Concierge train to meet daily challenges

SEREMBAN: The second Les Clefs d'Or Malaysia Junior Concierge Training saw more than 50 participants tackle the challenges of serving the needs of guests in hotels.

The three-day seminar, organised by the Society of Golden Keys Malaysia, was held in Royale Bintang Resort, here, with the support of the Tourism Ministry, local and international speakers from the industry.

Besides talks on airline ticketing, in-bound tours, self-grooming, motivation, and golfing, participants were given a group project to present on the last day of the training.

Society president K. Ragu said the concierge or frontline staff such as reception, guest service, doorman, bellman are ambassadors of tourism.

"They are the first people whom guests come in contact with when they first step into the hotel. Concierge are known to be problem solvers throughout a guest's stay.

"A topic we touched on was about airline and ticketing because nowadays air tickets are paperless. The concierge needs to update their knowledge and learn how to read e-tickets while understanding restrictions on discounted tickets.

"They will be able to assist guests on travel enquiries. This is to their advantage," said Ragu, who is the chief concierge of Prince Hotel and Residence Kuala Lumpur.

Ragu, who presented certificates and prizes to the participants of the winning group, said he hoped the second batch of participants would share the knowledge and skills learnt at the training with their peers.

Also present were Tourism Ministry promotion board communications division editor Ritzeryann Rashid, MST Golf tour operations manager Ching Ching Aung and First Impression Image Consultant Group, director Albert Lee.

The speakers were from Singapore Les Clefs d'Or Malaysia, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd and Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents.

Read more: Concierge train to meet daily challenges http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/4junn/Article#ixzz1QYGZxqRL

Unpolished gem shines in Paroi

Runners in the boys’ Under-10 4x100m passing the baton.

SEREMBAN: Nanthakumaran Paanerselvam was the surprise package at the recent Seremban Schools Sports Council (MSSDS) Athletics Championships at the Paroi Stadium.

As a 12-year-old, the then SJKT Lobak school champion competed in the 2008 meet but returned home empty handed. 

Spotted a year later by his athletics teacher and MSSDS technical chairman R. Sathiyakumar at SMK St Paul (SPI), Nanthakumaran took up runs, throws and jumps.

The lad finally won his first high jump medal, a gold in the boys' Under-14 event at SPI's sports meet in 2010. 

At the school selection on March 3, he cleared 1.54m but then smashed the MSSDS meet record of 1.66m with a height of 1.71m on March 22, albeit after a heavy downpour. 

Silver medallist Mohd Asyraf Jamaluddin of SMK Pendeta Za'aba cleared 1.58m while bronze medallist Azreef Haeqal Zaiba of SMK Tamak Semarak Nilai leaped 1.54m.

Then during the Quatathlon's second event on March 28 in the searing afternoon heat, he erased his six-day-old record with a jump of 1.76m.

By accumulating a total of 2,141 points, he went on to win the Quatathlon with 18.66s in the 110m hurdles (463 points), 1.76m (593) in the high jump, 5.10m (402) in the long jump and 2min 30.9secs in the 800m (683). 

SMK Seri Ampangan's Mohd Azri Ismail Ahmad garnered 1,808 points for the silver while third placed Mohd Asyraff Hayqal Zainal of SMK Pendeta Za'ba scored 1,748 for third place.

Quatathlon is a combined event designed for Under-15 athletes for the first time in Malaysia by East Seremban (MSSDST) coach G.M.K. Kalaichelvan in 1998. 

As an alternate runner in the 4x400m heats, Nanthakumaran helped SPI qualify for the final.

The humble champion said: "My father passed away when I was just a year old. I dedicate my gold medals to my mother Malliga Krishnan. 

"Although stricken by diabetes and depending on my late father's pension, she instilled discipline and good values in me which have made me a champion athlete at the age of 15." 

His more illustrious SPI teammate Lingeasen Sathiamoorthi was crowned the Best Overall Secondary School Male Athlete with three gold medals and records in the boys' Under-15 200m in 23.2s (old record 24.5s), 400m in 51.6s (56.1s) and 800m in 2:03.1s (2:14.6s) as well as anchoring the relay team to the 4x400m (3:55.2s) gold. 

He also won silver in the 4x100m. 

SMK Pendeta Za'aba's Amy Afarina Aiza Mohd Fadzli was awarded the Best Overall Secondary School Female Athlete. 

The century sprinter grabbed the gold by clocking a new time of 13.7s to eclipse the 2008 mark of 13.8s. 

She also won the girls' Under-15 200m in 29.1s and 400m in 69.4s. 

