorgeous beachfront. The festival aims to promote Langkawi as an eco-friendly holiday destination so expect programs promoting organic farming, natural soap making and workshops on eco materials. For details, go to www.langkawi-live.com.

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November

The ABWM Christmas Bazaar will be held this year and offers a day of festive shopping and treats for the whole family. For more information or to get tickets, visit www.abwm.com.my

- 30 November

and Langkawi, as well as regatta dinners and socialising opportunities. For more information, please visit www.rmsir.com.

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-20 November

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- 27 November

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- 27 November

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November - 4 December

Hailed by critics to be mercurial, elegant, dynamic and poetic, Jean Efflam Bavouzet’s repertoire consists of all the concerti of Bartok, Beethoven and Prokokiev. Bavouzet will be the guest virtuoso at the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. To book tickets, call 03.2051 7007. For more details, visit www.dfp.com.my.

If you didn’t already know that Malaysia is a shopping haven, you’ll find that out with The Year-End sale which is back with fantastic discounts. This season is awaited eagerly by locals and tourists alike for the unbelievably low prices. For more information, call 03.2615 8188 or visit www.tourism.gov.my.

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11

November

November

Join the BMCC for a super evening of networking and make some new friends as they host the foremost inter-chamber networking event in the city. Prices are RM100 for members, RM120 for nonmembers and entrance includes a free-flow of beer, wine, soft drinks and canapes. The event runs from 7pm-9pm in the Grand Ballroom at the Crowne Plaza Mutiara and for more details please visit www.bmcc.org.my.

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- 26 November 2011

Down at Port Klang, the Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta calls all sailing enthusiasts to take part or come watch its challenging offshore sailing race, held every year by the Royal Selangor Yacht Club. This three-day race includes three days of harbour racing in Penang

The Grupo Bantur Capoeira Malaysia (GBCM) features capoeira workshops, dynamic performances, explosive percussion and exciting music. Guests will be entertained by the the sizzling sounds and moves of samba, at the Frangipani Restaurant & Bar on the 26th. For more details, go to my.bantus. org or email [email protected].

The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra presents notable conductor Hans Graf and the eloquent violinist Benjamin Beilman. Mark your calendars for this event which will take place on 26 November at 8.30p.m as well as on the 27 November, at 3.00p.m. The anticipated repertoire consists of works composed by RimskyKorsakov, Dvorak and Stravinsky. For more information, please call 03.2051.7007.

STOMP is back! This show celebrates its 20th anniversary this year with its astonishing yet simple concept: the cast take a whole of ordinary objects and use them to create a theatrical and musical experience like no other. STOMP runs at the Plenary Hall at KL Convention Centre and tickets can be purchased from Ticketpro on 03.7880 7999 or online at www.ticketpro.com.my.

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THE EXPAT 9

CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS AAM First Fridays Date: 4 November Time: Noon – 2 p.m. Venue: Ben's @ Pavilion Mall, Level 6 Cost: Price of own food and drinks RSVP: E-mail [email protected] by Thursday, 3 November Description: This monthly social activity is especially for newly arrived expats and provides an opportunity to ask questions, gather information and to meet and relax with new friends over lunch.

ABWM The ABWM Charity Christmas Bazaar Sunday 13 November 2011 11am-2.30pm at Le Meridien KL

25th Annual Christmas Charity Bazaar Date: 9 November Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Venue: Royale Chulan Hotel, Kuala Lumpur Cost: RM15 in advance, RM20 at door (all door donations go to charity) RSVP: Purchase tickets at the AAM Villa, 03.40214368 Description: Get a head start on gifts, while doing good! Featuring over 100 vendors, home-baked treats, and a fabulous raffle, this is a sale you don’t want to miss. All proceeds benefit local charities.

GSSKL Austrian German Swiss Charity Bazaar Date: 26 November Venue: Carcosa Seri Negara

Batik Painting with Sam Karuna Dates: 14 and 21 November Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m Venue: AAM Villa Cost: RM170 (Members), RM190 (Non-Members) RSVP: E-mail [email protected] by Monday, 7 November 2011 Description: Besides experiencing the process of batik painting, the students take home a work of art. Bow-Making Workshop and Wreath Demo Date: 15 November Time: 10 a.m. – Noon Venue: AAM Villa Cost: RM 10 (Members), RM 20 (Non-members) RSVP: E-mail aam_kl05@streamyx. com by Tuesday, 8 November Description: Participants will learn how to create festive bows for gift-wrapping or interior décor. International Supernetworking Evening Date: 17 November Time: 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Venue: Crowne Plaza Mutiara KL, Nirwana Ballroom Cost: RM100 (AMCHAM members), RM120 (Non-members) RSVP: 03 2148 2407 or [email protected] Description: The American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) is pleased to invite you to one of the largest networking events in Malaysia, featuring members from many other associations and chambers. Lunch Bunch Date: 22 November Time: Noon – 2 p.m. Venue: Spasso Milano Cost: Price of own food and drink RSVP: E-mail aam_kl05@ streamyx.com by 21 November Walking Tour of Pudu Market Date: 1 December 2011 Time: 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Cost: RM55 (Members); RM70 (Non-Members) RSVP: E-mail aam_kl05@ streamyx.com by Tuesday, 21 November Japanese Cooking Workshop with Michiko Kutami Date: 29 November 2011 Time: 10:00 a.m. ~ 1:00 p.m.Venue: AAM Clubhouse Cost: Members - RM90, NonMembers – RM110

Bollywood Night 19th November 2011 Hilton KL Please book tickets at the ABWM house, limited spaces and tickets selling fast. For further events listings please check our website www.abwm.com.my

KLOGS (KUALA LUMPUR'S OTHER GOLFING SOCIETY) The KLOGS gentlemen golf group meet on the third Wednesday of each month, playing prestige courses in and around KL. For details please email ‘El Pres’ at: mike. [email protected] MANZA MANZA Charity Christmas Bazaar 2011 This is such a FUN Christmas Bazaar - there will be SO many Christmas presents to buy. Lucky door prices to be won, Cakes stand, stacks of stall holders selling stunning items at realistic prices! Where: Crowne Plaza Mutiara Kuala Lumpur When: 16 November10am–2pm Cost: RM15 members and guests Tickets on sale now at MANZA House or on the day of the Bazaar. “Ho Ho Ho” MANZA Christmas Lunch! Please join us for our MANZA Chrissy lunch at this great restaurant! The food is always yum here and the staff are so friendly as well. Where: Jarrod and Rawlins Bar/Restaurant When: 9 December11.30am – 2pm Cost: Members RM130, non-member RM150 (Includes: A delicious buffet lunch & a glass of sparkling wine) RSVP / Payment to: MANZA House by 2 December 2nd A/H: Nikki Wilson 012 914-5130. KL COBRAS ICE HOCKEY CLUB Day, Time: Mondays at 9:30pm at Sunway Pyramid. We have over 50 players who participate in our league. The Cobras also play in tournaments around Asia Pacific, have regular social and charity events. Contact: [email protected] SOUTH AFRICANS IN MALAYSIA South African Coffee Morning! We meet every second Thursday of every month. Call or email Dorne Sherwood at 012.916 8506 or [email protected] SWEDISH WOMEN EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION 2 November - Coffee Morning 10 November - Wine and Cheese tasting 14 November - Monthly Luncheon 27 November - Company Visit 29 November - KL-tour

Address Book American Association of Malaysia Address: Unit G-3A Villa Seavoy 7, Lorong Titiwangsa 8, Taman Titiwangsa, 53200 KL. Tel: 03.4021 4367 / 4368 Web: www.klamerican.com Email: [email protected] Association Francophone de Malaisie (AFM) 34, Jalan Dutamas Raya, 51200 Kuala Lumpur Email: [email protected] Web: www.afmkuala.com Association of British Women In Malaysia (ABWM) Address: 88, Jalan Terasek 8 Bangsar Baru 59100, KL. Tel: 03.2284 4407 Web: www.abwm.com.my Canadian Association of Malaysia Address: CAM Mailing Address c/o Canadian High Commission, 17th Floor, Menara Tan & Tan, 207 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur. Web: www.canadians-in-kl.com German Speaking Society Of Kuala Lumpur (GSSKL) P.O. Box 707, Jalan Sultan, 46670 Petaling Jaya. E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.gsskl.com.my International Women’s Association – Kuala Lumpur (IWAKL) Address: P.O. Box 269 Jalan Sultan 46670 Petaling Jaya, SDE. Web: www.iwakl.org E-mail: [email protected] Ibu Family Resource Group 78 Sri Hartamas 18, Taman Sri Hartamas, KL. Tel: 03.6211 0666 Web: www.ibufamily.org E-mail: [email protected] Japanese Club Address: 2, Jalan 1/86, off Jalan Taman Seputeh, Taman Seputeh, 58200 KL. Tel: 03.2274 2274 Fax: 03.2274 3584 Web: www.jckl.org.my KL Cobras Ice Hockey Club Contact: [email protected] Website: www.klcobras.com KPC Melati Indonesian Women in Mixed Marriages Web: www.kpcmelati.org, Email: [email protected] Contact: Rika O’Hanlon 017.601 7718 Malaysian Australian New Zealand Association (MANZA) Address: 38, Jalan Tempinis, Bangsar, KL Tel: 03.2284 7145 Fax: 03.2287 7151 Email: manzaoffi[email protected] Web: www.manza.org South Africans in Malaysia Contact: Mrs Dorne Sherwood, email: [email protected] H/P: 012.9168506 Latin American Ladies Association Web: www.damaslatinas.com.my Email: [email protected] / [email protected] The Royal Society of St George William Addington (President) E-mail: Michael McIver (Hon Sec) [email protected] Web: www.stgeorgesmalaysia.com Scandinavian Society Malaysia (SSM) Scandinavian Society Malaysia Suite 303, F139, BSC, 285 Jalan Maarof, Bangsar 59000 Kuala Lumpur Email: [email protected] Web: www.scandinaviansocietymalaysia.com Swedish Women’s Educational Association Web: www.swea.org/kualalumpur/ E-mail: [email protected] St. Andrew’s Society PO Box 6210, Pudu Post Office, 55720 KL. Web: www.ssas-online.com Turkish Malaysian Friendship Association Contact: Ms. Nilufer Senyuva 019.396 4086

All activities are open to members only.

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THE EXPAT 11

The world's highest concentration of millionaire households is in

SINGAPORE

Whether it's for accumulation of wealth, sustained economic development or flourishing tourism, Southeast Asia continues to establish itself as one of the most dynamic regions in the world. For breaking news, new features and expanded coverage of Southeast Asia's business, finance, real estate, culture and travel, visit the new Southeast Asia section of WSJ.com today.

WSJ.com/SEA SOUTHEAST ASIA SECTION FROM

Expat News In recognition of the Malaysian Government’s plans to attract more foreigners to Malaysia and liberalise the rules on visas and work permits, we are introducing this news section to keep resident and prospective expats updated on news affecting them working or living here.

THE 2012 BUDGET his year’s Budget which was announced in September will not have a major impact on most expats.

T

In his budget speech, the Prime Minister recorded the huge surge in foreign direct investment over the last two years. FDI for the first half of 2011 was RM21.2 billion, up 75% from the first half of 2010. He predicted the Malaysian economy will grow between 5% and 6% next year. This 2012 Budget is focused on improving conditions for the lower income Malaysians. The corporate and personal tax cuts which some people had hoped would be announced did not materialise. On the other side the usual increases in the “sin tax” on alcohol and cigarettes were also omitted from this year’s budget. Expats who contribute to the Employee Provident fund (EPF) and wanted to withdraw funds to buy a house have been told that this was only available to Malaysians. In the Budget speech, the Prime Minister announced this is changed and expats can now also withdraw money to purchase a house. It should be noted that, unlike Malaysians, it is not compulsory for expats to contribute to EPF. The real estate capital gains which is 5% for anyone selling within five years of purchase is now increased to 10% but only if you sell within two years. The 5% rate will continue to apply for people selling in the third year through to the fifth year. Sales after 5 years of ownership are free of any tax.

FUTSAL GETS A BOOST One interesting fact revealed in the budget is that the Government has built 1100 Futsal courts around Malaysia and another 527 are currently under construction. For those not familiar with the sport, Futsal is an indoor version of association football, played by teams of five players. It’s also a little more suited to the Malaysian climate. The Government has allocated an additional RM15 million to build another 150 courts. If you haven’t seen a Futsal court as you travel around Malaysia, you haven’t been looking. NEW ID CARDS FOR WORKING EXPATS NOW AVAILABLE BUT.... The recent announcement that all working expats would once again receive ID cards, now called the IPass, was enthusiastically received by many expats. Apparently there were problems with the old ID cards not being compatible with the Immigration’s computer software. The local press quoted the Minister as saying that expats should go to the Immigration Department to collect the IPasses. However, we have since learned this is not correct. The new IPasses are only being given to expats who apply for a work permit or are having it renewed. As most people know it is not easy for individuals to get information from the Immigration Department and we often experience the same problem. The first person my staff spoke with confirmed that all expats would get the new IPass, but when we actually went to their offices we

were told that was incorrect. At this time we understand that is still the case. Watch this space! REPEAL OF ISA AND MEDIA FREEDOM WELCOMED The Prime Minister’s surprise announcement that he would repeal the Internal Security Act (ISA) was well received by Malaysians and the international community. The ISA which was introduced by the British during the communist insurgency, was never repealed, and has come under much international criticism as it allows people to be detained for up to two years without trial. Many people claim it has been used inappropriately to prevent political dissent. Criticism from Western countries reduced considerably after some of them implemented similar strict regulations, after 9/11, to use against suspected terrorists. However, many people in Malaysia have asked for it to be repealed. It will apparently be replaced by laws which set stricter criteria for imprisoning people without trial and give more authority to the judiciary in these cases. In addition, the decision to allow more freedom of the press by changing the rather restrictive Printing Press and Publication Act was also welcomed as an important step toward press freedom. Malaysian currently ranks 141 out of 178 in terms of press freedom according to Reporters Without Borders. It remains to be seen exactly what the new regulations, which replace these laws, look like but it is certainly a step in the right direction.

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THE EXPAT 13

More Than Just Academic Excellence

Adaptable Lifelong Learners

Active Citizens

Resilient Individuals

Effective Communicators

At Garden International School we have a well-deserved reputation for academic excellence. However, we also recognise that our students require more than academic skills and competencies to succeed in life. Education at Garden International School therefore focuses on achieving our Student Vision of developing adaptable lifelong learners, active citizens, effective communicators and resilient individuals. The broad programme we offer, both inside and outside the classroom, provides more than just academic excellence to prepare our students for a lifetime of success.

To find out more about Garden International School, please visit our website at www.gardenschool.edu.my

16, Jalan Kiara 3, Off Jalan Bukit Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: 603-6209 6888 Fax: 603-6201 2468 Email: [email protected]

Even though he wrote this column, the views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of William Citrin, the Editor of The Expat. Email him at [email protected] with your views.

MUSINGS FROM MALAYSIA

Losing My Native-ity EXPATS SHOULD STRIVE TO APPRECIATE – RATHER THAN ASSIMILATE INTO – THE FOREIGN MILIEU IN WHICH THEY LIVE, ARGUES WILLIAM CITRIN The first time I saw him he was holding a flaming coconut. He was chanting something in a strange language and then, with great force, he lifted the hard, brown sphere up above his head and threw it down on the concrete, smashing it to pieces. Why did I notice this man? Not because he was throwing a flaming coconut. Although hurling blazing tropical fruit bombs may seem out of the ordinary to some of you, we are in Malaysia (not in Kansas anymore). During my daily journey to work at my (ex) company in Pudu I would regularly see plenty of people chucking fiery kelapas as I walked by an Indian temple, dedicated to the elephant god Ganesh. It’s a common practice in Hinduism (supposedly to bring good luck), although breaking legs idiomatically seems to work better for me. No, I noticed this man because he was white, and he stood out among his fellow darker-hued worshippers like a frog at a cocktail party. Over the ensuing months, I saw him on many occasions at the temple and in the nearby Indian restaurants dunking his roti canai in thick, hot curries and sipping chai, always with Indian friends – and often with one Indian woman, perhaps a lover or wife. His sartorial sense evolved and he started sporting those M.C. Hammer-pyjamalooking Indian shirt and pants. He had, it seemed, “gone local”. And then one day he suddenly disappeared and I never saw him again. Curious, I asked one of the waiters at the Indian restaurant about his whereabouts. “Your friend?” he said, assuming – as many do – that all of us expats are

somehow related, “he go back his country.” I surmised that this Indian Jones matsalleh must have realized that a leopard can’t change his spots after all and he had returned, tail between his legs, to his home and herd. My guess is that he had tried his best to assimilate but one day he got that panicky feeling: he had lost the keys to his identity, only to find that they had been in his front pocket all along. The hard truth is that no matter how far across the world we travel, we can never really escape who we are. The farce and folly of trying to integrate completely into a foreign culture are well documented. Look, for example, at Paul Gauguin, who went native in Tahiti until he was eaten alive syphilis, poverty and debauchery. Or perhaps consider the “American Taliban” John Walker Lindh, who turned into a cave-dwelling terrorist in Afghanistan and ended up shooting at his own countrymen, until they smoked him out of his hole and captured him. I am ashamed to admit that once upon a time I was one of those expats. When I first moved to Malaysia many years ago, I had aspirations of assimilation and tried to establish some street cred here by cakaping Bahasa, inhaling globs of durian and sambal with my hands at roadside eateries, drinking hot coffee through a straw out of an IV bag, sporting a floral and festively red silk shirt for CNY (fortunately no photographic evidence of this exists), and further shameful things. Thankfully, this all came to an end one day: the day I lost my “native-ity”. Why? I took a road trip with my then girlfriend

(now mrs) to her kampong in Perlis, which initially awed me with its picture postcard endless expanses of rice paddies and green mountains. But what the postcard didn’t show – and what I discovered immediately upon exiting my motor vehicle – was the crushing heat and poverty, the swarms of crazy chickens and hungry mosquitos, the still air of boredom and decay. After five minutes of standing there outside her childhood house (if that term can be used to describe that tumble-down wooden structure), I felt myself sinking – literally. Before I realized what was happening I had fallen into the warm, wet mud of the surrounding rice paddy and I let out a shrill scream just like the sissy, suburban American that I was, am, and always will be. From that moment on, after my fall in “Eden”, I embraced my expat-ness and abandoned my sad attempts at localising. I am not, however, one of those matsallehs who lives in a bubble, whisked around by a silent driver from one air-con chamber to another in plush wool suits; the expat who doesn’t know the difference between me and mee, my mama and my mamak, or my kepala and my kelapa (to return to the coconut theme). For us expats, encountering a new culture is much like entering a deep, dark body of water. Some dive in headlong, some test the waters and slowly immerse themselves, while some opt to stay stubbornly on solid ground. After having almost drowned in my attempt to embrace the culture of my new home, these days I prefer to just dip my toes in the water. And I steer well clear of rice paddies. And flaming coconuts.

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THE EXPAT 15

An award winning writer, Marybeth is The Expat Group’s Consultant Director and has lived in Malaysia for 13 years. Her adult children grew up in Malaysia and now reside in the USA along with her grandgirl, Raya-Rosine. She welcomes your feedback @ [email protected]

MY VIEW

Spring Has Sprung The world watched with first shock and unease, then baited breath and now astonishment as the Arab Spring started in Tunisia, succeeded, and then quickly spread to other despotic, authoritarian regimes in the neighborhood, most notably Egypt and Libya. Very serious rumblings are currently happening in Yemen, Bahrain and Syria with regular citizens having had enough of the corrupt regimes accountable only to the few much to the extreme detriment of the many. Men, women and children have poured into the streets daily protesting for change placing themselves in mortal danger while we all realize we are living in a historic making period witnessing fundamental change happening to the centuries old systems of aristocratic rule. I know that as an undergrad and graduate student majoring in Political Science and International Relations in the mid 1970’s, that what is happening now in the Middle East portends systemic change throughout the very fibers of their societies in all manifestations with the potential to finally bring some of the world’s most oppressed people into the light of the global community. At the same time, Americans have watched the citizens’ uprisings and demonstrations in the capital cities of Europe commencing with university students unable to find jobs with some countries having almost 50% unemployment rates for their graduates. Then union workers, state and federal workers joined in as the vibrancy of genuine democracy reverberates for everyone to observe. And then, much more surprising to me than the Arab Spring, a small group of protesters called Occupy Wall Street settled into a park in Wall Street, New York City, vowing to grow a grassroots movement to rival their Arab and European counterparts. Occupy Wall Street as of this writing in early October has quickly grown into Occupy Boston,

Chicago and hundreds of American towns and cities. I honestly never thought I would live to see the day that Americans would once again take to the streets as they did in the 1960’s and 70’s over issues like Viet Nam, civil rights and women’s rights. I’ve have lived outside of the US for almost 17 years now and had been increasingly disheartened as Americans seemingly condoned with their passivity so many egregious, unconstitutional and criminal actions taking place. I don’t mean just the illegal invasion of Iraq, I mean the 30 years long corporate attempt to put their personal profit over good governance and fairness including Congressional acts like the repeal of the Glass-Steagal Act which regulated financial systems, the neutering of the Federal Communications Commission allowing fetid pollution of our taxpayer airways by entities like Fox and hate talk radio, the overt meshing of Church and State and most shockingly the passing of the Patriot Act in response to the 9/11 attacks. The Patriot Act deliberately and fundamentally undermines the Bill of Rights which is what made the United States a special beacon of hope and opportunity for all peoples and instead of strengthening the democracy it has shredded its very foundation. In the US it is not regime change the people are so angry about rather it is the impotence they feel as the growing wealth inequalities widen and fester. Were it not for the unfettered and unrestricted exchanges possible via the Internet, American’s corporate media would be still be morphing into a political party’s propaganda right arm. Frankly I feel so proud of my fellow Americans for finally doing something together to force our historical democracy back in place and rid the country of corporatists who buy elected officials, the courts, especially the Supreme Court and the regulatory

boards put in place to harness them. Our environment has suffered the most in my opinion with climate change deniers being given a media platform as if their non-science theories have any merit and deserve equal dissemination by a supposedly educated society. In Malaysia the ruling government too is anxious about citizen dissent and public protests as evidenced by their refusals to grant permits for public gatherings and their use of annual licensing for media as well as political misuse of the much loathed ISA, the Internal Security Act. The last few large demonstrations saw the police unleash water cannons, pepper spray and rubber bullets and batons on people much to the disgust of international observers as well as local Malaysians. Several Malaysians told me that after the latest demonstrations for the first time they did not see fellow injured protesters first as their ethnic group but rather as fellow Malaysians. Chinese rushed in to help Indians and Malays to help Chinese. A bond is slowly forming of all Malaysians against repressive tactics and unfair government policies. Prime Minister Najib, to his profound credit has taken measure of the populace’s anger and is currently pushing through Parliament repeals of the Licensing Acts, Assembly Laws and even the ISA. A new Malaysia is emerging energizing not just its neighbors watching but foreigners now much more willing to invest capital here. Expats like us see a very sunny future here. So we will watch all corners of the world as people realize that there is power standing together and that the greater good of society can flourish when citizens refuse to allow bad elements in governments to continue doing business as usual. Ultimately I hope all nationalities will feel as part of a global community and act in concert for the greater good of us all. My granddaughter Raya, thanks you.

