Breeze #170 - The Teamwork Issue

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JANUARY 2023

DIA GUILD’S “TYING CULTURES THROUGH CRAFT” AT HYATT CENTRIC KOTA KINABALU

Kota Kinabalu, 12 January 2023 - “Tying Cultures Through Craft” is a collaboration between Dia Guild, an online platform that champions Southeast Asian artisanship, and the newly opened Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu. The pop-up spotlighted artisans and luxury brands who fuse heritage craftsmanship with modern design to celebrate the region’s vibrant culture. A selection of Dia Guild’s curated partner brands were showcased, including TALEE Studio, a Sabah-based jewelry house, and award-winning Filipino designer Neil Felipp, whose minaudière bags are featured in the Crazy Rich Asians franchise. The event also features a schedule of dynamic programming that brings together Kota Kinabalu’s creative community. This includes live music from local musicians, a fashion panel talk with East Malaysian designers, and a spoken word poetry night. For more information, go to web.facebook.com/DiaGuildSEA

DENGAN CHINTA ART EXHIBITION

Kota Kinabalu, 17 January 2023 -’Dengan Chinta’, a contemporary art exhibition showing works of Sabahan artist Harold Egn Eswar, and curated by Kotak8sireh, was officially launched at Kota-K Art Gallery. The exhibition addressed participatory social mapping projects that the artist calls ‘spatial biography documentations’. It highlighted the maps of spaces Egn has lived in and also been to. Egn sees and interprets these places and spaces in his own personal ways. ‘Dengan Chinta’ shared these perspectives and the perspectives of Egn’s collaborating participants through these community driven spatial biography documentation projects. The launch was also a teaser of the soon to be officially opened Kota-K Art Gallery at Laman Seni, where the exhibition is located (next to Wisma Budaya).

HYATT CENTRIC KOTA KINABALU: A NATURE-INSPIRED LIFESTYLE HOTEL OFFERING A MULTI-SENSORY EXPERIENCE

Designed by world-renowned architect, Kengo Kuma from Japan, Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu located in the heart of the city’s lively dining and entertainment district, offers an experiential stay for savvy travelers and residents alike, from adventure seekers to culture vultures. Embedding the beauty of Sabah’s pristine nature in its interiors and featuring an extensive work of art by local artisans, this 222-room lifestyle hotel has also collaborated with well-known local fashion designer, Melinda Looi, to design the hotel team’s vibrant-colored uniform to further enhance the overall guest experience.

“We are delighted to work with award-winning Kengo Kuma and Melinda Looi - who are masters of their craft - to drive the design and the look and feel of the first Hyatt Centric hotel in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Kengo Kuma has beautifully incorporated elements of nature in the hotel design, so our guests get to experience what it is like to stay in the Borneo Forest, with modern comforts as they seek their own adventure in the city. To complement this is the fun and fashion forward attire designed by Melinda Looi for our teams of passionate individuals - the heart of the hotel - to further enhance the guest’s experience. We want to provide a journey of discovery for our guests through the hotel’s unique interior spaces and art pieces, where they can discover and further explore the rich, natural and cultural heritage that Sabah is famous for,” said Ruben Schrijver, General Manager, Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu.

Integration of Nature and Culture in the Hotel Contemporary Design

Drawing inspiration from Mother Nature, the hotel was designed with two natural elements of Sabah topography in mind with a mix of lush green forests and the rocky mountains, paying homage to Mount Kinabalu, Borneo’s highest mountain. Using tree as the primary design metaphor, Kengo Kuma creatively applies its elements throughout the hotel’s different spaces in this

bamboo trees and calming water feature, while the hotel guest room floors depict the vertical lines of a tree trunk, and the rooftop area serves as the crown of the tree offering unobstructed views of the horizon and cityscape, using natural light to create dramatic shadows and colors.

On the guest room floors, signage made of seashell adorns the walls while a pair of sculptured lounge seating signifies both the mountain and the sea. Inspired by the local traditional Kadazan Dusun’s culture of Sabah, vibrant and colorful hand-woven pieces and patterns are on display throughout the guest room floors and corridors.

A Showcase of Sabah’s Rich Cultural Heritage, Local Artisans and Designer Staff Uniform by Melinda Looi

The Lounge in the hotel lobby provides a communal space where travelers and local guests can converse about the day’s adventure and is home to a pop-up artisan corner featuring visually striking artwork. Some of these uniquely commissioned pieces include a hand-carved wood sculpture by Anniketnni Madian located on the wall in the hotel lounge and if one looks closely,

23-story hotel - the open hotel lobby represents the roots of the tree with dense lower greenery showcasing

Left to Right: Wooden Wall Sculpture and Bamboo Greenery at Hotel Lobby, Seashell Signage on Guest Room Floors

you can find the beautiful, rare Rafflesia flower in bloom within the sculpture. Another stunning piece which can be found on the gallery wall in ON22 Restaurant depicts the natural life of the valley. This delicate butterfly framed paper cuts and prints on fine art paper were made of natural materials by the talented Raku Inoue. Guests can also marvel at the work of art by Agnes Lau featuring ceramics on wood panels in the lift lobby, and abstract wall images representing Mount Kinabalu, designed by Regev Amrani.

individual, from hotel engineers to front office staff. To deliver this bold concept, the hotel has partnered with well- known local designer, Melinda Looi, to develop unique designs to match the brand. The uniforms are paired with vibrant accessories from Happy Plastics Borneo made of upcycled plastic materials to promote sustainability in fashion.

“The brand philosophy of Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu and the natural beauty of Sabah inspired me to come up with the design of the hotel staff uniform that reflects the lifestyle brand but also for the individuals wearing them to feel proud and inspired. I need to ensure that the design captures the essence of Borneo but at the same time making it practical so that the staff can stay fresh and comfortable all day long,” said Melinda Looi, who was also a recipient of Malaysia Young Designer Award when she first started many years ago.

To continue building interaction and connection with the local culture, the hotel has also cleverly used creative art works such as the fun colorful coasters, as conversation starters in the hotel’s restaurants and bar. Created by local artist, Binjai, the coasters provide fun insights about Sabah. By the end of a meal, guests will be saying “Moginum” (in Kadazandusun, this term indicates drinking or alcohol drinking session) every time they have a drink or satisfy their curious taste buds with the sweet and creamy “Tarap” (a fruit native to Borneo - its sweet and creamy taste makes it one of the most delicious tropical fruits in Southeast Asia. Some call it “Marang”, cousins to Jackfruit and Breadfruit) and Borneo’s wild mango “Bambangan”.

Discover Hidden Gems through the Local Street Arts Scene

For the active wanderers and the curious travelers who seek authentic local experiences, the hotel offers guided street art tours to explore the hidden gems of the neighborhood. Curated by a resident of Kota Kinabalu himself, Jared Abdul Rahman, travelers and local guests can listen to the real stories and inspiration behind a collection of iconic works of street art from raw, organic graffiti to curated, commissioned murals, through this 60-minute walking tour. Highlights include an interpretative piece on the environment named “Vanishing Wall” (2019) by East Tribe, a collaborative work under the creative leadership of Kenji Chai, and a more understated piece linking to the area’s gentrification titled “Auntie” (2019) by Akid One.

For more information, please visit www.hyattcentrickotakinabalu. com or call +60154 874 1234.

Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu also took a step further by making the hotel staff uniform a conversation piece with striking and fun design that expresses the different role and movement of each

Abstract Mount Kinabalu Wall Design

Guided Street Art Tour

Staff Uniform – ON23 Bar and Front Office

feature building a team within a team

With a theme of Teamwork for this month’s issue of Breeze, we got the chance to sit down with the “Jalan Jalan Cari Makan” Sales Team from Boon Siew Honda. Individuals within the sales staff took the initiative to form a focused marketing group. Their objective was to take their sales efforts to the next level. They worked out the respective roles for each of the members and set targets and objectives for the team to meet on a monthly basis. They then gathered input from all the members to formulate strategies on which was the best way (for a specific month) to hit their targets and achieve their milestones. Bear in mind that this was not a directive pushed down onto them by their Management, but was done on their own initiative. In the beginning, when the idea was discussed, the offer was open to everyone doing sales, however only six of them shared a common vision and formed this team within a team to take things to the next level.

In today’s world that is dominated by the importance of social media, instant gratification and short-term goals mean it is not always easy to put a group together with a commonality that serves a long-term target. These six individuals decided to use their strengths and individuality to benefit them as a team. Once they had their vision and mission established, they decided to keep this team focused and built themselves up in an exclusive “family like” environment.

This group of “Sales Gurus” have created opportunities for sales from various traditional and non-traditional methodologies. They have used their social media accounts, pooled their own funds to advertise here in Breeze Magazine and knowing how

the Kota Kinabalu market is, they also heavily rely on mini road shows and “pop up” events at various restaurants during lunch hours. Through the Breeze network of clients, they have even been invited to be part of a new restaurant launching event as far as Kota Belud. All this and more to not necessarily make onthe-spot sales, but to instead generate leads and build on their customer relationship program.

The company itself has recognized this team’s initiative and supports them as long as they are productive for the company. The top management has been impressed with their specialized methods and has even joined them on their events outside of the dealership to see first-hand how they are developing their market share. We even learnt that the National Brand Management team has used them as a point of reference on what a team can achieve if a common goal is set.

As this team is developing new strategies on a regular basis, they have also had to consider how their team’s activities also fall in line and do not go against the brand (Honda) and the company’s (Boon Siew) operating guidelines. It seems to us that by doing this, they might be able to replicate their strategy with other products should different industries be interested to emulate them.

One of the aspects that they take into consideration in their planning is the ethnic and social diversity of Sabah. Whomever is strong in a certain aspect is pushed to the forefront to represent the team. There seems to be less top to bottom hierarchy and more rotational or circular representation from this group. Positivity is a key factor for them and they don’t see anyone in the team having a weakness that would bring them down, only that team member’s strength that needs to be developed or maximized.

Another aspect that they all feel is crucial for them as a team is enjoying the rewards of their success together. They believe in a “work hard, play hard” ideology and they feel that the Sabah lifestyle is paramount as the foundation for this team working as well as it does.

by Mohammad Iskandar

ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA

Release Date: 16 February 2023

Genre: Action Adventure Comedy

Director: Peyton Reed

Cast: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Jonathan Majors

Scott Lang and Hope Van Dyne, along with Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne, explore the Quantum Realm, where they interact with strange creatures and embark on an adventure that goes beyond the limits of what they thought was possible.

COCAINE BEAR

Release Date: 23 February 2023

Genre: Thriller

Director: Elizabeth Banks

Cast: Keri Russell, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Christian Convery

An oddball group of cops, criminals, tourists, and teens converges in a Georgia forest where a 500-pound black bear goes on a murderous rampage after unintentionally ingesting cocaine.

Music is a powerful tool to convey different meanings and emotions. For Straw Lim, it’s a way to share how she sees the world. Her music carries deeper meanings and aims to spread awareness on certain issues. Read on to learn about Straw Lim and her musical inspirations.

B: Tell us about yourself.

S: Hello! I’m Straw Lim 林水草. My friends call me Jienn. I’m a singer-songwriter/multimedia designer who grew up in Kuala Lumpur, and moved to Kota Kinabalu in 2020.

B: How did you start making music?

S: When I was young I had the privilege of learning classical piano, as well as other musical instruments through exposure in the school marching band, choir, and Chinese orchestra. Songwriting somehow came naturally to me. It was an outlet for expression and a coping mechanism as an introverted teenager growing up.

B: What inspires you to make the music you make?

S: So many things in life inspire me! A standout memory was when my dad introduced Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall” to me. That’s when I realised music reflects society, or challenges the status quo. My previous album, “Excursion” was heavily inspired by my backpacking travels.

B: Would you say music has the power to spread awareness towards certain issues?

S: Yes I believe so! Music has the ability to help us digest emotions, and accessing these emotions can influence our behaviour. “Sayang Kinabalu” may elicit a feeling of longing for home, and you suddenly realise you’ve been struggling with homesickness or a lack of belonging wherever you are. Another major way in which it can work is by causing different people to potentially be

more open to new information, because of a shared passion. A powerful example I heard from one of my lecturers is the West Eastern Divan Orchestra, an orchestra consisting of musicians from many different countries in ongoing conflict with one another. The musicians may not agree on the geopolitics, but because they agree on Beethoven maybe they are more willing to exchange opinions.

B: What is your latest single?

S: At the time of writing this, “I Wonder”. This song was inspired by multiple events/people: A boy who played the accordion for donations at a railway in Italy, where music became a burden and a sorrow. A poor man praying in Egypt, peaceful amidst poverty. A huge nomadic family crammed into a small train cabin in Romania, whose children no longer had innocence in their eyes. A refugee living in Kuala Lumpur, who continued to serve his community even through the pandemic lockdowns. A school for stateless students in Sabah, who showed me what joy looks like. There’s a lot to unpack in this song, I’ve written most of it out, including the production process, on my blog at astrawnomi.com (shameless plug!)

B: What are your plans for the future?

S: I’m currently producing my next album consisting of 10 songs. Melina William is the producer, and we’re aiming to release it by this year. It will be a bit of my reflection on what it is to be Malaysian, and also has a song that features some lyrics written by a Bajau teenager in his own language!

B: Any specific releases that are special to you?

S: Each song is special to me and the more encouraging moments are when someone says my music has affected them in some way. I’d also like to acknowledge Anugerah Lagu Indie for listing “Hoot” in their top 200 songs of 2022.

B: Tell us about the community work you’re doing.

S: I’ve recently been involved with Sekolah Alternatif, a school run by Borneo Komrad who aim to use education for the undocumented children as a way to approach the complex social issue of these marginalised communities and poverty in Sabah. I’ve helped with teaching some basic piano, music performance preparations, and art. I’ve learned a lot by spending time with them. Significantly, understanding and knowing them for who they are, has hopefully helped me to convey a clearer picture and more awareness for those who would listen.

Physical albums are also available at Kambai Records.

: @Straw Lim

Website : astrawnomi.com

Smartwatches these days share a very common theme with their smartphone counterparts, which are bland and generically designed. This is just generally speaking though, because there are still many companies that try to innovate and introduce something different to the market, at least in the looks market. Here we have Garmin trying to make things interesting with their Instinct Crossover (IC).

If you know Garmin, they’re one of the leading brands in the outdoor gear and tech market. From GPS devices to recently, smartwatches. Catering to the outdoorsy type, most of their smartwatches have a rugged design language. It’s the same with the IC, although they did try to tone it down a bit. Honestly however, if it weren’t for the Garmin brand slapped on the watch face, it just looks like a typical G-Shock. Other than that, what separates it from most smartwatches?

Unlike most brands, Garmin didn’t go fully digital with the IC. It still utilises an analog watch face but is complemented with a digital screen to show health related info, the weather, and notifications. Wouldn’t the watch hands interfere with the info, I hear you ask. Well, Garmin has that all sorted. Scrolling through specific info you’re looking for, the watch hands will rearrange accordingly as to not block your view. Other features include RevoDrive which helps deliver accurate timekeeping in demanding environments, safety and tracking features to let loved ones know where you are at all times, and the TracBack system to help navigate you through the same route you started with.

The IC is compatible with both Apple and Android phones, enabling smooth pairing through its Garmin Connect app. It’s able to keep a charge for up to 28 days in smartwatch mode, 20 days in GPS mode, and 71 days in battery saver mode. If it

isn’t already obvious, it’s much more rugged compared to most other smartwatches, having thermal and shock resistance all while being able to be submerged up to 10 ATM. You could even customise the watch band to match your style easily with Garmin’s QuickFit system.

This is the perfect watch for a no-nonsense type of individual, however, I do have a few nitpicks. I did mention it looked a bit like a G-Shock, but personally, it isn’t “rugged-looking” enough. It’s like Garmin stopped halfway. Then there’s the screen, I get that they’re using a monochrome screen maybe to save on cost or for better battery life, but some people wouldn’t mind a bit of colour to differentiate the icons or even the mode the watch is in. That said, this is still a good watch for those bored of the ordinary smartwatch.

by Noel Jinguli Image | Various Sources

Typically when people think of motorsports, they tend to think all the glory goes to the drivers. However, behind the scenes there are a lot of people working together to make sure everything works. Not only in terms of the vehicles being raced but also the strategies to be used. These crews are what help keep the dream of winning alive, and sadly most of them are still underappreciated.

I’m certain the most obvious people that come to mind when I mentioned crews are the pit-crew. You’re not wrong, as they do get under the spotlight during critical moments of any trackday. Different types and classes of motorsports require different types and numbers of pit-crews. Formula 1, DTM, NASCAR, Formula E, and many others not only differentiate from each other by the cars but also the rules for the pit-crew.

For example, Formula 1 requires more or less 17 crew members. Yes, that many. 4 “wheel gunners” who remove the wheel nuts, 8 tyre carriers to remove and re-insert the wheels back on, 2 “jack men” who elevate and lower the car, as well a “fire extinguisher operator” and 2 stabilisers. On the other hand, NASCAR requires less members to do almost similar amounts of work.

Apart from the pit-crew, there are also the team managers and engineers to help analyse the race and cars while strategising or giving drivers orders on how to tackle the race. Orders include

being aggressive to gain positions, or being passive as to conserve fuel or tyre wear. Another type of crew member that’s only found in rally is the co-driver. They are the navigators so that drivers can concentrate on keeping their eyes on the road.

Co-drivers will constantly tell the driver what type of corner and obstacles are coming up the road. It may seem easy, but they have one of the most difficult and important jobs in terms of rally racing. Having great composure providing the drivers with correct info while being tossed around in the car will take a toll on you.

There you have it. Next time you’re watching any type of racing on TV, don’t forget the people who’re working with the driver to make sure their races go as smoothly as possible. Like they say, teamwork makes the dream work.

by Noel Jinguli Image | Various Sources

destination

BAJAU SAMA CULTURAL CENTRE FOR THE MOST COLOURFUL TRIBE OF SABAH

B

ajau is the second largest indigenous group of Sabah. Bajau people are famous for using bold bright colours in their traditional costumes and handicrafts. Bajau has about 13 sub ethnic, including the Ubian, Sama, Simunul, Tolen, Pala’u, and Sikubung, all of which are named according to their place of origin or current regions.

Bajau Sama (or Bajau Samah) mainly resides in West coast of Sabah (Malaysia), especially Kota Belud and Tuaran districts. They are also known as the Cowboys of the East because of their excellent horsemanship.

To preserve their cultural heritages, the building of RM7.5million Sabah Bajau Sama Cultural Centre (Local Name: Pusat Kebudayaan Persatuan Rumpun Bajau Sama Sabah) was completed in 2022 and open to visitors who want to see the vibrant cultures of Bajau Sama, who are widely recognised as the colourful, festive, and musical people.

Sabah Bajau Sama Cultural Centre is in Tuaran and about an hour drive from Kota Kinabalu City.

Gallery

The gallery of Sabah Bajau Sama Cultural Centre is the highlight. It shows everything about Bajau Sama, from handicrafts, motifs, musical instruments, wedding decoration, antiques to clothing. The information panel is available in both English and Malaysia languages, for visitors to learn about the exhibited items. Guided tours are also available.

Traditional Bajau Houses

You may explore the two traditional Bajau houses (farmer and fisherman) behind the main building. Such wooden houses are getting rare when most people prefer brick and mortar buildings nowadays. There is a mini herbs garden there too.

Horse Riding

You can try out horse riding at the Centre. A staff will accompany you and the horse for a safe stroll around the track.

Other Activities

For a more complete cultural experience, you may come in a group and add in some activities (fees applicable and need to book in advance) such as Penjaram (famous Bajau Sama snack) cooking demo, food sampling and cultural dance.

Other Services / Facilities

The Centre is suitable for hosting events such as weddings, meetings and gatherings. The outdoor stage, main hall, conference room, chairs and desks are available for rent.

Find out more at mysabah.com

Address: Kampung Lok Batik, Tuaran, Sabah

Admission fee: Adult RM10, Child (4-12 years old) RM5, Senior (60 years old and above) RM5, Baby (below 4 years old) Free | additional RM5 for non-Malaysians

Opening Hours: 8am-12pm (until 11.30am on Friday) and 2pm-4:30pm | closed on Monday

Facebook: @RumahBajau

Instagram: @pusatkebudayaan_bajausama

Call/Whatsapp: +60 17-8383507 (Afiqa), +60 13-8375792 (Ifah), +60 14-9437383 (Ayien)

by mySabah.com Image | mySabah.com

eco news

Inseminating Hope For Our Oceans

We can’t deny the fact that our oceans are in danger. Due to multiple issues destroying our reefs such as misplaced nets, fish bombing, and the obvious pollution, we as humans have a lot of responsibility not only to restore it but preserve it as well. This is the realisation young Julia Aveline Rabenjoro has as she started Seed Of Hope to create and spread the awareness for a clean and healthy ocean.

Julia was just 4 years old when came to Kota Kinabalu. Born of French and Malagasy descent, she has been scuba diving since her 8th birthday. Throughout her experience as a scuba diver, the now 15 year-old has witnessed “not only the beauty of the underwater world holds, but also the dangers it faces”. Knowing some changes needed to be made, Julia started her “Seed of Hope” Facebook page in 2020 to help spread awareness through her scuba diving journey.

However, when covid hit, Julia knew she should change her approach. She started a series of online interviews with various conservationists, photographers, and organisations from Malaysia and later from around the world. Apart from said interviews, Julia has also taken part in conservation before and throughout the Seed of Hope. She’s helped with a turtle program, participated in various reef cleanups, and crown of thorn sea star (an invasive species) removals. Julia also gave talks and presentations for her school, Kinabalu International School, and also in Manila. She also won a mini grant from an organisation in Florida and sells postcard from pictures of her dives to help raise conservation funds.

In the long term, Julia hopes her interviews can be a big help to spread awareness. Though, she admits it’s crucial for her to expand her own knowledge and carry that forward for a professional career in marine biology. This is how she intends to put her experience from Seed of Hope and make the biggest difference in the conservation world. For now, the changes Julia sees since the start of Seed of Hope are mainly personal. She is proud to have become the youngest PADI Ambassadiver last year. She’ll continue to learn and share her journey through Seed of Hope. Julia has also created a “group” of teen divers called Bubbles of Hope helping out with reef cleanups.

If any of you are keen to learn more and help contribute, feel free to contact Julia and check out her social media pages. Keen young PADI certified divers are welcome to join Bubbles of Hope to lend a helping hand.

Facebook: @SeedofHopeJulia

Instagram: @julia_into_the_blue

YouTube: Seed 9f Hope

by Noel Jinguli Image | Seed Of Hope

personality

boon siew (borneo) honda: TEAMWORK AND THE POWER OF DREAMS

Getting to know the “Jalan Jalan Cari Makan” team of Boon Siew (Borneo) Honda.

by Mohammad Iskandar Image | Ivan Valeris

Meet The Team!

When talking about a team, the team members itself determine what the team looks like to outsiders. The overall vibe of how they present themselves does come from a collective vision but the composition of the team is always unique and changes with whoever is the first contact an outside person meets with. To know a little bit more about the individuals in the team, we got a few bits of information from each of the team members, when they joined the company and what their favorite “ride” is under the brand that they work to promote everyday.

They have unofficially taken up different roles in the team based on their strengths and interests. Their links to the community at large and their networks play heavily in their decision making strategies. Money management is always important as they pool their own funds together to undertake their events. The more senior members tend to take on more protective roles for the

Yap Kok San

other team members. The younger team members tend to share their expertise on the more current strategies using social media channels or more up to date methods like using QR codes or links in the digital realm.

They were very frank in saying that they have never been in a team like this before at previous places of employment. They all knew that they were creating something different and as it was new, they knew it was going to be a “trial and error” process. They agree as a team that the strategies that work from last year will be repeated for the coming year and those that didn’t work well will be redeveloped until they make it work. A true show of perseverance from this team.

When we posed to them the possibility of overwhelming success and they may not be able to handle.

- Joined Boon Siew Honda in 2002.

- Favorite Honda is the Civic.

- 3 things that he likes about their teamwork is:

1) Working as a team

2) Trusting one another

3) Having fun as a team

- Joined in 2016.

- Favorite Honda is the Civic Type R.

- 3 things that she likes about their teamwork is:

1) Their fighting spirit in achieving their goals

2) Everyone having fun & enjoying their work

3) Working together

Crystal Xinyi

Doris Hong

- Joined in 2017.

- Favorite Honda is the Civic.

- 3 things that she likes about their teamwork is:

1) Respecting each other’s views and opinions

2) Having the passion for their work

3) Believes in the concept of “Work Hard & Play Hard”

Cleoo Patra

- Joined in 2014.

Annie Chua

- Joined in 2020.

- Favorite Honda is the Civic.

- 3 things that she likes about their teamwork is:

1) The team’s passion for doing sales

2) The challenge that comes from their new activities

3) How her unique personality and background contribute to the team

- Favorite Honda is the Civic

- 3 things that she likes about their teamwork is:

1) Being in the team

2) Being active & enjoying the lifestyle related to the team

3) Improving her own skills to contribute to the team

Ashleigh Hee

- First joined from 2015 to 2019, then again in 2022.

- Favorite Honda is the Civic.

- 3 things that he likes about their teamwork is:

1) His balance in the variety of clients he has

2) The exposure he experiences in the new markets they explore

3) The new concepts the team has in meeting customers and creating sales opportunities

Exploring the Dynamic Collaborations of the Academic Affairs Department, UiTM Sabah Branch

The Academic Affairs Department, UiTM Sabah Branch, is responsible for managing a variety of academic-related tasks. Its key responsibilities include managing student course registration, preparing new student intake projections, handling recruitments of new students, as well as conducting final examinations. Currently, this department is headed by Dr. Firdausi Suffian, Deputy Rector of Academic Affairs, an accomplished political economist and a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies. Besides participating and contributing in global academic initiatives and research, the Academic Affairs Department also plays an important role in managing international collaborations and partnerships. These collaborations can take many forms, such as research projects, student and faculty exchanges and international programmes and initiatives.

Concerning international collaborations, the Academic Affairs Department’s responsibilities include identifying and establishing partnerships with universities and other institutions around the world, as well as promoting communication and partnership between faculty and staff in different countries. One of the collaborations established by the department was with the Asian China Education and Culture Association (ACEC). The collaboration’s aim was to advance global academic and research programmes by promoting international education and establishing bilateral partnerships. The Institute of Postgraduate Studies (IPSis), Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management, and the Academy of Language Studies of UiTM Sabah branch organised a successful virtual programme for approximately 100 potential postgraduate students from China as part of this collaboration.

registrar, Ms. Iza Azween Binti Fadzil, visited the UiTM Sabah branch to meet with its Mandarin language teachers. The delegation met with Mr. Zhao Wei from China, and two local language teachers, Ms. Carolyinn Teo and Ms. Noranggerini Binti Mohd. Kadir. The courtesy visit was hosted by Ms. Jenny Mosikon, the Third Language Coordinator of the Academy of Language Studies at UiTM Sabah branch. The main purpose of the visit was to plan activities for students enrolled in Mandarin courses and to get to know more about the teachers. The visit aimed to enrich the use of the Mandarin language among the students, which would ultimately contribute to the promotion of Chinese language and culture in Malaysia.

A second collaboration with China was conducted via the Kong Zi Institute, also known as the Confucius Institute at the University of Malaya. This institute assigns Chinese language teachers to the UiTM Sabah branch every semester to teach Mandarin courses to both diploma and degree students. Before the start of the October 2022 semester, the Malaysian Director of the Kong Zi Institute, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Noor Zalina Mahmood, and the assistant

UiTM Sabah branch was also visited by the US Embassy representatives, Ms. Katherine Diop, Cultural Affairs Officer, and Ms. Rohafazlyna Ismail, Cultural Affairs Assistant on March 8th, 2022. The primary purpose of the visit was to establish a collaboration with the Academy of Language Studies, headed by Ms. Delia L. Olaybal, under the Academic Affairs Department, UiTM Sabah branch. During the visit, several activities were discussed, with the US Fellowship programme as the highlight. The US Embassy selected Ms. Laura Hancock from Michigan, USA, as the fellow in UiTM Sabah branch. Currently, Ms. Hancock is training the UiTM Sabah branch academic and non-academic staff on English for Professionals, while also giving students the opportunity to learn from a native English speaker. This initiative is an excellent opportunity for the university to enhance its English language programme and promote cultural exchange.

In addition, the Institute of Postgraduate Studies (IPSis) promotes its postgraduate courses to other organisations and institutions. As a part of this initiative, the Head of Centre, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Hendry Joseph and other IPSis staff visited the Indonesian Consulate in Tawau and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) last year to introduce and promote postgraduate programmes offered by UiTM Sabah Branch. The visits were beneficial for IPSis staff to create networks among government employees, share knowledge and experience, particularly on management and student intake, and most importantly to promote courses in UiTM Sabah branch to a wider audience.

Moreover, the department established several memorandums of understanding to enhance the existing partnerships between UiTM Sabah branch and other institutions or organisations. One of the memorandums of understanding was signed between Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sabah and Guilin Medical University (GLMU) China on 9 June 2022. The event marked an important milestone in the efforts to enhance academic collaboration between the two institutions, and to provide greater opportunities for academic growth and cultural integration between China and Sabah. Signing on behalf of UiTM Sabah was its Rector, Datuk Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hj. Abdul Kadir Rosline, and Dr. Firdausi Suffian. Scopes of cooperation under the signed MoU included exchange of academic staff for teaching and research, student exchange programmes and organising joint conferences.

in Southeast Asia: The Future of Travel? and Sustainability of the Business Events Industry: Lessons Learned. The event coincided with International Mountain Day 2022.

December also saw UiTM Malaysia and Universitas Persada Indonesia Y.A.I, Indonesia sign an MoU by Dr. Firdausi Suffian, Deputy Rector of Academic Affairs, UiTM Sabah branch, and Prof. Ir. Sri Astuti Indriyati, Rector of Universitas Persada Indonesia Y.A.I. The first collaboration between the two institutions was the Jewels of Borneo Autumn Programme, which took place immediately after the signing of the MoU until December 7th, 2022. The programme was co-directed by Ms. Delia L. OIaybal, Mr. Mohd. Arsy Ardy Bin Mohd Hardy, and Ms. Dewi Syukriah. The event saw the participation of over 200 students, with 11 speakers from both universities presenting on various topics. These topics included Sabah’s historical background, ethics and languages, the education system in Malaysia and Indonesia, academic writing tips and skills, English speaking enhancement, as well as the religions, beliefs, costumes, festivals, food, beverages in Sabah and attractions in Malaysia. This collaboration between UiTM and Universitas Persada Indonesia Y.A.I is a step towards promoting cultural exchange and improving education in the region.

Towards the end of 2022, UiTM Sabah proudly hosted the 6th IHT conference at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC). The three-day conference was co-organised by the Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management of UiTM puncak Alam and UiTM Sabah. According to Dr. Tania Maria Tangit, the Head of Centre of Studies, Hotel and Tourism Management Faculty, UiTM Sabah Branch, the event had positively highlighted the growth of the local airline and tourism industries. Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) had also signed a memorandum of understanding between Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) and a memorandum of agreement between Briwijaya University, Indonesia. The conference dealt with four main issues: Selling Sabah as a Must-Visit Tourism Destination, Contemporary Trends and Challenges in Southeast Asian Tourism Cities, Halal or Muslim-Friendly Travel Markets

Furthermore, to promote the “Jewels of Borneo” programme, the Academic Affairs Department team made a social visit to the embassy of Switzerland in Kuala Lumpur, as well as to Xiamen University, Malaysia (Selangor) an ancillary branch of Xiamen University in China.

Thus, UiTM Sabah branch has successfully established collaborative opportunities in academia, industry, R&D and student activities through these memorandums, partnerships and visits. But there is no stopping there. The Academic Affairs Department at UiTM Sabah branch is eager to pursue further collaborations with other institutions and organisations in the future.

by Delia L. Olaybal and Jenna Desiree Robert

Resting heart rate (rhr) & Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

Whether it’s a dedicated tracker or a smart watch, wearables are becoming big parts of fitness journeys whether you’re a dedicated gym rat or just want to stay generally fit. Today, we’re going to take a quick look at some of information being tracked by your wearables and touch on how to interpret what these numbers are trying to tell you.

