Fireflyz December 2019

December 2019

Your free copy or read online at fireflyz.com.my

Yuletide

Cheer

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS AND THEIR ORIGINS

12 HOURS IN SEREMBAN / INSIDER'S GUIDE AMPANG / TRACKER BEST NEW YEAR FIREWORKS

December 2019

68

December 2019

69

Contents

24

Insider’s Guide Ampang, Selangor

December 2019

4 CEO's Message 6 Editor’s Note 6 Letters 8 Agenda Calendar of events and happenings

10 Comfort Zone 123RF

Where to stay

56

Street Chef

18

Vanessa Parameswari and Antthony Durai

12 Hours Seremban, Negeri Sembilan

12 Bites Where to eat

14 Quench Where to drink

16 Tech’Up Must-have gadgets

22 Savour Debal curry

30 Perspective Kathlyn Toh of Beyond Insights

42 Tracker Five best destinations to ring in 2020

December 2019

2

34

Open Journal

123RF

Christmas traditions

48

Humble Beginnings Harriston Chocolates

60 Pack Up Winter Essentials

62 Reads Feel good / chicken soup for the soul

52

First Drives Mazda3

64 At The Movies What’s showing in cinemas

67 Firefly News 68 Network Map 70 Fleet & Service Info 72 #FlyFirefly Our Instagram Stars!

December 2019

3

CEO's Message

FIREFLY EDITORIAL ADVISOR CEO, FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd Philip See Editorial Committee Izra Izzuddin, Saisundary Sundra Kumar PUBLISHED BY FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd (346606-K) CITTA Mall, 3rd Floor, No.1, Jalan PJU 1A/48, Pusat Perdagangan Dana 1 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia Tel: +603 7845 4543 Web: www.fireflyz.com.my Email: customer_care@fireflyz.com.my SPAFAX MALAYSIA Business Director Sue Loke sue.loke@spafax.com

We all deserve a break and December, as the last month of the year, is the perfect time to wrap things up and reflect on the past, as well as strengthen our resolve for the future. We hope 2019 was a great year for you and if not, we wish for 2020 to be brighter and more prosperous for you and your loved ones.

Do take this opportunity to recharge and take stock. As the school holidays dawn on us, travel can be the best way to reconnect with family and friends, although admittedly it can be the genesis of disconnect as well.

It’s all well and good to look inwards, but do spare a thought for those around us. Think about your family, friends, colleagues, business partners, society, country and the environment you live in. Perhaps this is a time we give them a break, too. After all, life isn’t just about ‘me, myself and I’. Are we not the sum of all our relationships? Be kind. Reach out to those feeling exhausted. Help those who seem to unceasingly get the short end of the stick. Small gestures will do; like a quick call, saying thank you, a warm hug, asking if they’re okay, or even taking them on a short holiday around Malaysia with Firefly.

Do check out Firefly Holidays for great last-minute holiday packages for your loved ones. An ideal Christmas gift for your parents would be the Golden Wallet, to help them plan their holidays next year. Even if you’re in a rush, you can check out our refreshed merchandise on board for that last-minute Christmas present.

Once again on behalf of the Firefly team, thank you so much for flying with us. We wish you a Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year. May the holiday season fill your home with joy, your heart with love, and your life with laughter. Have a pleasant trip and we look forward to seeing you again in 2020! Onwards and upwards.

•

Phil Chief Executive Officer Firefly Airlines

December 2019

4

EDITORIAL Editor Julie Goh julie.goh@spafax.com Senior Writer Eris Choo eris.choo@spafax.com

Art Director Euric Liew euric.liew@spafax.com

Writer Noel Foo noel.foo@spafax.com

Graphic Designer Nurfarahin Kamarudin nurfarahin.kamarudin @spafax.com

Contributors PY Cheong, Caramella Scarpa, Rubini Kamal, Fong Min Hun, Elaine Lau ADVERTISING & MEDIA SALES Senior Sales Manager Shirley Chin shirley.chin @spafax.com

Sales Manager Emmy Aiza emmy.aiza @spafax.com

Sales Manager Vannes Ching vannes.ching @spafax.com

Sales Manager Khairul Adzman khairul.adzman @spafax.com

SPAFAX Chief Executive Officer Niall McBain Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer Simon Ogden

Managing Director, Asia Pacific Jean-Marc Thomas

Spafax Middle East Jelle De Mey Jelle.DeMey @spafax.com

Spafax USA Mary Rae Esposito maryrae.esposito @spafax.com

Spafax Europe Tullia Vitturi tullia.vitturi @spafax.com Spafax UK Steve O’Connor Steve.OConnor @spafax.com Spafax Asia-Pacific Agnes Law agnes.law @spafax.com

Spafax Canada Tracy Miller tracy.miller @bookmarkcontent.com Spafax South America Francisco Azocar francisco.azocar @bookmarkcontent.com

PRINTER Times Offset (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (194695-W) Times Subang, Bangunan Times Publishing, Lot 46, Subang Hi-Tech Industrial Park, Batu Tiga, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia Tel: +603 5628 6888 Fax: +603 5628 6899 Firelyz is published monthly by Spafax Networks Sdn Bhd for FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd (346606-K). No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of Firefly. All rights reserved. Copyright @ 2019 by Firefly. Opinions expressed in Firelyz are the writers’ and not necessarily endorsed by Firefly and/or Spafax Networks. They are not responsible or liable in any way for the contents in any of the advertisements, articles, photographs or illustrations contained in this publication. Editorial inquiries and inquiries concerning advertising and circulation should be addressed to Spafax Networks. Firefly and Spafax Networks accept no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photography, illustrations and other editorial materials. The Editorial Team reserves the right to edit and/or re-write all materials according to the needs of the publication upon usage. Unsolicited materials will not be returned unless they are accompanied by sufficient return postage.

December 2019

68

Editor's Note

Letters

A

WINNING LETTER

nd just like that... we’re in December!

What a year it has been for me and the team.

This is our 13th issue, and we’ve thoroughly enjoyed putting Fireflyz together for you each month.

I am a frequent business traveller, flying between Penang and Subang. I normally start my day as early as 4.30 am to catch the earliest flight to Penang for work. It isn’t enjoyable since it’s work-related, and I will normally spend the first quarter of the flight taking a nap to energise myself. The best part about flying with Firefly is that the airline still offers food options despite the early hour. Even though it is not a heavy meal, it is enough for me as a business traveller, as I am normally rushing and tend to skip my meals. Your magazine also accompanies me on my journey. The best column in the magazine is the Savour section, as I love to eat and cook. This column will eventually get added into my cookbook! The second best column is Comfort Zone, as it gives me an idea on where to plan for my holidays with loved ones. Keep up the good service and we as passengers will cherish you.

I didn’t start 2019 with New Year’s resolutions. I’m not one to believe in these things.

But as the year comes to a close and I’m nearly a year older, I’m beginning to think that perhaps I should get all those things I’ve wanted to do checked off the list before it’s too late. As I go away to reflect on my year and to start thinking about the reset button for 2020, here are some of the highlights of this month’s issue.

Irmayanty Ibrahim KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

It was my first round-trip flight on Firefly from Penang to Subang, and I was impressed! The onboard experience was beyond my expectations for a domestic flight. It is worth mentioning that the cabin crew was friendly and approachable. They have done a good job in ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers. I kept seeing crew members walking around reminding passengers to follow the onboard rules. Despite their repetitive work, they still kept their smiles and their professionalism. Also, I did not expect such generous refreshments and drinks for such a short flight. The potato samosa was yummy and my craving was fulfilled. A big thumbs up for Firefly! I can’t wait for my next trip with Firefly.

Christmas is a season of giving. While devout Christians see the day as a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, many argue that Christmas has been replaced by a more consumeristic holiday. Our writer Noel Foo takes a look at the festival that has a rich history of nearly 2,000 years, including how some of the more popular traditions became what they are today (page 34).

If you’re still wondering where to go to catch the fireworks that will light up the skies on New Year’s Day, wonder no more.

Sydney, Edinburgh, Las Vegas, Rio de Janeiro and Dubai made our list of top five destinations to ring in the new year.

Have you been to any of these places yet? (page 42).

Lim Sheue Hui PENANG, MALAYSIA

For years I was a journalist reporting on the stock market, but somehow had never become interested in investing despite getting tips from time to time. The fear of losing RM100 was more intense than the hope of gaining RM150! I guess I’m averse to being wide-eyed and optimistic, making mistakes and taking chances. But if you’re completely the opposite, Kathlyn Toh, the founder of Beyond Insights, an investment and trading education centre, has a tip or three to get you started on stock trading (page 30).

I frequently travel on Firefly from Penang to Subang Skypark for business assignments. I notice that Firefly has improved a lot as compared to previous years, especially in terms of on-time arrival and efficiency in handling of baggage.

Both of these are important for me to attend meetings punctually. Besides, I also enjoy the flying experiences with the in-flight complimentary snacks and refreshments.

During my recent flights in August 2019, I was so grateful to receive lovely cosmetic souvenirs from Firefly stewardesses.

This is my first time getting free gifts from an airline in Malaysia. Keep flying, Firefly!

Also in this issue are our staple travel features. Our guides take you to Seremban, the capital of Negeri Sembilan state (page 18), and Ampang, a neighbourhood that straddles Kuala Lumpur and Selangor state (page 24). Both are rich in culture, history and food, and are the sort of places to discover hidden gems.

Choo Chia Meng PENANG, MALAYSIA

We’ d love to hear from you!

From the Fireflyz team, we wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! See you in the next decade!

•

Write to us at ffmedia@spafax.com and stand a chance to win a 2D1N stay at a 1-bedroom suite at E&O Residences Kuala Lumpur, inclusive of breakfast for two worth about RM1,380.

Julie Goh Editor

Letters may be edited for clarity and brevity, and will be published in the language in which they are written. Please include your full name, contact number and location when writing to us.

Only one winning letter will be chosen each month.

December 2019

Your free copy or read online at fireflyz.com.my

Yuletide

Cheer

ON THE COVER

December 2019

6

With Christmas round the corner, uncover the origins of some of its traditions.

12 HOURS IN SEREMBAN / INSIDER'S GUIDE AMPANG / TRACKER BEST NEW YEAR FIREWORKS

PHOTO: 123RF

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS AND THEIR ORIGINS

STYLE and ELEGANCE Since 1939, menswear brand Boggi Milano has been creating contemporary men’s fashion garments. The brand’s dedication to detail and meticulous care covers all parts of the process – from production to distribution – enabling men all over the world to enjoy its unique style and quality.

Boggi Milano’s collections are born from the creativity and experience of its designers, who bring with them the brand’s rich Italian heritage and years of artisanal expertise. It’s perfect blend of style and high-quality fabrics ensures that all Boggi Milano products offer the best quality-to-price ratio.

Entering a Boggi Milano store feels like stepping into part of a special world, where style meets professionalism, and where customers will receive comprehensive, personalised service: a true hallmark of Italian excellence.

Suite 622 – Boggi Milano Johor Premium Outlets, 81000 Kulai, Johor Darul Takzim Tel: +607 660 0438

Agenda

Upcoming

PHOTOS: WEE LING

Events WHAT’S HAPPENING IN MALAYSIA AND AROUND THE REGION.

A Theatre Classic

After 15 years, The Actors Studio is staging the Robert Bolt classic – A Man For All Seasons – once again.

Featuring a mix of old cast and new actors, the role of Sir Thomas More will be played by Scottish actor Charles Donnelly while Patrick Teoh, who played Wolsey in the first production, takes on the role of Thomas Cromwell and Na’a Murad plays Henry VIII. The play is based on the true story of Sir Thomas More who refused to endorse King Henry VIII’s wish to divorce his wife Catherine of Aragon so that he could re-marry.

For this, More paid dearly and sacrificed high office, his position in society and, ultimately, his life.

When: 7 – 15 December Where: KLPAC, Sentul, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Shopping Extravaganza

It’s the end of the year, a time for fun, festivities and getting together with family and friends. In Malaysia, it is also time for a shopping spree as the Malaysia Year-End Sale takes over major shopping malls in the country, offering great bargains and discounts.

Besides slashed down prices on clothes, jewellery and electrical goods, the festival also coincides with back-to-school shopping, offering parents with school-going children deals on uniforms, bags and shoes.

With malls across the country decked out in Christmas decorations, shoppers can also look forward to great Instagram-worthy photo opportunities and exciting events in conjunction with the year-end festivities.

When: Until 31 December Where: Major shopping malls around Malaysia

PHOTOS: TOURISM MALAYSIA

theactorsstudio.com.my

December 2019

8

New Year Revelry

PHOTOS: 123RF

Start the new year with a bang as spectacular fireworks light up the sky across the country to welcome the year 2020. For one of the best seats in town come midnight, brave the crowds and head out to the Kuala Lumpur City Centre as the backdrop of fireworks set against skyscrapers makes for one of the most awesome views to usher in a brand new year.

When: 31 December Where: Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Always wondered what goes on behind the scenes of your favourite animated movies? Get a good look at the Disney: Magic Of Animation exhibition featuring everything from the original drawings, paintings, sketches and concept art to technological innovations that helped bring the beloved characters to life. Some of the featured movies include the first-ever Disney cartoon, Steamboat Willie; classics like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and The Lion King; as well as recent blockbusters like Frozen, Zootopia and Moana. The highlight of the exhibition is the debut of original artworks from the highly-anticipated movie, Frozen 2. Besides over 500 exceptional artworks, the exhibition also includes projections, audiovisual displays, alluring exhibits and hands-on educational activities.

When: Until 29 March 2020 Where: ArtScience Museum, Singapore

FROZEN 2, 2019, CONCEPT ART, LISA KEENE © DISNEY

THE LION KING, 1994, CONCEPT ART, KELVIN YASUDA © DISNEY

MOANA, 2016, CONCEPT ART, LISA KEENE © DISNEY

Cartoon Magic

marinabaysands.com/museum/ disney-magic-of-animation.html

December 2019

9

C o m f o r t Z o n e : W h e r e To S t a y

SINGAPORE

Oriental Hospitality

The iconic Mandarin Oriental, Singapore enjoys a prime location in the middle of the Marina Bay area with easy access to Orchard Road, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands and other key attractions in Singapore’s central business district. Designed with a blend of oriental and contemporary elements, the hotel offers 468 rooms and 59 suites with spectacular views of the harbour, ocean or city skyline. Epicures will be spoiled for choice with two bars and five specialty restaurants, including the Cantonese restaurant Cherry Garden, poolside Italian restaurant Dolce Vita and the international Melt Café. Indulge in exquisite spa treatments, take a dip in the outdoor pool or work up a sweat in the well-equipped fitness centre or in private yoga lessons. Guests staying on the Club floor can also enjoy the extra benefits of the Oriental Club with its gourmet delights, beverages and dedicated concierge services.

Event facilities such as the beautiful Oriental Ballroom, versatile function rooms and alfresco reception space also make Mandarin Oriental, Singapore a great choice of venue for events.

Address: 5 Raffles Avenue, Marina Square, Singapore 039797 mandarinoriental.com/singapore

CYBERJAYA, SELANGOR, MALAYSIA

Fuss-free Comfort

The biggest advantage of staying at Fox Lite Hotel DPulze Cyberjaya is its close proximity to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. This mid-scale hotel under TAUZIA Hotels offers 162 contemporary guest rooms, decorated with quirky collage artwork featuring the brand’s colourful fox icon. The rooms are fairly simple in design, filled with brightly coloured furniture that give it a vibrant and photogenic charm. The affordably priced rooms offer basic amenities such as wireless Internet, complimentary bottled mineral water and a safety deposit box, making the hotel an ideal choice of stay for travellers who prefer comfortable and fuss-free accommodations. Its integration into the same commercial property as DPulze Shopping Centre in Cyberjaya gives guests easy access to the mall and all its retail outlets, including popular food and beverage franchises, a wide selection of retail brands and a cinema. Basic meeting room facilities for small conferences are also available for business travellers.

Address: Lingkaran Cyber Point Timur, Cyber 12, 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia foxhotels.com/en-US/FOXLiteDPulzeCyberjaya

December 2019

10

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

Luxury Lifestyle

Strategically located in downtown Kuala Lumpur, E&O Residences Kuala Lumpur is an elegant serviced residence offering luxury suites for discerning guests. The property has 200 units of one- and two-bedroom suites for both short- and long-term stays, beautifully furnished and equipped with modern amenities, from a fully-equipped kitchen to broadband wireless Internet access, a home entertainment system as well as a washing machine and dryer. Guests can enjoy their peace of mind with round-the-clock security. Unwind with recreational facilities such as the outdoor infinity swimming pool, state-of-the-art gymnasium, aerobics and yoga room, landscaped garden courtyard, children’s playground, as well as the steam and sauna rooms.

The business centre and multi-purpose function rooms are also available for guests to use. Kuala Lumpur’s trendiest and most happening districts lie within easy walking distance, allowing guests to explore the best restaurants, entertainment and retail outlets in the city.

Address: 1, Jalan Tengah, off Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia eoresidences.com

PHUKET, THAILAND

Wellness Sanctuary

Rosewood Phuket, the brand’s first property in Southeast Asia, enjoys a relatively secluded location along a 600-metre beachfront in Emerald Bay. Stay in 71 spacious and homely pavilions or villas, which open up to private outdoor spaces with ocean-facing infinity pools. Wellness enthusiasts can take their time to explore the bespoke programmes at Asaya, Rosewood’s holistic wellness concept which offers everything from alternative therapies to lifestyle coaching, fitness activities and specialised healing treatments. Families staying here can take their children to Rosewood Explorers, a special children’s club that combines fun and adventure with creativity and social responsibility. Savour authentic Thai dishes at Ta Khai, Italian cuisine at Red Sauce and seafood at The Shack, or soak in the chic ambience at the poolside lounge Mai. The resort also offers beautiful wedding and events spaces at The Pavilion, which incorporates the 243-square-metre Glass House, Courtyard, Garden and Beach Lawn.

Address: 88/28 Muen-Ngern Road, Patong, Kathu, Phuket 83150, Thailand rosewoodhotels.com/phuket

B i t e s : W h e r e To E a t

Flavours Of Indochina

Republik in Damansara Heights has become a go-to dining destination in KL. Nam is the latest culinary project from the people behind Kenny Hills Bakers and Nourish. The food direction is all about the flavours of Indochina from French to Chinese and Vietnamese. Start with smoked salmon paté or rice paper rolls then move on to the delicious beef pho with brisket and beef short ribs. The roast duck and poached organic chicken also score top points and there’s Vietnamese coffee to accompany the classic Crepe Suzette with caramelised orange butter sauce and homemade vanilla ice cream – the perfect end to the meal.

Address: G-02-02, Republik, Jalan Medan Setia 1, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia instagram.com/namrepublik

One Isn’ t Enough

There are certain types of food that are always described as ‘moreish’ and one is never enough. This café bakery in Mont Kiara fits the bill, and if you’re looking for amazing bread and pastries, this could be your new brunch spot.

So Moreish With Johnny offers baked goods freshly baked every morning using organic flour, pure butter and preservative-free ingredients. Bread making is this café’s forte and there’s nothing quite like croissants, cinnamon rolls and real sourdough bread to start the day right. The pizza comes recommended and brunch dishes like the Lava Eggs are well worth a try. And you’ll be bringing bread home for sure!

PHOTOS: SO MOREISH WITH JOHNNY INSTAGRAM

Address: C-0G-03, Aman Walk, Mont Kiara Aman, 4, Jalan Kiara 2, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia facebook.com/somo0108

December 2019

12

Have Your Cake & Eat It Too

PHOTOS: DAUN KL INSTAGRAM

Does KL need another dessert café? Of course! You can never have too much cake and coffee, especially with the specially baked treats at Daun KL. Located at Kedai, the recently opened artisanal marketplace featuring great local brands and artisans, Daun is a lovely space where plants and rattan furniture give it an Instagram-worthy boho vibe. Cakes are displayed and they all look delicious with a leaning towards local flavours like Sirap Bandung (evaporated milk and rose syrup) and their nutty, buttery cake take on Apam Balik. Have your cake with a selection of coffee, iced chocolate and specialty drinks like the Pink Latte made with beetroot, cinnamon and honey.

Address: Block B, Level 2, MAHSA Avenue, Jalan Elmu, off Jalan Universiti, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia facebook.com/Daunkl-102834891066503

Wonderfully French

There are times when simple combinations work best.

Forget about flavour overkill and fusion fickleness and go for tasty, well-priced food. Brasserie Léon prides itself on offering classic French dishes that don’t burn a hole in your wallet. A brasserie is traditionally an extension of a brewery but has evolved into a relaxed dining venue offering simple dishes. Steak and fries is what Léon is known for, with its grilled steaks (grainfed Australian striploin or Angus striploin) served with its signature secret sauce and homemade French fries. Start with the escargots baked in garlic butter and for a real treat, come here for their Raclette dinner – nothing like rich melted cheese with an assortment of condiments to fill you up.

Address: 1-1, Greens Terrace, Jalan Wan Kadir 3, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia leonkl.com

Q u e n c h : W h e r e To D r i n k

Delicious Cocktails In KL Chinatown

Petaling Street has changed dramatically over the last few years. Between the famous street market, hawker food and heritage architecture, there are quality eateries and bars popping up all the time. Wildflowers KL is a new addition to the area and comprises a dining section, semiprivate rooms for bigger groups and a bar. Cocktails have a definite Asian influence using ingredients like sake sake,, soju and tuak combined with lemon, honey and elderflower amongst others, to create moreish drinks to accompany or end a great meal.

Address: 153, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia facebook.com/wildflowers.kl

Sip & Savour

Home to Singapore’s first rooftop spritz bar, the newly-opened VUE sets itself apart from other dining destinations in the city.

Located on the penthouse of OUE Bayfront on Collyer Quay, the bar-cum-grill destination offers stunning views of Marina Bay Sands, to be enjoyed with binchõtan-grilled specialities, a versatile selection of wines, and of course, a vibrant and flavourful range of spritz cocktails. The Basil Spritz keeps things classic and refreshing with its combination of dry gin, basil, and lemon; while the Ispahan, a fruity mix of raspberry-infused gin, lychee and grapefruit is a guaranteed hit among the ladies. The star of the cast and a must-try is the signature VUE Royale — a lively cocktail of champagne and umeshu with a hint of bourbon.

The spritz experience is highlighted by a show preparation of charcuterie and cheese boards by the culinary team, and over the sunset hours from 5 pm to 7 pm, spritz cocktails come with complimentary servings of canapés.

Address: 50 Collyer Quay, Level 19 OUE Bayfront, Singapore 049321 vue.com.sg

December 2019

14

In Fashion

Kuala Lumpur has become a city of rooftop bars and Vogue Lounge is a welcome addition to the skyline. Located on the 38th floor of Menara SuezCap, the venue is a combination of an elegant dining area, lounge, wine cave and cocktail bar. With views of Bangsar and funky murals, you’ll be heading here for the party vibes instead of the city centre. Cocktails are creative and described according to taste in the menu.

The Vogue Tonic cocktail is ‘spiced, earthy, tart’ and is made with vodka, cold-brew camomile tea, Szechuan and ginger cordial, grapefruit and pineapple. Like its fashion bible namesake, Vogue Lounge offers a chic option for dining and partying.

PHOTOS: VOGUE LOUNGE KL

Address: Level 38, Menara Suezcap 1, KL Gateway, Jalan Kerinchi Kiri, Pantai Dalam, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia voguelounge.my

Flavours & Memories

Popular Singaporean cocktail bar, Nutmeg & Clove,, launches 12 new cocktails under their Flavours & Memories Vol. 3 banner celebrating the ‘Tasty Origins of the Five Pillars’. Each new drink has been crafted to represent the exotic ethnic mix that makes up Singaporean society – Indian, Peranakan, Chinese, Malay and Eurasian. Flavours have been carefully paired to produce drinks like Bloody Crabs, inspired by chili crab, and the interesting Maxwell Martini, comprising chicken rice gin distillate, cucumber and ginger vermouth with sesame, cilantro and sesame oils.

Address: 10 Ann Siang Hill, Singapore 069789 nutmegandclove.com.sg

December 2019

15

Te c h U p : G a d g e t s *Some RRPs have been converted into Malaysian Ringgit and are correct at the time of conversion.

1

Clear & Direct

2

New from AfterShokz is a pair of light and comfortable bone-conduction earphones. The Aeropex bypasses the ear canal via vibrating pads that rest against the skull. This model comes with audio technology that optimises bass and minimises sound leakage.

RRP: RM739 aftershokz.com

Do The Slide

The Acer Predator Helios 700 is a gaming laptop with a novel feature. It has a keyboard that slides down to allow airflow right through the heart of the chassis. This automatically overclocks the processing unit, as well as helps in the cooling of the device.

RRP: RM17,999 acer.com

2 1

4

3

3

Stay Active

4

Garmin Venu is a GPS smartwatch built for an active lifestyle.

It is able to monitor sleep, respiration, abnormal heart rates, menstrual cycle, stress, hydration, breathwork activities and more. The AMOLED screen brings workouts to life, with a whole host of different animations.

RRP: RM1,799 garmin.com

It’s A Snap

Canon recently launched the EOS M200, a mirrorless camera that is small enough to fit in a handbag. Link it with a mobile device to automatically transfer photos and share them online. There is also a remote camera control function for hands-free shooting.

RRP: USD549 (RM2,295) canon.com

December 2019

16

December 2019

69

12 H o u r s

Centipede Temple

Text Eris Choo / Photos Neil Mogol / Illustration Lauren Rebbeck / Art Direction Euric Liew

Seremban

Calling THE CAPITAL OF NEGERI SEMBILAN IS A TOWN RICH IN HISTORY, CULTURE, FOOD AND ATTRACTIONS.

resembles the shape of a ship, was once a young man – cursed to become a rock as he did not show filial piety to his mother. The story further goes that a centipede would always appear next to the rock, leading people to believe that it was a reincarnation of the man’s mother. Today, if you see a centipede within the temple grounds, it is believed that it will bring you good luck and fortune.

Then Sze Khoon Temple

8.00 am

Start your tour at Pasar Besar Seremban, a 35-year-old wet market located in the heart of town. While far from a glamorous attraction, this is the best place to observe the local way of life and harmony between the different races in Malaysia.

The market floor is a hive of activity, with vendors selling fresh seafood, vegetables and meat. There is a section dedicated to dry

goods, coffee, snacks and household items too.

is topped with preserved vegetables and peanuts.

Adjourn to the front of the main building for breakfast and order the meehoon sotong, a Seremban specialty of fried vermicelli served in a soupy brown sauce with tender slices of pork and springy cuttlefish. Another popular item to get is the beef noodles from Stall 748, the dry version of which

9.00 am

One of Seremban’s top attractions, Then Sze Khoon is a 140-year-old Chinese temple dedicated to the ancient Taoist priest-turneddeity, Then Sze. Sitting atop a hill called Bukit Jung, it is also called the Centipede Temple. Legend has it that the rock on the hill, which

December 2019

18

To reach the temple, visitors climb a winding set of stairs to the main shrine, which is built into a section of the rock. Also within the grounds are beautifully landscaped gardens and pavilions, as well as shrines dedicated to Taoist gods such as Guan Di, Yue Lao (the god of marriage) and the Eight Immortals.

The Guan Di pavilion is particularly picturesque. Its high vantage point affording breath-taking views of the emerald green hills as well as the entire Seremban town.

There is also a giant sculpture of a centipede sitting on an outcropping of the rock.

10.00 am

Originally from the highlands of West Sumatra, the Minangkabau (or Minang) people have a unique and distinctive culture. Negeri Sembilan is home to a large Minangkabau diaspora, and Seremban is no exception.

Many of its buildings sport a spired roof design, which resembles the horns of a

11.30 am

buffalo. This unusual architecture can be seen at the Negeri Sembilan State Museum Complex.

Towering close to three metres tall, the ostrich is the world’s largest flightless bird. You can hitch a ride on one at the Jelita Ostrich Farm, a 10-minute drive out of town. A guide will show you around the farm, where the birds roam about freely in grassy paddocks. Buy a packet of corn to feed them, then make your way to an enclosure where handlers will help you mount one of the ostriches. If you’re not up to riding one, watch the handlers race them down a short track (ostriches can reach speeds of up to 70 kilometres an hour). Also within the farm are friendly goats that are happy to frolic alongside visitors as you make your way to the

TOURISM MALAYSIA

TOURISM MALAYSIA

Negeri Sembilan State Museum Complex

The main building, called the Teratak Perpatih, is a majesticlooking wooden structure that also houses interesting exhibits and historical artefacts such as ancient weaponry, pottery and ceremonial tools. Also within the compound are two smaller buildings, which were built without the use of nails: a replica of a traditional Negeri Sembilan house, as well as Istana Ampang Tinggi, a 19th-century house which was a gift from the fifth ruler of Negeri Sembilan to his daughter.

December 2019

19

different stations. There is a shop within the farm that sells products such as creams, soaps and shampoos made from ostrich oil.

1.00 pm

For a taste of authentic Minang food, head to Selera Nogori at the Oakland Commercial Centre, where they serve an extensive variety of traditional Minang dishes. Highly recommended are salai masak lemak cili api (smoked meat in coconut milk and bird’s eye chilli gravy), tilapia berlada and patin tempoyak (fish with fermented durian sauce).

No trip to Seremban would be complete without getting the town’s specialty: siew pau (oven-baked pork

12 H o u r s

Tuanku Ja’afar Royal Gallery

of the Gunung Angsi Forest Reserve, with well-maintained facilities such as a children’s playground, walking trails, gazebos and campsites.

Enjoy a relaxing stroll on well-paved walkways, then take a dip in the cool, crystal clear waters of the river. It is best to exercise caution as the river banks are strewn with boulders and rocks.

Alternatively, bathe in the dedicated swimming pool downstream which uses natural river water.

Jelita Ostrich Farm

Oven-baked buns or siew pau

or chicken buns). Empayar Siew Pau next to the PLUS Highway attracts busloads of tourists but for something less commercial, try Kedai Siew Pau Asia at Taman Unian. The shop is frequented by locals, who snap up the buttery, flaky buns as soon as they are served fresh from the oven. Other items such as the salted egg bun, lou por beng (literally ‘wife biscuit’, a flaky pastry with various sweet or salty fillings) and pineapple tarts are equally popular.

2.00 pm

History buffs will want to visit the Tuanku Ja’afar Royal Gallery. The impressive three-storey building boasts a blend of modern and colonial architecture, with exhibition halls chronicling the history of the Negeri

6.00 pm

Sembilan royal family, in particular the 10th Yang diPertuan Besar, His Excellency Tuanku Ja’afar. There are eight sections within the gallery which chronicle his life and achievements, as well as his contributions to the country as the 10th Yang Di-Pertuan Agong.

The multi-talented ruler was an avid sportsman and painter, and visitors will be able to view his collection of paintings, golf clubs and sports paraphernalia such as cricket gear and football jerseys, within the gallery.

Take a relaxing stroll around Seremban Lake Garden, a popular spot for locals to unwind or have their evening jog. Beautifully landscaped and featuring lush greenery, the garden is built around two man-made lakes, one of which has a floating stage for weekend cultural performances.

7.00 pm

Before leaving town, grab dinner at Seremban 2, a modern retail hub with dozens of restaurants and entertainment centres, including a karaoke centre and a spa. There is also a sizable bookstore on the top floor with a small café and a good selection of books, sometimes sold at discounted prices.

3.30 pm

The Ulu Bendul Recreational Park in Kuala Pilah offers a calming respite from the afternoon heat. A 20-minute drive from Seremban, the park is located at the foot

•

December 2019

20

FOODIE TRAIL Seremban is best known for its siew pau, but here are some other must-tries:

HAJI SHARIFF’S CENDOL: Cool down with an affordable bowl of refreshing and delicious cendol at Haji Shariff’s. Opt for an order with gula melaka (palm sugar syrup) or add on corn, glutinous rice and other assorted goodies.

YI POH: Practically an institution in town, many locals grew up enjoying the restaurant’s springy Hakka noodles and lou shu fan (silver needle noodles).

A popular breakfast and lunch spot.

LUCKY KING BUN: Stray a little further to Lukut for Lucky King Bun, which serves curry chicken in a bun. Peel open the gigantic bun to unveil steaming hot chicken curry wrapped in foil on the inside.

Use the bread to mop up the spicy gravy.

December 2019

70

S a vo u r Text Richard Augustin Photos 123rf & Tourism Malaysia

ICONIC MALAYSIAN CURRIES Spice up your palate with these uniquely local dishes.

Debal curry is a staple at celebrations in most Kristang households, especially during occasions such as Christmas.

Debal Curry

SPICY AND FULL OF FLAVOUR, THIS FESTIVE CURRY ADDS WARMTH AND CHEER TO ANY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION.

KARI KAPITAN A Nyonya adaptation of the traditional Indian chicken curry with a thicker and creamier base due to the use of coconut milk. It’s also considerably less spicy compared to most other curries.

Ingredients

•100 ml cooking oil •1 tsp ground mustard seeds •800 gm chicken thigh

•2 cloves garlic

•400 ml water •1 tbsp sugar •salt and pepper to taste

•2 pcs candlenut

(chopped into small pieces)

Spice Paste

D

ebal curry is a rich and hearty dish, rooted deep within the Kristang (Malacca Portuguese) community. Also called devil’s curry, it was initially made with leftover meat, which explains the use of vinegar, as it acts as both a preservative and a flavour enhancer to the dish.

The subject of debal curry is often debated, owing to the many distinctive cooking styles and recipes that have been passed on through the generations.

Regardless of the recipe, however, the commonality among all versions is that it is sure to work up a sweat, thanks to its distinctive heat factor.

Today, debal curry is a staple at celebrations in most Kristang households, especially during occasions such as Christmas. Great with rice or even with buttered toast, it is a tangy and appetising dish that will surely add some spice to any festivity.