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THE EXPAT 17

Opened September 2011

‡ Immediate admission available ‡ Main intakes in September and January

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‡ Sixth form applicants welcome ‡ Scholarships available

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Sarah Rees is the new Online Content Editor for The Expat Group and spends a lot of time writing about her favourite topic (food) on dinemalaysia.com. Sarah is a British girl who washed up on the sunny shores of KL last year and is one of the few expats in the country who uses public transport. Email her on [email protected]

REES’ PIECES

Where are you Dad?! MOVING TO A NEW COUNTRY ALWAYS HAS ITS COMPLICATIONS, BUT FOR A YOUNG, WHITE FEMALE - THAT RARE EXPAT BREED - THE CHALLENGES CAN OFTEN BE UNEXPECTED. SARAH REES IS ONE OF THESE LESSER-SPOTTED EXPATS, AND SHARES SOME OF HER TRIALS OF HER NEW LIFE. It was late on a soggy Friday evening and as I staggered through the front door of my flat in Petaling Jaya with my arms weighed down with shopping and my head heavy after another long day at the office, I stepped straight into a puddle of water. Great. Dumping the groceries in a dry corner and grumbling loudly, I started looking around for the cause of my mini flood before I discovered the culprit. It was the fridge. By squeezing my head into the tiny gap between the wall and the back of the fridge, I located a merry drip drip dripping into a puddle which was settling nicely under the wires at the back of the fridge and my gloom turned to panic. Wires and water! Danger! Being electrocuted has been a serious fear of mine ever since I was 6 years old and accidentally watched a big kids’ programme in which a girl got thrown across the room when she fiddled with the TV socket with wet hands. Trying not to imagine my limp body being discovered by the neighbours, I screwed up my courage and hit the flip on the wall to turn the power off, before trying to find just why my fridge, which had behaved itself impeccably during the first 3 months in my flat, had suddenly decided to make life difficult. A few minutes later and I had my answer: the freezer had defrosted itself into a miniscule little tray which was overflowing

and needed to be emptied. The problem was complicated by the fact that the tray was at the back of the heavy fridge/freezer that was wedged into a gap in my kitchen and meant dragging the whole beast out to mop the leak. Operation Fridge Moving was going remarkably well until the front foot fell off. The whole fridge began to tip towards me and amid visions of yoghurt, milk and soft mangos splattering all over me I threw myself down to support the base and soon found myself lying in a dirty puddle with my hands wedged under the fridge. If I moved, the fridge would fall, if I didn’t, the place would flood. Now what? “Daaaaaad!” Ah if only. Having asserted my independence at the ripe old age of 23 by moving out of my family home and shipping myself and my life 6,000 miles away, this was the price – when I had messy fridge emergencies on a thundery Friday night, I had to deal with them without parental assistance. So who to turn to? I lay there with my face horribly close to the dirty floor (why hadn’t I cleaned this?) and mentally flipped through my list of acquaintances. It seemed I had no end of ideal buddies for a meal or a coffee or a walk around the market, but in the Help with Domestic Emergencies category I had a big fat no one. Plus, even if I could think of someone who might be able to help shift this

suicidal appliance, no way would they consent to sitting in Friday night traffic to come and help me lift my fridge. Neighbours? In the UK I could just hoist open a window and our closer-than-friends neighbours would drop everything and rush over but living in a condo meant that neighbours kept to themselves and I only ever seemed to bump into them when I was dragging my rubbish bag to the refuse room in my pyjamas - never a good time to introduce yourself. The water was starting to soak through my smart white trousers by this point and for the first time since moving to KL, the reality of my situation finally sunk in: I was properly alone. I was miles from my family and friends and with no one to turn to for help. And, most depressingly of all, if the fridge fell and crushed me, no one would ever find my yoghurt-smothered mangled remains. So what did I do? I lay in the dirt puddle holding up the fridge and felt sorry for myself for a little while, and then I rolled up my sleeves (metaphorically of course too hot for sleeves), wedged the foot back on the fridge, pulled the thing out and solved the problem myself. In twenty minutes I sat with my feet up feeling proud of myself. Moving alone to the other side of the world? Check. Getting a job? Check. Solving fridge dramas unaided? Check.

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THE EXPAT 19

AROUND THE EXPAT GROUP

Super Night at Songket It was an extraordinary night out at the previous Wine Dinner held at Songket, the much-talked-about Malay restaurant. Amidst the tastefully decorated establishment, the night started out with a Cronier sparkling wine of brut rose which was bursting with raspberry and strawberry flavours. The appetizers were a sample platter of the Songket starters which were ‘Cucur Udang’; crisp morsels of deep fried prawn and vegetables. Also the ‘Pegedil’, fried potato patties filled with minced chicken and the ‘Satay’ and the classic ‘Soup Ekor’ (oxtail soup). All the starters were served with the lively and fresh Golden Delicious Chenin Blanc that had crisp apple textures. The main courses were ‘Rusuk Panggang’, chargrilled marinated short ribs and ‘Udang Panggang’, chargrilled marinated prawn with a spicy tamarind dip and shrimp paste. The main courses were complemented with Cronier Wines Sauvignon Blanc and the Penfold’s Thomas Hyland Cabernet Sauvignon. Dessert was the Pandan Pudding, infused with fragrant pandan leaves and palm sugar syrup. Besides the food and drink, a highlight of Songket was the traditional dances that take place every night, and some of the dinner guests were even pulled to join the dance. By Milan Sadhwani

W I N E S SINCE 1698

The Expat Would Like To Thank: Songket Restaurant No. 29, Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, Kampung Baharu, 50450 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.2161 3331

20 THE EXPAT WWW.EXPATKL.COM

View more pictures of the The Expat Mingle at our Facebook page: The Expat Group (TEG Malaysia)

Next Time:

Date : 24th November 2011 Time : 7pm to 10.30pm The Event : Sit down dinner Address : Chez Rose 6-5 Jalan Batai, Damansara Heights 50490 Kuala Lumpur Price : RM120 (Expat Card, MM2H and Wine Club Members) RM145 (Non-Members)

Coming Up Roses Returning to the scene of a previous Wine Dinner, the event this month will be held at the elegant Chez Rose which serves up brilliant Austrian fare, as well as Viennese, Hungarian and influences of other cuisines. Wholly owned and managed by Jake’s Charbroil Steaks, Chez Rose has an expanding customer base that keep coming back to enjoy the great food, wine and classy ambience. Don’t miss out on a chance of a great evening with other expats from around the community. For reservations, please call Anis at 03.2094 9664

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AROUND THE EXPAT GROUP

Giddy at Gridiron The flashy Gridiron Sports Café & Lounge down on Telawi Street came alive with mingling expats last month. Faces were illuminated by the rows of television screens, all showing an array of sporty events. Delicious canapés were served including the mushroom mousse on tarts and tomato mozzarella. Smoked salmon & cream cheese on cucumber canapés went perfectly with the drinks, as well as the lamb koftas, fish goujon, mushroom risotto, chicken satay, chicken crap, aglio olio and fruit kebabs. Many happy faces didn’t regret circling the bustling Telawi streets for a carpark as there was plenty of drinks and food to go around. Kilkenny beers were sponsored by GAB and wines by Cronier Wines which included Cronier Sauvignon Blanc, Purple Bramble Merlot and Cronier Rose. A fantastic turnout for a Thursday night and our Mingle guests were treated to a few lucky draw prizes. The ladies were extra happy and stayed back well past 9pm to enjoy Gridiron’s ladies night and were handed an additional two cocktails. Don’t be afraid to rock out at our next Mingle, but be sure to register your name with us, as it gets really full! By Milan Sadhwani

The Expat Would Like To Thank: Gridiron Sports Cafe & Lounge 11 & 15, Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar Baru, 59100, Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.2201 4820

22 THE EXPAT WWW.EXPATKL.COM

W I N E S SINCE 1698

View more pictures of the The Expat Mingle at our Facebook page: The Expat Group (TEG Malaysia)

@ ®

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+H[L! 17 November 2011 (Thursday) ;PTL!7pm – 9pm =LU\L!:HPU[Z)HY 2P[JOLU No. 26-G Red Carpet Boulevard Encorp Strand, Kota Damansara, PJU 5 47810 Petaling Jaya Regular Entry Free Flow Beer + Fingerfood The Expat Card Holders: RM40 Non Card Holders: RM55 Add on Wine Option Free Flow Beer + 3 Glasses of Wine + Fingerfood The Expat Card Holders: RM50 Non Cardholders: RM65

Register online at ^^^L_WH[RSJVTTPUNSL or call    Limited space only. Please book early/register online to avoid major disappointment! Another event by

Jointly brought to you by

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THE EXPAT 23

HAPPENINGS

Oktoberfest Bash

G

uinness Anchor Berhad (GAB) kicked off its month-long Oktoberfest celebration in high gear at the newly opened SOULed OUT Ampang, Menara HSC, Jalan Ampang with a turnout of more than 200 people including media members and guests. This is the fourth year running GAB organised the annual Oktoberfest festival in Malaysia with a bigger selection of award-winning and iconic beers including the official Munich Oktoberfest beer, Paulaner Oktoberfest Bier, fun-filled parties, special promotions and events for more beer lovers throughout last month. The Oktoberfest celebration was officially launched with the tapping of GAB beers by Charles Ireland, Managing Director of GAB, Yap Swee Leng, Marketing Director of GAB, Bernard Eloy, Supply Chain Director of GAB, Shirley Low, Head of Trade Marketing of GAB, as well as Fred Choo, Commander-in-Chief and Michele Kwok, First Lady of SOULed OUT Ampang, paying homage to the traditional Munich Oktoberfest custom with a loud cheer of “Eins, zwei, drei, g’suffa; Zicke-Zacke-ZickeZacke Hoy, Hoy, Hoy!” Guests were briefed on the special Oktoberfest beers offered by GAB throughout October and were treated to a day of German-inspired cuisines and traditional Oktoberfest games such as the Chicken Dance, Pretzel Challenge and Beer Stein Holding Competition, feted by the entertaining Oom-pah band.

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THE EXPAT 25

Expat Extracts Name: Dr. Aron H. J. Chung Home country: South Korea Designation/Industry/Company: President of the International No Trans Fat Organization Marital status/Number of children: Married with 1 child Other countries you have lived in: USA & Australia

What brought you to Malaysia and how long have you been here? I have been here in Malaysia for a year now undertaking an anti trans fat campaign to save children from this noxious fat which is the “silent killer” in many of the foods that we eat. Our organization is in alliance with seven nations around the world.

What are three things you dislike about living in Malaysia? The unhygienic restaurant culture, the public toilets and the motorbikers and reckless drivers.

What are your impressions of Malaysia? Malaysia has a diverse culture and language, and the people have nice personalities.

Name three typical weekend activities that you enjoy. I enjoy cycling, hiking, or listening to music and watching movies.

If you had to pick a sound, a smell, a taste or a touch to describe Malaysia, what would it be? In terms of sound; a symphony, while taste would be a thirstquenching watermelon. What are the three things you like most about living in Malaysia? I like the forest, the beautiful batik and the people.

Name three places you would take an overseas visitor. The historic city of Melaka, Kota Kinabalu in Sabah and Pangkor Island.

Do you own property here? If so, where? If not, why? I am still looking for suitable locations. Are most of your friends Malaysians or expats? Why? Most of my friends are Malaysians because of the nature of my work; I deal mainly with locals. What do you miss most about your home country? I miss traditional Korean food and my friends.

Name: Nicky Craig Home Country: Scotland Industry: Food and beverage Maritial Status: Partner

What brought you to Malaysia and how long have you been here? Business opportunities. I moved here in Janruary 2011. What were your impressions of Malaysia before you came? How have they changed, if indeed they have? I was unsure what to expect but it’s much more cosmopolitan than I expected. If you had to pick a sound, a smell, a taste or a touch to describe Malaysia, what would it be? Sound: constant building work! What are the three things you like most about living in Malaysia?

26 THE EXPAT WWW.EXPATKL.COM

The sun, the people and how quickly the country is developing. What are three things you dislike about living in Malaysia? Traffic, cockroaches and the lack of concerts and music festivals. Name three places you would take an overseas visitor. Perhentian islands, Batu Caves, Cameron Highlands. Name three typical weekend activities that you enjoy. I’ll go to an island and spend my free time by the beach and on the water. What’s your favourite restaurant and

bar in Malaysia? Not that I’m at all biased but my bar “Saint’s bar and kitchen” in Kota Damansara is of course my favourite! Do you own property here? If so, where? If not, why? No, I’m too young and broke for that! Are most of your friends Malaysians or expats? Why? My friends are completely mixed from all over. What do you miss about your home country? Family and friends, the music scene and Irn bru!

Name: Leagha McMahon Home country: England Company: The London Orchid, British Beauty Therapy Marita Status: Engaged to be married

What brought you to Malaysia and how long have you been here? 1.5 years, to open my salon – The London Orchid and introduce KL to Elemis Facials and spray tanning!

awesome tan, all the time. What are three things you dislike about living in Malaysia? Driving, even for 5 minutes. I get full-on road rage every day.

What were your impressions of Malaysia before you came? How have they changed, if indeed they have? I have been here before, and now it seems more of a building construction site and the TV seems to be more censored.

Name a place you would take an overseas visitor. Langkawi.

If you had to pick a sound, a smell, a taste or a touch to describe Malaysia, what would it be? A touch, of a mosquito – they attack me every day! What are the three things you like most about living in Malaysia? Weather, lots of team sports and having an

Name three typical weekend activities that you enjoy. Playing sports, watching sports, sunbathing by the pool. What’s your favourite restaurant and bar in Malaysia? Sid’s pub in Damansara Heights: the landlords are lovely, there is a nice atmosphere, it shows all the games and they serve good British grub. Do you own property here? If so,

where? If not, why? No, I want to live on an island one day. Are most of your friends Malaysians or expats? Why? It’s a mix but mostly expats. The girls I play football with (Champers F.C.) are Indian Malaysians. What do you miss about your home country? I miss Oxford terribly sometimes: the rivers, the meadows, the history, the beautiful buildings and my friends and family too of course! If there was something you could change? Traffic enforcement! Get the clamps and tow trucks out along with the hefty fines, put speed cameras in, change a lot of junctions to roundabouts… pretty please??!!

Name: Monica Wangombe Home country: Kenya Designation/Industry/Company: Sales and marketing rainforestprop.com Marital status: Single Other countries you have lived in: Tanzania, Dubai, Singapore.

What brought you to Malaysia? I came to Malaysia for studies and work. What were your impressions of Malaysia before you came? How have they changed, if indeed they have? Before I came to Malaysia I thought it was a rich country with a good economy where I could easily get a job and live well. But to my surprise the country is rich with oil and gas with a lot of jobs but not for foreigners and the worst thing is the poor salaries offered. It’s a nightmare to get a work permit as well. If you had to pick a sound, a smell, a taste or a touch to describe Malaysia, what would it be? The culture and the food. Oh! It’s lovely.

What are the three things you like most about living in Malaysia? It’s easy to move around because the public transport is good. The food is plenty and cheap to buy. The people are friendly and easy to get along with. What are three things you dislike about living in Malaysia? The climate is humid. A lot of snatch thieves on motorbikes. The poor salaries. Name three places you would take an overseas visitor. Genting Highlands, Cameron Highlands and Langkawi. Name three typical weekend activities you enjoy.

Stay home and cook and watch movies.Go to a beach resort in Port Dickson for the weekend. Visit my old friends in an elderly peoples’ home. What’s your favourite restaurant and bar in Malaysia? Out of Africa and Kudu bar. They have a variety of African and local food. Do you own property here? If so, where? If not, why not? No, I’d rather invest the money back home than buy property here.It’s also not my dream country to live in. What do you miss most about your home country? My family and friends.

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PROFILE BY SARAH REES

Not Waiting for Anyone

H

ow often do you hum along with a song on the radio without any idea who sings it? “Baby… baby..tell me whatcha whatcha waiting for” – whether you like it or not, there is no doubt that you have bopped along to this infectious tune. It is also equally likely that you never realised that the singer of said catchy tune was none other than a Malaysian born and bred singer-songwriter who is on her way to super stardom. Mizz Nina, or Shazrina Azman as she was born, is one of the biggest stars on the local music scene at the moment, following up her ever-so-catchy debut What You Waiting For with a new album and a new track featuring international star Flo Rida. This is a girl destined for greatness. But she is also a girl with her feet firmly planted on the ground. Shazrina grew up in a family who loved music in all its forms, and while her ambitions varied as she moved through her tender years, music was always a part of her life. “When I was 5 or 6, I wanted to be an air stewardess. Then I wanted to be a film director. And then that changed I wanted to be a graphic designer!” she says with chuckle, “but music has always been an interest and something that I stuck with.” And, unlike many budding performers, it was never about the fame and the money. “When I was a kid I didn’t really want to be famous,” says Shazrina, “I just had dreams of performing on a big stage, with big lights and lots of people.” Thanks to singing lessons at her Mum’s singing school and a stint in a local band, she has worked her way up the ranks

and is now enjoying success as a solo star, playing to the big crowds that she always dreamed of. Music lovers will most recently have seen her playing to a crowd of 20,000 people at the annual Arthur’s Day concert, where she shared the stage with British singer Taio Cruz. It was over a decade ago though when, with local rap group the Teh Tarik Crew, Mizz Nina – a name she fashioned for herself at 15 - got her first taste of fame. As the band took off in 2000, she suddenly found herself plunged into a world of modelling and hosting, even landing a spot as a radio DJ. By 2009, she decided the time was right - “it was now or never,” she says - to take the plunge and launch herself as a solo artist. “It was a big jump,” she says with a smile, “it was nerve-wracking but I knew it was something I’d always wanted to do so I just threw myself in the deep end.” Her bravery paid off, and her first single What You Waiting For featured Colby O’Donis – an American artist who has worked with the likes of Akon and Lady Gaga - threw her into the international spotlight. “It was a huge learning process for me,” she says as I ask about the experience of working with such a star, “I am very lucky to have worked with some great people in the last few years.” Her most recent collaboration was with American rapper Flo Rida, but the top of her collaboration wish list is still reserved for her life-long inspiration: “I would love to work with Janet Jackson,” she gushes, “she has always been a huge inspiration for me. Or Lady Gaga? That could be interesting!”

Despite being busy writing and recording tracks for her second album, Mizz Nina has still found some time to marry her love and jet off to the Maldives for a romantic honeymoon. Her new husband, Mohamed Noh Salleh, is also in the music business and now that they are back from their holiday they are both back working hard. “We are trying to build a strong foundation so that when we have kids it can just follow on,” she explains. Family is clearly very important to this grounded starlet, but children will have to wait a little longer, “after my next album hopefully,” she says. Family plans will also have to contend with her latest project that sees Mizz Nina dipping her toes into the world of fashion. “I am launching a new fashion label,” she says excitedly, “it’s called Mizz Demeanour. I’m still very new to the fashion industry so I am starting small, I only have 8 or 9 pieces, so we’ll see how that goes.” Unlike many pop icons turning to fashion simply to cash in, it is clear that Mizz Nina has a genuine interest in being creative. “If I stopped doing music now I would probably take fashion classes and design my own stuff,” she says, “I really enjoy it.” It is no wonder that this driven young woman has worked her way to the top, and with such a down-to-earth attitude, Mizz Nina will surely go far. But despite jetting all over the world to perform with big names, nothing beats coming back to the bosom of her family. “My family are so important to me. My Mum and Dad inspire me. Love, life and my family; that’s what pushes me on.” And onwards she will go. Mizz Nina will be launching her new album next year, and her track Takeover can be downloaded online.

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THE EXPAT 29

MALAYSIA MATTERS BY MILAN SADHWANI

Ensuring Integrity T here are many things that can stunt a country’s growth but one of the often unseen and most insidious causes of this phenomenon is corruption. The Malaysian government is determined to fight and eradicate corruption in the country.

Dato’ Hajah Sutinah Sutan, MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner of Prevention

Under the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) and the Government Transformation Programme (GTP), various national key result area (NKRAs) have been identified, one of which is solely devoted to combating corruption. In December 2010, the Ministry of Finance Malaysia implemented guidelines to the Integrity Pact, under the initiatives of the anti-corruption arm of NKRA. The Integrity Pact (IP) is meant for government procurements and seeks to enhance the levels of transparency in the process of procuring government contracts. This initiative hopes to reduce and eventually eradicate corrupt practices, as well as ensuring a smoother and more efficient procurement process. The IP was initially conceived by Transparency International, a global movement for change to assist governments, business institutions as well as the public in the uphill battle against corruption, especially in the area of government procurement.

The fight against corruption is ongoing but it is important to remember that everyone plays a role, including those who are not directly involved. To report corruption to the MACC, please call 1.800 88 6000.

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Transparency International outlines the costs of corruption in public contracting: a distortion of fair competition, waste of scarce resources and the neglect of citizens’ basic needs which perpetuates poverty. Also, market inefficiencies can be caused from corruption as well as slowing development opportunities, marked by inferior goods and services and wasteful purchases.

Dato’ Hajah Sutinah Sutan, MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner of Prevention, met with Milan Sadhwani of The Expat to highlight the importance of the Integrity Pact. Dato’ Sutinah stressed the fact that the IP is a written commitment between the project owner and the vendor, and is a preventive tool in public procurement. “Public procurements are one of the areas which are highly exposed to corrupt practices,” says Dato’ Sutinah, adding that all public procurements should ideally be strengthened by the IPs. The objectives of the IP are to avoid bidders from offering bribes as well as calling for bidders to report any acts of corruption to authorities and to ensure the government is not burdened with “unnecessary costs”. The implementation of the IP is also to increase awareness among civil servants and all parties involved in government procurement on the subject of corruption offences. Among such practices are: the offering, seeking and accepting bribes to or from companies, firms or individuals and civil servants. Bribes can be in the form of money, gifts, donations, discounts, bonuses or jobs, all of which are specifically defined under Section 3 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 [Act 694]. Corrupt practices also include the abuse of power by civil servants in the selection process of companies or firms in which civil servants may have vested interests. False claims or declarations by the representative(s) of the companies or firms and civil servants is also considered a corrupt practice as well as forgeries of information, documents and records which

Putrajaya

might influence the evaluation process and procurement decisions. Lastly, conspiracy among companies, firms or individuals and civil servants to obtain government contracts is also considered corruption. Dato’ Sutinah also explains that it is important that both parties (the project owner and the project vendor/main contractor) disclose any payments made to any third-parties. It is common for project vendors to engage a consultant company that acts as an intermediary but it is also common in corrupt practices to bribe said third-party. Project owners and project vendors should also commit to carrying out anti-corruption programmes for their staff, which will be conducted by the MACC. The training programme is intended to create awareness on the offences of corruption, the causes of corrupt practices in government procurement, and thereby help prevent future instances of corruption. Since the implementation of the IP up through June this year, there have been a total of 102,674 IPs signed with a total of 2,163 contracts.

The IP concept also applies to mega projects, says Dato’ Sutinah, and an example of this was the IP signed for the MRT project last year in July. Dato’ Sutinah also informs us that MACC will carry out monitoring to ensure compliance to the IP. “We will visit the departments and check whether the vendors and offices have signed the IP and are following the requirements,” says Dato’ Sutinah. This is done by carrying out discussions with the company’s compliance unit and checking to see if they have an anti-bribery policy put into place in the company’s code of ethics. Another vital area that MACC will monitor is to see if they have referral policies put into place. Referral policies are mechanisms which facilitate people to report cases when they are confronted with bribes or corruption.

The Integrity Pact seeks to enhance the levels of transparency in the process of procuring government contracts.

Policies that are against conflict of interest will also be checked, under the code of ethics. As the IP concept is built around transparency and accountability, MACC will blacklist any party that is found guilty of corruption, and the guilty party can be blacklisted for up to five years, which means that these companies will be ineligible to qualify for open tenders.

