Malaysian restaurants growing in the kitchen of the world

Malaysian restaurants growing in the kitchen of the world

Malaysian restaurants growing in the kitchen of the world

Posted: 12 Dec 2013 06:25 PM PST

BANGKOK: The Malaysian Kitchen Programme is seeing a growing number of restaurants in Thailand, which itself is known as the "Kitchen of the world."

Today, there are a total of 40 restaurants being promoted and working closely with the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporatian (Matrade) and the Malaysian Embassy here.

Trade Commissioner Niqman Rafaee Mohd Sahar said the restaurants came under five main brands — Secret Recipe (30 restaurants), Mrs Balbir Indian Restaurant (seven), Cili Padi (one), Baya Kitchen (one) and one brand with teh tarik kiosks business.

The restaurants under the Malaysian Kitchen Programme are of various types of operations such as Malaysia-owned restaurants, restaurants serving Malaysian cuisines and also Malaysia-owned franchises and brands.

Niqman Rafaee said to date there are 691 restaurants under the programme with well over half in three countries — Australia (220), the United States (84) and the United Kingdom (64).

He said this at the Malaysian Kitchen Programme Award ceremony for Mrs Balbir Indian Restaurants which are located in major shopping complexes in Bangkok and its main restaurant in Sukhumvit.

In terms of major cities, there are 37 restaurants in London alone, 27 in New York, while in terms of territories, New South Wales in Australia is in the lead with 53, he told Bernama.

Niqman Rafaee said the Malaysian kitchen Programme has helped boost food products and beverages' exports from Malaysia, adding that exports of processed food last year totalled US$4.3 billion and beverages and tobacco amounted to US$1.1 billion.

The programme also gave an opportunity to many people around the world to taste Malaysian food for the first time and created an interest in Malaysian food, thus boosting exports of food-related products from Malaysia, he said.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Ambassador to Thailand Datuk Nazirah Hussain said she is encouraged by the expansion of Malaysian restaurants in Thailand.

"Malaysian restaurants are always well received and are successful," she added.

The Malaysian Kitchen Programme is a global initiative entrusted to Matrade since 2009. Previously, the programme was under other agencies.– BERNAMA

Print Friendly

To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names.

His majesty arrives in Japan

Posted: 12 Dec 2013 03:59 PM PST

To attend two-day Asean-Japan commemorative summit

Tokyo, Japan: His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam safely arrived in Tokyo, Japan, to attend the Asean-Japan Commemorative Summit on December 13 and 14, 2013, Borneo Bulletin reported.

His Majesty is accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Waked l and Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah.

Upon arrival at the Tokyo International Airport (Haneda), His Majesty was greeted by Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Sala Lim Jock Seng, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II; Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister's Office; Awang Haji Mahamud bin Haji Ahmad, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to Japan; and Kenichi Suganuma, Ambassador of Japan to Brunei Darussalam. His Majesty was also greeted by a representative from the Tokyo International Airport as well as .security and liaison officers from the Government of Japan.

His Majesty then boarded a motorcade towards the Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo, where His Majesty will reside throughout the summit. Upon arrival at the hotel, His Majesty was greeted by Jens Moesker, the General Manager of the hotel.

Asean and Japan mark the 40th anniversary of dialogue relations in 2013. Asean and Japan's cooperative partnership began in 1973. Through the years, Asean and Japan have forged close cooperation towards peace, stability, development and prosperity in Asia. They have established close business partnership with total bilateral trade amounting to US$248 billion in 2011. Asean member states are major foreign direct investment destinations for Japanese enterprises.

For 2013, Japan and Asean member states have carried out exchange projects in a wide range of fields, including political dialogue, economy, culture, youth, and tourism. Exchange programmes of concerned organisations and private sectors are encouraged, as are collaborative activities by government and private sectors.

Also accompanying His Majesty was Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim, Minister of Finance II at the Prime Minister's Office.

Earlier in the day, before His Majesty left the Istana Nurul Iman, a Doa Selamat was read by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.

Present at His Majesty the Sultan's Flight Hangar to bid farewell to His Majesty were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah; and His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik, as well as other members of the royal family.

Also present at the hangar were Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Cheterias; the Speaker of the Legislative Council; Cabinet Ministers; members of the Privy Council; deputy ministers; the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces; and the Commissioner of Police; as well as a representative from the Japanese Embassy in Brunei Darussalam.

Print Friendly

To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names.

5 Malaysians caught with 3.9kg of Syabu

Posted: 12 Dec 2013 03:56 PM PST

by Siti Hajar. Posted on December 13, 2013, Friday

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Five Malaysian nationals could potentially face the death penalty as they were arrested by Brunei's Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for their involvement in alleged drug distribution, Borneo Bulletin reported.

In a press release issued 1-47 the NCB yesterday, it was stated the four men and one woman are currently in custody for further investigations following their arrest after prolonged surveillance conducted by enforcement officers.

The officers seized a package (photo left) reportedly containing 3.9kg of methamphetamine, or syabu, along with RM7,000 in cash.

Investigated under Section 3(a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act, Paragraph 27, those found guilty of distributing over 50 grammes of controlled drug will face the mandatory death penalty. The group, meanwhile, has also been charged under Section 6(b) for the consumption of a controlled drug.

The NCB has extended its appreciation to members of the public for providing information and encouraged further cooperation related to drug abuse. Those who wish to reach out to the NCB can contact 2448877 during office hours or through their hotline after office hours at 8777444.

Print Friendly

To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names.

‘Joy to the World of Balloons’ Christmas maze at Boulevard

Posted: 12 Dec 2013 11:43 AM PST

by Joash Kong, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on December 13, 2013, Friday

KUCHING: Boulevard Shopping Mall here is bringing a twist to the upcoming Christmas celebrations with the 'Joy to the World of Balloons' from Dec 21 until 30.

As many as 30 balloon artists from Malaysia, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong and Singapore will be brought in to create an unprecedented Christmas balloon landscape in the form of a maze.

Boulevard Programme and Marketing manager Alecia Lam Siaw Han said this was also an attempt to achieve a record as the largest Christmas-themed balloon landscape in the Malaysia Book of Records.

"This time, aiming to use up to 70,000 balloons or more, a Christmas landscape in a maze form will be created at the new wing (Phase 2) of the mall.

"We are not only putting our names into the Malaysia Book of Records, but this event shall also be a major highlight in the year end happenings in the state, making it an occasion where all Sarawakians will be proud of," said Lam.

Collaborating with De Jackie Inspiration, this event will also see the participation of world renowned balloon artist, Chen YiWei, as the producer for the production.

Dubbed the 'Balloon Man', he has won multiple awards since his first appearance in the international competition and has made his name into the Balloon Artist World Champion list.

He has also participated in the Guinness World Record breaking event in Singapore by creating the largest three-dimensional balloon sculpture using 79,854 balloons and with him lending his talent to this event, it is one Christmas decoration you wouldn't want to miss.

De Jackie Inspiration manager Jackie Tan said that production of the balloon landscape was scheduled to held from Dec 18 to Dec 20.

The completed balloon landscape will be officially opened to the public at 11am on Dec 21. The Malaysia Book of Records achievement ceremony will also take place on the same day.

Lam added that this would be an opportunity to give back to the community, with a 'Balloon for Hope' campaign that is currently taking place in the mall.

"The campaign is divided into three stages, and all donations will be equally distributed to Sarawak Children's Cancer Society, The Salvation Army, Persatuan Kebajikan Kanak-Kanak Terencat Akal and SRB Chung Hua No 4," she said.

She added that shoppers could adopt a balloon at RM2 from now until Dec 20, and a wall of balloon adoptions would be displayed from Dec 21 until 30 showing the names of those who have adopted a balloon along with their Christmas wishes to everyone.

"Shoppers will also be able to redeem free tickets from the participating outlets in the mall from Dec 16 onwards with a certain amount of tickets while they last and the amount collected will be donated.

"Entry tickets will also be sold at RM2 for adults (13 years and above) and RM1 for children during the period and the amount collected will also be donated."

For more information, members of the public can contact Boulevard Shopping Mall at 082-461388 (Function and Marketing team) or visit www.facebook.com/pages/Boulevard-Shopping-Mall-Kuching.

Print Friendly

To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names.

Federation, ministry to hold bouffant cap awareness drive

Posted: 12 Dec 2013 11:42 AM PST

KUCHING: The Federation of Sarawak Hawker Association and the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism will hold Bouffant Cap Awareness Programme statewide from tomorrow (Dec 14) to Dec 25.

A press release from the association said the programme aims to highlight the importance of wearing the bouffant cap for hygiene. It said the cap is easy to use, to clean and to store.

The cap prevents hair from falling into food, presenting a clean image to customers and upholding the good reputation of the sellers.

Venues for the programme will be Fresh Food Court (Mile 7), Sri Aman market, Serian Central Market, Sarikei Central Market, Sibu Central Market, Bintulu market, Batu Niah hawker centre, Miri Central Market, Limbang market and Lawas market. Visits would be made to hawkers who sell food and drinks.

Print Friendly

To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names.

Sunway College Kuching installs new signage

Posted: 12 Dec 2013 11:42 AM PST

KUCHING: Sunway College Kuching has installed new signage to enable the public to better identify its campus at Song Plaza, in time for its open days tomorrow and Sunday.

Situated on top of Song Plaza, the new landmark can be viewed from a distance as commuters make their way across the Jalan Song – Jalan Tun Jugah intersection.

There will be career talks, course previews, scholarship and financial aid enquiries, as well as one-to-one career counselling during the open days.

Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) school leavers can learn more about the college's courses – Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Certified Accounting Technician (CAT), Diploma in Accounting, Diploma in Computer Studies, Executive Diploma in Business Accounting and Career Certificate in Bookkeeping.

Next year, Sunway College Kuching will also run two up-skilling programmes under Open University Malaysia's Institute of Professional Development (IPD) to assist working adults in obtaining a certification for career advancement, promotion or personal development.

Established in 2005, Sunway College Kuching is the largest ACCA tuition provider in East Malaysia.

To date, the college has produced a total of 269 ACCA affiliates, 579 CAT finalists, five CAT World Prize Winners and 21 ACCA and CAT Malaysian Prize Winners.

The college is also the first and only tuition provider in East Malaysia, and one of only six tuition providers in Malaysia, to be awarded the Platinum Approved Learning Partner Status by the ACCA.

Sunway Kuching became a Platinum ranked institution in 2010 and has successfully maintained this top ranking for the last seven consecutive examination sittings.

SPM 2013 school leavers who are interested in applying for scholarships or rebates should bring along their forecast results slips as on-the-spot eligibility interviews will be conducted.

For the January 2014 intake, Sunway Kuching is offering full and partial scholarships for deserving students to study the CAT programme.

A student who scores between three and seven A's will be granted an RM100 rebate for each A obtained, half-scholarship for students who obtain between eight and nine A's, while those who attain 10 or more A's will be offered full scholarships with a rebate of their tuition fees.

During this period, the college's operating hours on weekdays are from 8.30am to 9pm; and on Saturdays from 8.30am to 5pm.

For queries, call Sunway College Kuching on 082-451221.

Print Friendly

To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names.