•

•15 dried chillies (soaked in water and drained)

•6 shallots

(peeled and chopped)

•3 stalks lemongrass

(peeled and sliced)

(roughly chopped) •20 gm galangal (minced) •1 tbsp minced ginger •1 tsp chilli paste •¼ tsp turmeric spice •1½ tbsp white vinegar •3-4 tbsp water

FISH HEAD CURRY A Kerala-style curry with Chinese and Indian influences. The dish is made with red snapper heads, slowly stewed in a curry along with a variety of vegetables such as okra, tomatoes and eggplant.

(peeled and chopped)

Method

•Place all spice paste

ingredients into a blender and blend until the mixture is combined. If needed, add water to ensure the paste is not too thick and dry.

•In a pot, heat oil over a low to medium heat.

•When oil is hot enough, add in the spice paste and sauté for a few minutes. Constantly stir the paste to ensure it does not burn or clump.

•Stir in the mustard seeds

•Continue cooking for several minutes before adding in the 400 ml of water.

•Mix well and continue to

cook until the water begins to simmer.

•Add in sugar and allow the

chicken to cook over low heat until it is tender. This will take approximately 40 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken pieces. If needed, add more water to ensure the curry is not too dry.

and continue cooking for a few minutes.

•Adjust seasoning according

•Add in the chicken pieces

•Once curry is ready, remove

and stir until they are coated well.

December 2019

22

RENDANG A curry-like stew made with a variety of ingredients such as coconut milk, turmeric, tamarind and kaffir lime leaves, this beloved dish is a must-have especially during Hari Raya. It is often made with beef, but can also be made with chicken.

to taste.

from heat and set aside to cool before serving with rice or bread.

AYAM MASAK MERAH Literally meaning chicken ‘cooked-red’, this traditional Malaysian dish is made with pieces of chicken braised in a base of dried chillies and tomato sauce.

Discover Luxury Impeccable Service Total Convenience Prime For Business & Leisure For best rate guaranteed, book direct with us at www.ghotel.com.my G Hotel Gurney Modern · Contemporary · Ultra Chic G Hotel Kelawai Iconic · Exclusive · Stylish

FireFly to Fly with Firefly and enjoy the best price for rooms in both G Hotels when you book from 1 December 2019 to 31 January 2020.

Book direct at www.ghotel.com.my and key in the promo code to enjoy all the amazing perks!

G Hotel Gurney - RM535 Promo Code : GFLY

G Hotel Kelawai - RM520 Promo Code : KFLY Stay period between 1 December 2019 - 31 January 2020 (blackout dates apply) • Deluxe room with complimentary daily breakfast for 2 pax • Complimentary G Hotel Premium Gift Set per stay • 50% off Buffet Lunch and Dinner at Taste Cafe & Buffet Dinner at SPOON (not applicable for eve and public holidays) • Non-refundable booking • T&C apply

December 2019

71

Suburban

Getaway THE KUALA LUMPUR/SELANGOR SUBURB OF AMPANG OFFERS FOOD AND NATURE IN BEAUTIFUL HARMONY.

Points Of Interest

T

he historic suburb of Ampang lies east of the Kuala Lumpur city centre and was one of the first areas where tin was mined.

Its name was derived from the Malay word empangan,, which means “dam”, in relation to empangan the miners’ dam of that period.

Rich in history and nature, Ampang offers an insight into a different side of KL that is not often explored.

The first Gurdwara Sahib temple, a wooden structure with an attap roof, was built at the junction of Jalan Kerja Air Lama and Jalan Hulu Kelang in 1918 for the small Sikh community, some of whom were early miners here. In 1976, a new building was constructed on the present site, on land donated by the government. The place of worship is especially busy in April during Vaisakhi, the Sikh New Year celebrations.

Straddling both the borders of Selangor and KL, as Kuala Lumpur is fondly known, Ampang is home to a few large lakes thanks to its mining legacy; and a number of embassies are located here as well because of its exclusive address and close proximity to the city.

123RF

Built in honour of the nine Chinese deities, the 150-year-old

December 2019

24

Insider’s Guide Text Patsy Kam / Photos Raymond Ooi

Back To Nature

Nine Emperor Gods Temple on Jalan Merdeka is one of the most important religious buildings in this vicinity as this is where the main procession starts from during the festival period. Two pagodas flank the temple in the centre, and ornate sculptures decorate the roof as well as the inside of the prayer hall.

Around September or October during the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, the temple grounds are transformed into a carnival-like atmosphere as devotees participate in the religious rituals and tourists throng the place to view the proceedings.

Not quite your average suburbia, Ampang is remarkably green, and in some places, displays more trees than houses, which is rare when you consider the concrete jungle that is Kuala Lumpur.

Not far from the zoo is Bukit Dinding that stands about 290 metres high. A popular spot for cyclists and joggers alike, there is a tarmac road for those on foot and cyclists while the more adventurous can hike up a path through the secondary forest. Rubber trees dot the area and are still being tapped today, and if you’re lucky, you might see some macaques or wild boars. The summit offers a spectacular view of the nearby residential areas right across to Bukit Tabur.

Ampang is also where you can get in touch with the child in you and visit the National Zoo. Featuring some 400 species of Malaysian and exotic animals, there is also an interesting aquarium showcasing marine and freshwater creatures. The zoo is also one of the rare places in the world where you can see giant pandas. Liang Liang and Xing Xing are on loan from China, and the pair has since given birth to two cubs.

Nearby in Taman Ampang Putra is the 410-metre high Saga Hill, which is part of the Bukit Sungai Puteh Forest Reserve with connecting paths to Apek Hill as well as Ketumbar Hill. Taken care of by the local community, the trails are well-maintained and clean, as are the lovely streams flowing through the area leading to a 10-metre high waterfall. There is even a designated exercise station, hammocks and makeshift toilets.

For an invigorating green lung in the centre of KL, the Taman Tasik Ampang Hilir recreational park provides some quiet respite from the urban jungle. Work up a sweat jogging around the lake or just watch the world go by as you take in the view of the city skyline with the Petronas Twin Towers as the backdrop.

View of the Kuala Lumpur city skyline from Taman Tasik Ampang Hilir

December 2019

25

Insider’s Guide

A more modest but slightly steeper climb would be up the 270-metre high Bukit Kembara (named so by local residents), near Taman Bukit Indah.

The trail leads to Ampang Impounding Reservoir, an old disused reservoir said to be the first reservoir to have supplied water to KL in 1892.

If you don’t have much time or energy, the shortest nature trail would be to Kampung Kemensah Waterfalls just past the zoo, consisting of four different waterfalls stemming from Sungai Ampang. The trailhead is accessible just past the village, leading to Jeram Kubang Gajah, the first of the waterfalls.

Easy enough even for amateur hikers, Lata Sham awaits at the end; the three-tiered Lata Pinang is the most spectacular and Lata Gitar is just after that.

(from top) The National Zoo is both interesting and educational; ride an ATV near Kampung Kemensah; Ampang is famous for its yong tau foo; BBQ Lamb Kemensah offers a unique dining experience on the stream

To amp up the adventure quotient, there’s an ATV adventure park just before the village if you’re into adrenaline sports.

The Taman TAR jogging track is by far the most civilised option, looping around the housing project at the edge of the forest reserve. Monkeys and

wild boars, displaced by development, can sometimes be seen venturing onto the paths, and a short trek off the gazetted road takes you to a good birdwatching spot.

Feed Those Hunger Pangs

Ampang is the true blue home of yong tau foo and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! In this Chinese Hakka dish, vegetables and tofu are stuffed with fish paste and meat, and occasionally, a dash of salted fish is added too, offering a different and delicious approach to eating your greens.

One of the earliest to offer this dish was Restaurant Foong Foong in the 1970s, along with Home Land and Orchard View, which has since added other dishes to its menu such as assam fish and paper-wrapped chicken, among others. All three restaurants are located next to each other on Jalan Merdeka and all do justice to the popular dish, so it is all a matter of personal preference.

What started as a small bakery by filmmaker Au Tai Hon in Bukit Tunku has since grown into a sought-after name for cakes and pastries. Kenny Hills Bakers, now housed in a cosy bungalow in Ampang just behind Hock Choon Supermarket, has expanded beyond breakfast to offer enticing dishes for lunch and dinner too. Your dilemma would be what to choose from the selection of lovely breads, crisp pastries and tempting

December 2019

26

ARTISANAL QUEST

desserts while drinking in the aroma of freshly-brewed coffee.

There is a surprisingly large Korean community here which means Korean restaurants are aplenty. One of the few Halal-certified Korean restaurants in the country, Sweetree offers typical Korean dishes such as bibimbap, pajeon and kimchi jiggae as well as spicy fried chicken and barbecue meats within a comfortable environment that is childfriendly too.

Regarded as an institution of sorts, the Steak Hut at Suzi’s Corner near Ampang Point mall has made a name for itself for its tenderloin and sizzling steaks. Set inside a food court, the unusual and fun ambience proves you don’t need a classy venue to serve value-for-money grilled prime cut meats.

Indian, Malay and Western food are also available from other stalls.

For a good assortment of Chinese hawker fare, Hari Hari Datang food court sells various noodle dishes, from wonton to pork and fish head, herbal soups and a host of other non-Halal dishes, all under one roof at the corner of Persiaran Ampang.

Off The Eaten Path

If you are looking for a food experience that cannot be replicated elsewhere, these hidden gems might appeal to your palate.

Run by the third generation Lim family, who originally hailed from Alor Setar, Kuih Teo Chew – also known as chai kuih – operates from an extension of an unassuming corner house in Taman Muda. Made from tapioca starch, the dainty dumplings come with different fillings such as turnip, yam and pumpkin.

(clockwise from top left) Enjoy freshly baked bread at Kenny Hills Bakers; MyBatik offers batik products and workshops; go for a jog at Taman Tasik Ampang Hilir

You can see them being made on the spot as trays and trays of these are loaded into a giant steamer after being pinched to perfection.

On the outskirts of the city on Jalan Ampang, Hulu Langat is the unique Veg Fish Farm Thai Restaurant, which not only offers some 100 types of Chinese and Thai dishes, but a chance to catch your own dinner. The restaurant sits within a farm, and diners can feast on seafood, free-range chickens, and buy fresh eggs and vegetables too. A live band performs at night on a stage in the middle of the lake, and food gets delivered by motor boat to some of the tables.

Nature lovers will love BBQ Lamb Kemensah, a stone’s throw away from the zoo, as you get to enjoy a barbecue literally in the middle of a stream! Grilled in an open air kitchen, you have a choice of lamb, beef or chicken, and almost all the tables are set in the water. It feels more like a large outdoor picnic rather than a restaurant, and you can even swim in the adjacent man-made pool filled with icy water from the waterfall above.

•

December 2019

27

ROYAL SELANGOR Be greeted by the world’s largest pewter tankard, weighing over 1,500 kilogrammes, at the entrance of the world’s largest pewter maker. Founded in 1885, Royal Selangor produces exceptional tableware, gifts and accessories, which makes excellent souvenirs for folks back home. Located just 20 minutes from the city centre, learn about its history or try your hand at making a pewter bowl at its award-winning Visitor Centre. The cakes at the wonderfully airy café come highly recommended too.

MYBATIK Artist Emilia Tan started myBatik in a homey bungalow to promote the art of batik or textile decorating.

Apart from selling batik products, painting demonstrations and workshops are also available for those who want to try their hand at this centuriesold art and craft.

COCOA BOUTIQUE Harriston Boutique, located next to Malaysia Tourism Centre (Matic) on Jalan Ampang, offers a peek into the world of chocolate making. View how cocoa is processed into the dessert we all love, and buy some to satisfy your sweet cravings. You can also shop for gifts and souvenirs at Karyaneka next door.