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THE EXPAT 31

GETTING INVOLVED BY WILLIAM CITRIN

Weaving Fabrics and Building Futures

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hen most people in Malaysia think of “expats”, they think of affluent Westerners living in the country for an extended chunk of time, either for employment or retirement. This, in actuality, is a very narrow conception of what an expat is. By definition, an expat is simply an individual residing, for a protracted period of time, outside his or her country of origin. Refugees fall into the category of “expats”, as they are, like us expats – although for a completely different set of circumstances – trying to make a life for themselves beyond the borders of their native lands.

market, and sell their handmade woven handicrafts.

There are nearly 90,000 people who are classified by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as “refugees” in Malaysia. These people come mainly from Myanmar (around 92%) but also from Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia and Sri Lanka. Sadly, these refugees exist in a sort of limbo as they are not officially recognized by the Malaysian government and consequently not allowed to formally settle here and therefore denied access to services such as medical care and education.

Currently, 55 Chin women are employed by Mang Tha and earn regular monthly incomes from sewing, knitting, crocheting, cross-stitching, embroidering, weaving and subsequently selling their handicrafts. These stunning pieces are all made by hand from scratch using techniques passed down through generations and considering the work that goes into them, they are all very reasonably priced.

However, in spite of their lack of legal status and the restrictive regulations, many of these refugees have managed to carve out productive lives for themselves and establish strong, vibrant communities here in Malaysia. The Chin community from Myanmar is one such group of refugees. Recently I was given the opportunity by the UNHCR – who graciously made the arrangements and provided an interpreter – to visit a group of Chin women refugees who are spearheading an impactful social development project called Mang Tha. Established in 2006 by the Alliance of Chin Refugees (ACR), Mang Tha – which means “sweet dreams” in a Burmese dialect – strives to empower Chin women and improve their living conditions here by providing them with a vehicle to produce,

Located in a modest shoplot in Pudu, the Mang Tha showroom greets visitors with a riveting riot of colours. An awesome array of bags, purses, table runners, cushion cases, handphone and wine pouches, pencil cases, shawls and other woven wonders are on display and available for sale. These products are all made in the adjacent factory area, which contains wooden looms and sewing machines and, of course, Burmese women, hard but happily at work.

Besides providing desperately needed and stable salaries, Mang Tha also serves to promote a sense of self-confidence and self-worth among these women and to promote the Chin cultural heritage to the wider world through the beautiful traditional design elements and motifs that are woven into each and every piece. Mang Tha also functions as a sort of Chin community centre, and the extra revenue generated through sales is utilized to run a “Women’s Center” on the premises. Chin women can come to the centre and attend free tailoring and knitting classes, English classes, computer classes, health workshops, cultural events, and other activities. “Through Mang Tha, these women can learn how to weave - which is a valuable skill – and can make an income, but also get a sense of self-esteem because they are

helping themselves , their families and the Chin community,” says Mang Nuan Neal, one of the women who works at Mang Tha. With her husband and five daughters, Mang Nuan Neal has been a refugee in Malaysia since 2006 and describes her dayto-day existence as a “struggle to survive”. Although Mang is waiting to be resettled with her family in another country, where she hopes her children will “have a chance of getting an education”, she is busy here working at Mang Tha, making money and making a difference for her family and in the community. Mang Tha has given her and other Chin refugees the technical and life skills, the confidence, and the opportunity to build a brighter future for themselves. So what can we expats do to help our fellow expats at Mang Tha? As it turns out, there are many ways we can get involved. The most obvious way is to purchase Mang Tha products, which are available at the showroom in Pudu and at selected shops and markets and online, but Mang Tha also welcome donations, both in money or resources (sewing supplies as well as household items and furniture). Lastly, expats can volunteer at Mang Tha and help support the project by conducting classes, workshops and other activities, assisting in managing and running the shop and women’s centre, and by becoming “ambassadors” and building relationships within the local community to promote the products and mission of Mang Tha. For those of us who are enjoying a far more comfortable expat existence than the women of Mang Tha, this is a great opportunity to help support these women, who are, as we all are, seeking a better future for themselves and their families. For more information on Mang Tha products or to find out how you could get involved in the project, visit www.facebook.com/mangtha or www.elevyn.com/shop/mangtha

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THE EXPAT 33

THE ARTS BY MARYBETH RAMEY

1.

2.

The Artist Profile of Kuen Stephanie

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1. Side By Side 1 (2011) Media | Acrylic on canvas Size | 36” x 48” Price | RM6500 2. Side By Side 2 (2011) Media | Acrylic on canvas Size | 36” x 48” Price | RM6500 3. Children Favourite Past Time 1 (2011) Media | Acrylic on canvas Size | 18” x 24” Price | RM2500 4. Labour of Love 2 (2010) Media | Acrylic on canvas Size | 36” x 36” Price | RM5000 5. Family Media | Size | Price |

Time 1 & 2 (2011) Acrylic on canvas 26” x 24” RM6000

6. Beauty Ritual (2011) Media | Acrylic on canvas Size | 18” x 24” Price | RM3800

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think that Kuen Stephanie symbolizes the emerging middle class in Malaysia because she reflects so much of the recent, fast moving social and economic history here. As well, her art has started to be collected by this new class of better educated, urbane Malaysians with more disposable income than any generation so far. About 5 years ago, I noticed that after she was on our May 2006 cover that the many enquiries I get about our cover artists were not only coming from expat readers but local ones as well. And that she is one of the main artists the locals want to buy not only because they like the artwork but because they want to collect Malaysian artists and they believe she is “collectable.” Like a solid percentage of the women of her generation in the mid to late 1980’s, she 3. knew she wanted a career in her own right. She graduated from the prestigious Malaysian Institute of Art with a Diploma in Graphic Design in 1987 and went to work in the commercial art sector. Also like many women of that day, she married and started a family. But once the children came, she wanted to stay home and nurture them herself so she continued graphic design projects at home. But she felt something was missing. She was bursting with creativity and wanted to grow artistically and use her training and talent to explore the world around her. She took the first step by experimenting with different mediums finally settling on oils and acrylics and invested in higher quality canvases and the tools of the trade. Stephanie had always been particularly fascinated by the women here in different cultures especially in the kampongs. She painted a portfolio to great acclaim and thus began her rise as a star in the Malaysian art scene. Her paintings are incredibly distinctive and always recognizable. She paints abstract figurative art in bold, voluptuous colours and treats her canvas like a story book. Hidden nuggets abound like her inclusion of cats, finely detailed crockery and children’s toys. These help her to tell her story. And her story is the story of Malaysia with all its rich diversity interacting with an equally rich environment. Like so many artists here, she is worried about preserving the past and articulating for future generations the sense

4.

of shared purpose Malaysians had. Each culture here contributed to the modern Malaysia we know today but it is imperative, as Stephanie resolves, to understand the past and to appreciate it; that way it is much more likely that people will want it preserved. The black and white lines you see imprinted throughout her work are the supporting framework for the unique faces she paints and figures. While in the beginning she painted eyes onto their facial features, now she leaves them blank. “It is so that the viewer can fill it in themselves with their own emotions and stories,” she tells me. Since her 2006 cover on The Expat, she has participated in several successful exhibitions including one in Seoul. Her home has become her full time studio and her husband, Joshua, is her mentor and biggest supporter. However to me, her success was sealed a few years ago when I was in the home of a local friend, a teacher at Garden International School. Walking into her living room, I noticed the two Kuen Stephanie paintings adorning the wall in a place of honour and pride. If you would like to purchase any of the paintings on these two pages, Stephanie has agreed to the discounted prices listed. She has always been very generous in sharing publicly that it was the expat community who first bought her work and is responsible for her growing success today.

5.

“We have a rich, intricate and colourful past and we have distinctive cultures that blend together so well. They bond over commonalities such as our stunning scenic natural environment, the innate kindness of people and our food. It would be a pity to allow it all to be swallowed up by the industrial machine. My paintings are my way of preserving our local past for future generations.” 6.

Email me at marybethramey@gmail. com to make further arrangements.

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THE EXPAT 35

Escape to the highest peak in Langkawi, your highland resort, 900 ft. above sea level

TO DISCOVER THE BEST IN RESTAURANTS, SHOPS, BARS AND SERVICES THAT WELCOME EXPATS, GO TO

W W W. E X PAT K L . C O M AND CLICK ON DIRECTORIES

36 THE EXPAT WWW.EXPATKL.COM

SHOPS

BARS

RESTAURANTS

SERVICES

SPORTS BY HUGH UJHAZY

Rugby Rugrats

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hazy Sunday afternoon in PJ and a group of red and black shirted boys from seven to eighteen years old are in groups doing drills on the Padang Utara field in Petaling Jaya. Coaches, Malaysian, English, Argentinian and more, watch carefully as the boys line up, form scrums and toss the ball from one to the other. “The main focus here is their safety, giving them the structure of the game and encouraging them to have fun”, explains Ian Johns, head of the Bintang Rugby Club and chief coordinator of the activity on the field. “We’ve been doing this for around 10 years,” he explains, “and around 250 boys from over forty countries are signed up”. Practice occurs every Sunday, all year round, from 2pm to 4pm. “We watch out for lightning because it is an open space, and get everyone off the field when a storm is approaching.” Working with many of the schools around KL, both local and international, the Bintang Rugby Club has earned a reputation for well trained, disciplined players. Working with sponsors, the club is able to provide free training to boys along with two training shirts and a Bintang Rugby cap. Boots and shorts must be provided by the players themselves.

Scattered across the field, the youngest players are closest to the observing parents. Good natured chatter and an eagle eye on the actions makes sure everyone catches the highlights. “We encourage at least one parent to stay for the training - about 50% of rugby is the social element and we encourage that,” notes Previn, one of the parents and organizers of the event. All the boys wear mouth protection as well. “We’d like to see more kids come out and play. We have an annual tournament where we play many other teams over two days. Last year it was at Alice Smith school and over 1,800 boys turned out from countries as far afield as Dubai and Hong Kong.” Ian pauses as he contemplates the logistics of that weekend. “Next time, we expect to see over 2,000 boys playing.” The club plays regularly in tournaments. “We get invited to most of the tournaments around the city,” Ian comments. There is a relaxed atmosphere around the ground, as the coaches (many of them parents of the boys playing) shout encouragement and direction across the field. This has to be one of the nicest ways to spend a few hours in Kuala Lumpur. For more information on the Bintang Rugby Club, visit www.klminirugby.com.

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THE EXPAT 37

TRAVEL & TOURISM

Cats, Caves and Culture THE EAST MALAYSIAN STATE OF SARAWAK OFFERS TOURISTS A WEALTH OF CULTURAL AND NATURAL ATTRACTIONS. CHRIS PRITCHARD EXPLORES THE WONDERS OF THE “LAND OF THE HORNBILL”

Traditional tribal house at Sarawak Cultural Village

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houghts about cats come easily in Kuching. Kitsch cats, fat cats, stylish cats – all manner of cats (but very few strays) are part of the landscape. Kuching means “cat” in Malay and Sarawak’s state capital trumpets its cat craziness as often as possible. Nowhere else will you see so many cat statues. I count a dozen across this fast-growing city, home to 580,000 people. There’s even a museum dedicated to felines, Kuching Cat Museum. Contemporary Kuching is a modern port city. Steel-and-glass high-rise offices, retail malls and upscale hotels sit cheekby-jowl with quaint shop-houses. The Sarawak River’s refurbished waterfront is now a restaurant precinct. Development came later than to nearby Asian cities. So, a desire to preserve the past while embracing the new was important. Pride in “old Kuching” is powerful. Sarawak and Sabah, Borneo’s other Malaysian state, are rivals in offering tourists jungle experiences. Both do it well. British

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adventurer James Brooke arrived in Sarawak in 1839. He found himself enmeshed in a dispute between the ruling Sultan of Brunei and local chiefs. Brooke negotiated a Sultan-favouring settlement and was rewarded in 1841 by being titled “Rajah” of Sarawak.For three generations the Brooke family governed autocratically as so-called “White Rajahs of Sarawak”, yielding after World War II to direct British colonial rule. Sarawak gained independence in 1963, joining Malaysia as the federated nation’s biggest state. Multi-racial Malaysia’s main races are Malays, Chinese and Indians but none of these is a majority in Sarawak. Instead, almost half of Sarawak’s people are from indigenous tribal groups (mostly Iban) with Chinese comprising 26 per cent and Malays 21 per cent. Aside from the Iban, Sarawak’s tribes include the Bidayah, Penan, Melanau and Orang Olu. An Iban longhouse stay is the most memorable of Sarawak experiences. Many tribesfolk continue living in

traditional longhouses – even if, nowadays, age-old ways often merge with modern convenience. A smooth highway takes me deep into Iban heartland with oil palm and pepper plantations on each side of the road, interspersed with rice fields. Brickand-cement longhouses, sprouting TV aerials, resemble apartment rows. My destination, however, is deeper in Sarawak’s jungles where traditional timber longhouses survive. While some communities shun visitors, others welcome them. A few let tourists stay overnight. Longhouses are often over 100m long, with as many as 24 doors to selfcontained dwellings. Longhouses taking overnight visitors generally have exclusive arrangements with travel agencies whose guests stay in purpose-built longhouses alongside those housing the community. Longhouse family dwellings open onto a communal ruai, an enclosed balcony running the length of the longhouse and

One of Kuching’s many cat statues

shared by residents. The ruai is where much of each day’s activity happens. Men and women gather outside front doors to chat, hunched over handicrafts (such as intricately-patterned hand-woven cloth, musical instruments, carvings, baskets and blowpipes). Teenagers and young people are notably absent: they’re either at government-funded boarding schools or working in Kuching or other towns. To get here, my guide drives 225 km, with a lunch stop at Serian, a busy market town. We transfer to an outboard-powered longboat for a one-hour Lemanak River trip to reach Rumah Jampang longhouse in an area called Nanga Kesit. The longhouse, home to 150, is named after its chief, Jampang, and its title changes whenever a new chief is chosen. Accommodation, in the guest longhouse, is in cubicles for two (walls don’t quite reach the ceiling). The building holds 50, allowing for package tours, but three of us are the only guests on a quiet day. Freshly-laundered linen covers comfortable mattresses on the floor. A cluster of 150 year-old blackened skulls hangs in a bunch from the ruai ceiling. Human, they’re reminders of a head-hunting era which died out in the early 1900s. Before an early-morning blowpipe demonstration, elders explain the skulls keep the spirits happy and ensure the community’s good fortune. After breakfast comes a jungle trek. Options include lazy 10-minute ambles and challenging half-day hikes. I choose a 90-minute trudge, passing burial mounds with Chinese porcelain pots and simple crucifixes (the Iban are

Resident of Sarawak Cultural Village

Christian) before crossing pepper and cacao plantations. In dense jungle, a machete clears our path. We loop back to the river, stopping at a clearing where villagers have cooked lunch in hollowed bamboo over a fire. Later, I cruise across a man-made lake to reach Hilton Batang Ai Longhouse Resort, which replicates Iban architecture. Its canopy walkway offers treetop-level glimpses of these remote environs. Half-day diversions include kayaking on Batang Ai Hydroelectric Lake, fishing or short visits to longhouse communities. But there’s more in the self-styled “land of the hornbills”. From Kuching, Sarawak’s famous orang utans are observed in a natural environment at Semengoh Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre (allow a half-day). Bako National Park (reached by boat) can be visited as a day trip but overnight stays are less rushed. I’ve come to eyeball the park’s skittish proboscis monkeys, other apes and pythons - along with hornbills, Sarawak’s state bird. I fly to another of Sarawak’s cities, Miri about half Kuching’s size. It’s a pleasant place deserving more visitors. Downtown impresses: broad streets, mid-rise office towers and surprisingly good restaurants. Miri, which has good beaches, is also becoming known as a diving destination. But my reason for coming has more to do with taking another flight – a 45-minute commuter hop to Mulu. From Mulu’s airport it’s a short drive to Gunung Mulu National Park. The park’s boardwalks, through dense rainforest, take me to Deer

Footbridge, Sarawak Cultural Village

Cave - one of several caverns in these parts - which is big enough to accommodate London’s St Paul’s Cathedral and where, at dusk each day, one of Malaysia’s most memorable spectacles occurs: five million small bats fly out to feed. Near Lundu, Gunung Gading National Park is an easy place to see the world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia - often 1m in diameter - which is known both for its great beauty and hideous aroma, like supremely rotten meat. The smell attracts flies upon which the flower feasts. For anyone with limited time, Sarawak Cultural Village (Kampung Budaya Sarawak) on Kuching’s outskirts offers a sampling of the state’s highlights - including tribal houses in which a 160-strong community lives. Word has spread about Sarawak’s attractions. This no doubt accounts for a dramatic increase in visitor numbers in recent years.

GETTING THERE: Both low-cost carrier Air Asia (03.2171 9333, airasia.com) and Malaysia Airlines (1 300 88 3000, malaysiaairlines.com. my) fly between Kuala Lumpur and Kuching. Fly from Miri to Gunung Mulu National Park. Many travel agents offer Sarawak packages. More information: Tourism Malaysia (tourism.gov. my) and Sarawak Tourism Board (sarawaktourism.com).

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THE EXPAT 39

R O F

S

E L A

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

Completion May 2012

04 953 3108

ADVERTORIAL

Laguna Langkawi Launches Freehold Luxury Condos for Sale UNIQUE ISLAND

UNIQUE LIVING

L

angkawi is often referred to as Asia’s most livable island. It’s nestled in the Andaman Sea just a short north-westerly distance off the Malaysian Peninsula. Known as the Jewel of Kedah, Langkawi is a genuine tropical paradise with long sandy beaches, secluded coves, swaying palm trees and ancient natural rainforests. Awarded GEOPARK status by UNESCO, Langkawi boasts a richly lush tropical landscape, and strong governmental emphasis is placed on nature conservation. The island is abundant with stunning beaches and a cozy tropical ambience; however modern conveniences, upmarket infrastructure and interesting excursions are abundant. It served as the luxurious backdrop of the recent launching of The Laguna Langkawi an incredibly enthusiastic, highly successful event showcasing the 70 luxury, low-rise apartments on a 79,000 sq ft site. The five-storey freehold development features tropical landscaping with sweeping views across the Andaman Sea, mountain and pool views. It’s just a few minutes from the Langkawi International Airport. The project, with a gross development value (GDV) of RM80 million, has recorded 30% sales prior to its launching this weekend, said Laguna Developments sales director Edwin Jenkins.

UNIQUE OWNERSHIP

apartments’, ‘perfect for MM2H participants’, ‘impressive value’, ‘wonderful leisure facilities’, ‘finally a luxury condominium building in Langkawi’, ‘good investment potential – both capital growth and high yields from 6-10%’ among other laudable observations. The Laguna apartments range from 1,000 to 4,000 sq ft and feature two, three- and four-bedroom layouts. Prices range from RM500,000 to RM2.5 million. Laguna Langkawi common areas are wide and expansive, with lots of room to linger, mingle, breath in the fresh island air and take in the seaside views. Designed in a U shape it is on a par with Langkawi’s 5-star resorts and the pool, one of the largest on the island, is surrounded by an expansive and curvaceous deck area. Open floor plans and neutral tones combine for a spacious and highly pleasant condo-style living environment. Multiple and modern remote-controlled air conditioning units, centrally filtered water and abundant satellite TV, telephone and internet connections deliver comfort and convenience in communications and rival first rate cities internationally.

“The units started selling a year ago through word of mouth. The buyers, aged from 30 to 71 years old, are from a range of countries such as the UK, Australia, New Zealand, France, India, Japan and Morocco,” said Jenkins.

Langkawi’s abundant sunshine flows into all condo living areas and natural light is abundant. Open floor plans offer a spacious and contemporary living environment, and with windows open the clean island air cools and refreshes. High quality appliances offer modern convenience, a look of quality and energy efficiency all elements that are critical to the discerning international buyer.

Statistics from the Langkawi Development Authority show that for last year, Langkawi had 2.45 million visitors, an increase of 30% from 1.84 million in 2005 making the purchase of a Laguna Langkawi condo an excellent investment.

The premium accessories, superb design concepts, the unmatched environment both natural and man-made as well as the fashionable furniture packages on offer to each buyer combine to make living at The Laguna Langkawi truly a magnificent living experience.

Many people at the launch were heard commenting that The Laguna Langkawi is ‘excellent quality for Asia’, ‘spacious

For more information, email edwin@lagunalangkawi, call 006049533108, or visit www.lagunalangkawi.info.

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THE EXPAT 41

ADVERTORIAL BY ANDY DAVISON

Anahata Villas Spa & Resort A Place To Relax And Rejuvenate

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ali is generally regarded as one of the most beautiful islands in the world. That’s no surprise for people who have visited it. The stunning combination of blues seas, volcanoes, lush greenery, Balinese architecture and warm friendly locals makes for a most enjoyable visit.

The hotel is located amid verdant forests and is situated on the side of a small valley with a fast flowing river flowing through it. This means you are surrounded by stunning views and it’s a wonderful place to relax and rejuvenate. The special spa packages will appeal to those who enjoy being pampered.

While many visitors choose to stay close to the sea there are an increasing number who choose to stay inland in one of the many beautiful boutique hotels nestled in the hills. I recently took my family to Bali and we stayed at the Anahata Villas and Spa resort. It’s located just outside Ubud which is possibly the best known and most popular town away from the beaches.

The villas are large. Ours had three bedrooms, with the master bedroom taking up the whole of the top floor. The dining, kitchen and sitting area on the middle floor while the other two bedrooms are located on the ground floor. This gave us a nice degree of separation from the children!

To get to the hotel, you have to pass through the terraced rice fields which are even more stunning in real life than they look in the photos. We took the children for a walk through them so they could understand the process of growing rice and the impressive irrigation system. It was hard to get them back in the car.

The restaurant and food is wonderful. The dining and sitting area overlooks the hills and trees and you can hear the river flowing at the foot of the hill. A great place to relax with a book or to sit and contemplate the meaning of life. We drove up to Mount Batur, which is not too far away and is an active volcano, which last erupted in 2000. I think we

may have taken the wrong road because it was small and fairly deserted, however the scenery was superb and we passed many small farms growing a range of produce from chilies to green limes to tobacco. Anahata is a short drive from Ubud which is widely regarded as the best inland village to stay. The hotel has a shuttle service if you did not rent a car. We visited several times and it’s a very busy and vibrant town which is the centre of Bali’s arts, crafts, dance and misc. There is a large market in Ubud with hundreds of stalls selling every imaginable arts, crafts and souvenirs. I needed to take control of everyone’s wallets as we wandered through it. There are many sidewalk cafes and restaurants and it is has a lovely feel about it. Of course all this attracts plenty of tourists so it’s a busy place. All in all, a very enjoyable stay which left all of us feeling relaxed and happy. For more information, visit www.anahataresort.com

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THE EXPAT 43

REGIONAL TRAVEL BY DAVID BOWDEN

Happening Ho Chi Minh City

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ne of my favourite books of all time is One Crowded Hour by Tim Bowden, Harper Collins 1994. While the author isn’t a relative the book is a wonderful account of the life and times of the late Australian combat cameraman Neil Davis. His footage was how many of us who were alive during the Vietnam War kept in touch with the horrors of this tragedy and his life was celebrated in the David Bradbury movie Frontline. Davis’ most poignant footage was of North Vietnamese tank number 843 storming the South Vietnamese Independence Palace on April 30, 1975. Being the astute combat cameraman that he was, Davis knew this was the picture that would signify the end of the conflict and he was the only television cameraman there to capture what was to be shown around the globe. This image is etched in my brain and flashes back every time I travel to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). Needless to say, HCMC is a vastly different city to the one that Davis captured on film in 1975. Vietnam has changed rapidly and the American War (as the Vietnamese call the Vietnam War) is well and truly behind them as the developing economy forges into the 21st century. The country is very much a tale of

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two cities with Hanoi being the political base and HCMC (or Saigon as many still refer to it) being the rapidly developing economic hub. SOUTHERN STAR Located inland on the Saigon River, Vietnam’s biggest city (over six million) and financial and economic centre is closer to Kuala Lumpur than you think. Being just 90-minutes from the Malaysian capital on Malaysia Airlines’ new 737-800 aircraft, you hardly have time to acclimatise to the aircraft’s plush new interior. While the skyscrapers rise above tree-lined boulevards there are still many elements of old Saigon that make the city such a great tourist destination. In pockets of the city old men wearing berets ride their bicycles along the street with a baguette under their arm. You have to look closely at the Asian faces to remind yourself that you are indeed in Vietnam and not France. Evidence of French colonialism remains today to give the city’s architecture its eclectic characteristics. Modern day mirrored glass and aluminium are the façades of choice these days as the city slowly falls in line with many other modern and somewhat featureless Asian cities.

