Day: August 26, 2022

KUANTAN, Aug 26 (Bernama) — A team of skydivers will make 65 jumps from the second highest tower in Malaysia, Kuantan 188, here on the night of Aug 30 in conjunction with the 65th National Day celebration and it will be among the main attractions of the Kuantan 188 International Extreme Challenge (KIEC).

Kuantan 188 managing director Datuk Zulkifli Mohamad said, so far, 18 skydivers, including five from the United States, Singapore and Indonesia, will take turns jumping from the 104-metre (m) high outdoor sky deck.

“The 65th jump is expected to be done at the latest before midnight by the country’s oldest extreme skydiver Jamaluddin Ismail, 67, and who hails from Mentakab in Temerloh, Pahang.

“Throughout the jumps, the skydivers will carry the Jalur Gemilang, Pahang flag and Kuantan 188 flag,” he told a media conference in conjunction with the hosting of the KIEC and Kuantan 188 Festival at the tower here today.

Also present was Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker as well as state Human Resources, Youth, Sports and Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Johari Hussain.

In addition, the five-day KIEC, which is organised by Kuantan 188 in collaboration with the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS), also involves other activities like paintball, ‘drop zone’, ‘skywalk’ and kickboxing.

As for the Sept 3 hosting of the Kuantan 188 Festival, Zulkifli said this was in conjunction with the birthdays of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah on July 30 and the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah on Aug 5.

Their Majesties are scheduled to grace the event.

The Kuantan 188 Festival, to be held at Kuantan 188, will feature seven well-known artistes, including Man Bai, Aina Abdul, Raihan, Ara Johari and Sandhy Sondoro, and members of the public can purchase tickets priced between RM58 and RM188 at www.gotifi.com.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

LABUAN, Aug 26 (Bernama) — Labuan’s Tiara Hotel which is among the duty free island’s oldest hotel’s has been certified as a five-star resort hotel and awarded with an official certificate to acknowledge its five-star rating from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MoTAC) today.

Tiara Hotel Labuan managing director Chai Tze Kee received the certificate from MoTAC Putrajaya officer Zakiah Zainuddin in a ceremony at the hotel premises.

Tiara Hotel Labuan, built 30 years ago, has been audited and verified as a five-star resort hotel, joining a handful of hotels or resorts that are classified in this International business and financial centre (IBFC).

Scoring high in all the criteria that has been set out in MoTAC’s Rating System for Hospitality Services, Tiara Hotel Labuan has maintained excellent quality of its facilities and services throughout the years with admirable success.

Tze Khee said the five-star rating was a testimony to the highly-dedicated team of the hotel.

“They are so committed and are working towards achieving the hotel’s vision of becoming the preferred five-star resort in this island and Malaysia as a whole.

“This rating is a testimony of our continued commitment to provide guests with excellent service,” he said adding that the employees were positive and would be able to maintain the standard of service required of a five-star hotel.

“Moreover, we are dedicated to providing services that exceed the expectations of all our guests and this five-star accolade given by the ministry will definitely motivate our staff to provide our guests with the best,” he said.

The Tiara Hotel Labuan is designed with poolside patios, gymnasium, several public walkways, outdoor gardens and sun lounges. Soak in the luxury of a private pool and be mesmerised with its indoor garden and a spatial open air shower.

The hotel features 73 rooms (24 deluxe type and 49 suites), with 16 modern contemporary-inspired villas linked by spacious boardwalks.

There are two restaurants serving a wide range of delicacies – The Grill Restaurant features all-day dining serving a wide range of local and international cuisine and at night, there is restaurant by the pool to look forward to where one can enjoy live music as well.

For a taste of Chinese delicacies, try the Chinese Seafood Restaurant and for rest and relaxation, check out the nearest Spa and reflexology centre.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

TANJUNG MALIM, Aug 26 (Bernama) — The implementation of the Comprehensive Special Model Schools for Year 9 (K9) is an initiative to address the issue of school dropouts among the Orang Asli community, said Deputy Education Minister 1, Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon.