Resting Heart Rate (RHR)

• Resting heart rate refers to the number of times your heart beats in a minute while your body is at rest. Typically, adults should expect to see a number between 50 to 100, with a range of 40 to 60 being seen in conditioned athletes. Over time, a good balance of cardio and strength training will help your circulatory system adapt to become more efficient, leading to a lower resting heart rate.

Workout Heart Rate

• Some trackers can track heart rate during exercise, giving their user an idea of how strenuous a session was by categorising them into different heart rate zones. Zone 1 sessions would resemble a brisk walk, while Zone 5 sessions would be as punishing a workout as you could manage, think trying to lift a car, or running away from zombies. So, maximising this number is good, right? Should we target having as a high a workout heart rate as possible each time we go for a run or head to the gym? Doing so would be a fast track to overtraining, and even possibly long-term health detriments. A good balance between different heart rate zone activities would be most beneficial for most people.

Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

• HRV refers to the difference in amount of time between your heartbeats. A higher trending HRV means that your

body is more ready to adapt to different stresses, either physical or mental. A lower trending HRV can be seen as a sign that it’s time to take a timeout from the gym or other stressors that may be affecting your life. A lower trending HRV and higher trending RHR together may signal that you are about to fall sick. The reason that we should be focusing more on HRV trends rather than try to interpret each reading is that HRV is notoriously difficult to interpret, with a number that’s high for one person being low for another. You can improve HRV trends by taking better care of your body, but also taking better care of your mind. Stressors affect our bodies in myriad ways, so don’t feel guilty about replacing a gym session with a meditation session, or a little bit of rest and relaxation.

This being said, the accuracy of wearables on the market right now are usually worse than advertised, so take individual numbers with a grain of salt. And don’t stress out too much just because these numbers look worse than what you think they should be! If you have any concerns, it is always best to speak to a healthcare professional.

Reach us on our Instagram if you think we can help you reach your goals. Personal Training, Group Classes and Nutrition Coaching all available at Hustle Fitness!

by Bryant Wong Image | Unsplash

TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK

WELLNESS

results are sometimes better than the journey, but to make sure the journey is smooth, the end road needs to be a set destination. Plus! It is usually more fun and enjoyable with people of similar vibes as you share experiences together whether good or bad. A community has a strong sense of belonging that will build engagement, which can act as a core to a team.

Express Openly

• When dealing with humans, we all have different perspectives in life and our own opinions to share. The best way for a team to work is through open communication and shared discussion to get everyone’s understanding to align. Usually there is definitely a need for consideration and giving in on majority, but open expression of concern allows different views and insights that will help not only with personal growth, but also problem-solving.

Be Inclusive and Inviting

• Working with a team requires a lot of communication among people; individually, tasks could be done, collectively it still requires everyone to work together. Being inclusive and making an effort to ask for feedback and building an empowered environment is important to allow everyone to be comfortable in voicing their thoughts. There are no right or wrong answers – it’s always great to ask questions as well as welcome questions.

AS THE MOST VITAL ONE, DON’T EVER GIVE UP – as an individual or in a team.

The phrase “Teamwork” makes the “Dream work” is a regular motivational call we have heard numerous times. Managing people is one of the most complicated assignments ever, with varying emotions, understandings and capability –there is never a perfect match or team that can be found on the first meet. It takes effort in communication, and strong trust among the team for it to work.

Having an ideal team not only helps to make achieving goals more efficient, it also ensures that it goes through smoothly –and a bonus if its drama-free.

Build The Community Through Common Grounds

• Start off as a community, gather people of similar values and passions. Your team will sync better together with common interests and a shared vision to move forward. That’s why the

A lot of times the reason why a team does not work out is because teammates lose focus, are demotivated and give up on the end goal. In most team efforts, as long as everyone does not give up on each other, they can succeed. Although it may take more time, most usually are able to cross the finish line. It’s pretty obvious in most team building events and activities that dedication and passion are among the core values in all team. And for the dream to work; the dream should never be given up upon.

by Geraldine Yong Image | Unsplash

AMBLYOPIA (LAZY EYE)

Amblyopia is clinically defined as reduced vision in one or both eyes, caused by abnormal interaction between both eyes during the critical period (age 2-8 years) of visual development. Often, amblyopia is referred to as “lazy eye” by the general public because one eye has reduced vision compared to another eye. It occurs early in life when the developing visual system fails to transmit a sharp image to the brain due to an eye disorder. If it is not treated promptly before the end of the critical period, the brain will begin to ignore the blurred image from the affected eye. This results in poor 3D vision and reduced vision.

Amblyopia usually affects one eye but can also affect both eyes. Risk factors of amblyopia including deprivation of visual stimuli, uncorrected refractive error, and non-corresponding images received by strabismic (squinting) eyes.

Deprivation of stimuli occurs when eye diseases prevent the light stimulus from reaching the retina, thus obstructing the normal visual process. It may occur due to anatomical abnormalities of the eye or abnormal eye movements, such as congenital cataract, blepharoptosis (droopy lid) and nystagmus (shaking eye) disorders.

Most children do not complain about the blurred vision until it significantly affects their daily activities. Some of them only show signs which are noticed by their teachers. A major cause of poor vision amongst children is uncorrected refractive error and if left untreated, amblyopia sets in. The child may develop anisometropia when there is a difference in the state of refraction of at least 1 diopter between both eyes.

A squint, also known as strabismus is where the eyes point in different directions. One of the eyes may turn in, out, up or down while the other look looks straight ahead. As a result, the eyes do not receive equal images, thus causing the visual system to attempt to adapt to this abnormal image interaction. In a child,

the brain will tend to suppress the image from the squinting eye to avoid double vision. This causes a restructuring of the visual cortical circuitry in the brain which leads to amblyopia. However, not all patients with squint eye(s) will develop amblyopia.

The current gold standard of treatment for amblyopia is patching of the better eye. This is to “force” the brain to use the weaker “lazy” eye. Depriving the other good eye of vision, forces the amblyopic eye to halt this cortical suppression and to re-establish cortical connections with the corresponding part of the brain for better vision. Alternatives to patching the eye include the use of atropine eye drops or filters, optical defocus spectacles or contact lenses, and dichoptic video games. Children with cataracts, blepharoptosis, strabismus and nystagmus, will usually require surgical correction before any patching therapy.

by Evix Daud Consultant Optometrist & Contact Lens Specialist

Blepharoptosis Congenital Cataract

Squint Patching Treatment

We’ve always heard about wisdom teeth but how much do we actually know? They can be really painful and should be extracted as soon as possible, at least that’s as much as I know. With Dr. Sylvia Lim of Phi Dental, let’s take a look at all there is to learn about wisdom teeth together.