Vietnam in general appeals for the value it presents travellers as food and drinks are cheaper than in Malaysia and various accommodation options are available from the backpacker/flashpackers quarters of Pham Ngu Lao to the smart international hotels located mostly in District One. WAR, WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR? The only troops visitors will see in HCMC these days are the troops of motorcyclists who move along the streets like squadrons of MiG fighters seeking out lackadaisical pedestrians nervously crossing the streets. While this is an issue today, one wonders what it will be like when all the cyclists give up their bikes for a modern motorcycle within the next decade. Then the concern for the decade after is when the motorcyclists graduate to cars. See HCMC before it becomes a carpark! Following the advice of every guidebook ever written on Vietnam, I assertively head into the traffic and keep moving gently forward. Miraculously, the sea of bikes moved around me and I lived to relate the tale. Vietnam War buffs need to drop by the War Remnants Museum to look at all the war paraphernalia amassed here. Its

Street side noodles

Colourful hammocks

Fish seller, Ben Thanh Markets

previous name, the House for Displaying War Crimes of American Imperialism, is reason enough to visit. American fighting machines such as an F-5A fighter jet, a “Huey” helicopter, daisy cutter bombs and an M48 Patton tank are to be found here. There’s also a guillotine from the French colonial era.

Café (53 Vo Truong Toan St). Coffee is taken seriously in HCMC with several local concept stores. Coffee in most shops is served in aluminum immersers that are placed over a small cup for the water to filter over the beans. Enjoy local coffee in concept stores such as Highlands Coffee, Trung Nguyen and My Life Coffee.

CIVIC PRIDE A good way to take in the city is from park in front of the Hotel de Ville or Town Hall. It dates back to 1898 when work started on what was the town hall featuring French colonial architecture and based upon the town hall in Paris. The bell tower on top is a feature and while visitors aren’t allowed inside what is now the Office of the HCMC People’s Committee, it’s a building that’s well worth admiring from afar. Take the elevator to the Rooftop Bar on top of the adjoining Rex Hotel, with its huge golden crown fixture and elephant statues. The bar really hasn’t changed much and it’s still as atmospheric as ever especially at dusk and in the evening. From here there’s a great view of the Hotel de Ville, the park featuring a statue of Uncle Ho, Parkson Mall, Hotel Continental and the Opera House which all surround the park on Nguyen Hue Boulevard.

SUNSET SAIGON Like most Asian cities, HCMC takes on a different persona as the sun sets. There are several bar streets and districts with one of the most central being Ton That Thiep St. Beer is the beverage of choice for most with 333 being the most popular local beer although Halida and Saigon are also available. Fresh beer hoi is sold on the streets for ridiculously cheap prices but its taste may not have universal appeal. Gartenstadt (16-18 Nguyen Hue St) serves German beer on tap and there are many more by the bottle at prices well below what you would pay in KL. Try Schneider Weisse by the bottle. Bier Garden (125 Dong Khoi St) is similar in concept but more open to the street.

FANCIFUL FOOD To visit HCMC and not try a bowl of pho (‘fur’) is like visiting Malaysia and not eating nasi lemak. Pho is served mostly with chicken or beef and it’s available all over the city from makeshift kerbside stalls to designer versions in international hotels. A local chain called Pho 24 maybe the best place to start for those who aren’t prepared to dine on the streets. The beef pho at Pho Quynh (323 Pham Ngu Lao St) is famous and a steal at just a few Ringgit.

Famous bars like Apocalypse Now still maintain their appeal to those who have been visiting Vietnam for a long time. The new found wealth of younger Vietnamese has seen the rapid growth of designer bars round the city. Level 23 on top of the Sheraton Hotel is one of the city’s coolest bars. Patrons enjoy 360o city views and dancing girls who like their designer cocktails. Saigon Saigon is a rooftop bar in the Caravelle Hotel, ten floors above the busy area around the Opera House. This was one of Neil Davis’ favourite haunts when it was the war correspondents’ bar during the Vietnam War.

Some other highly recommended restaurants to seek out in HCMC include Cepage (22 Le Thanh Ton St), Tib Restaurant (187 Hai Ba Tung St) and River

SOUVENIR SHOPPING Ben Thanh Market in downtown HCMC is the place to start looking for many shopping bargains. There’s a map of all

Coffee for sale

the stalls just inside the main entrance but entering and wandering is highly recommended. Seek out colourful revolutionary-styled posters where reproductions are inexpensive but original works are expensive. Check out the designer interiors and fashion items at Mai Lâm besides the Continental Hotel. For well-known international designer labels head to the Rex Hotel (Cartier, Ralph Lauren and Bvlgari among others) or along Dong Khoi Street in District One. Interior décor items are also well-priced with shops like Mantra (84 Pho Duc Chinh St) and Catherine Denoual Maison Boutique (15C Thi Sach St) being two places to start searching. For something old, head to Antique Street (Le Cong Kieu St) has about 50 small shops packed with items ranging from trash to treasure. Check out the vintage cameras in a place here called Quoc Tuan (26 Le Cong Kieu St). Old watches are something to look out for but if you think you’ll pick up an antique Patek Philippe for a steal; dream on.

GETTING THERE AND AROUND Malaysia Airlines (www. malaysiaairlines.com) mostly flies to HCMC with its new Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Full leather seating and inseat entertainment with movies and music to ensure that you enjoy the flight better. Getting around is easy with the downtown area or District One being best done on foot. Taxis are the alternative and they should use the meter. WHERE TO STAY The Windsor Plaza Hotel (www. windsorplazahotel.com) is one of the city’s leading hotels located just out of the city centre.

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THE EXPAT 45

Expat Airline Travel & News

In association with Citibank PremierMiles Card

GULF AIR TO FLY TO ROME Bahrain’s national carrier Gulf Air has recently announced plans to add Rome to its list of destination cities, and passengers will, from the end of November, enjoy four flights per week to the Italian capital. To add to this announcement, the airline also shared the news that that from 5 December they will be flying four times a week to Entebbe, the hub of Uganda’s commercial sector, before adding the capital of South Sudan, Juba, to their list in February next year. For more information on these routes or to book tickets, visit www.gulfair.com

CHAMPAGNE IN THE SKY First class and business class passengers stepping on-board their Malaysia Airlines flight will be in for a treat, as the airline have introduced a new range of premium champagne and wines. The new list – which features wines from Portugal, Germany, Australia, France and Spain – also comes with suggested menus to enhance the experience and all labels

46 THE EXPAT WWW.EXPATKL.COM

were selected by a panel of wine experts. Select crew will undergo training in wine appreciation to enable them to guide and advise passengers in their choices, and the airline have also appointed a Master of Wine, Dr Ron Georgiou, as their wine consultant. It is hoped that this will ensure that future wine lists will offer passengers quality, reputable wines to further enhance their passengers’ on-board experience. To book a flight with Malaysia Airlines, visit their website on www.malaysiaairlines.com

EMIRATES ANNOUNCES NEW ROUTES As one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, Emirates will soon be reaching more destinations as they announce new routes in northern and southern America. Early next year, Emirates will add Seattle and Dallas to its already long list of American cities, and services to Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro are set to commence in January 2012. Book flights or check out the routes by visiting www.emirates.com

CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINES LEADS ASIA China Southern Airlines is something of a dark horse. Although it may not be the country’s national carrier, China Southern has been ranked as the largest airline in China for the last 32 years, as well as boasting the top spot in Asia and being

ranked as the 3rd largest airline in the world. The airline operates twice daily flights between Kuala Lumpur and Guangzhou, China, but also flies all over the world, serving 898 cities in 169 countries, making it a great choice wherever you are heading. Last month, China Southern Airlines took delivery of the brand new Airbus A380 to supplement its already large and technologically-advanced fleet. To learn more about this impressive airline, visit their website at www.flychinasouthern.com

OMAN AIR WINS APEX PRIZE The Passenger Choice Awards have this year selected Oman Air to receive the award for the Best In-Flight Connectivity and Communication in an annual award ceremony organised by APEX, the Airline Passenger Experience Association. Oman Air was the first airline in the world to offer both mobile phone and wi-fi connectivity on board their Airbus A330 fleet, and it is clear that the airline are still prized by passengers for leading the industry in technological innovation. The ceremony was held in Seattle, USA and all awards were given based on votes given by the travelling public. Check out flights at www.omanair.com

Flying Tips

FLIGHTS TO BALI

FIREFLY REINSTATES ROUTE

Garuda Indonesia is offering Super Save Air Fares to Bali for a little as RM540, which includes a Plus Priority Bali Platinum Member Card – PP Card – enabling travellers to enjoy lots of discounts and added benefits during their holiday. With the PP Card, travellers can take advantage of return hotel transfers to hotels in the Kuta and Legian regions, as well as transport to and from 9 of Bali’s top tourist attractions. As if that wasn’t enough, PP Card holders can also enjoy discount vouchers, secretary services, outdoor activities and many more. To get more details visit www.garuda-indonesia.com.

Due to popular demand, Firefly is to reinstate their Subang-Kuantan route next month thanks to the arrival of two new aircraft. The route was suspended last September due to a lack of planes, but as of 30 October, passengers will enjoy two flights daily between the two locations.

CHINA AIRLINES JOINS SKYTEAM China Airlines has become the 15th member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that gives frequent business travellers more flexibility and more choice on international travel. By joining the alliance, China Airlines will be able to offers its passengers more benefits, including access to lounges, a more extensive global network of flights and airports as well as giving All Dynasty Flyer Program members the chance to accrue points and claim benefits on all 15 SkyTeam airlines. Visit their website www.china-airlines.com to check out their flights and prices.

“We anticipate the Subang – Kuantan route will be a popular one,” says Firefly’s Managing Director, Dato’ Eddy Leong, “and we are confident of capturing traffic from business travellers as well as the visit friends and relatives segments.” Flight time between the two airports is just 50 minutes and planes will be departing Subang at 7.40am and 5.50pm, and departing Kuantan at 8.40am and 7pm. For more information, visit their website at www.fireflyz.com.my

GOVERNMENT FREEZES PASSENGER CHARGES Despite the announcement made last month by Malaysia Airport Berhad that the International Passenger service charge was set to rise from 15 September, the government, on 9 September, announced a freeze on the charges. The charges for international passengers were set to increase from RM51-RM65 at all the international airports throughout the country, with the Low Cost Carrier Terminal KLIA and Kota Kinabalu Terminal 2 were to see an increase from RM25RM32, while parking charges and aircraft landing charges were also set to increase. The ministry have frozen the previouslyapproved charges indefinitely.

1. If you are a nervous flyer, book a morning flight. The heating of the ground later on in the day causes bumpier air and thunderstorms are more likely in the afternoon. 2. Pack some fruit for the plane – it will help to keep you hydrated and is great as a snack when the meal service takes a long time. 3. Put your toiletries in separate plastic bags so if they spill in your suitcase, you won’t end up with shampoocoated clothes. 4. If you are packing anything with batteries in your case, turn the batteries the wrong way round so it can’t accidentally turn on and wear down the batteries in your case. 5. If you are travelling across time zones, reduce jetlag by making sure you spend some time outside during daylight hours, as natural light can help re-set your body clock. 6. To increase your chances of an upgrade, dress smartly and be polite to the check-in staff. 7. Choose your seat carefully – it is bumpier at the back of the plane, but it is also warmer there. For the smoothest ride, request a seat close to the wing. 8. Avoid drinking alcohol on board and try to drink as much water as possible - if you stay hydrated you will feel better when you land.

Introducing the Citibank PremierMiles Card, the only card that lets you earn more miles more often, to redeem for free flights on over 70 airlines. Apply now and get a Fujifilm Instax Mini 7s camera**. Just SMS MILES to 36700 or log on to www.citibank.com.my/premiermiles today!

*1 PremierMile = 1 Krisflyer/1SkyMiles/1 Royal Orchid Plus/1 Asia Miles/0.73 Enrich Miles. **Valid for non-Citibank Credit Cardmembers who swipe their new credit card 3X within 60 days of approval. Limited offer valid till 31 December 2011. Terms and conditions apply. All applications are subject to Citibank’s final credit evaluation. Please visit www.citibank.com.my/premiermiles for full terms and conditions.

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THE EXPAT 47

GETTING INVOLVED BY SARAH REES

Cycling the Sights for Charity

T

here can be no doubt that Angkor Wat is one of the most stunning architectural feats of the ancient world, and well-deserves its place as a must-see tourist destination. But one day each year, visitors of a different variety flock to the mighty grounds of Angkor: people on two wheels with hearts of gold. Now entering its sixth year, the Angkor Wat Bike Race and Ride is an annual charity event organised by Village Focus International (VFI) to help raise money for their various charitable projects within Cambodia. “The bike race offers people a chance to ride on the Angkor roads – car-free of course – through forests, rice fields and the magnificent ancient temple complex,” says Rick Reece, the charity’s director. “You are cycling through one of the world’s glories, and doing it for a good cause.” And what a good cause it is. VFI are an internationally-recognised charity that has been working to support the local people of Cambodia since 2003. Their mission is

48 THE EXPAT WWW.EXPATKL.COM

to “Protect, Educate, Empower”, working closely with the vulnerable to offer support and hope for a better future. This year’s event is scheduled for 3rd December and offers participants three different categories – 100km, 30km or 17km – all of which will start at end at the stunning Angkor Wat temple itself. All proceeds from the bike race, which is sponsored by CIMB bank, will be channelled to four local schools in slum areas, as well as helping fund a new shelter for the victims of sex-trafficking. “It is sometimes hard to get people to donate money, but the bike race gives people an opportunity to touch the place and to feel connected to the cause and to the organization,” says Rick. The Angkor Wat Bike Race and Ride offers a unique opportunity to experience this UNESCO World Heritage site like you never have before, while raising money to support a worthy cause. Visit www. villagefocusinternational.org/ bike for full details.

MOTORING BY PAUL TYMINSKI

Pure Exhilaration

I

was more than pleased to accept an invitation to “The Audi Driving Experience” from Euromobil Sdn Bhd. “Brace yourself,” my invitation warned me, “for a pure rush of adrenalin as you take power in your hands in the Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro and the all-new Audi A6. This driving experience programme pushes your driving ability to its maximum while being guided by professional Audi race instructors. It’s a day of pure exhilaration on the tracks that will also help perfect your skills on the road”. This is surely an uncompromising invitation to any red-blooded male. Does anyone know of any man that does not think he is an excellent driver? But enough about me and onto the day itself, which was to take place at the Sepang International Circuit race course. A highly technical track and home to the Malaysian Grand Prix, Sepang is - in the opinion of one of the professional racedrivers present at my test drive – in the top ten of the new generation of F1 courses. Sepang is also, like the Audi, of German design, and I felt honoured to be able to take to this international track to test out some stylish and impressive new cars. Having been allocated to a group upon arrival at the circuit, I signed the indemnity form, grabbed a cup of coffee and waited for the briefing session. We were introduced to our six instructors; one German, one Austrian, one Australian, one New Zealander and two Malaysians. After a short briefing we were led down to the pit-lane to meet the stars of the day: the cars. Another short brief on the specific car followed, and then with two students in each Audi R8, it was a case of follow-myleader onto the track.

The circuit was broken down into sections that we drove a number of times before moving onto the next. Each car rotated in the six vehicle snake and the drivers in each car swapped seats half way through. The track had been marked with sets of cones to indicate braking and acceleration points, and the instructor kept up a constant dialogue of instruction to us all through radio communication. I was markedly impressed: I was having enough trouble concentrating on the track ahead while the instructor was managing to keep an eye on all five cars behind while providing us with the necessary instructions and advice. After a break for lunch, we returned to the vehicles to put all the sections together and race the full circuit in our follow-the-leader format. If happy with our progress, the instructor increased the speed. Although tame against the car’s full capability, reaching 220kph on a winding track was an exhilarating experience and one that I will not forget in a hurry. Interspersed with the race training we were also introduced to the new Audi A6; a real wolf in sheep’s clothing. Our first exercise in this model was a gentle slalom through some cones, which served to demonstrate the handling and comfort of the ride. Next was a braking exercise, which was, for me, the most impressive part of the day. We had to accelerate to about 100kph until, upon reaching a short chicane, we were instructed to hit the brakes as hard as possible. Not only did the car stop in a little over its own length, but full directional control was maintained: safety personified. The final session with the Audi A6 was on a course set out in an adjacent

car-park. Here we were instructed to drive as fast as we wanted through a slalom and bends marked out in cones, and though the surface was covered in loose gravel, all was taken in its stride by a truly remarkable family car. A short presentation on the technical innovations and concepts of the A6 then rounded off the informative day perfectly. The list of features and innovations on both models is endless so I will confine myself to just a few on the remarkable A6. For those of you with a thirst for more knowledge go to www.audi.com.my If the hand-built R8, using aluminium and magnesium materials and carbon fibre reinforced plastic, is a bit too rich for your blood at the asking price of RM1,250,000, then consider the A6 3.0 TFSI quattro at a mere RM515,000. With a top speed of 250kph and acceleration from 0-100kph in 5.5 seconds, it is no slouch for a family saloon. There are a number of assistance systems, some of which must be mentioned. The active lane control keeps you between the white lines if you have not operated your indicators: an interesting concept for driving in Malaysia. Also a night vision assistant with integral thermal imaging is just the thing for spotting motor-cyclists coming towards you on the wrong side of the road with their lights off. All in all the “The Audi Driving Experience” was a most remarkable day. My lingering memory is the lesson stressed by my instructor: the driver that sits stationary and continuously blips the throttle is an idiot. But then I guess I already knew that. For more information on the cars featured, visit www.audi.com.my

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THE EXPAT 49

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50 THE EXPAT WWW.EXPATKL.COM

BUSINESS PROFILE BY WILLIAM CITRIN

The Leadership Principle

F

or established, multinational companies like Citibank, success is something that is expected to come as a matter of course. Founded almost 200 years ago in New York and with a presence in Malaysia stretching all the way back to 1959, Citibank has cemented its global reputation by consistently delivering worldclass products and services. Sanjeev Nanavati, the Chief Executive Officer of Citibank Malaysia Berhad, sees his company’s premier position in the international banking and finance industry as a natural, normal state of affairs. “At Citibank, we think of it as ‘business as usual’ to be in a hyper-competitive environment, to innovate and launch new products and to be in a leadership position. These accomplishments are not milestones, they are the way we do business. I expect to lead the market. I expect we will innovate across all our products and services. We are always pushing ourselves - that is ordinary for us,” says the Dehli-born executive who has been with Citibank since 2001. This relentless drive to remain at the forefront of the international banking sector has enabled Citibank to thrive all over the world. In Malaysia, Citibank has carved out a “niche” for itself as a foreign bank over the past 52 years, and now dominates in numerous distinct business areas including credit cards, wealth management, multinational companies and foreign exchange, transaction banking and custody business. “We have established businesses which produce good revenues. We are constantly tweaking and improving the products that we have,” continues Nanavati, “In general, we are doing all that we want to do, we deal with the customers we want to deal with and have the products we want to have. We are looking to grow in selective areas. There are a lot of competitive challenges, but we come to the table with a lot of resources and experience and a solid base of business.”

One may wonder what a CEO at the helm of a successful, soaring multinational company seemingly on auto-pilot actually does. A lot, as it turns out. Nanavati oversees a staff of more than 4000 people at 11 branches in Malaysia and is responsible for Citibank’s retail banking, credit cards, corporate banking, investment banking, global transaction services, equities, fixed income and treasury activities here.

“We have a strong market position that needs to be defended and grown. We have to find new niches to dominate – that is the main aspect of being CEO,” he reflects. Working in leadership roles in Citibank in Malaysia for the past six years (a remarkably long period of time for an overseas posting in the industry), Nanavati has been instrumental in solidifying and strengthening the company’s position. Originally from India, Nanavati went to study finance and accounting in the USA, earning an MBA from Syracuse University in New York. He was drawn to international banking as “it is an industry which is intrinsically international.” He took a job with a major American bank which dispatched him to Hong Kong, giving him the opportunity to criss-cross Asia in his business travels and to get the “international exposure” he was craving. He went on to work in other international banks, building a name for himself in the financial services sector, before joining Citibank in 2001. Looking back on his career, Nanavati suggests that “the thing that attracted me to banking is fundamentally the range of what you do. There is a variety in the customers and industries which makes it really interesting. As a banker, you are dealing with a vast degree of variety (some people may call it “complexity”): varied people, issues, problems and solutions. There is a constant change.”

A career expat, Nanavati considers himself a citizen of the world, claiming that he “doesn’t know where home is anymore.” In 2005, he was assigned by Citibank to a position in Malaysia and has since settled here, both professionally and personally. A family man with two young children, Nanavati finds living in Malaysia “easy” and is “very positive” about the country. “The quality of life here is as high as you can get anywhere in the world,” he enthuses, “You would be hard pressed to find the combination of things you can find here anywhere in the world. Kuala Lumpur offers a great mix of things and provides you with the opportunity to have a good family life.” From a professional perspective, Nanavati thinks Malaysia is an attractive and conducive place to do business thanks to its sound infrastructure, plus the fact that English is widely spoken here, meaning that “one can deal with issues and challenges without being impeded by language issues.” As a passionate proponent of international commerce and industry here in Malaysia, he serves as President of the American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and also as a Council member of the Association of Banks in Malaysia. In his role as CEO of Citibank, Nanavati has racked up a long list of corporate achievements, but he is most proud of the local initiatives and projects that he has spearheaded, most notably the opening of a childcare facility for employees on premises at Citibank headquarters in downtown Kuala Lumpur. They say a company is only as good as its people and, from top to bottom, Citibank is unquestionably a world-class organization. As CEO of Citibank Malaysia, Sanjeev Nanavati has the responsibility of ensuring that the high standards of his company’s products and services are continuously met. But this, for this calm and confident CEO, is simply “business as usual”.