S P E C IAL F EATU R E

FEEL THE

NATURAL EFFECTS OF VITAMIN E The skin is our largest organ and changes constantly throughout life – but harsh environments and nutrient deficiencies can have an impact on skin structure and function, contributing to irregularities such as dry skin.

Introducing BLACKMORES Natural Vitamin E Cream + Lanolin, a natural skincare product which helps to moisturise and protect dry skin, whilst nourishing, soothing and preventing moisture loss from the skin. It contains a source of natural vitamin E together with lanolin, avocado oil, apricot kernel oil and vitamin A, and is free from artificial colours and fragrances.

First formulated in 1978, BLACKMORES Natural Vitamin E Cream has been part of the BLACKMORES range for over 40 years. Most mainstream products at the time were based on petrochemicalbased mineral oils and ingredients that didn’t fit with the brand’s natural skincare philosophy.

Adopting a holistic approach, BLACKMORES sought to create a highquality nourishing skin care cream based on natural ingredients that supported one’s health from the outside in. The base of the product had to be natural, so avocado and apricot kernel oil were chosen with a special mixed tocopherol vitamin E blend.

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant naturally present in healthy skin.

When applied to the skin’s surface, it provides additional protection as a skin conditioner, protecting skin cells from environmental damage. Lanolin has a similar function to the skin’s natural sebum. Together, lanolin and sebum form a protective waterproof barrier on the skin, preventing it from becoming dry, brittle and cracked from dehydration.

To-date, over two million tubes have been sold internationally, and Malaysian women can now enjoy this skincare range that caters to their different skin needs. Versatile and suitable for all age groups, the cream can be used for the hand, body and face as a daily moisturiser, as a make-up primer for longer lasting make-up, and to moisturise and replenish dry skin on the knees, ankles and on cracked heels.

The BLACKMORES Natural Vitamin E Cream + Lanolin 50g tube retails at RM35.00 and is available at all leading pharmacies and BLACKMORES Concept Stores at Mid Valley Megamall (Kuala Lumpur), Mediplex (Subang Jaya), Queensbay Mall (Penang) and Permaisuri Imperial City Mall (Miri). blackmores.com.my

December 2019

72

P e r s p e c t i ve Text Eris Choo Photos courtesy of Beyond Insights

Savvy

Financially

THE DESIRE TO BE FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT LED KATHLYN TOH TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL TRADER. NOW, SHE WANTS TO HELP OTHERS THROUGH HER INVESTMENT AND TRADING EDUCATION COMPANY, BEYOND INSIGHTS.

W

hen Kathlyn Toh first got into stock trading and investment, she never imagined that she’d one day be coaching others to follow in her footsteps. A graduate in Computer Science and Mathematics, Toh started her career as an analyst programmer at Advanced Micro Devices in 1992 – which was also where she first heard about stock trading.

“I was having lunch and some colleagues were talking very enthusiastically about trading in the KLSE stock market,” says Toh. Her curiosity piqued, she saved up RM2,000 over the span of a year, and used the money to purchase her first lot.

Five years later, when Toh joined Intel as a Senior IT Engineer, she was granted stock options in the company.

Wanting to understand more about when to exercise her stock options, she enrolled in a stock options trading class after seeing an advertisement in the newspaper.

“It opened my mind to the possibility of generating good income from the stock market. More importantly, I learnt how to manage risk in trading. My passion for trading grew from there,” she says.

Still, Toh did not consider trading full-time until one day in 2005, when she was doing her financial plan for herself and her family. “I realised that despite having a good salary and an Intel stock options grant, I was still not going to be financially independent by the time I retired, due to the cost of living and inflation,” she says.

So Toh threw herself into improving her knowledge in the field, dedicating at least an hour a day to practise and learn, whilst still holding down her job. It took her three years to gain the experience she needed and achieve confidence and consistency in her results, whereby her part-time trading income was enough to replace the income from her full-time job.

“After I left the company in mid-2008, I had accumulated enough money and confidence to be financially independent from trading alone, and have more time with my family. I wanted to also do what I am passionate about, which is why I set up the company,” says Toh. Toh and her husband initially started Beyond Insights with the intention to teach personal mastery courses, but realised it was tough to promote ‘personal development’ to the general public as it was not a priority among most Malaysians. She discerned that many people are still struggling to achieve financial independence, let alone think about developing themselves.

It helped that Toh had an insatiable hunger for knowledge and learning.

Despite graduating from computer science, she was also interested in subjects outside her field, and took up part-time courses in accounting and finance, as well as production and inventory management. This knowledge came in handy in projects at work, as well as in her stock investment and subsequent business undertaking.

“I felt quite disappointed, but the reality is that most people just want to make money first. So I thought, why not help them achieve that first by teaching them about investment and trading?” she says. “Once they’ve begun that journey, they will realise how important psychology is to become a successful trader. Strategy is a matter of practice. If you can’t master your psychology, you will not follow trading rules and will not achieve consistency,” she quips.

(inset) Toh conducting a workshop (Below) Toh and her husband Terence started Beyond Insights to teach personal mastery courses

From just three people, the team of Beyond Insights coaches has grown to 27. Each workshop maintains a 10:1 student-to-coach ratio to ensure that all students get sufficient attention and support during the class, and to create the best experience and learning environment for them.

Today, Toh runs Beyond Insights Sdn Bhd, an investment and trading education centre, which she co-founded with her husband Terence Teoh. The centre offers coaching and courses that cover strategies, from long-term investing to short-term trading. Students learn how to use leverage safely using stocks with margin, Contract for Difference (CFDs) as well as Options. It is also currently the only organisation in Asia that runs a five-day bootcamp specially designed for mastering one’s psychology in trading.

“Our objective is to provide a complete education for working professionals to create a stock portfolio that earns them consistent returns, with the guidance of an experienced team of coaches and an effective support system. I didn’t get this kind of mentoring and support when I started and that’s why I paid a lot of ‘tuition fees’ to the stock market to learn,” says Toh, with a laugh.

“I’ve always had a passion for training and grooming people. Even at Intel, I conducted and facilitated various personal mastery and leadership and management courses,” she says. Toh adds that meeting great mentors helped her accelerate her journey, as opposed to her having to learn it the hard way on her own – which is why she is a huge advocate of training and coaching.

“Even though I liked my job at Intel, it came with heavy responsibilities and stress. The tipping point was when it affected my health and personal relationships,” she says.

December 2019

31

P e r s p e c t i ve

Her time working at two global companies also exposed her to many aspects on what it takes to run a business, such as surviving a highly demanding environment. The experiences, she says, were crucial in shaping her foundation in entrepreneurship, and also helped her understand the companies she invested in, as well as create a system that could reliably replicate her success.

“There is no one-size-fits-all solution.

Some people are more suited for long-term investing, some like short- to mid-term trading, while others like fast-action trading, which is why I The developed programmes and ability to modules to give my students a manage emotions complete solution,” she says.

“The bottomline is it requires like fear of losing effort and patience.”

money, greed and hope is crucial to protect ourselves from losing our hard-earned money for the wrong reasons.

In Malaysia, retail participation in the stock market is still low, with data from Bursa Malaysia, the stock exchange operator, showing that out of 2.5 million registered investors, only about 25,000 are active traders who have traded at least once a month in the past 12 months.

The key to success in trading, according to Toh, is to make sure that one only takes on a trade if the potential reward versus the risk is good, and the risk is managed with a pre-defined stop-loss level. “Even if you are only 40 percent right, with proper management, you can still make money. (But) this is unconventional thinking as most people search for high success rates rather than high reward over risk trades,” she explains.

The concept is very much akin to being a successful entrepreneur or business owner, except that one is managing oneself rather than customers or employees, says Toh.

“Compared to other countries in Southeast Asia, we are quite behind as a country. That shows we still have a lot of work to do in educating the public that the stock market is a viable way to invest. There is still a lot of misconception and resistance that we need to overcome,” she says.

“Have a proper plan rather than impromptu trading. Have a proper strategy and risk management, manage your performance and review key learnings. You need to reward yourself for following the rules and learn how to break habits when you don’t,” she says.

Having been in the business for so long, Toh has a few pearls of wisdom for those who want to be successful traders.

“The most important mindset is to accept the reality of trading, which is that the market is dynamic, and you cannot win in every single trade.

Therefore, it is a must to manage risk and not take it for granted. Often times, traders become complacent and take on too much risk, especially when they are on a winning streak,” she cautions.

One should be aware of risks in the market caused by factors such as unexpected announcements, geopolitical developments, natural disasters or technological changes; and anticipate that not every decision made will be profitable, she says.

Trading is more than just numbers and figures, as Toh explains the importance of having the right mindset and expectations about money and the market. “The ability to manage emotions like fear of losing money, greed and hope is crucial to protect ourselves from losing our hard-earned money for the wrong reasons.”

Ultimately, Toh believes that trading is a journey in character building. “The more you focus on the money, the more you are likely to break rules. Conversely, the more you focus on building your character of discipline, resilience, patience and commitment to practice, money will come as a ‘side effect’,” she concludes.

Toh is now teaching and coaching others to be financially independent through trading

•

December 2019

32

December 2019

73

Open Journal Text Noel Foo / Photos 123rf.com, PxHere & Pexels / Photos courtesy of respective interviewees

‘Tis The

Season JIMMY CHAN, PEXELS

A BRIEF HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL LOOK AT ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST POPULAR HOLIDAYS, CHRISTMAS.

“I

t’s the most wonderful time of the year”, according to the late American singer Andy Williams in his 1963 hit song. Christmas may be one of the world’s most widely celebrated festivals, but it is a holiday that has different meanings to different people.

Devout Christians see it strictly as a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the religion’s central figure. To many, it is also one of the most highly commercialised festivals in the world, and a time for family and goodwill. Other groups oppose the festival completely and have banned it in parts of the world.

Christmas is as much a religious festival as it is a highly commercialised one

cultures, which have greatly altered how it has been celebrated over time. Here is a brief look at how Christmas’ most iconic traditions have come to be what they are today.

The Spirit Of Christmas PXHERE

But Christmas is a festival with almost 2,000 years of rich history behind it, with many significant events from a variety of

The idea of Christmas being a time for merriment, family, goodwill and charity did not actually come about until as late as the 19th century. Throughout the Middle Ages, Christmas was celebrated largely by nobility in lavish feasts, so when parliamentarians gained control of England from the monarchy following the English Civil War in the 17th century, a Protestant group called the Puritans had the festival banned for 13 years.

Opinions on the celebration of Christmas were divided and the holiday would continue to be unpopular for nearly two centuries in England and its colonies in America. It is largely thanks to writers of the 19th century that Christmas regained its popularity.

American writer Washington Irving wrote short stories that painted a picture of a warm-hearted English Christmas, while American professor Clement Clarke Moore wrote his famous poem, A Visit

December 2019

34

JOHN CUMMINGS, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS PEXEL

the commercialisation of Christmas in the 19th century, secular music such as Jingle Bells rapidly gained popularity. It is now common to hear a mix of religious carols, secular carols and Christmasthemed pop music being played in public spaces around Christmas time. (from top left) Decorative fixtures like baubles and lights are hung on evergreen trees during Christmas; carolling has its roots in an old English tradition

From St. Nicholas, which begins with the line, “T’was the night before Christmas”.

Over in England, the famous Charles Dickens tale of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge and his encounter with the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet-To-Come in A Christmas Carol was a big hit in 1843, stimulating the revival of seasonal Christmas merriment and the newfound association of the festival as a time for family and goodwill.