He said the government always placed emphasis on education for the Orang Asli community via various initiatives including the implementation the special Model for Year 9 students.

“For me, we do not need to build new hostels for the implementation of K9. In the initial stages, we can use available classrooms or buildings, and arrange for teachers and equipment.

“I see the implemenetation of K9 as the most effective way to reduce the rate of dropouts among the Orang Asli community,” he told reporters after presenting smart TVs, contributed by Sharp Malaysia, to Sekolah Kebangsaan Jernang in conjunction with the ‘Smart Classroom Solution’ programme here today.

Mah said through the K9 model, Orang Asli students need to complete nine years in the same school, that is from Standard One to Form Three, with daily boarding provided for those who live far from school.

Earlier, Dr Mah said in his speech that the Education Ministry always welcomed collaborations or corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes with various parties that is targetted towards quality and holistic education.

“For example, the contribution of smart televisions for the ‘Smart Classroom’ programme is in line with the (Orang Asli) Education Transformation initiative aimed at increasing digitisation as well as information and communications technology in schools,” he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 26 (Bernama) — Residents in Precinct 9 here, are used to seeing Shamsurrijal Abdul Jamil faithfully washing his collection of Proton cars in front of his house on Sunday.

But the eye-catching vehicle is the Proton Satria GTi with the registration number ‘Jalur Gemilang II’.

Shamsurrijal, 57, said the car he affectionately calls ‘Jalur Gemilang II’ was the vehicle he used on his successful solo driving mission to over 45 countries in 2003.

For him, the car, painted in the colours of the Malaysian flag is a symbol of his love and patriotism for his country.

“Alhamdulillah, Jalur Gemilang II is still road-worthy and has no major problems. This car still uses the original engine and it is running smoothly,” he told Bernama.

Recalling his solo drive, Shamsurrijal said it was his fondest memory and sweetest experience as he is the only Malaysian who had succeeded in the mission with the car.

“During the expedition, I took the opportunity to highlight interesting facts about Malaysia to people abroad. They were excited to know about our country located in South East Asia.

“At that time, I wanted to promote Malaysia to the whole world by painting the car in the colours of the Malaysian flag,” he said.

He said, It was the right move since the vehicle would always attract the attention of onlookers when passing through the countries.

Nonetheless, he also faced challenging moments during the journey like bad weather conditions and different road conditions in various countries.

“However, I have always had the support of local people and was welcomed, as some even let me stay in their homes, for example, people in Bosnia-Herzegovina who appreciated what Malaysia did to help them during the war,” he said.

Shamsurrijal’s solo drive to 45 countries from Feb 14 to Nov 23 2003 kicked off in Johor Bahru and ended in Moscow, Russia. It took him 10 months to complete the journey.

But, unfortunately, for his return leg, Shamsurrijal was forced to leave Jalur Gemilang II in Russia because he had to rush home due to a family emergency.

“Despite being left unattended for months, Jalur Gemilang proved reliable as ever. A battery change was all it needed and the car was as good as new,” he said.

He said the story of the Jalur Gemilang II recently became a trending topic on social media after he participated in the Art of Speed 2022 exhibition held at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) in Serdang, Selangor.

“The current generation may not know about the story of Jalur Gemilang II but after I participated in the exhibition, many young people became interested to know more about my journey driving the Proton Satria GTI,” he said.

Shamsurrijal said he intends to embark on another solo mission around the world using Jalur Gemilang II in 2025.

“It is a mission that I will undertake if my health and finances permit. I will definitely try. I have also studied the routes to take if I embark on this solo mission to drive around the world,” said the private sector employee from Selangor.

Shamsurrijal who is a father of three children has eight grandchildren. He also has a collection of other Proton cars including a Saga, Putra, Wira, Savvy, Suprima, Perdana as well as an X70.

“Proton is always close to my heart because this national car is comparable to foreign cars.

“My collection of Proton cars also translates my love for products made in Malaysia… we should be proud of Proton or Perodua,” he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency