Flash floods hit Kuala Lumpur Dec 13 2011

..and again on Apr 13, 2013..Kuala Lumpur hit by flash floods again yesterday

This is Jalan Tun Razak being flooded yesterday.
If not for the caption in the article, I wouldn't have been able to tell where this place is. Flooding changes a whole landscape.

Heavy rain yesterday just for a couple of hours caused Sungei (River) Bunus to overflow and thigh-high floodwaters cut off traffic along Jalan Tun Razak causing massive traffic jams during the evening peak hours. This stretch is in front of the national library which is also where the National Heart Institute (IJN) is located on the opposite side.

Floodwaters reached chest level according to a nursery school teacher. Some 23 children were all ushered to the second floor and were later rescued by boat by rescue team from the Fire department. 20 students of a multimedia college located next to the nursery were also evacuated.

Many vehicle drivers abandoned their vehicles and waded out.

However, all roads were accessible after the flood waters subsided at 7pm.


Source: The Star.. Over 20 nursery children rescued in KL flash floods

Malaysia has a new King today

Related article: NatGeo documenting the installation of Malaysia's new King 2012 on 11 Apr 2012


Yes, Malaysia has a new King today, December 13.

The picture below shows the Sultan of Kedah, Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, arriving in Kuala Lumpur this morning for a swearing-in ceremony as the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Tuanku Abdul Halim and Raja Permaisuri Agong Haminah Hamidun arrived at the Bunga Raya Complex of KL International Airport at 9.07am from Alor Setar. They were greeted by Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim and wife Datin Seri Maznah Rais.

For the first installation in Kuala Lumpur in 1970, the King boarded a three-coach royal train, which had been specially scheduled by Keretapi Tanah Melayu.

The royal couple then proceeded to Parliament Square in Kuala Lumpur for a royal welcoming ceremony.

The 84-year-old Sultan of Kedah, has been elected the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong for a five-year period effective Tuesday, at the Meeting of the Conference of Rulers on Oct 14. At 84, Malaysia's new king is the oldest constitutional monarch in the nation's history. He succeeds Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, 49, one of Malaysia's youngest kings. Sultan Mizan is Sultan of Terengganu.

Incoming (left) King and outgoing King. Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the term we use for the King.

This is the second time Tuanku Abdul Halim was elected as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the first time being on Sept 21, 1970.

Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V, is the elected Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Sources & Related articles:
- Powers of the king

- Tuanku Abdul Halim sworn in as 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong

The Keeper of the Rulers' Seal, Datuk Syed Danial Syed Ahmad, presented the instrument of office to Tuanku Abdul Halim, who was in a Kedah royal attire called Sikap consisting of a short jacket with a high collar, tenggolok (headdress), long pants, sampin, bengkung (cummerband) and complete with a keris (Malay dagger).

- Steeped in pomp and ceremony

- Role model for the nation

- Much beloved by the people

- Royal trivia

- The Constitution says...

- Monarchy made in Malaysia

A meeting of the Conference of Rulers held at Istana Negara on Nov 1. - Bernamapic
- The royal family

- Revered and held in high esteem

A young Tuanku Abdul Halim and the late Tuanku Bahiyah Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman at the installation ceremony as the 27th Sultan of Kedah and Sultanah of Kedah in a ceremony held at Istana Balai Besar in Alor Setar on 20th February 1959. – Pic courtesy of Istana Anak Bukit

- End of reign for 13th King

All images are from The Star

Buying gold jewelry for Chinese New Year

Many years ago, when gold was cheaper in price, mothers would go shopping for gold jewelry for their daughters and for themselves in time for Chinese New Year.

Back then, crime was also less heard of. These days here in Malaysia, even wearing a gold chain has to be done discreetly so as not to attract undue attention.

Back to present-day, gold price is now at more than US$1700 an ounce and people wear less gold jewelry for fear of it being snatched on the street. However, gold is still a preferred investment for its increasing value, a hedge against inflation and the declining currency devaluation.

Medical Insurance - Don't leave home without it

We are talking about medical insurance here but a little digression first.

The Thailand border towns are common holiday destinations for Malaysians. Hatyai and Songkla are popular towns where Malaysians visit by the busloads every year. Buses leave Kuala Lumpur at night, reaching there in the morning. It is a long ride. A flight would reduce the journey drastically and AirAsia, the local Low Cost Carrier, does have great ticket prices.

Many people travel without travel insurance. Making it a point to at least sign up for medical or health insurance can stand you well financially in the event of an accident. Recently, a Malaysian tourist had to cough up over RM90,000 to settle medical charges at a hospital in Thailand after being involved in a road accident.

When shopping for insurance, I believe the best rates are from an insurance agent that offers Wholesale Insurance for a comprehensive coverage. A wise shopper shops around for the best deal.

Trendy Nursing Scrubs

Medical or nursing scrubs sure have come a long way though the new trendy ones have yet to catch on here. Look, they even come in nice prints and great slimming cutting!

Uniforms are not everyone's preference but donning them as opposed to wearing normal streetwear or office attire does have its many advantages. For starters, in these cost-cutting times, having a uniform dresscode can result in some wardrobe savings. Plus, the usual morning phrase, "Nothing to wear" can be retired..

Kuala Lumpur International Batik Convention and Exhibition (KLIB) 2011

If Batik is your cup of tea and you would like to know more about this art-form or craft or if you are in the Batik business, the Kuala Lumpur International Batik Convention and Exhibition (KLIB) 2011 held at the KL Convention Centre may be up your alley.

Started yesterday, this three-day international all-things Batik event organised by Yayasan Budi Penyayang Malaysia, includes presentations in the form of papers, workshops, demonstrations, panel discussions and art & craft as well as multimedia displays. A wide range of themes are covered including from the history of batik to versatility of batik to technique to transculturalization of batik, marketing batik and more.

Inaugurated in 2005, people from various fields – artists, designers, students, lecturers, people in the batik and handicrafts industry, batik enthusiasts and aficionados have been attending this Exhibition, which has a wide array of batik fashion and products. You won't want to miss this once-a-year Batik extravaganza for the chance to pick up a beautiful batik piece of art - a batik shirt, dress or kaftan for yourself, batik art to decorate your home with or other batik souvenirs to bring home as gifts for friends and loved ones.

Head on over to the KL Convention Centre for this fourth edition of the Kuala Lumpur International Batik Convention and Exhibition (KLIB) 2011. Admission is free.

DATE AND TIME:

KLIB Convention 2011
9th - 10th Dec 2011:
10:30am - 6:00pm

KLIB Exibition 2011
9th - 11th Dec 2011:
10:30am - 5:00pm
The exhibition is open to the public and trade at all times.
Visit: www.expomal.com/klib

ADMISSION:
Minors of 16 years and below will NOT be admitted. All visitors must be in proper business attire. The organiser reserves the right to refuse entry to those deemed inappropriately dressed.

PROGRAM DETAILS:
List of selected speakers for 2011

1. Mr. Ray Pierotti - surface design for painters, weavers, textile designers and interior & architectural designers - USA

2. Mr. Alexsey Zaytsev - The connection of the variety of technics in art works of batik - Azerbaijan

3. Ms. Miyoko Kawahito - Ori-nui Shibori (Folded and Stitched Tie-dyeing) Technique using Awa Natural Indigo- Japan

4. Ms. Lee Creswell - Creating a batik using Cold Liquid Wax and Seaweed Solution - UK

5. Ms. Monika Salva - batik-diversified textures of wax in contemporary textiles -India
More international speakers..

Malaysian Speakers
1. Prof. Dato' Najib Dawa - Malaysia Batik

2. Prof. Madya Khairul Aidil Azlin - Enhancement of Batik Indigenous Design Through Indigenous Knowledge

3. Dr. Nazlina Shaari - Environment Friendly Mordant for Natural Dyeing Process in Batik

4. Mr. Edric Ong - Asian Textiles in world fashion

5. Mr. Eddie Yap - From canting to textural brush strokes to shibat (shibori+batik)

Visit the Kuala Lumpur International Batik (KLIB) Convention & Exhibition 2011 website for more information.


Source: KLIB

Friday Frolics - The Colors Test

This ensemble of colors reminds me of my wardrobe, a mish-mash of colors. I once arranged my clothes according to colors but found the system (though pretty to look at) not quite practical because of the different lengths of the garments. Yep, life is about experiments, trials and errors.

The quiz says I am perfectly imperfect. I couldn't agree more..

You Are Colorful Because You Are Smooth

You're the type of person who can get away with anything. People always like you no matter what. You are totally irresistible. You can be as quirky, colorful, and wild as you want to be! You enjoy taking risks, and you've made a few big miscalculations over the years. You're not afraid to mess up. Your mistakes just give you character. People love that you're perfectly imperfect. You're happy with yourself, and that's all that matters.

The Colors Test

These Quizzes Weren't Written By Bored 12-Year-Olds

Messi, the Psychic Octopus

Remember Paul, the Octopus, (who can forget Paul!), the psychic Octopus that became world famous during the last World Cup after correctly predicting all the results involving the German team, as well as that of the final, won by Spain? We now have a new psychic octopus, in Spain.

According to this article in The Star,
Psychic octopus tips Barca to beat Real.

Messi the “psychic” octopus predicted on Monday that Barcelona will beat Real Madrid during the first Clasico of the season this weekend.

The octopus, named after Barcelona’s Argentine forward Lionel Messi, forecast the win by choosing to eat a sardine from a glass bottle decorated with the Catalan side’s crest, instead of one from a bottle with Real’s crest, at the Sea Life Aquarium in the southern city of Benalmadena.

Real face arch rivals Barcelona at home at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday. They are currently at the top of the league table with 37 points, three more than second-placed Barcelona.

By the way, fans of Chelsea FC would be pleased to know that Chelsea made it through to last 16 of Champions League. Didier Drogba scored two goals and set up another for Chelsea to qualify for the knockout phase of the Champions League as Group E winners by beating Valencia 3-0 at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.