A total of 36 meet records were rewritten and three equalled in the eight age-groups contested. 

SMK Bukit Mewah emerged the secondary school champions with a tally of 23-8-3 while the primary schools title went to SK Sikamat with 6-5-4.

source : nst

A main stop for birds to rest - Tanjung Tuan, Port Dickson

A bird of prey circling above Tanjung Tuan. — Pictures by Low Mei May

WHAT are raptors? TheyRaptors are birds of prey and include hawks, eagles, falcons, vultures and owls. They are found in all continents except Antarctica.

The migratory raptors that pass Tanjung Tuan originate from north Asia — Eastern Siberia, Kamchatka, north-eastern China, the Korean peninsula and Japan. As autumn approaches in September, they will make the perilous journey south from their country of origin into Southeast Asia through the so-called East Asian Flyaway. 

From late January till March or April, they will once again make the return journey.

Last year, 71,000 raptors were counted in Tanjung Tuan over a 44-day period. 

Tanjung Tuan is the nearest landfall across the Straits of Malacca from Indonesia and is therefore important for the birds to rest or catch thermals before continuing on their journey north. 

Due to its importance to migratory birds, Tanjung Tuan has been designated by Birdlife International as an Important Bird Area.

The Malaysian Nature Society has been actively conserving Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve by promoting Raptor Watch Week yearly by organising guided walks in the forest and on the seashore as national eco-tourism events. 

Among the more regularly sighted raptors in Tanjung Tuan are the oriental honey buzzard, black Baza, Japanese sparrowhawk, Chinese goshawk and grey faced buzzard.

Top two places to visit in Negeri Sembilan

1.THE Sri Menanti Royal Museum located 50km from Seremban town is the official residence of the state ruler or Yang Di-Pertuan Besar as well as the site of the Sri Menanti Museum.

2.THE Adat Museum in Rembau features fascinating array of cultural artifacts such as handcrafted antiques, community heirlooms and headgear.

NS trainees to learn sex education at camp

"The subject would enlighten about 100,000 trainees yearly on family life and positive relationship between gender such as mutual respect between male and female trainees."

SEREMBAN: Sex Education or Reproductive and Social Health Education has officially become a subject in the National Service Training Programme. 

The inclusion of the subject was officiated by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil at the Sri Perkasa National Service Training Camp here today.

In her speech, Shahrizat said that the subject would enlighten about 100,000 trainees yearly on family life and positive relationship between gender such as mutual respect between male and female trainees. 

She said about 1,500 facilitators would be trained to teach the subject. 

Speaking to reporters later, she said the lessons would be imparted in an interactive form to avoid the trainees from becoming bored.

She said gender, family, reproductive health and violence issues would be covered in the well-being module. 

The module is developed by the National Population and Family Development Board, the Ministry of Health, the Federation Reproductive Health Associations Malaysia, All Women's Action Society Malaysia, the Women's Aid Organisation and the Pacific Outreach Society. 

"The trainees need guidance. If they are engaged in illicit sex, they will know implications and consequences," she said.

She hoped the initiative would help reduce unbecoming behaviours among young people, such as promiscuity, misuse of the Internet and unwed pregnancy. 

-- BERNAMA

Class of 1961 to host gala dinner [SMKKGV]

SEREMBAN: The Form Five students of SMK King George V in 1961 will celebrate their golden anniversary this year by having a gala dinner on June 16 at 7pm at the Sungei Ujong Club in Seremban.

The cost per person is RM50 for dinner and drinks.

Spouses are welcome.

For details, call Soo Weng Heng, Maggie or Joanne during office hours at 03-2148 0556 and Loo Chong Poh at 012-683 6191 or email James Sundram at jamessundram125@live.co.uk.

Maid held over 16kg ganja haul

NILAI: An international drug syndicate is targeting foreign maids, who are recruited as mules to smuggle drugs into the country.

The Customs Department revealed this following the arrest of a 36-year-old Filipino maid working in Bangkok, who was on her way to deliver 16kg of ganja at the Jalan Duta bus terminal in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.

Department deputy director (narcotics) Liah Omar said acting on information following a surveillance operation, a team detained the woman who had just arrived from Changlun, Kedah, by bus at 4.50pm.

"The suspect was carrying 16 packs of ganja weighing about 16kg, worth RM40,000, hidden in a bag." -- Bernama

'Mantan' not accurate, says Rais

JELEBU: The use of the word mantan in Bahasa Malaysia to denote "former" or "ex" should be reviewed as it is not accurate, said Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.
He said the word, which is widely used in Indonesia, means "erstwhile" or "unemployed".