Christmas Carolling

Music has long been a key part of Christian traditions, but the practice of going door-to-door and singing warm-hearted carols to bring festive cheer to neighbours draws some influence from an old English tradition known as wassailing.

In the Middle Ages, wassailers would visit houses, singing for good wishes upon its occupants and offer a drink from a wassail bowl in exchange for gifts. In cider-producing regions of England, wassailers would also visit orchards in lively and often rowdy groups, singing wishes for a good harvest in the coming year.

Evergreen Decorations

The modern practice of decorating an evergreen conifer in homes with blinking lights and colourful baubles can be traced back to 16th century Germany.

The Protestant reformer Martin Luther is said to have been the first to decorate an evergreen tree with lighted candles.

The tradition gained widespread acceptance in Germany and later spread throughout the English-speaking world after the marriage of Queen Victoria of Britain and Prince Albert of Germany in 1841.

Other evergreen plants used to deck the halls of homes during the Christmas season include holly, ivy and mistletoe.

Being the only sort of greens to be found still growing in the cold European winters, pre-Christian civilisations have been using seasonal evergreen decorations since ancient times for various purposes.

Today, wassailing has largely been displaced by carolling.

Many early carols bore religious themes, but after the start of

December 2019

35

Open Journal

Here Comes Santa Claus

The jolly old gift-bearer known as Santa Claus may be seen as the biggest symbol of Christmas commercialism, but the figure was also inspired by the legend of a real historical figure, Saint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas was a 4th century Christian bishop in the ancient Greek city of Myra, which is modern-day Demre, Turkey.

There are little historical records on his life, but his most famous legend tells the story of his encounter with a poor Christian man who could not afford to get his three daughters married.

Wanting to save them from turning to prostitution, Saint Nicholas secretly visited the home at night and threw three bags of gold coins into the house to pay for their dowries.

(From top) Christmas dinner dishes differ in parts of the Christian world; fruitcake is a popular dessert

Christmas Dinners

If there is one Christmas tradition that has not remained consistent throughout the world, it is the dishes that appear on the dinner table on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The traditional roasted turkey comes from English tradition, but it was never seen on dinner tables before the 16th century.

Throughout medieval England, boar was a common main course, as well as goose or capon, and the rich would sometimes have peacock or swan. The famous dinner scene in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol where Ebenezer Scrooge gifted a large turkey to his employee Bob Cratchitt’s family also helped cement it as an English Christmas tradition.

(inset) Santa Claus was inspired by a Christian bishop named Saint Nicholas

Multiple gift-bearing figures spawned from this legend, but the most popular image of a red-clad Santa Claus with a snow-white beard comes from American cartoon illustrations inspired by Clement Clarke Moore’s famous poem.

Different parts of the world dine on different delicacies during Christmas. Families in Sicily serve 12 types of fish to celebrate. Swedish families feast on a special smorgasbord that features fish and meatballs. Thanks to good marketing, eating KFC’s fried chicken during Christmas is now a national custom in Japan! Popular specialty desserts include the French Bûche de Noël or Yule log cake, Italian panettone bread

December 2019

36

Open Journal

and German stollen bread. Many Christmas desserts such as fruitcake and Christmas pudding prominently feature spices that help preserve the product for an extended period of time.

Nativity Scene

A common sight in many churches and sometimes public spaces in primarily Christian countries are static nativity scenes – decorative scenes with figurines depicting the Biblical story of the birth of Jesus. The tradition is said to have been started by the Italian friar, Saint Francis of Assisi in 1223. Inspired by his pilgrimage to the Holy Land, he brought together villagers and live animals in a town in central Italy and dressed them up to re-enact the story in a “living nativity scene”, in an attempt to emphasise the religious significance of Christmas over materialism and gift-giving.

Another popular Christmas time confectionary has its origins relating to a living nativity scene: the candy cane.

The legend goes that in 1670, the choirmaster of Cologne Cathedral in Germany asked a local candy maker to create the sweet peppermint stick to be given out to children in order to keep them quiet during the living nativity scene on Christmas Eve. The practice of giving out candy canes during church nativity plays became popular all over Europe and turned it into the popular seasonal confectionary that it is today.

(From top) Gingerbread cookies and candy canes (Inset and bottom) Nativity scenes emphasise the religious significance of Christmas

LIBRESHOT

•

December 2019

37

S P E C IAL F EATU R E

Kaleidoscope of Joy

Make merry with this range of holiday cosmetics you need to shine this festive season, available at all THE FACE SHOP outlets nationwide.

1 Perfume Seed Velvet Body Milk.

RM69, 300ml 2 The Therapy First Serum.

RM151, 130ml 3 Dr Belmeur Cica Peptide Ampoule. RM178, 45ml

1

Yehwadam Nokyong Collagen Contour Lift Gold Capsule Cream.

RM279, 50g 4

5 Ink Lasting Foundation Glow.

RM97, 30ml

2

5

4

3

December 2019

38

Yuletide Treasures

Get healthy glowing skin with belif’s sincere, straightforward approach to beauty.

1 Youth Creator Age Knockdown Water Essence. RM268, 120ml 2 Youth Creator Age Knockdown Bomb.

RM288, 50ml 3 The True Tincture of Chamomile.

RM192, 75ml 4 The True Tincture Mask - Chamomile.

RM119, 50ml

1

5

Moisturizing Eye Bomb. RM204, 25ml

6

Aqua Bomb Sleeping Mask. RM136, 75ml

2

PHOTOGRAPHY: SHAWN LOR @ PIXEL PIX / ART DIRECTION: JOANNE LIM STYLING: ABBY CHUNG / TEXT: JOANNE TAN

3

4

5

6 December 2019

39

S P E C IAL F EATU R E

White Magic

Blending the finest natural ingredients with active medicinal components, Dr. RIMPLER offers awardwinning formulas backed by scientific studies.

1 BASIC HYDRO Vital Flash Moisturizing Creamy Gel. RM188 2 SENSITIVE Emulsion Nanosensitive Repairing Special Care. RM198 3 XCELLENT Eye Perfection Q10. RM258 4 CUTANOVA FACE SPA Cream Aqua Energy.

RM288

1

4

2

3

Bright Beauty

Experience the epitome of luxury, innovation and French sophistication with Isabelle Lancray’s range of skincare.

1 Zensibia NutriZen Balancing Nutrition Cream.

RM348

Egostyle Mission De-Stress Gel Creme. RM368 2

4 Basis Micellar Cleansing Foam. RM158 5 L’ÂGE D’OR Edith Absolute Cream. RM1,158

3 Basis Micellar Foaming Lotion. RM158

1

2

3

5

PHOTOGRAPHY: SHAWN LOR @ PIXEL PIX / ART DIRECTION: JOANNE LIM STYLING: ABBY CHUNG / TEXT: JOANNE TAN

4

LAS VEGAS NEWS BUREAU

Las Vegas, USA

Expect maximum kitsch factor in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve as 80,000 pyrotechnics are shot into the sky from the rooftops of seven casinos, including the world-famous MGM Grand and Caesar’s Palace. The 6.4-kilometre Las Vegas Strip is closed to traffic so revellers – over 330,000 last year – can stroll the streets before finding the best vantage points at midnight. The display is choreographed to a soundtrack, including hits from Mariah Carey, Frank Sinatra and Lionel Richie. Meanwhile, Fremont Street in downtown Vegas hosts live bands across four stages.

TIP: Wrap up warm – the temperature can drop below freezing!

Get ready

for2020!

December 2019

42

SEE IN THE NEW YEAR IN STYLE AT ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREATEST FIREWORK DISPLAYS.

Tracker Text Tracey Petherick

Sydney, Australia

PHOTOS: TOURISM AUSTRALIA

As the first major international city to greet the New Year, Sydney embraces its responsibility to put on a good show. Lighting up the night sky over Sydney Harbour and its iconic Opera House, the incredible Midnight Fireworks display (there’s also the earlier Family Fireworks at 9 pm) includes over 100,000 pyrotechnic effects. Sydney Harbour Bridge explodes into colour, while the whole show is set to a soundtrack of popular music. There are free and ticketed viewing areas all around the Harbour, but those in the know book the Royal Botanic Gardens for a cocktail party, fine dining and the best views in town.

December 2019

43

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

PHOTOS: VISIT SCOTLAND

LEANDRO NEUMANN CIUFFO, FLICKR

It is said that New Year’s Eve (or Reveillon) in Rio is an even bigger party than the annual Carnival. An estimated two million people flock to Copacabana and its neighbouring beaches to celebrate. Arrive early to set yourself up on the beach (there’s live music, barbecues and football) or check in to one of the dozens of beachside restaurants. The astonishing fireworks set off from boats and barges anchored in the harbour last for over 15 minutes. Last year, it was a balmy 29 degrees Celcius on 31 December so you might even feel compelled to go for a New Year’s swim afterwards.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Hogmanay (aka New Year’s Eve) is a big deal in Scotland, and Edinburgh has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best places to enjoy it. Head to Princes Street for the Hogmanay Street Party where live music, DJs and dancing provide an electrifying atmosphere against a backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.

At midnight, this beautiful historical city unleashes four tons of pyrotechnics into the night sky. Then it’s time for the legendary New Year sing-along as the entire crowd crosses their arms and holds hands to sing the traditional song Auld Lang Syne.

December 2019

44

Tracker

Dubai, UAE

BENGIN AHMAD, FLICKR

As the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa knows how to impress. Its spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks display sees pyrotechnics bursting out of its 163 floors. There is also an incredible lights and laser show, visible across the entire Emirates, while at ground level the Dubai Fountain explodes into a stunning ‘water dance’. Elsewhere in the UAE, the city of Ras Al Khaimah – just an hour and a half north of Dubai – is preparing to break two world records with its fireworks gala, set to include neverbefore-seen pyro-drone displays and the Emirates’ landmarks recreated in the sky.

December 2019

45

December 2019

74

December 2019

75

Humble Beginnings Text Rubini Kamal / Photos courtesy of Harriston Chocolates

Chocolate

Empire SISTERS QUEENIE TENG AND TENG WEI TZYY AIM TO SWEETEN THE HEARTS OF MALAYSIANS AND THE WORLD WITH LOCALLY MADE CHOCOLATES.

“He saw me as a young and inexperienced girl who didn’t know anything about the business. He wanted me to just observe and learn; and maybe one day, when I was good and ready, I could take over,” explains Queenie. Any ideas and efforts she tried to put forth were met with resistance from her father, a passionate and handson man, and a lack of support from the old guards of the company.

Founded in 2005, Harriston is the brainchild of S.C. Teng, one of the first tour guides in Malaysia. Seeing the need for a souvenir which tourists could take back from their visit to Malaysia, he came up with the unusual idea of chocolates.

I

(inset) Sisters Wei Tzyy (left) and Queenie have big plans for Harriston, the chocolate brand their father founded

t was a jarring experience for Queenie Teng when she joined Harriston, a Malaysian brand of chocolates founded by her father. Fresh from a job at a multinational organisation, it quickly became clear that Harriston operated quite differently. The most striking incident for her was when the cleaning lady asked the “big bos” (her father) to get more trash bags as they were running out. She soon realised that her father was essentially involved in every aspect of the company, however minute.

“Everyone advised against it because Malaysian weather is not ideal for making chocolates, but he was determined and managed to find one supplier who produced chocolates here,” shares Queenie. What started out as a retail business eventually included a manufacturing arm because they had trouble with quality consistency from the supplier. In 2012, TSC Chocolate, the manufacturing division of the company, was established, and they began to produce their own chocolates.