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THE EXPAT 51

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BUSINESS & FINANCE BY RICHARD THORNTON

JADE HILLS

Ê+ՈVŽÊՈ`iÊ̜Ê>>ÞÈ>˜Ê Property Taxes

I

n common usage, the term expatriate is used to mean any person living in a different country from where he or she is a citizen. In Malaysia, it is also often used to refer to individuals who stay in the country on the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme. From a tax point of view, there is little difference between a resident expat and a resident Malaysian. Virtually all foreign income and many kinds of local income are exempt from tax. Consequently, expats are only exposed to income tax if they have employment income, directors’ fees or income from property in Malaysia. Each property from which rents are received is treated as a separate source of income and expenses attributable to renting can be deducted but only for the period in which there is a renting, unless the property is temporarily vacant between lettings. Expenses deductible include: UÊÊ }i˜ÌÃÊviiÃÊvœÀʓ>˜>}i“i˜ÌÊ>˜` rent collection; UÊÊ ,i«>ˆÀÃÊ>˜`ʓ>ˆ˜Ìi˜>˜ViÆ UÊÊ ˜ÃÕÀ>˜ViÊ«Ài“ˆÕ“ÃÊvœÀÊwÀiÊ>˜`Ê burglary; UÊÊ œV>ÊÀ>ÌiÃÊ­>ÃÃiÃÓi˜ÌÊÌ>Ý®Æ UÊÊ œÃÌʜvÊÀi«>Vˆ˜}Ê>ÊÌi˜>˜ÌÊ­>`ÛiÀ̈Ș}]Ê legal fees); UÊÊ œÃÌʜvÊÀi«>Vi“i˜ÌʜvÊܜÀ˜ÊœÕÌʈÌi“ÃÊ of furniture and equipment; UÊÊ ˜ÌiÀiÃÌʜ˜Ê>ʏœ>˜Ê̜Êw˜>˜ViÊ̅iÊ purchase of the property. No deduction is given for initial expenses ˆ˜ÊœLÌ>ˆ˜ˆ˜}Ê̅iÊwÀÃÌÊÌi˜>˜ÌÊÃÕV…Ê>ÃÊ advertising, commission and legal expenses

>˜`Ê̅iÊVœÃÌʜvʈ˜ˆÌˆ>ÊvÕÀ˜ˆÌÕÀiÊ>˜`ÊwÌ̈˜}Ã°Ê ʏœÃÃʈÃʘœÌÊÌ>ÝÊ`i`ÕV̈LiÊ՘iÃÃʈÌÊV>˜Ê LiʜvvÃiÌÊ>}>ˆ˜ÃÌÊ>Ê«ÀœwÌÊvÀœ“Ê>Êȓˆ>ÀÊ property in the same year.

and provided for a commercial purpose ÃÕV…Ê>ÃÊ>ÊVœ““iÀVˆ>ÊVœ“«iÝ]Ê>˜ÊœvwViÊ complex or shopping complex, or as a factory or warehouse.

Holding properties to derive income from them is basically a passive activity so it is understandable that in most cases the income is treated as investment income. Nevertheless, investors are often aware that when rents are taxed as business income there are some potential tax advantages such as:

ÊÀiÈ`i˜Ìʈ˜`ˆÛˆ`Õ>ÊˆÃÊÌ>Ýi`Ê>ÌÊ}À>`Õ>Ìi`Ê rates which start from a low of 0% and rise in steps to 26% after deducting various kinds of payment or expense and claiming a range of personal allowances. However, none of these advantages can be enjoyed by a company which must pay tax at 25% on the whole of its income, except for some companies with a small paid up share capital which enjoy a À>ÌiʜvÊÓä¯Êœ˜Ê̅iÊwÀÃÌÊ,xää]äää°Ê˜Ê considering the possible advantages of using a company to hold properties there is a trade off between these methods of taxation to be considered.

UÊÊ œÀiÊÃVœ«iÊvœÀÊiÝ«i˜ÃiÊ`i`ÕV̈œ˜Ã°Ê UÊÊ i`ÕV̈œ˜ÃÊvœÀÊ`i«ÀiVˆ>̈œ˜ÊœvÊ>ÃÃiÌÃÊ such as furniture and equipment in the case of furnished rentals. UÊÊ ,iˆivÊvœÀÊÌ>ÝʏœÃÃiÃ°Ê Business income treatment might seem ̜ÊLiÊ>ÌÌÀ>V̈ÛiÊLÕÌʈÌʈÃʵՈÌiÊ`ˆvwVՏÌÊvœÀÊ >˜Êˆ˜`ˆÛˆ`Õ>Ê̜Ê>V…ˆiÛiʈ̰Êʅˆ}…ʏiÛiÊ of personal activity is required to justify it. On the other hand, if properties are held within a company, the concessionary basis can be applied. This is available for the rents derived from a minimum of four properties of any or all of the following kinds in any combination; commercial units; shop houses; and residential properties. Except for shop houses, where each floor can be treated as one unit, only a property with a separate strata title is considered to be a unit. Property rent to or occupied by a related or connected person is disregarded unless it is rent for a Ài˜ÌÊ܅ˆV…ʈÃʘœÌÊÈ}˜ˆwV>˜ÌÞʏiÃÃÊ̅>˜Ê̅iÊ market rate. It also applies to a specialpurpose building owned by the company

Income spreading to take advantage of lower rates is a viable tax planning technique and this is often used to advantage when spouses can divide their income between them. Owning separate properties is one way. Owning properties through a company has also produced the same kind of advantage in the past but it must now be approached with some caution because most company dividends >ÀiʘœÜÊÌ>ÝÊiÝi“«ÌÊ>˜`Ê̅iÀiʈÃʘœÊLi˜iwÌÊ ÌœÊLiʜLÌ>ˆ˜i`°ÊÃœ]ʈvÊ>ÊVœ“«>˜ÞʈÃÊ V>ÃÈwi`Ê>ÃÊ>˜Êˆ˜ÛiÃ̓i˜Ìʅœ`ˆ˜}ÊVœ“«>˜ÞÊ ˆÌÊ܈Ê˜œÌÊLiÊÌ>ÝÊivwVˆi˜ÌÊ̜ÊëÀi>`ʈ˜Vœ“iÊ around by paying directors’ fees. The writer, Richard Thornton, is the author several books in the 100 Ways to Save Tax Series.

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THE EXPAT 53

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including World Champions

Contact us for registration: nd Lot 2-A, 2 Floor, Wisma Thrifty, No: 19, Jln Barat, Petaling Jaya

,ĂŶĚƐͲŽŶƚƌĂŝŶŝŶŐ in 7 specialized kitchens

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54 THE EXPAT WWW.EXPATKL.COM

T: +603-79603846 ŝŶĨŽΛĂĐĂĚĞŵLJŽĨƉĂƐƚƌLJĂƌƚƐŵĂůĂLJƐŝĂ͘ĐŽŵ ŚƚƚƉ͗ͬͬĂĐĂĚĞŵLJŽĨƉĂƐƚƌLJĂƌƚƐŵĂůĂLJƐŝĂ͘ĐŽŵ

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FINANCE BY ALI ZARA

A Budget for All B udget 2012’s “National Transfomation Policy: Welfare for the Rakyat, Wellbeing of the Nation” theme is focused on accelerating investment, generating creativity and innovation, rural transformation, strengthening the civil service, and easing inflation.This is according to Prime Minister and Finance Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Razak’s Budget speech unveiled on Oct 7.

As the services sector is the largest contributor to the country’s economy, accounting for 58 % of gross domestic product, the government targets the sector to contribute 60 % of GDP by 2015. ABUNDANT INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES The government will further liberalise 17 services subsectors in phases in 2012. These include private hospital, medical and dental specialist services; architectural, engineering, accounting, taxation and legal services; courier services; education and training services; and telecommunication services. Selected subsectors are allowed up to 100 % foreign equity participation. To accelerate the banking, financial and capital markets, the Treasury Management Centre will be set up to attract multinational corporations to establish their treasury management services here. Incentives include income tax exemption of 70 % for five years, withholding tax exemption on interest payments on borrowings, and stamp duty exemption on loan and service agreements. To accelerate the development of the Kuala Lumpur International Financial District, the government has also proposed these goodies: Income tax exemption of

100 % for 10 years, among others, and income tax exemption of 70 % for five years for property developers in KLIFD.

measures such as producing main food commodities such as rice, meat, vegetables and fruits.

To attract foreign and domestic investments, there is a concessionary tax rate of 10 % on dividends of noncorporate institutional and individual investors in real estate investment trusts, commencing 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2016.

These aside, it has long implemented programmes to safeguard the people’s welfare such as providing basic food subsidies.

To promote green technologies, full exemption of import duty and excise duty on hybrid cars and electric cars will continue to be given to franchise holders until 31 December, 2013. In the tourism sector, Langkawi Island will be redeveloped. At the same time, the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council will be corporatised to promote and develop the country as a main healthcare services destination in the region. To encourage investment in hotels in the country, those investing in four- and fivestar properties will enjoy pioneer status and income tax exemptions. Budget 2012 has also put in place various initiatives to make affordable housing accessible to the lower income groups especially young working adults as well as measures to prevent the risk of delayed or abandoned housing projects. In addition, there are measures such as higher real property gains tax to ensure property prices stay stable and to curb excessive speculation. EASING INFLATION To ease inflation, the government will undertake both short- and long-term

Some examples: For every kilogramme of local super rice, the actual price is RM2.40. We pay RM1.80; the government subsidises 60 sen or 25 per cent of the actual price. For sugar, the subsidy is 20 sen or eight per cent of actual price; cooking oil RM2.25 or 43 per cent of actual price; and flour 55 sen or 29 per cent of actual price. These basic food subsidies require an allocation of RM2.3 billion and are enjoyed by all regardless of socioeconomic status. Reflecting the Najib administration’s “People First, Performance Now” guiding philosophy, the subsidies are not limited to food items.

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR EXPATS As expats also contribute to the country’s economic development, they are allowed to withdraw their contributions to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) to buy a home, Prime Minister Najib said in his Budget 2012 speech on Oct 7. The latest facility is to provide a more conducive environment for them to continue working in Malaysia. It is similar to that available to Malaysian contributors to the EPF, Najib, who is also finance minister, added. The number of expats in the country has increased to 41,000.

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EDUCATION SCHOOL SNAPS

Australian International School Malaysia Presents Circus Spectacular for their annual Junior School production The Australian International School Malaysia recognises the important role that the Arts play in the development of the child and provide many different opportunities for students to engage in Music, Drama and Dance activities. This year’s annual Junior School production which was held on 21st September provided the opportunity for students as young as 3 – 9 years old to perform in small groups and further develop their skills. The production was a vibrant and energetic performance based on a circus spectacular of dance, percussion and circus skills inspired by Cirque du Soleil, Dr. Seuss and Water for Elephants! The circus spectacular was titled, “Circus-roo, Under the Big Top”. The production showcased AISM students in a myriad of different fun circus performances. There were mimes, acrobats, clowns, debonair horse-riders, tight rope artists and many more that dazzled the audience.

BSKL – Tottenham Football Development Programme The British International School students attended their first training session with Tottenham Football Development at KBU Football Field in September. Over 40 students signed up for the football development programme. The objective of the programme is to offer great opportunity for footballers to experience professional football training at its highest level. On a bright Saturday morning, our enthusiastic young footballers were introduced to a variety of skills by Coach Sheldon and Coach Anthony. After a thorough workout of dribbling, passing , heading and shooting; students played 5 aside matches to end the session. It was a great day and they could not wait for the next session!

Students and Staff at Garden International School Participate in Malaysia Dress Up Day Students and staff at the main campus of Garden International School and Early Years Centre took part in the Malaysia Dress Up Day recently by attending school in their colourful traditional costumes.This was a day where various activities were organised for the students to learn the meaning and develop their cultural understanding of Malaysia Day. Year 1 students had an excellent experience in crafting the Malaysia flag using various recycled materials. They also took part in a colourful parade to showcase their traditional costumes.

New and improved facilities at the Alice Smith School Primary Campus Not long into the academic term, the Alice Smith School Primary Campus was a hive of activity with the opening of the new Foundation One area and revamped Year One shared area. The Foundation One area looks fantastic and is complete with Smartboard facilities and storage areas. The new classroom is bright and airy with many windows to allow in lots of natural light. Addition of an extra class is a great welcome to foundation Stage where there is often been a waiting list for Pre-school. The Year One Shared Area has also undergone major re-development and, as a consequence, now boasts a dedicated art/craft area, kitchen, pull-down LCD screen, a playhouse and individual play area for the children. There are now two Pre-school classes and five Reception classes. “Such an amazing environment. The school truly understands what the children need. My son, Alex is so eager to go to school everyday and this is fantastic!” said Javier del Pozo, a new parent at the school. Pamela Liddell, an existing parent said, “It’s a huge improvement. I like the compartmentalised sections and the improved kitchen area is great. Food can now be better prepared here. The children are really enjoying themselves in these new areas.”

56 THE EXPAT WWW.EXPATKL.COM

Eleven Intl Schools Participate in Debate at Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar Tunku Naquiyuddin Debate Challenge 2011 held on 10th September was a first of its kind. Debate topics centred around Global History and Economics. In total 11 public and private schools participated in this event. The final debate was between Kolej Damansara Utama IB division and Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar. KDU IB emerged as champions with their commendable points challenging the notion that the rise of China is in the best interest of Asia. It was a lively debate between two strong teams. KTJ had earlier won against Kolej Islam Sultan Alam Shah, Klang to qualify the final round. Kugan Ishwar A/L Sivamuni from Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar was selected unanimously as the Best Speaker. He stole the limelight with his witty remarks and gentlemanly gestures when answering points of information from the opposition. The roles of head girl Ajierah, deputy head girl Sharandeep, Jeffery Disney, Dakshan Krishnamurthy, Lazareena T.Moses and Muhammad Siraj towards improving debating skills amongst students will always be treasured. Agu’s song rendition and Nikita’s group dance performance made this debate a memorable event for every student of KTJ and guests from participating schools.

Hari Raya Celebration at Nexus International School, Putrajaya The Nexus community welcomed the arrival of Eid ul-Fitr with a special celebration and assembly. The day started with a feast prepared by parents who volunteered to cook various traditional Malay dishes, including satay, rendang, ketupat, lemang, serunding, Raya cookies and more. Learners and staff members who are still new to Malaysia were interested to sample these local delicacies. The whole school gathered in the afternoon for a Hari Raya assembly, which showcased traditional Hari Raya songs and dance. Learners shared the spotlight with parents and teachers who took to the stage and performed impressive renditions of Hari Raya songs. It was a truly enjoyable celebration and cultural learning experience for the community.

The Primary Section of Sri Garden International presented its very own “Madagascar in Town” The Sri Garden International School compound was filled with colourful animals of all shapes and sizes during their recent “Madagascar in Town” carnival. On that morning, the students, teachers and parents came to school dressed in a variety of animal costumes. There was a special parade for the students to showcase their animal artwork and some even performed some animal dance moves during the parade. Everyone was in awe when the life-sized animals made their appearance in the grand finale of the parade. The parents and visitors were very impressed with the creative efforts showcased by the Sri Garden International Primary students at the carnival. Some commented that the carnival was a visual feast for all as they witnessed how capable students were in making the art pieces unique by using different materials and colours. The carnival was a resounding success and everyone looks forward to the art carnival next year.

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EDUCATION SCHOOL SNAPS

Tony Christiansen @ Tenby Schools Setia Eco Park Internationally renowned motivational speaker, Tony Christiansen gave an inspiring presentation to the students of Tenby Schools Setia Eco Park recently, driving home a healthy message that one can achieve his dreams with the right attitude and determination. Despite the adversity Tony has faced since the age of nine when a horrific accident left him without legs, he has never allowed it to slow him down and in fact has achieved more in his life than most of us. Tony received a standing ovation from the crowd and one student remarked that Tony has already changed his life by encouraging him to pursue his dream as a writer. After Tony’s presentation, a group of students followed him around closely like bodyguards and one boy even tried to beat Tony at arm-wrestling! He only realized later that he did not have a chance but it was all good fun. The students are pleased that the school has initiated this effort to bring in prolific speakers such as Tony Christiansen, as part of their learning beyond the classroom programmes. The school looks forward to organize more programmes like this in the future.

International School of Penang at Uplands has Superb Exam Results The expertise and experience of The International School of Penang (Uplands) shone brighter than ever this year as the School achieved its best-ever examination results for IGCSE examinations together with another excellent set of awards in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Fifteen students, or a full one quarter of the graduating Year 11 group ( twelve of them shown in the photo on the right), achieved clean sweeps of IGCSE grades of A or A* while three of these were awarded the ultimate distinction of an A* in every single subject taken!

58 THE EXPAT WWW.EXPATKL.COM

Senses of Malaysia offers the reader an insight into the many attractions which make Malaysia such a stunning place to visit or live. It provides insights into the wonderful tourism destinations many of which are not so well known. To give a broader picture of Malaysia we now include articles about the property markets, health tourism, the Malaysia My Second Home programme and other insights into this wonderful country.

Sign up now: www.sensesofmalaysia.com

60 THE EXPAT WWW.EXPATKL.COM

EDUCATOR PROFILE BY MARYBETH RAMEY

Dr Stuart Martin Believes in Personalising Education at Nexus Intl School

N

exus International School, the first international school in Putrajaya, opened its doors in 2008 with the highly regarded International Primary Curriculum and a widely diverse global student body from nursery to Year 6 (3 – 10 years old). In September of 2009, the Secondary school arrived along with Dr Stuart Martin and the ensuing two years have seen the school’s academic reputation solidify as one of enquiry and excellence. Rapid growth has taken place on the campus with the modernisation of the physical buildings and the implementation of a vast range of new classroom ICT tools. A feature of the school has been the development of an environment that consists of children truly excited about learning and about exploring other cultures and feeling that they are important individuals with a deep potential to become very successful, well rounded adults in any areas that interest them. The school’s motto of Celebrating Diversity, Challenging Minds is alive in the day to day culture. Dr Martin has been a world class educational leader for over 30 years and has brought to Nexus a wealth of international academic experiences, and compelling, exciting ideas and theories which he continues to implement in the classrooms as well throughout the new 140 bed Boarding House which “provides a fun, inspiring, affirming and intellectually stimulating experience to the boarders,” he says. He is a native of the South Island, Wellington and attended university in Christchurch, and then taught for many years at secondary schools before emigrating to England to experience the

richness that is English education both as a doctoral candidate at Bristol University and as an administrator and teacher at several schools. In 2001 he returned to New Zealand where he was Principal of the highly regarded Onslow College for eight years. After visiting this region many times, Dr Martin decided to settle in Malaysia and accepted his appointment to Nexus, the newest school owned by Taylor’s Education Group. Dr. Martin’s special interest is in personalized learning for students of all ages so they can achieve their fullest potential. He is leading the school in personalising learning, which is aimed at “finding, developing and extending gifts unique to each child”. The successes of Nexus are intrinsically linked with Dr Martin’s leadership as School Principal because he has provided a campus wide environment benefiting from his progressive ideas and innovative teaching methodologies. He is committed to the latest, rigorously field tested classroom teaching methods that offers young people the opportunity to develop in the academic, social, cultural and sporting areas. “At Nexus International School,” Dr Martin explains, “we believe in providing learners the opportunity to experience an international education in a culturally diverse environment. Our Secondary curriculum is based on the UK National Curriculum with a strong focus on crosscurricula links and leads to a wide range of GCSE and IGCSE examinations. Currently the school is a candidate school for the IB Diploma and will introduce Pre U courses in August 2012.” “Performing arts and theatre are strongly encouraged in our school as they help

learners in public speaking, singing, acting and dancing. Such forms of performing arts inculcate confidence within the learner and help greatly in developing a positive and supportive community. Nexus learners are encouraged to be confident not only within the classroom, but they are also groomed to be self-assured individuals in different aspects of their lives,” said Dr Stuart Martin. He continues, “I believe that the classroom is constantly evolving. Thus, we ensure that the latest teaching and learning methods, together with state-of-the art technology, is incorporated into our curriculum. ICT is fully integrated into the curriculum to facilitate learning. Classrooms re fitted with an interactive Smartboards and projectors and learners enhance their daily learning in the classroom with the use of Mac laptops and Internet. Nexus takes great pride in challenging young minds and stimulating children’s naturally inquisitive nature through acclaimed International Curriculums. Fully embracing diversity, we encourage cultural assimilation between each student’s individual ethnicity and history, with their host country Malaysia. Aside from the guidance by our highly qualified expat and local teachers, students gain further learning from the multicultural community within and around the school.” . Nexus International School, Putrajaya is more than just an international school. It is a place where young people come together to become global citizens of the future. With Dr. Martin at its helm, Nexus is successfully preparing each individual child for success in both their careers and in their personal lives.

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Under the patronage of the Ambassadors of Austria, Germany & Switzerland

We proudly present the 26th annual

Austrian-German-Swiss Charity Bazaar Member of the German Speaking Society of Kuala Lumpur

26th November 2011 3 Carcosa Seri Negara

Come and share the upcoming Christmas spirit Enjoy handicraft items made by volunteers. Taste and buy homemade cookies, candies, traditional cakes and other Christmas treats. Find special gifts for your family & friends. A donation of 20 RM (children under 12 are free) will entitle you to enter. Tickets are available at the door. All proceeds of the bazaar will go to local charities.

Contact : [email protected]

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ƛȯȺȺΎƙƚƯƥΎƠȽɃɁȳΎ Ύ̯̲Ύ̷̱̱̳Ύ̶̳̳̯

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62 THE EXPAT WWW.EXPATKL.COM

PENANG PROMENADE BY FRANCES WILKS A Tray of Heaven at the Four Seasons Bakery

Roti man’s ‘van’

Not Just any Old Loaf

“W

hen you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other” or so the Chinese proverb goes. Although I love lilies, I’m not sure I would go as far as that. But I would willingly spend my last sou on a good sourdough. I’m lucky that I don’t have to go far for bread. In fact the roti man makes an early evening visit to my house, selling fresh roti bengali from the mobile mini shop attached to the back of his motorbike. All manner of baked goods, most of them sweetened up quite considerably for the local taste, dangle perilously from it. He cheerfully gets out his wooden breadboard and slices it up with a knife there and then on the roadside. Roti bengali is actually a misnomer derived from two Tamil words: roti (bread) and penggalis (sharecroppers). Penangites in the early years of the twentieth century mistook penggalis for Bengali and the name stuck. The Ismailia Bakery, founded in 1932 by an Indian Muslim immigrant, supplies many of the local hawkers’ stalls as well as the itinerant roti man, prides itself as making bread as “soft as a baby’s bottom”. But if you want bread with a bit more bite (and just possibly a tad more hygienically presented) you could do worse than to head to the Adventist Hospital’s Bakery in Pulau Tikus. The Hospital itself was founded by Seventh Day Adventist Missionaries from the USA who saw their role not only to help the sick but to promote health and well-being. The Bakery’s famous 7 seed sprouted wholegrain loaf (containing millets, corn, soya, oats, lentils, honey, molasses and corn oil but no preservatives or additives) reflects this philosophy. In fact it’s almost a meal in itself. Because

the grains are sprouted before they are ground up, they are much easier to digest and the nutritional content of the bread is increased almost eightfold. Sprouted bread contains less gluten than ordinary bread, which means less gas and bloating for those of us who are gluten sensitive. It’s absolutely delicious and it both freezes and toasts like a dream. Ready sliced and wrapped in a retro plastic bag, it’s the ultimate convenience food which is (paradoxically) good for you. Moving towards a little bit more luxury, the Rainforest Bakery, in Chulia Street is also concerned with the effect of additives commonly found in bread on health. “We aren’t totally organic,” explains Jesse Tan, who manages the Rainforest, with his identical twin brother Jerry, “but we import a lot of organic European flours.” Even their locally sourced flour is specially made for them, unbleached and without ADA (azodicarbonamide), an additive that’s a potentially serious health risk and is now banned in many countries but not Malaysia. The brothers were trained in London as organic bakers before they set up their artisan bakery in a George Town shop house ten years ago. Although much of their market is expat, many local people also are becoming convinced of the benefits of eating healthily. Rainforest will deliver to most areas of Penang free of charge which saves a trip to George Town. If you like rye bread Tuesday is the day they bake their delicious dark rye sourdough with imported German rye flour. (Though the white version they have every day is pretty good I have to say). Creating sourdough is quite an art because the starter dough has to be carefully nurtured over several days before it is ready. The result is that fresh tanginess, sour but not ‘off’. Try their latest addition, croissants, made with imported French butter, moist

yet crunchy, and somehow light and rich simultaneously. Be careful not to go into the Bakery feeling too hungry though, because it’s impossible not be seduced by the wonderful variety of fresh bread. If the Rainforest is northern European in feeling, the newly opened Four Season Bakery at Straits Quay is southern Europe personified. Feminine and welcoming, it has chairs and tables and real Italian coffee. It’s a place to hang out and nibble as you chat. They bake in front of you so you can actually see and smell the process. Joshlyn Beh, the owner, explained the Four Season’s approach “as European with a Japanese twist. We use only the best and most pure ingredients. No margarine, only butter, and no added sugar.” The Sea Salt, a delicious little bun sprayed with Maldon Sea Salt from England before baking, is excellent as is the Sundried Tomato Bread. But my favourite is the ham ciabatta - the ham is actually baked into the bread, fusing both together a wonderful harmony. It seems that you don’t have to travel far in Penang to experience a whole world of bread!