Thus, he said, the word was not accurately used to denote former prime minister or former inspector-general of police.

"We have the tendency of using the word like mantan without checking its origin or root. Let us not adopt Indonesian words without knowing their meanings," he said at the opening the Ex-Policemen's Association of Malaysia here yesterday. -- Bernama

A hot, rising star

Lisa Surihani

LISA Surihani is acting silly these days. As co-host of Astro Ria's Mari Menari, alongside Awal Ashaari, Lisa is supposed to play the "dumb blonde".

That she is willing to accept the challenge is commendable for the law graduate from Help University College and Aberystwyth University in Wales, United Kingdom.

"Awal is the main host and I'm playing Vanna White so to speak," she explained almost apologetically. But after watching her "dance and host" simultaneously with the rest of the contestants for the show's promo, I assured her she was far from looking like a bimbo.

"You were endearing," I said to which she gracefully thanked me.

Indeed, since my last interview with her more than a year ago, Lisa hasn't changed much. She is still as grounded and eloquent. The only difference is that, Lisa is much more knowledgeable than before.

Lisa, who emerged Most Promising Actress at the 21st Malaysian Film Festival in 2008 for her role in I'm Not Single, and Best Actress two years later for Lagenda Budak Setan, spoke about her roles in movies with confidence and maturity.

When I told her that I didn't enjoy a certain movie that I had watched recently, Lisa defended the movie.

"I liked that the movie didn't try to scare you in your face like most local horror movies, although I feel that the actors could have done a better job," she justified.

Indeed, it was fun talking to the Most Popular Actress winner of Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian 2011 who often chooses her words carefully and wisely so as to not to offend anyone, especially those in the business.

Lisa, who was accompanied by her mother at the Mari Menari launch, is hosting the show for the second year running.

That, however, doesn't mean that movie offers have stopped coming her way, as has often happened to award winners. Next month for example, Lisa will be shooting a movie under the directorship of Datuk Yusof Haslam.

She will play the lead along with Syamsul Yusof, Shaheizy Sam and bombshell Neelofah. Titled Sam short for Saya Amat Mencintaimu, the movie, which is her 14th, is a psycho-thriller romance.

"There is a Wicker Park thing going on in the movie. (Wicker Park is a 2004 psychological drama/romantic mystery film directed by Paul McGuigan and starring Josh Hartnett. The film is a remake of the 1996 French movie L''Appartement.) I have always wanted to work with Skop Production, so when Yusof himself made me the offer, I was truly honoured. It was awesome news.

"This will be my first involvement with Skop. Thankfully, time is also on my side so I can fully concentrate on the movie, as by then, Mari Menari would have ended. I also think that it is a good move by Skop Production to do a psycho-thriller since it had been churning out a lot of action movies and a horror flick," said Lisa, adding that Sam will be co-directed by Yusof and his other son, Syafiq.

"In the movie, I'm in love with someone and also feeling jealous of other people around me. Let's just say I play the victim. For experience sake, I'm also looking forward to acting with Syamsul," said Lisa who has collaborated with Farid Kamil and Shaheizy Sam in her past films. 

If you can't wait for that, Lisa's other movies will be screened soon.

One of them is Papa I Love You where she plays Elly.

This movie deals with father-daughter issues which Lisa finds hard to grasp at first.

"Since I had such a loving and wonderful relationship with my late father, I found it hard to play a character who has issues with her dad. But actor Zaidi Omar, who plays my dad, made it so easy for me. The tricky part was that as much as I hate my dad, I miss him so much.

"I had to project that more with my eyes and facial expression rather than with words. Zaidi helped me a lot in getting me to hate/love him. He was a splendid teacher."

Lisa's other flick is Sekali Lagi, scheduled to be screened on June 30.

This time, she plays a single mother whose husband left her after five years of marriage. 

"My husband left me on the day my father died and I discovered I was pregnant. He, however, comes back into my life five years later but he's not the same person," said Lisa of the sad romantic flick directed by Hashim Rejab.

Then there is Ombak Rindu where she acts with Aaron Aziz, Maya Karin and Bront Palare.

Here, she plays a successful diva who gets what she wants. 

"Mila, my character, is not a bad character although she can appear to be so. She is just obsessed with the guy she's in love with," said Lisa, who admitted to being nervous when she had do a romantic scene with Aaron.

So how did she overcome it? 

Thanks to Aaron's wife Diyana, who came onto the set, she managed to. Lisa felt much better after Diyana assured her that it was all right.