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last permanent teeth to appear. Usually, they appear when a person is between 17 and 25 years old. Weirdly, we don’t really need them, but most healthcare providers think they’re vestigial. They may have served a purpose at some point, but not anymore. It may be due to the diet of our ancestors that mainly consists of raw plants, hard nuts, and tough meats. Wisdom teeth were necessary to grind these foods properly for digestion.

Today, they can cause certain issues to our oral health. For most, wisdom teeth appear normally and cause no problems. To some, the wisdom teeth become stuck below the surface of the gums, growing in an odd angle causing complications. They can become impacted in the jaw and result in infection, creating damage to other teeth roots or bones.

So how do you know if you have wisdom teeth? Swollen or bleeding gums, jaw pain, bad breath, unpleasant taste, and difficulty opening the mouth may occur with the growth of wisdom teeth. The best way to treat wisdom teeth is to surgically extract it, especially if it’s causing infection or gum disease (periodontal disease). The good thing is, once you’ve removed the wisdom tooth completely, it’s unlikely to relapse.

I do need to mention, people with wisdom teeth can actually go on with their lives without extracting it. The wisdom teeth don’t usually need to be removed if they’re impacted but aren’t causing any issues. This is because there’s no proven benefit of doing extractions and it can carry the risk of other complications.

At the end of the day, you should always consult your dentist before making any important decisions regarding your oral health.

by Noel Jinguli Image | Unsplash

RANTS & RAVES

Team work or team woes?

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

– Helen Keller

What is team work? Simply stated it is the process of working collaboratively with a group of people in order to achieve a goal. Now if everyone is on board and has a similar vision this is great unfortunately this isn’t always the case. You know what I’m talking about.

How many of you look forward to working on a group project? Whether in a business setting or at school with your peers? For the most part, I see it as the opportunity to combine forces and produce the best product that will blow the socks off your audience or at least get you a round of applause. Unfortunately, this only works when your teammates are as goal orientated as you.

Some individuals loathe the idea of working with others for many legit reasons. These ‘problems’ appear in many forms disguised as people or worse yet… your teammates. There are those who contribute nothing, they nod occasionally and agree with the majority, never actually giving any ideas or opinions. Then, there are those who make excuses for being late, for not being able to attend discussions and for not helping out in any form.

Why deal with these characters when you know you are better off doing it yourself? I mean, you have to be dependable cause you surely can’t rely on them. So you take on the majority of the workload just to make sure it gets done properly and on time. But sooner or later, resentment kicks in and you end up with all these toxic feelings. You either swear to never work with that person again or when you have no choice, continue doing the work begrudgingly.

But what if you really aren’t capable of giving input to the project? I feel you still can participate and be useful. Help out with the legwork like making copies at the printers or going to the store to get supplies. Collecting data or other basic tasks show you are making an effort to help out the team and that counts.

If you really don’t know how to assist your team, for pete’s sake… ask! Communication is key and that my friend, is another step to reaching the goal.

by Noor F.Z. Ali Image | Unsplash

avatar: highest grossing movies of all time

POP CULTURE

billion dollars! Can you imagine how many generations of your family that can feed? Well, that’s how much money that was approximately made from two blockbuster movies in this century. If you’re still not following, I’m talking about the Avatar movie franchise. The blue aliens that is, not the bald kid saving the world.

Avatar’s plot centres around a “colonisation” plot, where humans intend to colonise an alien planet for its resources. The protagonist, Jake, through some future technology, was ordered to trick and befriend the Na’vi, 10-foot tall intelligent lifeforms that inhabit the planet. Upon learning the Na’vi culture and being accepted as part of the community, Jake backtracks on his orders and helps the Na’vi defend their home. At least that’s the gist of it. The sequel continues with this plotline, having 16 years pass and the audience introduced to a new community of Na’vi that live near the coast.

So, what’s so special about this movie series? Well, the first one that premiered in 2009 actually broke the record for highest grossing movie of all time, twice, with 2.789 billion dollars in 2010 and in 2019 when it was re-released to reclaim its title from Avengers: Endgame, grossing over 2.9 billion dollars. It’s also the highest grossing 3D film, fastest to gross 1 billion dollars, and the first to ever to gross 2 billion dollars. Its sequel didn’t do too bad either, also crossing the 2 billion dollar threshold.

These movies spawned and popularised the use of high quality CGI (Computer Generated Imagery). It’s not to say that movies prior to Avatar didn’t utilise the technology, but not many directors and audience members were convinced that CGI was the way to go. Either being too expensive and too complicated of a process, or not being high quality enough to pass as “real life”, that’s why many passed on making and watching CGI movies. Some were even mocked for the poor use of CGI, think The Mummy Returns’ rendition of Dwayne Johnson’s Scorpion King. Well, after seeing the potential and even success of Avatar, people were finally convinced. These days, it’s harder to find blockbuster hits that haven’t implemented any sort of CGI.

You see, Avatar wasn’t only a popular movie that sold a lot, it also influenced the film making culture as well. While many still see it as just another movie, we can’t deny that Avatar has certainly helped change the landscape of movies as a whole.

by Noel Jinguli Image | Various Sources

OUR PROFILE

Loleypop were born and raised in Kota Marudu, early 2021. We got our small business name by combining my name ‘Loley’ and my partner’s name ‘Pop’ together. With ample free time and lots of inspiration from TikTok cra videos, the idea of Loleypop came to us during the pandemic. Amidst the pandemic, we kept running into the same problem which was we couldn’t nd our face masks, so we made mask chains from beads. As it turned out, we weren’t the only ones who were hopelessly losing our mask. People kept asking me if they could purchase these chains from us once we started posting them. We created an account on social media so that more people could reach us and sell them for real. Later, we added another product which is resin art and gemstone bracelets. We take custom orders of resin coasters, resin oral pendants,resin keychains and our customers can choose their own blend of crystal healing gemstones.

Seeing strangers buy our designs and post pictures smiling brought me great joy. Selling our rst piece was exhilarating. It proved to me that there were people out there who appreciated labor, cra , and the love that goes into these products. While we plan to keep cra ing for the rest of our lives, we consider it a side hustle. Having something that we could make and feel satisfaction with was wonderful and a rming. It’s become a really therapeutic outlet that’s also creatively ful lling for us during the pandemic until today.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US HERE.

IG : @LOLEYPOP.CRAFTS

FB : @LOLEYPOP.CRAFTS

WHATSAPP : +6013-828 4181

CUSTOM GEMSTONE BRACELET

CUSTOM RESIN KEYCHAIN

MASK CHAIN & KEYCHAIN

CUSTOM RESIN SHAKER

TAMAGOTCHI RESIN SHAKER

CUSTOM RESIN SHAKER

CUSTOM RESIN HAIR CLIP

CUSTOM RESIN COMB

SEARED SALMON BEDDED ON SPAGHETTI AGLIO OLIO Food

INGREDIENTS

• 1 steak salmon

• Marinate salmon with salt, pepper & italian herbs

• Pasta/spaghetti

• Chopped garlic

• 2 Tablespoon oil

• Chilli flakes

• Salt and pepper

• 1 tsp butter

• 1 wedge lemon

METHOD

1. In a hot pan, add oil at medium heat.

2. Add salmon skin side down for 1 min and turn on the other side for another min.

3. Add butter, garlic and water, cover lid until salmon is cooked. Set aside.

4. For pasta, add oil in a hot pan. Then add chopped garlic & butter stir until garlic turns brown.

5. Add chili flakes and pasta. Mix all together and ready to serve.

by Beverly Chow www.quicktakesorder.blogspot.com

Image | Beverly Chow

Kopi Nguek Nguek is a pop up vietnamese coffee booth which began operation in March, last year and has gained much popularity after appearing in local tamus. Next month it will be celebrating its 1 year anniversary.

Kopi Nguek Nguek was founded by Azrul and Crystal who are both currently running it full time. Fun fact, Crystal is also a freelance architect. Kopi Nguek Nguek came to be because they wanted to serve an affordable yet satisfying coffee which they feel is lacking in Kota Kinabalu.

Popular menu items include Kopi Nguek, Kopi Latte, Kopi Santana and also the newest one, Kopi Caramel Macchiato.

Come and try out their coffee at their current booth in Gaya Street. A second booth is in the works which hopefully will open later this year.

Kedai kupi of the month

KOPI NGUEK NGUEK

Location: Aunty Fet Dumpling, Gaya Street (same row as BSN)

Opening hours: 11am-9pm (closed on Monday)

Instagram: @kopi.nguek

restaurant review

Light Cafe is a hidden gem I could not wait to discover. Launched in 2019, this family business is essentially run by three people: Jason, the young and dynamic owner is the ultimate entrepreneur, balancing the managerial, accounting side, and maintenance of the cafe. Talk about multi-tasking! Jason’s sister is behind the brand’s social media accounts, and his mother is the sole cook, handling orders and pouring her heart into every recipe. An enterprising family at its best! When asked if they were considering a possible expansion, Jason stated that it would be challenging, as his mother would have to cook for both places, thus doubling her workload. In the case of having to hire other chefs, she would need to trust them enough to share her family’s recipes with them, which goes to show how much each meal means to her. Formerly a jewellery shop, Jason’s mother had the idea of turning it into a cafe after a series of burglaries. Situated at the Ground Floor of Asia City –not a particularly busy area – this homely area comes as a wonderful surprise for somebody walking by. Its charm is unique to small places, a lovely change from the charged atmosphere of trendy spots.

I was warmly welcomed by Jason with a delicious rose coffee. The first thing one notices upon arriving at Light Cafe is a simple black and white sign of the name “Light Cafe”, adorned with a lamp in the place of the “i” letter and “来客” written inside of it. My first question was the meaning of the Chinese signs. Jason informed me that it was a clever play on words: “来客” means “visitor” and is pronounced “Láikè”, phonetically like “Light”.

Although cosy with its wallpaper in warm and wooden tones, the mirrors on some of the walls – a remnant of the old jewellery shop – make the room seem more spacious. However, the seating arrangement is what made this place unlike any other I had been to: it is the first double-deck

Light Cafe: A Hidden Gem

sitting cafe in the city of KK, with the hardwood tables and benches superposed, with clients accessing the upper tables using a ladder. Such a productive and innovative use of space! The colour scheme matches nicely, with consistent touches of browns and greens, reminiscent of a secret garden. When I asked Jason about the inspiration for the decor, he told me that there was not a particular theme: “My father sometimes comes in and brings items to include” was his simple reply. So far, this method seems to be a success.

We were served with four dishes, three of them including a side of white rice, and each one equally generous in portion. We started off with the cafe’s speciality, the herbal chicken soup. It’s not hard to see why: the meat readily comes off the drumstick and is chewy without being elastic-like. It is the perfect choice for healthy eaters, as it is a great protein source marinating in herbs which can help to alleviate the “chills” in the body, according to Chinese medicine. Simple yet flawlessly done; a definite highlight.

Next up was a traditional Indian dish and a personal favourite of mine: roti canai with chicken curry. Serving a well-known and widely beloved dish is a tough task, as it must rise to expectations, and this roti canai certainly rose to mine. The flatbread has a wonderful consistency, both firm and easy to bite into. One thing I noted was that it was not engorged with oil, a common mistake I tend to see in other restaurants. The chicken was bathed in a thick curry sauce which was just the right amount of spicy and balanced well with the flatbread. While presenting the dish, Jason assured us that the roti had not been cooked using hands (the usual method) to ensure maximum hygiene.

For lamb lovers, I highly recommend the lamb stew, which judging from the comments around the table, was the overall winner of the day. The meat was succulent, moist, and practically melts in the mouth. It was marinated in a tasty broth and accompanied by boiled carrots. Overall, the delicious merging of parsley, chives, thyme, meat, and vegetables made for a real treat, and certainly one you should try!

The menu also offers desserts such as the Longan and Snow Fungus Dessert Soup, the Pandan Leaf Coconut Milk Green Bean Soup, and the Black Glutinous Rice & Red Bean Soup, all which are a filling and complimentary addition to any meal you choose to order.

With the cafe’s humble and comfy vibes, it would be easy to predict for it to remain a hidden gem for years to come. But I have a healthy suspicion that its food quality, affordable prices, and unique decor will rapidly see this place rise to become one of KK’s most popular food spots.

Location: No. G75, Ground floor, Phase 11A, Asia City, KK City

Opening hours: 8AM - 4PM (closed on Sunday)

Call/WhatsApp: +6016 831 6585

Instagram: @lightcafekk

Facebook: Light Cafe KK

by Lisa Aveline

Longan & Snow Fungus Soup

Rose Coffee

Herbal Chicken Soup with Rice Chicken Mushrooms with Rice

Lamb Stew with Rice Roti Canai with Chicken Curry

nightlife

DIA GUILD’S “TYING CULTURES THROUGH CRAFT” OPENING NIGHT | 12 JANUARY

2023 | HYATT CENTRIC KOTA KINABALU

Scenes during Dia Guild’s “Tying Cultures Through Craft” opening night at Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu. “Tying Cultures Through Craft” is a collaboration between Dia Guild, an online platform that champions Southeast Asian artisanship, and the newly opened Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu.

Find out more at web.facebook.com/DiaGuildSEA

Image | Radzie Rahman