54th National Day of Malaysia

His Excellency delivering his speech

Pehin Abu Bakar Apong, Minister of Education as GOH

SL with members of PWM 

 Dato' Jack with personnels of Maybank

 Group photo with His Excellency & GOH

Last night, we (PWM's excos) were invited to a dinner reception to celebrate the 54th National Day of Malaysia by the Malaysian High Commissioner, Dato' Abdullah Sani Omar and Datin Adeda Rahimah Ahmad. The reception was held at the International Convention Centre in Berakas. The guests of honour (GOH) were the Minister of Education, Pehin Abu Bakar bin Hj Apong and his missus, Datin Hjh Jahrah. A cake cutting ceremony was held with the GOH cutting the cake together with His Excellency and other Asean diplomats. Throughout the night, cultural dances were performed to entertain the guests. Dinner was excellent (catered by Kayu Nasi Kandar Restaurant) and goodie bags (and an umbrella) were given to the departing guests at the conclusion of the function at around 9.30pm. 

PWM Merdeka Basketball Tournament

 R&T Electronics "father & sons" team

 GTE & Arthini Cafe teams

 Hahaha, even I have a trophy!

 Some of the "stars" in action

 Organizing Committee

 During the tournament, Raja, James & I sneaked off to Intan's Hari Raya open house

Yesterday morning (from 10.00am to 1.00pm), PWM organized a basketball tournament and the event was being held at the Malaysian High Commission's basketball court. Each match has three players from each team playing on just half of the court and the first team to score 10 points was the winner of that match (based on a knocked out system). The eventual winners were Lian Fu Restaurant, followed by Hankook Tyres and Raytec Construction Sdn Bhd. Prizes were sponsored by UOB Bank and R&T Electronics Sdn Bhd. We even managed to sneak off to a Hari Raya open house and came back just in time for the prize presentation. Ms. Haznah Md. Hashim, the Minister Counsellor at the Malaysian High Commission gave away the prizes. Just after everything was over, it started to rain! How lucky can we get!

Malaysia Airlines' Open House @ Tarindak D' Seni Restaurant

 Dato' Ali sharing a light moment with the other guests

 Mr. Galvin Lai & Azmi

It's the 22nd day of Hari Raya and there's still Hari Raya Open Houses to attend! This "open house" was hosted by Malaysia Airlines and took place at Tarindak D' Seni Restaurant, located at the Brunei Arts & Handicraft Centre. Mr. Alias Suut, the new District Manager for Brunei was on hand to welcome invited guests, industry partners and media to this event which started at 2.00pm. It was also an opportunity for me to catch up with old friends from the hospitality industry which I must admit, I haven't visited for quite awhile!

V Hotel Lavender Singapore

 The 24 hours "Kopitian"

During my last trip to Singapore, I stayed at the V Hotel Lavender Singapore, a 4-star hotel with 888 rooms located directly above the Lavender MRT Station. The room rates are reasonable, ranging from S$150 onwards (not many hotels in Singapore offer S$150 rates except budget hotels). Don't expect spacious rooms or bathrooms for these rates but still its rooms are bigger than those of budget hotels. The furnishing is quite modest and simple with all the table tops (dressing table, night table & the shelf along the window) made of granite which is very durable. It even has a huge swimming pool, a qymnasium and a restaurant on the 4th floor. The floor of the rooms are tiled and so are the common corridors which I believe is easier to maintain and cleaner than using carpet. Opened 4 months ago, I find its location quite convenient as there are many shops above the MRT station next to the hotel and its not far from Marina Bay Sands (only S$5.40 by taxi)! 

Singapore Trip - 18 to 21 September 2011

 Lunch at Kg. Chicken Eating House @ Tiong Bahru

Mr & Mrs Michael Chiu

 Dinner at Sakura Buffet Restaurant (SAFRA) @ Tampines

 Ferrari Shop at Marina Bay Sands

After attending to some personal matters in Johor Bahru, I took the opportunity to travel to Singapore, met up with an old friend, Mr. Michael Chiu, a piano tuner who travels around the Asean region tuning pianos for the rich and famous (and not so famous!). Michael and his wife took us to the Resorts World Sentosa (this is his first visit to a Singapore casino and being a Singaporean has to pay the S$100 levy while his missus doesn't have to pay as she is a Taiwanese) but he fell in love with the place (maybe it's the atmosphere) and vowed to be back. He only plays the "Jackpot" machines and he said Resorts World's "Jackpot" machines are better than those at his golf club as it doesn't "eat" his money that quickly! Good Luck and see you in Brunei next month, Mr. Chiu!