It was around this time when Teng called on Wei Tzyy, his second and youngest daughter who was working in the United States, to return and help with

Having been roped in to help with the business, Queenie felt it was time to turn things around and take the company and business to another level. But her father had different ideas.

December 2019

48

of the quality of products and tip-top service, they slowly turned around. They knew that they were able to rely on us and began to respect us,” says Queenie.

The same strategy worked with the old guards in the organisation. Their father came around eventually too and gradually let go of the reins, allowing the sisters to effect the needed change within the company. “It took time.

Our father left a strong legacy, so it was not an overnight transformation,” shares Queenie.

Ironically, despite their popularity with tourists, they were not so well known within Malaysia. The sisters wanted to change that. Two years ago, they consolidated all the brands of chocolates the company produced, such as Cocoa Boutique and Chocolate Gallery, under the brand Harriston.

(top) Harriston offers over 150 chocolate variants

the manufacturing arm. With a background in supply chain management, it was a great fit for Wei Tzyy and so she agreed.

But when she returned, she ended up in the retail side, having to take over from her sister Queenie who had decided to quit after years of being at loggerheads with their father about the company’s direction.

(inset) Cocoa pods (bottom) Singleorigin chocolates from Raub, Titiwangsa and Hulu Selangor

“It came to a point where I just wanted a father. I didn’t want a father who was also my boss. It was too complicated and challenging drawing the line between the two. Also, I had just had a child and wanted to focus on motherhood,” says Queenie.

As Wei Tzyy recalls, the struggle was still strong when she joined the company. “I was about 23 at the time and although I was there to help my father, I wasn’t perceived as someone that management could refer to regarding company matters. They still went directly to my father whenever they wanted to discuss anything.”

“The name Harriston was inspired by my father’s favourite member of the Beatles – George Harrison. My dad is also a guitarist and he always admired Harrison and so he decided to adopt his name for the brand. He added the letter ‘T’ as a tribute to our family name Teng,” shares Queenie.

Harriston is now a leading brand in the chocolate tourism business, with outlets in several locations in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Genting Highlands, where busloads of tourists get off to witness the art of chocolate-making and to taste unique Malaysian flavours infused into chocolates. They have garnered over eight million customers from 80 countries around the world.

The company has taken a new direction, while still maintaining their tourism arm. The brand opened its own chocolatier at The Linc mall on Jalan Tun Razak, offering high-end chocolates. This year, it collaborated with Chef Frederic Oger, previously the head pastry chef at two Michelin-

Her father, too, expected her to stay in the background and observe. “I think they saw us as being young. There was a big gap between how the company was run and what my sister and I envisioned for the company,” says Wei Tzyy. It was frustrating for the sisters because as the resistance persisted, the market grew more competitive.

Besides trying to convince her father to reform the company’s internal operations, Wei Tzyy was also dealing with external challenges, which drove her to convince her sister to return. “The chocolate tourism business is very much a male-dominated industry. They were not too keen to listen to a female, let alone a young woman. They would rather have a discussion with men while having drinks,” explains Wei Tzyy.

Breaking the gender stereotype took a lot of work. “I think when we consistently delivered to their expectations in terms

December 2019

49

Humble Beginnings

One thing that Harriston does to stand out from other brands is to provide “A Unique Malaysian Experience”, as per their tagline. At their outlets, customers are taken on a journey on the art of chocolate-making from cocoa to bar.

star restaurant Michael Caines, to create a unique collection of pralines.

While most of the cocoa is sourced from the Zurich-headquartered Barry Callebaut, the world’s leading manufacturer of high quality chocolate and cocoa products, Harriston has also gone into business with local cocoa farmers in Titiwangsa, Raub and Hulu Selangor to create singleorigin chocolates. “We want to showcase Malaysian cocoa and put it back on the map as we were once big producers of cocoa,” says Wei Tzyy.

To-date, they offer over 150 chocolate products, including unique local flavours such as durian, papaya, curry and tongkat ali (a common herbal shrub). This is made possible by their own research and development department, which allows them to come up with innovative flavours. Harriston is said to be the first to have come up with the durian-flavoured and tongkat ali chocolates.

(from top) Visitors to Harriston outlets are in for an experience, from the show-and-tell corner to DIY workshops

is a show-and-tell corner at the production kitchen. We also have a DIY workshop,” shares Wei Tzyy.

The sisters have big plans for Harriston, including opening a second factory by the end of next year. “It is a green factory, so it’s environmentally friendly. We are also going to start producing our own chocolate from bean to bar, which allows us to experiment more with flavours.” says Wei Tzyy, who is now in charge of operations.

(inset) Harriston worked with Chef Frederic Oger for a unique collection of pralines

As for Queenie, who takes care of marketing and is behind the modern and charming Harriston packaging, she says they have more ideas to bring Harriston closer to Malaysians next year. Ultimately, their goal is to become a world-renowned chocolate maker from Malaysia. “As our father did, we very much want to promote Malaysian products to the world.”

One thing that Harriston does to stand out from other brands is to provide “A Unique Malaysian Experience”, as per their tagline. At their outlets, customers are taken on a journey on the art of chocolate-making from cocoa to bar. “It is part of our origin story. We explain how chocolates are made, where it comes from and we introduce our products. We let visitors taste the chocolates, we give them a welcome cocoa drink, and there

If there is one thing they will never change, it is staying true to their commitment to quality. Both sisters recall fondly something their father had said during a company annual dinner. Refering to mounting competition, he said, “Don’t worry about them. We have to remember to always be true to ourselves. While we have to stay competitive, we shouldn’t give up on our values and commitment.” His words touched the hearts of everyone that night, says Queenie.

•

December 2019

50

December 2019

76

F i r s t D r i ve s Text Richard Augustin / Photos courtesy of Bermaz Auto Berhad and respective manufacturers

Sophisticated

Sporty &

THE ALL-NEW MAZDA3 FORGES INTO A NEW ERA OFFERING OPTIMUM DRIVING DYNAMICS AND A DISTINCTIVE STYLISH DESIGN.

T

he Mazda3 is relatively young, having been around for just about 16 years. Arriving in 2003 as a replacement for the Familia and 323 models, it championed the way for Mazda in the compact family car category. Although competing with more established models from Japan, it nevertheless forged its own identity in the competitive C-segment, standing out as a viable alternative to its more popular rivals.

December 2019

52

One thing that can be said about the Mazda3 is that it has always been viewed as a slightly more premium product compared to its main competitors. This is more than established in the latest fourth-generation model, which was revealed to the world just a year ago. From the moment the covers were lifted, it was apparent that Mazda had not only given the model a cutting-edge design but also equipped it with newly-developed features. In essence, it marked a new era for the Mazda3.

Evolution Of Design

architecture. The result of this is a sporty yet elegant design, which is much more expressive in nature compared to previous generation models. The liftback model in particular stands out, benefiting from the new lamp design at the front and new rear combination lamps along with the aggressive and sharp front fascia, which adds a well-defined expression of strength as well as sportiness.

Enhanced Interior

The refreshed Mazda3 is a combination of sporty, elegant design, updated interiors and newly developed features

Inside, the refreshed Mazda3 further benefits from revised styling and updated interior features as well as upgrades.

The cockpit is simple, yet effective, featuring a symmetrical layout and horizontal orientation that not only streamlines the design but also does away with unnecessary elements. The redesigned centre console gets a new shift knob and new commander control with the new 8.8-inch Mazda CONNECT Infotainment display now featuring Apple CarPlayÂŽ and Android AutoÂŽ.

The most significant change in the recent model is undoubtedly its design, which benefits from the KODO design

Power Choices

The new Mazda3 sold in Malaysia is a completely built-up unit from Japan and features two engine choices – a SKYACTIV-G 1.5L and a 2.0L with SKYACTIV-DRIVE. The former will suit drivers looking for an everyday city commute as it delivers 118hp with 153Nm of torque. A SkyActiv-Drive six-speed automatic

December 2019

53

F i r s t D r i ve s

transmission drives the front wheels. For those looking for a bit more oomph, the more powerful sibling should more than suffice. It offers a total output of 162hp and 213Nm of torque along with a 6-Speed Automatic transmission with Manual Shift mode and Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus).

Optimal Handling

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HONDA MALAYSIA, UMW TOYOTA, HYUNDAI MALAYSIA

Mazda engineers have dramatically enhanced the model’s fundamental driving attributes, which makes accelerating, turning and braking feel completely natural. This is largely due to Mazda’s new Skyactiv VehicleArchitecture, which not only delivers optimum ride comfort and handling but also provides a reassuring feeling of control. Those behind the wheel of the Mazda3 will not only find themselves assured of the vehicle’s handling but also find that the driving experience is on another level compared to its nearest rivals. Ride comfort has also been improved; with reduced noise, vibration and harshness within the cabin, affording all occupants a pleasant ride.

The Mazda3 offers supreme handling with features such as Skyactiv VehicleArchitecture

Top Scores For Safety

THREE TO COMPETE The models in direct competition with the Mazda3.

HONDA CIVIC

The new 10th generation Civic is powered by a 1.5L VTEC Turbocharged engine that offers a maximum power output of 173PS and maximum torque of 220Nm. The model is also refreshed with a sportier and more refined exterior along with Honda SENSING, which features a suite of next generation advanced safety technologies.

HYUNDAI ELANTRA

The 2019 Hyundai features a fresh design, which is anchored by triangular headlights, taillights as well as a new sporty radiator grille. Inside, the cabin has also been refreshed with a new meter cluster and steering.

Power is delivered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, which produces 152PS with a maximum torque of 192Nm.

TOYOTA COROLLA

Also known as the Altis, the latest Corolla is powered by a 1.8-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine, which is paired with a Shiftmatic CVT transmission, producing 139PS and 173Nm of torque. The current model is not only sportier and sleeker than its predecessor but also arrives with new safety features including seven airbags, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and December Traction2019 Control (TRC).

54

The safety kit of the all-new Mazda3 is nothing short of impressive with all variants arriving with seven SRS Airbags (Front Driver & Passenger, Driver Knee, Side and Curtain), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control System (TCS), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), and Hill Launch Assist (HLA). The higher spec variant is further equipped with Mazda’s flagship i-ACTIVSENSE advanced safety features.

Premium Price, Premium Sedan

Overall, there is no faulting the latest Mazda3 and what it offers drivers. But all the model’s key features do come at a distinctive price range, which begins from RM139,620 to RM160,059.

This naturally puts the vehicle in a higher bracket compared to its fellow Japanese rivals, but it’s a price many would consider paying, considering how it looks, drives and feels.

•

Performance Driven THREE CARS BUILT FOR PURE DRIVING ENTHUSIASTS.

Super Saloon

The arrival of the Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC Sedan expands the current AMG model range targeted specifically towards drivers looking for a high-level performance machine with a comfortable amount of space. The new model radiates intensity and power with a four-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces a blistering 306hp, allowing it to hit 100kmh in just 4.8 seconds. Serving as a point of entry to the AMG world in the compact class segment, the sedan boasts exceptional driving dynamics that are supported by the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7G dual-clutch transmission and Adaptive Damping System suspension. It also arrives with classleading features such as the state-of-the-art safety and assistance systems, Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) and head-up display.

The Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC Sedan is priced at RM348,888 (on the road without insurance).

The Legend Returns

The launch of the all-new GR Supra marks the return of Toyota’s flagship sports car to Malaysian shores. First introduced in 1978, the Supra has become a classic model for enthusiasts and collectors.