Adventist Bakery Penang Adventist Hospital, 465 Jalan Burma, Penang. Tel: +604.222 7502 Four Season Bakery Straits Quay, Tanjung Tokong, Penang. Tel: +604.898 2919 Rainforest Artisan Bread 300 Lebuh Chulia, Penang. Tel: +604.261 4641 Roti Bengali Ismailia Bakery 14 Transfer Road, George Town, Penang and on selected streets

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PENANG PROMENADE

64 THE EXPAT WWW.EXPATKL.COM

PENANG PROMENADE

What’s on around Penang? Scottish Dancing – 1 November at 8pm The Scottish Country Dance Group meets every Tuesday evening at 8pm. Hall, St Nicholas Home for the Blind in Jalan Bagan Jermal, Penang. That Little Wine Class – 2 November at 6.30pm. That Little Wine Bar, 54 Jalan Chow Thye, Pulau Tikus. Tel. 04-226-8182/email [email protected] Tax Talk for UK Expats – 3 November 7.30pm Find out the tax rules for UK expats over drinks & nibbles. Call 016 4570221 or email [email protected]. Weekend Flea Market – 5 & 6 November 10.00 am onwards Straits Quay, Tanjong Tokong Magical Fireflies by Night – 11 November. River boat trip to see fireflies and a seafood dinner. Cost: RM100 per adult, RM70 per child. To book: call 016 4570221 or email [email protected]. French and World Movie Nights – November 4th (French movie) 8 pm November 16th (World movie) 8 pm Films shown with English subtitles at the Alliance Francaise Charity Cruise – 13-16 November Cruise to Phuket and Krabi and support the National Cancer Society of Malaysia as the cabins have been donated by Star Cruises. Call 04 228 4140 to book. Penang International Kids Storytelling Festival (PINKS Fest 2011) – 19 November 8.00 am – 6.00pm Straits Quay, Tanjong Tokong Super Stylish Shopping Christmas – 19 November 2011 G Hotel Ballroom Lobby 9.30am to 3pm. Free admission. Allianz Penang Bridge International Marathon – 20 November Further details from website: www.penangmarathon.gov.my From Heaven’s Throne: Charity Musical Concert – 22 November 7-30 pm Dewan Sri Penang – in aid of Penang Adventist Hospital A Christmas World Bazaar – 26 November 10.30 – 10.30 All your Christmas shopping under one roof. Lots of stalls and fun! Straits Quay, Tanjong Tokong. Organised by IWA Penang.

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PENANG ASSOCIATIONS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION PENANG 16 Jalan Tan Jit Seng, Hillside, Tanjung Bungah 11200 Penang Tel: 04.898 2540 Email: [email protected] Website: www.iwa-penang.info ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE PENANG 46 Jalan Phuah Hin Leong, 10050 Penang Tel: 04.227 6008 Email: [email protected] Website: www.alliancefrancaise.org.my PENANG IRISH ASSOCIATION Tel: 012.462 5596 Email: [email protected] Website: www.penang-irish-association.com MALAYSIAN GERMAN SOCIETY 250-B Jalan Air Itam, 10460 Penang Tel: 04.229 6853 Email: offi[email protected] Website: www.mgs-penang.com PENANG JAPANESE ASSOCIATION 256 Jalan Air Item, 10460 Penang Tel: 04.229 3635 Email: [email protected] Website: www.pja.org.my PENANG PLAYERS MUSIC & DRAMA SOCIETY Always looking for new talent, acting, singing or backstage. Website: www.penangplayers.org PENANG HERITAGE TRUST 26 Church Street, 10200 Penang Tel: 04.264 2631 Email: [email protected] Website: www.pht.org.my/introduction.htm BRITISH COUNCIL 3 Weld Quay, 10300 Penang Tel: 04 263 0330 Email: [email protected] Website: www.britishcouncil.org/malaysia.htm PENANG INTERNATIONAL HASH HOUNDS Website: www.penang-hounds.com Email: [email protected] SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS PENANG Jalan Jeti Jelutong, Penang Tel: 04 281 6559 Email: [email protected] Website: www.spca-penang.net YMCA TOASTMASTERS CLUB OF PENANG Website: http://ymcapenang.freetoasthost.net Contact information for Penang consulates is available at www.expatkl.com

Tel: 04 890 7988 | 016 452 5289 (Lynn) | [email protected]

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THE EXPAT-INFORMATION more information at www.ExpatKL.com / www.TheExpatGroup.com

Toh Lee Restaurant, InterContinental Kuala Lumpur

T

here are hundreds of companies across Malaysia that have specifically selected their products or services with expats in mind. We’ve found the very best of these restaurants, shops, doctors and bars – putting in the effort so that you don’t have to!

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Dining Promos “Exotic Sarawak” Festival @ Makan Kitchen, DoubleTree by Hilton, Kuala Lumpur Makan Kitchen, the signature Malaysian restaurant of DoubleTree by Hilton, Kuala Lumpur will be staging its inaugural Sarawak festival from 8 to 27 November. To ensure authenticity of the dishes on the spread, two guest chefs from Borneo Convention Centre Kuching will join the restaurant team and will prepare some 30 traditional specialities from their family-guarded recipes. Some of the highlights include Nang Duah Kian Pansoh (seafood with local spices cooked in bamboo), Nasi Ujan (Sarawak-style rainbow rice), Koming Kari (Bidayuh-style lamb curry with potato) and Nang Galah Rebus Serai (fresh water prawns cooked with lemongrass). The spread will also include special Sarawakian appetizers, dips and a Sarawak noodle counter serving the popular Laksa Sarawak, Kolo Mee and Mee Belacan. The promotion is available for lunch on weekday and high tea on weekend at RM59++ per adult, while dinner is at RM89++ per adult. The price is inclusive of a “Jom Lepak” tea which is a Sarwakian favourite. In addition, during the festival guests can also expect colourful cultural performances and to learn about the unique Sarawakian crafts. To make reservations for the “Exotic Sarawak” festival, please call +603 2172 7272 or visit http://www.makanmoments.com.

Eat your Heart out @ Holiday Inn Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie Kites A Juicy Buffet! 1 – 30 November 2011 (Mondays – Thursdays) Enjoy the Kites BBQ Buffet dinner and get free flow of your choice of juice. The Kites Buffet dinner is priced at RM 82++ Fu-Rin Chef’s Special of the month: Oysters 1 – 30 November 2011 ½ Fresh Oysters prepared by our skillful chefs! RM 55++ per serving Garden Terrace Wednesday Specials 1 – 30 November (Wednesdays) Enjoy local specialties at only RM 20++ per set! Comes with a beverage of your choice. For more information, call 03.7802 5200.

Marvelous Masu @ Still Waters Charm your taste buds with the variations of Masu (Salmon trout) flavours at Still Waters. The mild and delicate taste of Masu makes it a delicious and popular choice for Japanese cuisine. Only the freshest ingredients are selected to create dishes such as salmon roll teriyaki, salmon temaki sushi (salmon hand roll), salmon teppanyaki (pan fried salmon) and salmon chazuke (salmon in clear soup). The Marvelous Masu promotion offers dishes priced from RM18 to RM48 and is available during lunch and dinner. For reservations at Still Waters, please call 03.2711 8866 extension 260. Still Waters restaurant is located on the main entrance level of Hotel Maya Kuala Lumpur and seats 62 persons including a semiprivate dining room that seats 16 persons. It is open for lunch from 12 noon to 2.30 pm (Monday to Friday) and dinner from 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm (Monday to Saturday).

Turkey Thyme @ Hotel Equatorial Kuala Lumpur Hotel Equatorial Kuala Lumpur has something special for everyone during this coming festive season. Festive menus with whole roast turkey accompanied with your favourite stuffing and sauces are available for take away and dine in at Etoile Bistro from 1 November to 31 December 2011. Enjoy Hotel Equatorial's ever popular turkey and stuffing this season. An old-fashioned roast turkey with thyme herbs is part of the perfect meal for lunch and dinner to celebrate Thanksgiving and festive season with your family and friends. Enjoy the traditional roast turkey with your favourite stuffing and trimmings such as fresh sauteed vegetables, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, old fashion giblet puree with thyme herbs gravy, cranberry sauce with orange zest, chestnut stuffing and pumpkin pie. The turkey is priced at RM388++ for 5kg and RM488++ for 6kg. Also available are the garlic caramelized leg of New Zealand lamb, baked beef Wellington, roasted rosemary chicken, traditional Yule Log cakes, gingerbread and festive cookies. For reservations, please call 03.2161 7777 ext 8030. Etoile's business hours are from 8am - 1am (Sunday to Thursday) and from 8am - 2am (Friday and Saturday).

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PHOTOS BY CHARLES LEE

Fresh from the Oven

HIS BAKERY may have only been open 8 months, but owner Gandhi’s love affair with bread has been a life-long intoxication. “When I was 5 or 6, my Dad would take me to the bakery in the morning,” he tells me as we sip coffees in his airy and relaxing café-cumbakery in Solaris Dutamas, “and I just loved it. It was must have been one of the only places with a brick oven and the smell was just wonderful.” During his many years living in the UK, Gandhi indulged in his passion to his heart’s content, combing Europe for the best bakeries he could find, but when he moved back to Malaysia he became disillusioned. “We just couldn’t find any really good bread,” he says, “so we decided” – he nods to his wife Ellen who is serving the lunchtime rush of customers - “we would just have to make it ourselves.” It sounds like a simple proposition, but one that involved Gandhi training with a Master Baker in the UK, sourcing for the best flour he could find, cultivating his own yeast and getting a brick oven custom-made in Taiwan. It was in February this year when the dream became a reality and Craft Bakers was open for business. The chalkboard on the wall is enough to reassure you that this is a place that takes bread seriously: choose from loaves of 100% rye, multigrain, sourdough and wholemeal among many others, both for takeaway and for delicious sandwiches. Everything is made by hand and everything is natural; that means no preservatives and no additives, just organic, real bread.

Fact File : Craft Bakers D2-G3-05 Solaris Dutamas 1, Jalan Dutamas 1 50480 Kuala Lumpur Tel: +603 6205 3913 Business Hours: 7.30am-5pm, Mon-Sat For more restaurant reviews visit: www.DineMalaysia.com

And if you are coming to buy a fresh loaf, be sure to stop for lunch, as the choice of sandwich fillings, all made fresh by Gandhi himself, is impressive. I enjoyed the creamy coronation chicken during my outing, but my stomach was equally tempted by the other fillings on offer: cheese and pickle, peanut butter and banana or chicken rendang are just some that jostle for your custom. For something more substantial, Gandhi and his team cook up homemade pies – with perfect pastry and generous, meaty fillings – and homemade pizzas. And for afters? Nothing goes better with your cup of organic coffee than a delicious homemade cake or pastry, which could rival the best Europe has to offer in terms of flavour. Make sure you drop by during December when Gandhi and his team will be selling mince pies – with homemade mincemeat – gingerbread men and panettone. Gandhi’s quest for good quality bread has most certainly been successful, and a trip to Craft Bakers is sure to thrill anyone who pines for the European bakery experience. The only problem is trying to decide which delicious loaf to buy! By Sarah Rees

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Flying Pizzas at the Hard Rock Hotel Penang Fact File : Hard Rock Cafe Penang (c/o Hard Rock Hotel Penang) Jalan Batu Feringghi 11100, Penang, Malaysia Tel: +603 8811711 Business Hours: 11:00am to 2:30am (Daily) For more restaurant reviews visit: www.DineMalaysia.com

I REMEMBER QUEUING to get into the old Hard Rock Café in London back in the 1980’s. The chilly drizzle seeped into your bones and when you finally gained access, the tired hamburger was really nothing to write home about. The Hard Rock Hotel’s Pizzeria in Penang couldn’t be more different. On one side there is the famous Batu Ferringhi Beach and on the other the gorgeous funky postmodern hotel swimming pool. In between, well, there is Chef Joe, the dynamic, enthusiastic Malay-Irish chef. I love a good pizza and his are as mouth-watering as any I’ve tasted outside Italy. We started with calamares delicately sautéed with a piquant dip of chili and lime. Chef Joe began tossing our pizzas until they flew in the air like Frisbees! “It makes it melt in your mouth,” he declared before popping it into his wood– burning oven. Dressed with cheese, tomato, wilted spinach, onion and basil, it swiftly arrived at our table. Apparently you should fold over a pizza slice and eat with it with your fingers. It tastes much better than if you eat it with a knife and fork. The flavours were mingled but still separate and the pizza base was light and crisp. We followed this with taster portions of the sea bass and the grilled lamb shank, both excellently prepared. The lamb had been slow cooked for seven hours until it fell off the bone and was served with a couple of thin slices of Parmesan as well as rocket and polenta. For dessert we sampled both the chocolate tart and the tiramisu, which were both memorably yummy. If you’re feeling like a really relaxed and satisfying meal, the Pizzeria at the Hard Rock Hotel is hard to beat. By Frances Wilks

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The Academy of Pastry Arts Recommends The Academy of Pastry Arts (APA) is the country’s finest pastry academy thanks to its incredible facilities and a team of master chefs who bring their global experience together to groom the dessert creators of tomorrow. If you fancy yourself a bit of a whiz in the sweets department, why not try out this macaroon recipe, courtesy of the talented team at APA! This recipe for mouth-watering Macaroons has been simplified so any of our Expat readers can make this. This will definitely impress your family and friends and makes for an elegant tea time treat. Preparation Time: 40 minutes Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes Serves: 12

Instructions: 1. Beat together the egg whites, sugar and egg white powder, adding the sugar a little a time, until you have formed stiff peaks. (If there is any trace of fat or grease this will not work, so take care!) Once the meringue is firm, add the icing sugar and almonds and mix until the mixture become shiny and glossy. At this stage you can add a drop of food colouring if you would like your macaroons to be colourful. 3. Spoon the mixture into a piping bag and press out any excess air. Snip off 1 corner of the plastic bag to create a 1/4inch opening.

Ganache: t 568ml heavy cream t 900g dark chocolate

Guillaume Lejeune is the Director of Pastry Chefs at the prestigious Academy of Pastry Arts in KL. He’s a graduate in Pastry Arts (BTM en Patissier) and CAP Pâtissier- Chocolatier- Glacier- Traiteur. Chef Lejuene has trained under some of the great Pastry Chefs ( M.O.F) of France. He has worked at various top end Hotels and owned his own very popular coffee shop and exclusive catering business for several years in Paris.

2.

4. INGREDIENTS Macaroons: t 105g egg whites t 25g granulated sugar t 225g icing sugar t 125g powdered almonds t 6g egg white powder

Profile Extract

Twist the bag firmly just above micture and then carefully squeeze out the mixture into peaked mounds onto a baking sheet, keeping the mounds about 1½ inches apart.

5. Allow the mounds to stand uncovered at room temperature for 20-30 minutes, or until the tops have formed a light crust. 6. Bake them in the oven for 10-12 minutes at 160 degrees Celsius.

7. Meanwhile, make the ganache by placing the cream in a pan and bringing it to a simmer. 8. Melt the chocolate in a large bowl and remove the cream from the heat, pouring it over the melted chocolate. 9. Whisk the cream and chocolate until the mixture is smooth and then leave in the fridge, stirring occasionally, for several hours until it is thickened but still spreadable. 10. Once the macaroons are cooked, allow them to cool completely. 11. Spread the ganache on the flat side of the macaroons and then sandwich them together. 12. Admire and enjoy!

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Only Finland food in KL & Selangor.

15% OFF if mention “Mannahatta”! 03-7874 8088 Plaza Kelana Jaya, Jalan SS 7/13a, Kelana Jaya, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

www.manhattansteakhouse.com.my

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* Only applicable to À la Carte menu

Cocktails

COCKTAIL FRIDAY

RM20net all Friday long

for every day of the month

18-1 Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar Baru

80 THE EXPAT WWW.EXPATKL.COM

T : +603 2287 3808

For more updates

Studying will Never be the Same Again SOME GO TO the library to study, others to read, but who goes to the library to eat and drink? Pretty soon, the answer to that question will be you as a brand new F&B outlet of the funky chain The Library arrives at First Subang, bringing the iconic brand to yet another location within the state. The Library has officially checked in at First Subang, Subang Jaya’s latest hotspot, and while it still retains the charm of the brand, it brings it own unique touch as the first to carry a Japanese theme. The Library at First Subang carries a Toshokan concept, or ‘The Library’ in Japanese, and Nipponphiles will appreciate the true Japanese hospitality and entertainment offered at this Japanesethemed venue. Not only is the food and service to a standard patrons have come to expect, diners will also enjoy Japaneseinfluenced performances alongside various award-winning entertainers and bands to keep the party going long after your food has been cleared away. Patrons can check out The Library’s wide reference of new, mouth-watering menu with its bibliography of Japanese selections interleaved with English gastronomic delights, while the shelves of The Library won’t be holding any books; instead, admire the large selection of beers, both imported and locally-brewed, and choose your favourite tipple to accompany your

meal. The Library is a venue you will never tire of, as weekly surprises and additions to the regular F&B offerings will tease patrons’ palates and keep you coming back for more. This new Library at First Subang occupies over 3,630sq feet of indoor F&B and entertainment delight with an additional 800sq feet of alfresco seating, giving diners the choice of whether to enjoy the fresh air or shelter away from the heat. The outlet welcomed its first visitors at the beginning of October, and is open for business from 12 noon, seven days a week. With the opening of The Library at First Subang, there are now five restaurants in the chain currently in operation throughout Klang Valley and Selangor, and each outlet boasts its own identity. There is the Oriental-themed The Library (Tu Shu Guan) at IOI Boulevard, the French-themed The Library (La Bibliotheque) at Avenue K, The Library at MidValley City and the original Library at e@Curve. And if you don’t have a Library near you yet, fear not! New openings are expected soon at SS2 Mall, Penang, Klang Bukit Tinggi, Johor Bahru, Malacca and Kota Kinabalu, so studying will soon get much more fun!

For the latest on The Library, please log on to www.thelibrary.my.

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Cronier Wines From South Africa

W I N E S SINCE 1698

THE HISTORY OF CRONIER WINES is a story of a legacy passed on from generation to generation, which goes back as far as 1698, when two Cronier brothers arrived on the ship, “Driebergen” at the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. There, the brothers were granted ownership of the farms, “Olyvenhout”, and “Champagne,” in present day Wellington. Today the Cronier Brand is owned by a group of multicultural partners who re-established the company in 2006.

Cronier Sauvignon Blanc The grapes for this wine came from an 8 year old Sauvignon Blanc block planted in rich well drained Swartland/Glenrosa soil types. The wine is made from quality Sauvignon Blanc grapes harvested during the night to embrace the tropical flavours. Full ripe for gooseberry, pear and litchi flavours and slightly greener for the distinctive asparagus nose that carries through to the palate. pH: 3.49, Acidity: 4.95g/l, Residual Sugar: 2.03g/l, Alcohol: 12.50%

Cronier Cuvee Brut Rosé – ( Sparkling) This lovely Rosé sparkling wine bursts with raspberry and strawberry flavours on the nose supported by a slight spice behind the fruit. The bubbles melt in the mouth like candyfloss and finishes off with a creamy texture.

Cronier Rosé The grapes for this wine came from an 8 year old Pinotage block planted in rich well drained Swartland/Glenrosa soil types. The wine is made from quality Pinotage grapes. An attractive soft pink colour, with a bouquet of rose petal, strawberry and cloves. pH: 3.60, Acidity: 5.44g/l, Residual Sugar: 40.00g/l, Alcohol: 10.50%

Special Price RM147 Members Price RM143 each!! Golden Delicious Chenin Blanc This lively, fresh wine shows richness of flavour. A crisp apple textures finishes with luscious notes of tined pear on the palate. Taste the orchard with the best nature has to offer.

Special Price RM80 Members Price RM76 each!!

Special Price RM106 Members Price RM102 each!! TO ORDER: Call Anne at 03.2094 9664 or e-mail [email protected]. For free delivery in KL/PJ area, minimum order is 12 bottles (you can mix wines). Delivery charges for less than 12 bottles is RM10. (We will require payment by cash or credit card (ExpatCard members can pay by cheque). American Express, Visa and MasterCard payments are subject to a 4% administration charge because of the low margins on these special offers.

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Click with Redtick (Now with Personal Shopper Service) DUBBED THE “GROCERY EXPERTS”, Redtick brings you your groceries, right to your doorstep with the promise of fresh produce and efficient service. All you have to do is log on the website, register with Redtick, pick from the array of items and you will receive a confirmation via email and sms.

Next to your shopping list, under “Remarks”, you can request that your chicken to be cut, or request the freshest pick of the day. Redtick offers a money-back guarantee if the products you receive are not fresh. All perishable foods are delivered in ice to ensure their utmost freshness.

If you’re like most working expats, you are usually strapped for time. Redtick offers a great service that will save hours that would have been spent shopping in supermarkets. You can find almost anything you’ll need on your standard shopping list on the Redtick website, which includes fresh and frozen seafood and poultry, vegetables, eggs, cheese, as well as pantry foods, organic products, baked goods, snacks, household items, toiletries and more. They also deliver wine and beer and their prices are all competitive with other supermarkets.

The Personal Shopper will also offer suggestions to alternative brands or products if your first pick is unavailable. Even with this service, the delivery charge of RM2.00 is the only extra charge you pay for this amazing service. Once you become a regular there, there is no need to re-enter your shopping list as it will be saved in Redtick’s database. Payment methods are via cash or credit card and Redtick allows you to pay when you receive your items.

The latest feature to be added to Redtick is the Personal Shopper, which will ensure that your shopping needs are met, and more.

Delivery areas include the Damansara Height, Bangsar, Seputeh and Taman Desa areas as well as Greater KL and the popular expat enclaves of Mont Kiara and Sri Hartamas. Other areas also include USJ,

Subang Jaya and Sunway and as far reaching as Bukit Jalil and Seri Kembangan. To check if your postcode is included, just look under the Service Areas section on the easy-to-use Redtick website. Time slots for delivery are every two hours and if you order your items before 12pm, you will be able to receive it on the same day. Consider Redtick for your basic shopping needs and more. For more information, log on to www.redtick.com.my.

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Body Perfect Marks 8th Year of Support For Breast Cancer Awareness In conjunction with Breast Cancer awareness month, Body Perfect Ladies Beauty & Slimming Spa vows to continue with positive support towards the fight against Breast Cancer. October 2011 marks Body Perfect’s 8th year of consistent contribution to the Breast Cancer Welfare Association Malaysia (BCWA). Body Perfect Ladies Beauty & Slimming Spa is committed to raise funds and further pledge donations to the Breast Cancer Welfare Association in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness month 2011. Body Perfect Ladies Beauty & Slimming Spa had hosted a series of sharing sessions at each respective Body Perfect beauty haven located within the Klang Valley. Members of the public who wish to support the Breast Cancer cause and would like to donate for a good cause to BCWA are advised to call 03-2287 8883 (The Plaza, Northpoint, Mid Valley City), 03-2161 8882 (The Intermark, Kuala Lumpur), 03-5636 8882 (The Boulevard, Mid Valley City) or 03-2938 8883 (The Boulevard, Mid Valley City) for further information. Visit www.bodyperfect.com.my for more information.