"I was so bothered by it because Aaron is someone's husband. But after meeting Diyana for the first time, we hit it off.

"That made me feel so much at ease. She is such a sister. When Aaron came back to join us after shooting his scene, he was surprised to see that we were still talking excitedly!"

But that was not all. Lisa said petai also helped make the bed scene not only comfortable but hilarious.

"We were at this house in this kampung and the owner showed me some petai, all fresh and green.

"A big petai fan, I couldn't resist it! But I had one too many that by the time Aaron and I got to shoot our bed scene, Aaron, who hated petai, had difficulty shooting with me because of the smell! 'You'd better go and burp far, far away. I cannot tahanlah!' he told me!"

Needless to say, petai broke the ice and Lisa had no hang-ups doing the romantic scene after that.

Source : NST

All Tan wants is to see her seven kids

SEREMBAN: If there is one wish 71-year-old Tan Guet Cheng wants fulfilled, it is to meet her seven children she last saw 35 years ago.

The septuagenarian who lost her husband in a road accident at about the same time has been longing for her children ever since she was chased out of her matrimonial home in Mentakab by her superstitious mother-in-law for apparently “causing” the death of her son.

“I have been living alone most of my life, working in homes and restaurants. I hope my children will still want me although my mother-in-law had told them bad things about me,” she said at the state MCA office here.

Doting mum: Tan will be a happy woman if she can only see her children at least once.

Tan was living with her husband Chen Shen Choo, then 36, and their children when he was involved in the accident in Raub.

Chen was running his father's sundry shop and kopitiam when he was killed while transporting goods.

“My oldest child was 14 while the youngest was only three. My mother-in-law said that since I had brought bad luck to the family, I could no longer see my children and chased me out,” she said.

Tan, whose only relatives were her step-siblings, then left for Kuala Lumpur where she did odd jobs.

However, as fate would have it, a couple from here who were on a holiday in Kuala Lumpur met Tan and brought her back home after hearing her story.

Tan had been looking after her female employer until she died two years ago.

National MCA Wanita central committee member Julia Wong said Tan's male employer, who only wished to be known as “Uncle Cheng”, was worried about her well-being and asked Wong's help to look for her children.

“Uncle Cheng is already 74 and is worried about who would look after Tan if anything happens to him,” she said.

Wong said Tan had been keeping tabs on her in-laws and children through friends until several years ago but has since lost touch with them.

“She knows that her in-laws have passed away and her children have all moved from Mentakab.

“She has no clue where they are or what they are doing,” she said.

Tan said she would not be upset if her children didn't want her back after being influenced by her mother-in-law all these years.

“I only want to see them once. I'll be the happiest mother if they take me back but if they do not, I will just pray for their happiness.”

source : The Star

Singapore has world's highest proportion of millionaires

SINGAPORE: About 15.5% of the households in Singapore had more than US$1mil (RM3mil) of investable assets in 2010, the highest proportion in the world, a report said.

The latest global wealth report released by the Boston Consulting Groupshowed that the number of households with more than US$1mil assets, aside from properties occupied by the owners, grew by almost 33% from 2009, Xinhua news agency quoted local media report Thursday.

Switzerland came second with 9.9% of its households joining the millionaire club, followed by 8.9% for Qatar, 8.7% for Hong Kong and 8.5% for Kuwait.

The United States was ranked seventh at 4.5%, but has by far the largest number of millionaire households, about 5.2 million. In terms of the total number of such households, Japan was the second and China, the third.

For the world as a whole, the proportion of millionaire households was about 0.9%, but they owned about 39% of the world's wealth, up from 37% in 2009.

The Straits Times quoted an economist as saying that a number of factors contributed to the surge in the proportion of its millionaire households.

"Singaporeans saw their wealth surge because of the stronger Singapore dollar, sharp economic rebound and soaring asset prices, including property," said Chua Hak Bin, Bank of America Merrill Lyncheconomist.

"Openness to foreign talent and wealthy 'new' Singaporeans probably also expanded the number of millionaires." - Bernama

Source : The Star

Only 10% of rear seat belt used

SEREMBAN June 2 - Only 10% of car passengers wear rear seat belts since the regulations were introduced two years ago, said General Director of the Road Safety Department (JKJR), Datuk Suret Singh.

He said that this shows the public is not aware that without wearing the rear seat belt, their chances for serious injury or death of any one accident rose to 50%.

At the same time, he expressed regret that nearly half a million owners of National cars such as Proton and Perodua are no belts in their back of their car. - bernama