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BRITISH GLAMOUR IN THE HEART OF THE KLCC Renowned hairstylists and multiple nominee for London Stylist of the Year, Edwin Saw has lent his inimtitable touch to the tresses of Vanessa Mae, Natalie Imbruglia, Jean Muir, Letitia Dean, the Duchess of Kent and Jemima Goldsmith. Blessed with a natural charisma and the innate ability to draw out and highlight the best features of each individual customer, he leads a highly skilled team of stylists who effortlessly manipulate colour, texture and line to bring a touch of British High Glamour to the heart of the Klang Valley.

Brazillian Keratin Available! Lot 401K, 4th Floor, Suria KLCC, 50088 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: +603.2171 1881

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Relaxation at its Best As I sat listening to the ins and outs of my forth-coming afternoon treatment at Hammam spa, I confess it all sounded a little too scientific to be enjoyable. There was Moroccan this and medicinal that until I began to think that it was all going to be a bit confusing. Adam, the Moroccan owner, smiled at the look on my face. “It is like trying to explain colours to a blind person,” he nodded patiently, “you need to experience it for yourself.” And so I did.

with silk. Beruja’s hand was firm but utterly soothing, lulling but exhilarating, and after a final wash down I was led out of the sauna like a child – I was too relaxed to even think about moving for myself - feeling like a new person. This is Hammam and Gommage, a traditional Moroccon scrub that leaves you with a regal glow. I truly felt like some lazy Emperor, ready, after a little rest perhaps, to conquer the world.

From the moment I stepped through the swing doors I was sure I had stepped back into a Moroccan palace of ancient times, where carved wooden panels hide rooms painted in rich deep reds and the lights flicker behind ornate engraved wall mounts. I left my troubles with my clothes and was led into a sauna room where a Moroccan woman washed me and scrubbed me and had me lay me on various deliciously-heated surfaces that all but begged me to sink into sleep. Hammam’s sauna has heated pipes behind all surfaces, creating a warm cocoon, and yet there is no breathlessness that comes with so many saunas as at Hammam they preserve the humidity at just 20%. “This is quite unusual for saunas,” I was told before my treatment, “and guests can stay in our sauna for up to an hour if they wish.”

I soon found myself lolling on an exceedingly comfortable lounger sipping sweet Moroccan tea and trying to remember what day it was. I had almost narrowed it down when my smiling masseuse Dina led me into a private room for my hour massage. This Aromatic Massage uses aromatherapy oils that added a pungent sweetness to the already calm and quiet room, and as Dina worked her magic, easing the knots from my ‘computer’ shoulders and neck I slipped into a sleepy bliss.

I think I could have stayed there all week, as Beruja used various Moroccan scrubs and soaps to lather me before washing me down with huge gushes of warm water. The next stage was the scrubbing, and visions of some huge hefty Moroccan pummelling me with a rock were left far behind as I was rubbed all over with a glove woven

As I floated back out of the Hammam spa’s discreet entrance an hour later, I expect people thought I was slightly addled. A lazy smile drifted across my face, and my feet seemed to be working at half speed. My brain was at least a week behind, but my body, well, my body felt re-born. What more can I say? This is relaxation and rejuvenation at its best. By Sarah Rees For more information, please call 03-2282 2180, Lot 3F-7 & 3F-8, Bangsar Village II

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EVERYONE LOVES A BEAUTIFUL SMILE…

In Bangsar Dental Specialist Center, we offer world class dental treatment. We major in cosmetic dentistry, delivering solutions to your cosmetic dilemmas. We provide latest comprehensive treatment using state of the art technology using zircon crown technology, dental implants, aesthetic restorative works, teeth whitening, smile designing procedures, dental imaging diagnostics and cosmestic dentistry. AFTER*

Call us for enquiries (Dr. Firdaus Hanapiah & Dr Yogesh Sharma)

+603 2282 6800 Bangsar Dental Specialist Centre 43-1 Jalan Telawi 3 Bangsar Baru 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia www.malaysiadentist.com [email protected]

BEFORE

* Six Zircon crowns placed

Lord’s Tailor Wins Prestigious Award FOUNDER, Managing Director and active Tailor, Mr. Robert Loh declares, “The achievements that I am most proud of are winning the Product Branding Retail Category- Premier Custom Made Apparel 2010 and seeing my tailor made garments being worn by top international celebrities and figures.” The Brand Laureate of Malaysia recently awarded Mr Loh this most prestigious award, beating out many other top contenders. For those expats who are new to Malaysia and particularly to greater KL, Lord’s Tailor was established in the mid 1970’s and quickly rose to international fame and acclaim. After making suits for Muhammad Ali and his entourage in the mid 1970’s, Lord’s Tailor’s success was guaranteed. By 1987 even the former PM, Tun Dr. Mahathir, was getting his striking clothes made by Lord’s after having tried 3 previous tailors and has remained with him over 25 years. The essence of the Lord’s Tailor brand is unremitting quality. This is demonstrated by their meticulous attention to the fabrics, enhancing the durability of the garment, cutting to flatter the person’s figure and to enhance the client’s physique with the clothing. Robert Loh’s skillfully approaches each fabric in a scientific manner and uses his extensive knowledge of physics and engineering to accurately cut the cloth to the individual he is working on thus being able to keep the material proportionally flattering to the entire body no matter the shape. Wearing his flawlessly cut garments gives all types of his customers the confidence to feel and look their best as they are aware that any unsightly areas are very cleverly camouflaged.

Unique is the most appropriate word to best describe the brand of Lord’s Tailor. From world famous singers such as Siti Nurhaliza, internationally famous designers like Jimmy Choo, actors like Mel Gibson, global personalities like Chef Wan and other crème of the crop celebrities, Robert Loh has been dressing them all since 1974. As Jimmy Choo puts it, “Lord’s suits fit me better than any London High-street tailor.” This is the simple secret of Lord’s Tailor longevity of success. Their business card is their quality, creativity, richness of fabrics, exquisiteness of the cut and the talent selecting the colours. They are unique in many aspects particularly their diverse loyal clientele as well as the minute attention to detail internalized in every step of the process. Many expats have had Mr Loh create and make their wedding suits and tuxedos and have been very impressed and satisfied. Do drop by at either of their locations and treat yourself to the very best in custom made apparel in Malaysia. By Marybeth Ramey

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The London Orchid British Beauty Therapy At the London Orchid we use only the best of British Beauty products and highly trained, professional Beauty Therapists from the UK only. We are the only salon in KL where you can get a Sienna X Spray Tan, a gorgeous, natural-looking bronze, we offer the award-winning Advanced Anti-Ageing Facials by Best British Brand, Elemis, and much more...... 67M Plaza Damansara / +60320956009 / +60173060706 / [email protected]

www.thelondonorchid.com 96 THE EXPAT WWW.EXPATKL.COM

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EXPAT TIPS

Warning to Roamers Expats spend a lot of time travelling to foreign countries. The complexity of navigating new territory is compounded by the small things – like roaming charges. Many people subscribe to roaming services on their phone (if you use post-paid, be sure to keep tabs on what you’re getting charged for) and then forget about it until they go overseas. However, roaming services are not cheap and you can actually rack up quite a hefty phone bill. If you don’t need roaming, turn it off before you get to the foreign country. Instead, buy a local phone card or SIM and rely on that which will be much cheaper. That way, you won’t be greeted when you return home with a shock when you behold your phone bill! Even more of a killer is the data roaming on smartphones, so be sure to double check that this is turned off before leaving for your trip. For more information on international roaming services, log on to your local carrier’s website.

"Are you open to the possibility of discovering the unrealized potential that lies within you?" Counselling Psychologist

Shelagh Macfarlane BMUS,BSC,MSC No. 35 Jalan Dungun Damansara heights Kuala Lumpur. Tel : +603 2095 3399 Mobile: +32 (0)468 10 5445 (Belgium) Mobile: +6017-358 2563 (Malaysia) Email: [email protected]

We are professional framers who custom make stunning frames to enhance and protect paintings, photography, needlework, object d’art and mirrors. * Hundreds of mouldings to choose from

Talens Frames: L43A, Ikano Power Centre, Mutiara Damansara (facing IKEA carpark P1). Tel: 03-77278323 www.talensframes.com

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If retired, are you here under the Malaysia My Second Home programme: Yes Postcode:

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Number of children living with you: Age of children: (Please enter number in each group) Borneo Vision Sdn Bhd (295020-P) 7th floor, Syed Kechik Foundation Building, Jalan Kapas, Bangsar, 59100 KL. Tel: 03-2093 9539 Fax: 03-2094 9690 E-mail: [email protected]

98 THE EXPAT WWW.EXPATKL.COM

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over 60

EXPAT HEALTH

Vista Laser Eye Center Brings World Class Eye Care to Malaysia A FEW YEARS ago I had LASIK for the reason most people aged over 45 do, I needed glasses to read otherwise known as having presbyopia. Due to the nature of aging, everyone will get presbyopia eventually because the natural lens is more rigid and the muscles in the eye are weaker resulting in less flexibility thus the natural lens is unable to focus while reading. I still believe it was the best couple of thousand ringgit I have ever spent. However what I am finding out with friends who have had LASIK years ago is that they have started needing glasses again for close up vision. Indeed, the LASIK technology has now been further improved upon resulting in a more intricate technology, yet just as safe and it is permanent. It’s called KAMRA and Vista Laser Eye Centers in all five locations (Bangsar, PJ, Johor, Penang and Klang) are one of the very few eye care providers in Malaysia that offer it. Dr Shamala Ganesan, based in the Bangsar clinic and who has several years of overseas medical and ophthalmologic training, explained to me that the KAMRA inlay is a mini-ring with an opening in the center much smaller than a contact lens and lighter than a grain of salt. The opening in the center of the inlay is called a pinhole, and allows the central rays to pass through to the eye; the peripheral rays that blur vision are blocked restoring near and intermediate vision. It also blocks unfocused light and only allows focused light to reach the retina. When light rays are focused, you have a wider range of vision – near, intermediate (computer) and distance. In addition the inlay’s advanced design features 8400 high precision, laser etched micro-openings along the surface to help your cornea stay healthy. The inlay is gently implanted within the eye’s outer layer, the cornea, with local topical anesthesia taking less than 20 minutes for the entire procedure. There is no downtime or stitches just eye drops and occasionally a short period of dry eye. KAMRA is only ever performed on one eye for people with poor near vision but good

long distance vision. If you are thinking of getting LASIK because you have poor distance vision, Dr Shamala advises getting it at the same time with the KAMRA inlay. I must admit to being very impressed with Dr Shamala and especially with her attentive and kind support staff all of whom made me feel as if I were back in a USA clinic with their emphasis on customer satisfaction and comfort. They are thoroughly trained in not only ophthalmology but in providing a full range of excellent patient care. When you walk into a Vista clinic you feel the warmth of the staff unlike in larger more corporate eye hospitals. This reduces patient stress and anxiety and makes communication much more effective, at least it did for me especially given our eyes are uniquely sensitive and critically important as most important sense. Vista and Dr. Shamala also offer a revolutionary cataract procedure called The Custom Cataract Laser using the FDA approved LenSx which she assures me is not just for cataract patients but can be customized for patients older than 45 who have presbyopia and/or distance vision problems. Based on the same techniques and science as LASIK, it’s a blade free surgical procedure using laser making it up to 10 times more accurate than traditional blade surgeries where manual cutting is employed. The No Blade Cataract surgery is more precise giving better safety and predictability in surgical outcome. Cataracts are the most common eye problem as we age. A cataract clouds the eye lens which causes blurred or reduced vision at all distances. In a healthy eye, light passes through the lens and is focused on the retina which in turn transfers the image into nerve signals that are sent to the brain. As cataracts form, the lens of the eye becomes clouded and the images sent to the retina are not as sharp or vibrant as they used to be. “Traditionally a cataract patient underwent manual knife surgery to replace the natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens or IOL. Now we have the technologies in place to

Dr Shamala Ganesan

offer Custom Cataract Surgery involving the use of special advanced technology IOL’s and technologies that are specifically designed to help people see near and far. This has been very successful in reducing a patient’s need for glasses,” Dr. Shamala explains. She goes on to say,“Since presbyopia will afflict everyone eventually due to aging, scientists have now developed an even a more advanced surgical procedure called Refractive Lens Exchange or RLE to replace the natural lenses of your eyes with multifocal intraocular lenses or IOL’s that are different from traditional ones in that it helps focus near, far, and in between and in most cases the patient will never have to use glasses again.” Vista Eye Laser Centers have received multiple industry and community awards and are active participants in charitable based organizations such as The Rotary Club. Dr. Shamala is representative of all Vista’s eye doctors and their personnel, possessing true excellence and a sincere commitment to provide the highest quality of care to their patients. By Marybeth Ramey

Dr Shamala is giving a public seminar on Eye Care Surgery on the 12th and 26th Nov. at the Jalan Maarof Clinic. Free of Charge with refreshments. She would love to meet our expat readers! So do make plans to drop by. Vista Eye Specialist Bangsar 139, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar, 59000 KL. RSVP by calling 03-2092 3937

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THE EXPAT 99

W/ĞdžƉĂŶĚƐŝŶϮϬϭϮǁŝƚŚƐĞĐŽŶĚĐůƵď &ŽƵŶĚĞĚ ŝŶ ϮϬϬϵ͕ W/͕ ŝƐ Ă ƵŶŝƋƵĞ͕ ĞĚƵĐĂƚŝŽŶĂůůLJ ƉƌŽĂĐƚŝǀĞ͕ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŵĞŶƚ ĐůƵď ĚĞƐŝŐŶĞĚ ƚŽ ƐƉĞĐŝĨŝĐĂůůLJ ĐĂƚĞƌĨŽƌƚŚĞŶĞĞĚƐŽĨĞdžƉĂƚƌŝĂƚĞƐǁŽƌůĚǁŝĚĞ͘,ĂǀŝŶŐĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞĚĐŽŶƐŝĚĞƌĂďůĞŝŶƚĞƌŶĂƚŝŽŶĂůƐƵĐĐĞƐƐ ƐŝŶĐĞƚŚĞĨŝƌƐƚĐůƵďǁĂƐĞƐƚĂďůŝƐŚĞĚ͕ŝƚŝƐƚŽĞdžƉĂŶĚŝƚƐŽƉĞƌĂƚŝŽŶƐŝŶϮϬϭϮďLJƚŚĞŝŶĂƵŐƵƌĂƚŝŽŶŽĨĂ ŶƵŵďĞƌŽĨŶĞǁĐůƵďƐ͕ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐĂƐĞĐŽŶĚŽŶĞŝŶ͘  Our aims are to identify expats abroad who wish to get a better understanding of their existing investments, to learn how to safeguard themselves from unnecessary risks and charges and to keep abreast of the best investment opportunities ʹ and link them together at regular club meetings. With an EPIC facilitator in support, the clubs are run by their members and they participate in building their own investment products which are submitted to major banks and institutions.

        



At club meetings, members learn all about the financial benefits to be enjoyed from developing planned, diversified investment portfolios - as well as the potential pitfalls of not doing so. Club meetings are held quarterly and there is no selling or advice given. The club is free to join ʹ only registration is necessary ʹ so members have nothing to lose, but a lot to gain.

/ĨLJŽƵĂƌĞŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚĞĚŝŶďĞĐŽŵŝŶŐĞŝƚŚĞƌĂŵĞŵďĞƌŽƌĨĂĐŝůŝƚĂƚŽƌŽĨƚŚĞŶĞǁĐůƵď͕ƉůĞĂƐĞůĞƚ ƵƐŬŶŽǁďLJĞŵĂŝůŝŶŐƵƐĂƚŝŶĨŽΛĞƉŝŶǀĞƐƚŵĞŶƚĐůƵď͘ĐŽŵ

 dŚŝƐĂĚǀĞƌƚŝƐĞŵĞŶƚǁĂƐƐƉŽŶƐŽƌĞĚďLJĐŽWĂƌƚŶĞƌƐ͘>ƚĚ͘W/ŝƐŶŽƚƉĂƌƚŽĨd'͕ƉƵďůŝƐŚĞƌƐŽĨdŚĞdžƉĂƚDĂŐĂnjŝŶĞ͘

Regency Tower Renovated Units Available for Rent Ideal for Expatriates ͻ>ŽĐĂƚĞĚŝŶƚŚĞƋƵŝĞƚƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƟĂůĞŶĐůĂǀĞŽĨƵŬŝƚĞůLJŽŶ ŝŶƵŵƉƵƌ͛ƐĐŝƚLJĐĞŶƚƌĞ͘ ͻĂƐLJĂĐĐĞƐƐƚŽƚŚĞĞŶƚƌĂůƵƐŝŶĞƐƐŝƐƚƌŝĐƚĂŶĚƵŬŝƚ ŝŶƚĂŶŐƐŚŽƉƉŝŶŐĂƌĞĂ͘ ͻdƌĂŶƋƵŝůĂŶĚŐƌĞĞŶƐƵƌƌŽƵŶĚŝŶŐƐ͘ ͻůŽƐĞͲŬŶŝƚĞdžƉĂƚƌŝĂƚĞĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ͘ ͻKǁŶĞĚĂŶĚŵĂŶĂŐĞĚďLJĂƐŝŶŐůĞ>ĂŶĚůŽƌĚǁŝƚŚĂ ĚĞĚŝĐĂƚĞĚŵĂŝŶƚĞŶĂŶĐĞƚĞĂŵ͘ ͻϳϮĂƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚƐĂŶĚϰƉĞŶƚŚŽƵƐĞƐs/>>&KZ >^KE>z͘ ͻ^ƉĂĐŝŽƵƐϮ͕ϮϰϬƐ͘Ĩ͘ĂƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚƐǁŝƚŚƉƌĂĐƟĐĂůůĂLJŽƵƚ͕ ƉĞƌŵĞĂƚĞĚǁŝƚŚŶĂƚƵƌĂůůŝŐŚƟŶŐ͘ ͻƩĂĐŚĞĚďĂƚŚƌŽŽŵƐŝŶĂůůďĞĚƌŽŽŵƐ͕ĐŽŶƚĞŵƉŽƌĂƌLJ ŬŝƚĐŚĞŶ͕ƉŽǁĚĞƌƌŽŽŵĂŶĚƐĞƌǀĂŶƚ͛ƐƋƵĂƌƚĞƌƐǁŝƚŚ ƐĞƉĂƌĂƚĞĞŶƚƌĂŶĐĞ͘

&ŽƌĞŶƋƵŝƌĞƐŽƌǀŝĞǁŝŶŐƐ͕ƉůĞĂƐĞĐŽŶƚĂĐƚ DĂLJͬŚůŽĞͬtŝŶŐ͗dĞůĞƉŚŽŶĞ͗нϲϬϯͲϮϬϳϴͲϴϴϴϴ

100 THE EXPAT WWW.EXPATKL.COM

ZĞŐĞŶĐLJdŽǁĞƌ͕EŽ͘ϴ:ĂůĂŶĞLJůŽŶ͕ϱϬϮϬϬƵŵƉƵƌ ŵĂŝů͗ƐŝŵŵĂLJΛŬĞĐŬƐĞŶŐ͘ŽƌŐ

VALUABLE PROPERTIES, INVALUABLE SERVICE

Prime Residential Sales & Leasing Wee Zhao Yuan +6012 691 0093 [email protected]

Tricia Chiew +6012 389 0888 [email protected]

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THE EXPAT 101

This directory contains contact details for all restaurants, bars, shops and other services which advertise with us. RESTAURANTS ASIAN/WESTERN Albion 31 Jalan Berangan, 50200 KL. Tel: 03.2141 9282 www.albionkl.com Alexis Bangsar Baru 29 Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru 59100 KL. Tel: 03.2284 2880 Alexis Ampang Lot 10 & 11, Great Eastern Mall 303 Jalan Ampang, 50450 KL. Tel: 03.4260 2288 Alexis BSC Lot 15A 1st floor, Bangsar Shopping Centre, Bukit Bandaraya 59100 KL. Tel: 03.2287 1388 Alexis The Gardens Lot f209 1st Floor, The Gardens Mid Valley City, Lingkaran Syed Putra, 59200 KL. Tel: 03.2287 2281 Aria No. 44 & 44M, Plaza Damansara Jalan Medan Setia 2, Bukit Damansara. Tel: 03.2095 0016 Bergie Evergreen Pub & Restaurant No 27, Jalan Berangan off Jalan Nagasari KL. Tel: 03.2141 5955 Bubu Restaurant No.42A, Tengkat Tong Shin, KL. Tel: 03.2142 2988 www.bubukl.com.my Bumbu Desa Indonesia Restaurant LOT G-49@ The Curve, Mutiara Damansara. Tel: 03.7729 1612 Celsius Restaurant & Bar LG2-01 Farenheit88 170 Jalan Bukit Bintang. 55100 KL. Tel: 03.2145 3131 www.celsiuskl.com El Meson Restaurant & Tapas Bar No 61-63, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, Bangsar, KL, Malaysia. Tel: 03.2282 8290 F Concept Dining By Buffalo Kitchen 69-1, Jalan Telawi Tiga, Bangsar Baru, KL. Tel / Fax: 03.2201 1710 Facebook: ‘F’ by buffalo kitchens Fitou Gourmet Lot GF2, The Waterfront @ Park City, 5, Persiaran Residen, Desa Park City, Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03.6280 8978 For reservation, please log in www.fitougourmet.com/ reservations.htm or call 03.6280 8978 Gaucho Grill – Argentina Steak House Block B. Lot 5, Chulan Square 92, Jalan Raja Chulan, KL. Tel: 03.2145 4268 IR 1968 Indochine Restaurant & Bar 1st Floor, 241-B, Lorong Nibong, Off Jalan Ampang, KL. Tel: 03.2141 3550 Jake’s Charbroil Steaks Starhill Shopping Centre LG11 Lower Ground Floor, 181 Jalan Bukit Bintang, KL. Tel: 03.2148 1398 Medan Damansara 21 Jalan Setiapuspa, Medan Damansara, KL. Tel: 03.2094 5677 www.jakes.com.my Le Midi Bangsar Shopping Centre 3Rd Floor 285, Jalan Maarof 59000 KL. Tel: 03.2094 1318 Manhattan Steak House Block B-05, Plaza Kelana Jaya, Jalan SS7/13A, Petaling Jaya,

PJ Selangor. Tel: 03.7876 2188 RSVP: 03.7874 8088 http://manhattansteakhouse. com.my Sanook dine, lounge & club Synergistic Duo Sdn Bhd C-06 Plaza Kelana Jaya, SS7/13A Petaling Jaya, 47301 Malaysia. Reservations: 03.7877 3636 [email protected] Savory Bistro Basement 3-06,The Fare, 10 Mont Kiara, Jalan Kiara 1, Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03.6211 5100 Social@Bangsar 57-59, Jln Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, KL.Tel: 03.2282 2260 Songket Restaurant No. 29, Jalan Yap Kwan Seng 50450 KL. Tel: 03 2161 3331 Social @ Changkat 22 Changkat Bukit Bintang, KL. Tel: 03.2142 8260 Sutra@The Sanctuary Lot 151 & 151a, 1st Flr @ The Curve, Mutiara Damansara, PJ. Tel: 03.7710 5033 The Meat Experts G15 & 16, Hartamas Shopping Centre, 60, Jln Sri Hartamas, Sri Hartamas, Sri Hartamas, KL Tel: 03.6205 2577 / 019.653 2843 www.themeatexperts.com BRITISH SIDS Pub Plaza Damansara 10-G, Jalan Setia Medan 2, Damansara Heights, 50490, KL.Tel: 03.2094 7437 www.sidspubs.com Terrace Arms 21G, PJU 5/21, The Strand, Kota Damansara, PJ. Tel: 03.6150 5277 The George and Dragon Lot G130, Ground flr, Bangsar Shopping Centre, KL. Tel: 03.2287 8316 CHINESE Tai Zi Heen Level 2, Prince Hotel & Residence KL Jln Conlay, KL. Tel: 03.2170 8888 FRENCH Mediteranean Restaurant Le Midi Restaurant Sdn Bhd Lot T3, 3rd Floor, East Wing, Bangsar Shopping Centre 285 Lorong Maarof, Bukit Bandaraya 59000 KL. Tel: 03.2094 1318 The Press Room Lot G110 Grd Floor, Bangsar Shopping Centre, Jalan Maarof. Tel: 03.2095 8098 GERMAN Bavarian Bierhaus Restaurant & Bar (Non-Halal) No.G 8, Ground Floor, Wisma Uoa Ii, No.21, Jalan Pinang, KL. Tel: 03.2166 7268 House Frankfurt No. 12, Jalan Telawi 5, Bangsar Baru, KL. Tel: 03.2284 1624 www.housefrankfurt.com Weissbrau German Bistro & Bar 3.05.02 & C3.16.00, Level 3, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.2142 0288 ITALIAN Espressamente illy Pavilion KL Lot 3.10.00 Level 3, Pavilion KL. Tel: 03 2141 0028 Bangsar Village 1 Lot F 12 & 13A First Floor, Bangsar Village 1, Bangsar Baru Tel: 03.2287 7078 Web: www.gastrodome.com.my Garibaldi Restaurant LG 10 & G22 Bnagsar Village 1

RESTAURANTS

102 THE EXPAT WWW.EXPATKL.COM

BARS

Jalan Telawi Satu Bangsar Baru 59100 KL. Tel: 03.22823456/7 www.garibaldi.com.my Jojo Restaurant Lot NW01, Ground Floor, Tropicana Golf + Country Club, 47140 KL. Tel: 03.6203 5800 www.jojoitalianrestaurant.com Leonardo’s Dining Room & Wine Loft No.61-1, Jalan Bangkung, Bukit Bandaraya 59100 KL. Tel: 03.2096 2226 Modesto’s Lot G-02/03/03A, Ground Floor Cap Square, 50100, KL. Tel: 03.2697 4020 www.modestos.com.my Opus Bistro 67, Jalan Bangkung, Bukit Bandaraya Bangsar 59100 KL. Tel: 03.2092 4288 Porto Romano Taman Tun Dr Ismail 28, Persiaran Zaaba, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, KL. Tel: 03.7710 0509 Mont Kiara K-1 Mont Kiara Banyan, 28 Jalan Kiara, Mont Kiara, KL. Tel: 03.6207 8171 Jalan Ampang G02-06 Ground Floor, The Ampwalk, 218 Jalan Ampang, 50400 KL. Tel: 03.2162 6799 www.porto-romano.com Spasso Milano 347, Nihonkan Club, Jalan Ampang, KL. Tel: 03.4252 7088 JAPANESE EUJU Level 2, Prince Hotel & Residence KL, Jln Conlay, Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.2170 8888 Gyuchi Japaneses BBQ Restaurant No 3, Jalan 19/70A, Plaza Prisma Ville, Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480, KL Tel: 03.6205 2233 http://www.gyuichi.com.my Xenri D’Garden Terrace Lot No. 2–04, Second Floor, Podium Block of Menara Hap Seng, Jalan P. Ramlee, KL. Tel: 03.2078 6688 Xenri D’River View No. 20, Wisma Elken, Jalan 1/147C, Batu 5, Jalan Kelang Lama,KL. Tel: 03.77838118 Yoko’s Restaurant 36, Changkat Bukit Bintang, KL. Tel: 03.2144 3378 OTHER ASIAN Tamarind Hill 19 Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 KL. Tel: 03.2148 3200 Tamarind Springs Jln 1, Tmn TAR, Ampang. Tel: 03.4256 9300 SPANISH/LATIN/GREEK Cava Restaurant No. 71, Jalan Bangkung, Bukit Bandaraya, KL. Tel: 03.2093 6637 La Bodega 14-16, Jln Telawi 2, Bangsar Baru, KL. Tel: 03.2287 8318 La Bodega @ BSC G109, Grd floor, Bangsar Shopping Centre, Jln Maarof, KL. Tel: 03.2287 2768 La Bodega @ Pavilion Lot C3.06.00, Level 3, Pavilion KL, Jln Bukit Bintang, KL. Tel: 03.2148 8018 www.gastrodome.com.my BARS & LOUNGE BAR Club Quattro (Restaurant & Club)

Ground & Mezzanine Floor Avenue K 156, Jalan Ampang Tel: 03.2166 6566 www.clubquattro.com The Library Gastropub Lot 23A, Ground Floor, E @ Curve, Mutiara Damansara Tel: 03.7726.2602 Midvalley LOT G 001 & 001 Ground Floor, Mid Valley Megamall Tel: 03.2282 6001 IOI Boulevard B-GF-01 IOI Boulevard Jln Kenari 5, Bandar Puchong Jaya Puchong, Selangor Tel: 03.8070 8077 Avenue K Grd Floor , Avenue K 156, Jalan Ampang LOUNGE T Club No 8 Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru 59100, KL. Tel: 03.2284 4003 SHOPPING CENTRES Great Eastern Mall 303 Jln Ampang, KL. Customer Care: 03.4259 8090 Suria KLCC Kuala Lumpur City Centre Tel: 03.2382 2828 Tel: 03.2382 3326 Concierge www.suriaklcc.com.my Sunway Pyramid Concierge Counter Tel: 03.7492 9998 / 03.7494 3100 / 03.7494 3101 / 03.7494 3102 JLN PJS 11/15, Bandar Sunway, PJ SHOPS AUTO SALES City Motors Sdn Bhd Lot 21 Jln Maarof, Bangsar KL. Tel: 03.2283 3599 Mobile: 012.2013503 (Peter Fong) Email: [email protected] (www.citymotors.com.my) Bakery Craft Bakers D2-G3-05, Solaris Dutamas, No. 1, Jalan Dutamas 1, KL Tel / Fax: 03.6205 3913 Website: www.craftbakers.org.uk CARPETS Razi Gallery Lot 1.01 1st Floor, The Ampwalk, 218, Jln Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.2166 3775 Carpet-Inn G-26, Grd Floor, KL i-Design Centre 237-241, Jalan Ampang 50450 Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03.2145 6786 Nasim Carpets 133 Jalan Maroof Bangsar 59100 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.2093 8786 / 012.278 6786 Persian Collection Desa Sri Hartamas 32-2 & 34-2, Jalan 25/70A Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 KL. Tel: 03.2300 6966 B.S.C Lot S12, 2nd Floor, Bangsar Shopping Centre, 59000 KL. Tel: 03.2094 6966 1MK L1-9,1st Floor, 1 Mont Kiara Mall, No.1,Jalan Kiara 50480 K.L Tel: 03.62059033 ARTS & CRAFTS Art House Gallery Lot 2.38-2.43, 2nd Flr, Wisma Cosway, KL. Tel: 03.2148 2283 Art Valley B 812 , Level 8, Kelana Square

Jln. SS7/26, Kelana Jaya. Tel: 03.7880 0991 www.artvillage.com.my FURNITURE & ANTIQUES Carpet Inn / Rustic Instincts G-26, Grd Floor, KL i-Design Centre 237-241, Jalan Ampang 50450 Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03.2145 6786 Courtyard 1.07, 1st flr, The Ampwalk, 218, Jln Ampang, KL. Tel: 03.2163 2868 Eastern Charm Lot 5, Level 2, Great Eastern Mall, KL. Tel: 03.4253 4903 East Heritage 40 Jalan Dato Abu Bakar 16/1 46300 PJ. Tel: 603 7960 5820 www.eastheritage.com Heritage of The Orient 15 Bukit Travers Off Jln Bangsar, KL. Tel: 03.2284 2912 Isofu Modern Living Concepts KL Showroom A3-UG-03, Solaris Dutamas, Nio 1, Jalan Dutamas 1, 50480 KL. Tel: 03.6207 9823 Penang Showroom 170-04-72, 4th Floor, Gurney Plaza, Persiaran Gurney, 10250 Penang, Malaysia. Tel: 04.229 6823 www.isofu.com.my Jonassen Collection C-G02 Perdana Condo Jalan PJU 8/1, Bandar Damansara Perdana, Petaling Jaya Selangor. Tel: 03.7726 6001 Web: www.jonassencollection.com E: [email protected] Kian Classic Taman Tun Dr Ismail Tel: 03.7710 0377 The Curve Tel: 03.7726 3771 Kota Damansara Tel: 03.5140 8771 Sunway Pyramid Tel: 03.5638 8772 Shah Alam (SACC Mall) Tel: 03.5510 1177 Cheras Tel: 03.9132 1170 Kajang Tel: 03.8737 0117 Klang Tel: 03.3326 2770 Jusco Serdang Tel:03 8941 8771 Lasting Impressions Petaling Jaya (Premier Gallery) 2 Jalan PJU 3/47, Sunway Damansara, PJ. Tel: 03.7806 1379 2nd Floor, Bangsar Village II 2 Jln Telawi 1, Bangsar Baru, KL. Tel: 03.2094 6495 Nile Valley Sdn Bhd M-18, Mezzanine Floor, Wisma UOA II, No.21 Jalan Pinang, 50450 KL. Tel: 03.2166 2657 Email: [email protected] www.mynilevalley.com Scent of the Orient 39, Jln PJU8/5A, Bandar Damansara Perdana, PJ. Tel: 03.7729 3628 Tian Yi Fine Furnishings G08A-1 Ground Floor, The Ampwalk, 218, Jalan Ampang, KL. Tel: 03.2161 5513 www.tianyi com.my GROCERIES Cold Storage www.coldstorage.com.my outlets Klang Valley Cold Storage, Great Eastern Mall Cold Storage, Mutiara Damansara Cold Storage, Mid Valley Cold Storage, Solaris Mont Kiara Cold Storage, Subang Parade Cold Storage, Alamanda Putrajaya Cold Storage, Bangsar Shopping Centre

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Cold Storage, Suria KLCC Cold Storage, The Mall Cold Storage, Time Square Cold Storage, Summit Mall Cold Storage, One Utama Cold Storage, Jaya One Shopping Mall Penang Cold Storage, Island Plaza Cold Storage, Gurney Plaza Johor Cold Storage, Plaza Pelangi Ipoh Cold Storage, Ipoh Parade Cold Storage, Melaka Mall West Malaysia Cold Storage, Green Heights Kuching Jaya Grocer Empire Subang, Mutiara Tropicana, Damansara Perdana, Jaya 33 Web: www.jayagrocer.com HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS Eurochef Malaysia Unit P-1-21, Block P, Plaza Damas 60, Jln Sri Hartamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.6201 8863 Email: [email protected] www.eurochefasia.com WINE Cronier Wines (M) Sdn Bhd 5-6 One Avenue, PJU 6A, Jalan Masjid 47400 Petaling Jaya Selangor, Malaysia. Tel: 03.7722 2252 / 4219 www.cronierwines-my.com SERVICES AIRLINES Oman Air Suite 9-03, 9th Floor Menara Hap Seng Letter Box 55, Jalan P Ramlee 50250 KL. Tel: 012.3239 418 www.omananair.com ARTS/FRAMES Aidea Art And Frame 1st Floor, Hock Choon Supermarket 241-1, Jalan Ampang 50450 KL Tel: 03.2144 3895 Art Accents / Art Archive Asia No 2F-10, 2nd Floor, Bangsar Village II, Jalan Telawi 1, Bangsar Baru, 59100 KL. Tel: 03.2287 1908 Fax: 03.2287 1983 Rustic Instincts G-26, Ground Floor, KL-i DC, (next to Hock Choon Supermarket), 237-241 Jalan Ampang, 50450 KL. Tel: 03.2145 6786 Fax: 03.2145 6780 Talens Fine Art & Frames 34, Jln Tun Mohd Fuad 1, Tmn Tun Dr Ismail, KL. Tel: 03.7727 9820 Winson Loh Pinkguy Malaysia Art & Frame Marc Service Residence A-G-02, No.3 Jalan Pinang, Kuala Lumpur City Centre Tel: 03.2166 2166 / 019.319 9235 Email: [email protected] Website: www.winsonloh.com BBQ ACCESORIES BBQ King Outlets BBQ King Bangsar Village LG 15, LG Floor, Bangsar Village Shopping Centre, No 1 Jln Telawi Satu, Bangsar Baru, KL. Tel: 03.2287 0399 BBQ King Pavilion KL Lot 6.24D, Level 6, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Lot 168, Jln Bukit Bintang, KL. Tel: 03.2141 1309 BEAUTY/FITNESS Beauty Chemistry Sdn Bhd Suite 01-05, Level 1, Fraser Place, Lot 163, No 10, Jalan Perak ,

SHOPS

50450 KL. Tel: 03.2164 1288 www.beautychemistry.co.uk Circuit25 KLCC, Lake Gardens, Taman Jaya, TTDI. www.circuit25.com Tel: 017.312 8491 (Jeremy Bird, NASM Certified Personal Trainer) Chi Fitness A1/01, Ground Floor, Block Annexe, PJ Trade Centre, No 8, Jln PJU 8/8A, Bandar Damansara Perdana, 47820 Petaling Jaya selangor.(PJ) Lot 1-01 & 1-02, BRDB Tower, 285, Jalan Maarof, Bukit Bandaraya, 59000 Bangsar, K.L, Malaysia (BSC) Tel: 603-2282 2366 (BSC) www.chi-fitness.com Tel: 03.7492 1023/3344 0171 (PJ trade centre) Marc Optic Gallery F-238 First Floor, The Gardens Malls Mid Valley City, Lingakaran Syed Putra 59200 Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03.2283 6889 Dental Teo & Partners Dental Surgery 2F-35, Bangsar Village II, 2, Jalan Telawi Satu, Bangsar KL Tel: 03.2283 1898 www.preciousmiledental.com.my Bangsar Utama Dental Specialist Center 12-1, Jalan Bangsar Utama 9, KL Tel: 03.2282 4339 www.bangsardental.com Bangsar Dental Specialist Centre 43-1, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, KL. Tel: 03.2282 6800 www.malaysiadentist.com Hair Care Holistic Hair Care Sdn Bhd Hartamas 38, Jalan 24/70A, Desa Sri Hartamas, KL Tel: 03.62058199 / 6205 8299 Puchong 53, Jalan Puteri 1/6, Bandar Puteri, Puchong. Tel: 03.8063 8899 / 8063 7518 Cheras 15, Jalan Manis 6, Taman Segar. Cheras, KL. Tel: 03.9130 1899 HEALTHCARE/HOSPITAL PMCC - International Sdn Bhd Unit 17-3A, 3rd Mile Square 151, Jalan Kelang Lama, Batu 3 1/2, 58100 KL Tel: 012.248 3439 www.monikawyss.com The Natural Health Practice For appointments: 03.2094 1335 For inquiries: 012.637 7993 Add: Natural Harmony, 8-5, Jalan Batai, Damansara Heights 50490 Kuala Lumpur. Tropicana Medical Centre 11. Jalan Teknologi, Taman Sains Selangor 1, Pju 5, Kota Damansara 47810 PJ. Tel: 03.6287 1111 www.tropicanamedicalcentre.vom CAR RENTAL Avis Rent A Car Crowne Plaza Mutiara Kuala Lumpur Main Lobby Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 KL. Tel: 03.2144 4487 www.avis.com.my Email: [email protected] SK Travel & Car Hire (M) Sdn Bhd 012-2065071 (Mr Sara) COACHES Plusliner / Nice – KL Nice Counter, Mezzanine Floor, KTMB Building, Jln Sultan

SERVICES

Hishamuddin. Tel: 03.2272 1586 / 2274 0499 SINGAPORE Copthorne Orchid Hotel, 214, Dunearn Road, 299526 Tel: 02.6256 5755 PENANG Garden Inn Hotel, 41, Jln Anson, 10400. Tel: 04.227 7370 KL ODYSSEYDECK Lot 1E, Shoplex at Mont’ Kiara, 15 Jalan Kiara 50480 KL. Tel: 1 300 888 121 SINGAPORE ODYSSEYLOUNGE 214, Dunearn Road, Copthorne Orchid Hotel, #01-09, Singapore 299526. Tel: 1 800 639 7739 First Coach No. 48, Jln Kemuja, Bangsar, KL. Tel: 03.2287 3311 Lot C02B, Concourse Level, KPMG Tower, 8 First Avenue, Bandar Utama PJ. Tel: 03.77253311 AEROLINE LUXURY COACHES B-5-8 Megan Avenue 1, 189 Jalan Tun Razak KL. www.aeroline.com.my DRINKING WATER Sterling Pure Drinking Water 52 Jln 11/62A, Bandar Menjalara, KL. Tel: 03.6274 7088 INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS Full list available at www.expatKL.com FURNITURE RENTAL Carpet-Inn G-26, Ground Floor, KL-i DC, (next to Hock Choon Supermarket), 237-241 Jalan Ampang, KL. Tel: 03.2145 6786 Fax: 03.2145 6780 Expats Furniture Rental 45, Jalan Maarof Bangsar KL Tel: 03.2283 2088 M.K. Homes Ampang Showroom: 15, Jln Persiaran Ampang Hilir, Ampang, KL. Tel: 03.4256 7518 Bangsar Showroom: 126, Jln Maarof, Bangsar, KL. Tel: 03.2092 1555 Office: Tel: 03.6189 3331 / 6189 0801 www.mkhomes.com.my Penang Showroom: 521D–08–01, The Cove Jln Tanjung Bungah 11200 Tanjung Bungah, Penang Tel / Fax: 04.8902 987 Mobile: 016.4506 745 KINDERGARTEN / CHILDREN Children’s Discovery House Mont Kiara - Tel: 03.6203 7001 Bangsar - Tel: 03.2093 9592 Ampang - Tel: 012.205 6756 www.childrensdiscoveryhouse.com Hils Learning Centre No. 13-2 Jalan Solaris 4 Mont’Kiara Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.6203 0029 www.hilslearning.net Little Mandarin House 2, Jalan Limau Purut, Bangsar Park, Bangsar KL Tel: 03.2093 0069 229, Jalan Ara, Bangsar Baru, KL Tel: 03.2287 00689 Summerfields Kindergarten 32, Jalan Sri Hartamas 15, Taman Sri Hartamas, 50480 KL Tel: 03.6201 2388 email: enquiry@summerfields. com.my LANGUAGE SCHOOL Applied Language Systems Tel: 012.3391675 / 03.60383192

MAID EMPLOYMENT Agensi Pekerjaan Professional Services No 62A, Jln SS 22/25, Damansara Jaya, Petaling Jaya. Tel: 03.7727 8093 SP-CM Agensi Pekerjaan Sdn Bhd No 22, Jalan SS 3/6,Taman Sentosa, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03.7875 2155 MOVERS/RELOCATIONS Allied Pickfords Tel: 03.6253 6553 (Kuala Lumpur) Tel: 04.6464 278 (Penang) www.alliedtoallied.com Armstrong Moving (M) Sdn Bhd 2, Jalan 5/149H, Taman Sri Endah Sri Petaling, 5700 Kuala Lumpur Tel: +6 03.9059 5595 / Cell: +6 016.2233 581 www.ArmstrongMoving.com.my BW Worldwide Movers 11, Jln Sibu 17, Taman Wahyu, Batu 6, off Jln Ipoh, KL. Tel: 03.6258 7573 Crown Line Expatriates Services Lot 37645, Jalan 5/37A Taman Bukit Maluri Kepong 52100 KL. Tel: 03.6275 1830 Felix Relocations No AR-3A, Megan Ambassy, 225 Jln Ampang, 50450 KL. Tel: 1-300-88-5511 Inter Grace Movers (M) Sdn. Bhd. Lot 116, Jalan Semangat, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. Tel: 03.7954 4908 (Hunting Line) Email: [email protected] Royal Relocations 35, Kompleks Selayang, Batu Caves, Selangor. Tel: 03.6120 8903 MUSIC SCHOOL Musikhaus Enrichment Centre (formerly known as Kidz Talent Lodge @ Ikano Power Centre) No. 80, Jalan PJU 7/12A, Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya. Tel: 03.7728 0834 www.musikhaus.com.my Allegro Music & Arts 91B & C, Lorong Mamanda 1, Ampang Point, Selangor. Tel: 03.4251 5780 www.allegromusic.info PROPERTY AGENTS IOI Properties Level 2, Two IOI Square, IOI Resort, Putrajaya. Tel: 03.8947 8632 Pen Properties 163-F-4 Jln Perak, Penang Tel: 04.210 6060 H/P: 016.414 8188 www.penang-property.com Property Link 91, Jln Telawi, Bangsar Baru KL. Zerin Properties 36th floor, Menara Maxis KLCC, KL. Tel: 03.6251 8007 Email: [email protected] PUBLICATION The Wall Street Journal Asia by Dow Jones www.wsj-asia.com SALONS ish Salon 46-1, Jln Telawi, Bangsar Baru, KL. Tel: 03.22870920/1 Saw Hair Salon Lot 401k, 4th Floor, Suria KLCC, 50088 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tel: +603.2171 1881/1882 www.saw.com.my

SPAS Body Perfect™ Ladies Beauty & Slimming Spa Embassy Row, Ampang** Lot 208, 2nd Floor, The Ampwalk. Tel: 03.2161 8882 ** subject to change from January 2011 onwards. The Boulevard, Mid Valley City Unit 23-G (Ground Floor). Tel: 03.2938 8883 The Plaza, Northpoint, Mid Valley City Unit B-M-1, Mezzanine Floor. Tel: 03.2287 87883 The Sphinx, Sunway Pyramid Unit LG1.102, Lower Ground One. Tel: 03.5636 8882 Website: http://www.bodyperfect. com.my Email: customerservice@ bodyperfect.com.my Danai Spa 103 Tanjung Bungah Park, Tanjung Bungah, Penang. Tel: 04.899 0899 Donna Spa S20–27, Pamper Level, Starhill Gallery, 181, Jln. Bukit Bintang 55100 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.2141 8999 www.donnaspa.net Hammam Lot 3F-7 & 3F-8, Bangsar Village II, 2, Jln Telawi 1, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.2282 2180 Email: [email protected] Jati Spa Novotel Hydro Majestic KL, Level 4, No. 2 Jln Kia Peng, 50450 Kuala Lumpur. Tel 03.2147 0888 (ext 7690) or 03.2161 2460 Ozmosis Health & Day Spa Level 1, 14 –16 Jln Telawi 2, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.2287 0380 SPORTS Cue Station Lot 07-61, 7th Flr, Berjaya Times Square, 1, Jln Imbi, Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.2144 3128 TAILOR Lord’s Tailor Lot1.10 & 1.11, 1st Floor, The Ampwalk (Ampang Walk). 218, Jalan Ampang, 50450, Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.2166 0918, 2166 1918F18 & F19, 1st Floor, Bangsar Shopping Centre, Jalan Maarof, 59100 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03.2094 9776 Summermen Tailor Shops Pavilion KL - 03.2148 9825 Klang - 03.3324 3462 Ampang Point KL - 03.4252 3668 TRAVEL Mitra Malaysia Sdn Bhd Lot G-01, Menara Park, Megan Avenue II No: 12 Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, 50450 KL. Tours: 03.2161 1311 Reservation & Ticketing: 03.2161 2133 Email: [email protected] Website: www.mitra.travel Prohighway Travel 141, Jln Maarof, Bangsar Baru, KL. Tel: 03.2282 7979 Tirtha Bridal Jalan Raya Uluwatu Banjar Dinas Karang Boma Desa Pecatu 80364 Bali, Indonesia. Tel: +62.361 8471151 www.tirthabridal.com

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