The fifth-generation model will do the same. In Malaysia, the model comes with a 3-litre turbocharged in-line 6-cylinder engine producing 250kW of power with a peak torque of 500Nm. Drive to the rear wheels is through a new quick-shifting, sports-tuned 8-speed electronic automatic transmission with a launch control function that enables a 0 to 100kmh sprint in 4.3 seconds. Besides a 50:50 weight distribution, the GR Supra also boasts superior driving dynamics courtesy of an Adaptive Variable Suspension and Electronically Controlled Limited Slip Differential (LSD).

Ultimate Sports Sedan

The new BMW 330i M Sport is the latest addition to BMW Malaysia’s locally assembled portfolio. The premium sports sedan arrives with 18-inch M light alloy wheels as well as adaptive LED headlights with Bi-LED technology. The model features an aerodynamic spoiler lip affixed to the rear along with two distinct 90-millimetre tailpipes that enhance its sporty appeal. Tucked in under the hood is a 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo petrol engine, which is paired with an updated 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission.

In terms of performance, the model generates 258hp with a peak torque of 400Nm, which is enough for a top speed of 250kmh and a 0 to 100kmh sprint in 5.8 seconds.

The new BMW 330i M Sport is priced at RM288,800 (on the road without insurance).

The all-new GR Supra is priced from RM568,000 (on the road without insurance).

December 2019

55

Street Chef Text John Cheong / Photos SooPhye

Perfect

Pairings THIS FAMILY-RUN FOOD STALL IN PENANG HAS AN ENTHRALLING BACKSTORY.

A

ssam laksa is ubiquitous in the northern Malaysian island state of Penang. Indeed, it is a prerequisite to any culinary exploration of this gourmet paradise. Listed in CNN Travel’s 2019 list of the World’s 50 Best Foods at number seven, it comprises of noodles in a slightly sour fish and tamarind-based soup.

Fiercely loyal patrons will insist that their preferred stall is the best in Penang, and there are a few rightful contenders to the crown.

(Previous page) Vanessa and Antthony run One Corner Nyonya Delights, continuing the legacy of Vanessa’s parents

One of these is a little corner stall tucked at the front of a popular coffeeshop called One Corner Café, on the fringes of the George Town heritage zone. Simply called One Corner Nyonya Delights, the stall traces its history in the area back to the 1960s. The stall’s beginnings were humble – a 13-year old Indian boy named Pandi arrived in Malaya in 1960 and helped his father sell Nyonya kuih from bamboo baskets balanced on a wooden pole.

(top) Some of the dishes served at One Corner, including assam laksa, fruit rojak and fried popiah

Teenage Pandi’s job included picking up the kuih from their various suppliers. One of these was from a kuih shop where a young Chinese girl worked. Pandi’s frequent visits meant the two met often and as things go, they fell in love and were married in the mid-1970s. By this time, Pandi had taken over the business from his father and was selling kuih from the back of his motorcycle in the lane beside the current stall’s location.

His young wife created the recipe for the assam laksa they are famous for today, and this proved to be very popular. Despite the lack of chairs and tables, crowds gathered around Pandi’s motorbike and the pair’s business grew.

Firefly operates multiple daily flights to Penang International Airport from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang

Besides the assam laksa and 10 to 15 types of kuih, Pandi and his wife also sold fried snacks, such as cucur udang (prawn fritters) and fried popiah (spring rolls). Just how the pairing came about is not certain, but it transpired one day that

December 2019

57

Pandi, his wife, or perhaps it was even a customer, decided to dip the cucur udang in the assam laksa soup. This pairing proved to be perfect and a new dish was born: one that Pandi would become famous for.

Assam laksa soup has a unique piquant sourness which comes from a complex list of ingredients that typically includes asam keping (Garcinia atroviridis), laksa leaf (Vietnamese coriander) and torch ginger. When paired, the dough of the prawn fritters and popiah mutes the overall tartness of the gravy, lending a pleasantly contrasting note to the flavour of the prawns and vegetables.

In 2004, the One Corner Café coffeeshop was set up and the owner invited Pandi to take up a stall space.

But the latter insisted on continuing to sell from his motorcycle as he had done for

Street Chef

almost 40 years. So Pandi was given the front space, where he could simply ride his motorbike up, park it under the leafy tree, and continue to sell to his crowd of loyal customers.

Pandi retired in 2011 and along with it the retirement of his motorcycle too.

But the legacy continues, as his daughter Vanessa Parameswari and her husband Antthony Durai took over the business.

A proper stall was finally set up, with a permanent stove where the assam laksa soup bubbles away, its appetising aroma wafting around.

Vanessa and Antthony’s involvement were a little unexpected. She was an investment banker while he worked in logistics. Attracted to the flexible hours and a desire to continue the family legacy, they took on the challenge and began to run what is now One Corner Nyonya Delights. This new pair made a few changes of their own too. The assam laksa recipe was modified very slightly and the tartness is now softened, and a slight sweetness rounds off the flavours very nicely.

(top and bottom) Assam laksa has a complex list of ingredients which includes various herbs and spices (inset) The soup has a strong and piquant taste (next page) Fried goodies available at One Corner; Vanessa makes the fruit rojak sauce herself

The pairing of cucur udang, fried popiah, and now fried tofu, with the laksa soup is a firm favourite, and for good reason. The fried items are not overly oily and have just the right balance of crunch and taste, blending perfectly with the slightly sweet assam laksa soup.

One Corner Nyonya Delights No.12, Jalan Bawasah, George Town.

Penang, Malaysia Opens from 7.30 am to 4.30 pm.

Closed on Mondays.

And what of the kuih that had brought Vanessa’s parents together? Well, spread out on banana leaves on the same stainless-steel trays that Pandi had used for 50 years, the Nyonya kuih choices now number up to 40 different varieties.

From kuih talam, kuih ketayap and pulut tai tai, to chiu chu kuih, seri muka, kuih lapis, onde onde and lepat pisang, the mouthwatering list goes on.

Contact: 012-448 8455

December 2019

58

Some of their loyal customers even pack kuih and laksa to take back to their homes in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore.

The kaya (coconut jam) that accompanies the pulut tai tai is creamy, while the gula melaka (palm sugar) that bursts forth from the onde onde as one takes a bite into it is thick and sweet. The pulut (glutinous rice) is also stickily flavoursome, the grated coconut a lively garnish.

Vanessa and Antthony reckon it was a huge yet easy decision to switch careers five years ago. It has been rewarding – financially as well as in other ways. They enjoy the challenge of running to their own schedule and targets, and feel vindicated in their choice every time a customer returns. Some of their loyal customers even pack kuih and laksa to take back to their homes in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore.

The couple are not standing still though – customers can now also enjoy another Penang staple, fruit rojak. Vanessa makes the rojak sauce herself and like everything else about this story, it pairs very nicely indeed with the fresh fruit.

•

December 2019

59

Pack Up : For Her

1

Bold Cover Up

2

Who says you can’t look trendy while staying cosy at the same time? Saint Laurent offers a zebra jacquard sweater that is all sorts of chic. The bright and beautiful pink colour works doubly hard to draw all eyes.

RRP: SGD1,590 (RM4,886) ysl.com

Beautifully Warm

There is nothing like a shawl to help you get through a blustery day. This striking design from Hermés can be used to cover necks, shoulders, waists or heads. Just the ideal accessory for wrapping up when feeling cold.

RRP: RM5,500 hermes.com/my

Winter Essentials

1

PLANNING A LITTLE YEAR-END HOLIDAY? IF YOU’RE HEADING TO COOLER CLIMES, MAKE SURE YOU PACK THE RIGHT ESSENTIALS TO HELP YOU WEATHER THE PEAK OF WINTER.

2

3

4 3

Natural Glow

4

Love Your Skin

The winter air can be brutal to the skin. belif’s Rose Gemma Concentrate Oil is a light formulation that deeply moisturises and nourishes. It comprises a blend of natural oils and is rich in antioxidants like vitamin C and E. RRP: RM256 belif.com.my

The Yehwadam First Serum is just the product for those wanting to give their complexion a healthy boost. Created by THE FACE SHOP, it is infused with ingredients like ginseng, goji berry and safflower that can help prevent premature ageing.

RRP: RM179 thefaceshop.com.my

December 2019

60

Pack Up : For Him *Some RRPs have been converted into Malaysian Ringgit and are correct at the time of conversion.

1

Full On Whimsy

2

Show off your fun, geeky side with this cashmere scarf from Coach. It features a playful twist on the brand’s iconic emblem – now depicting the dinosaur mascot, Rexy, pulling a horse carriage.

RRP: RM1,100 malaysia.coach.com

In Good Hands

If you’re heading to somewhere chilly for the holidays, make sure you pack a good pair of quality gloves. Burberry’s sportsinspired design is crafted with supple lambskin and boldly accented with a vintage check fabric.

RRP: RM2,290 my.burberry.com

1

2

3

4

3

Cool Not Cold

4

Louis Vuitton’s latest puffer jacket is all swagger. Its unique “waffled” look is the result of special heat treatment, which creates an embossed all-over monogram effect. Drawstrings at the wrists add a functional edge.

RRP: RM41,500 ap.louisvuitton.com

Sure Of Foot

Lace up with Clarks’ latest boots when there’s a chance of snow in the forecast. They incorporate an innovative new EVA compound in the soles, offering durability, enhanced energy return and comfort.

RRP: RM699 clarks.my

December 2019

61

Read s : Feel Good / Chicken Soup

All Creatures Great and Small

by James Herriot As the year winds down, some of us may yearn for quietness and solitude. It’s at times like these that books such as James Herriot’s All Creatures Great and Small balms the soul. Chronicling his memoirs as a country veterinarian, we are first introduced to our protagonist as a young man fresh out of veterinary school who begins his practice in rural Yorkshire. Almost immediately, he recognises that veterinary practice, especially in the country, is a completely different proposition from the sterile school environment. Herriot regales us with stories of the many eccentric characters (and their animals) that he meets, and while some of them are heart-wrenchingly difficult to read – such as the story of an old man whose ill dog is his only friend and companion – others are lighthearted and fun. Charming, heart-warming and incredibly funny, All Creatures Great and Small is a classic work which reminds us that life often comes with unexpected twists and turns, but there is nothing that a little compassion, kindness and patience can’t handle.

RRP: RM64.90

Bolder : Life Lessons From People Older & Wiser Than You

by Dominique Afacan and Helen Cathcart It’s safe to say that not many of us look forward to growing old – the idea conjures up visions of achy bones, disease and loneliness. This book seeks to change that perception with real profiles and portraits of people aged 70 and older living life to the fullest – they make old age look appealing, or even fun.

There’s the incredible story of the 85-year-old man who swims a mile in the Mediterranean Sea every morning, and a woman who fell in love and married at age 82. Many of the folks featured in the book say this stage of their life is their happiest. Arranged by thematic chapters that include Success, Love & Sex, Happiness, Health & Fitness, and Style & Beauty, the inspiring stories of these individuals are packed with life lessons anyone can learn from.

RRP: RM79.90

Love For Imperfect Things

by Haemin Sunim Haemin Sunim, one of the most influential Zen Buddhist teachers and writers in South Korea, has written a book full of gentle wisdom on how best to live one’s life, beginning with accepting ourselves for who we are, warts and all. Many of us respond to the pressures of work and life by striving to work harder, but we should first come to a place where we are at peace with ourselves and recognise that we are enough just as we are. Through eight thematic chapters – Self-Care, Family, Empathy, Relationships, Courage, Healing, Enlightenment, and Acceptance – the book offers nuggets of wisdom in short essays, anecdotes and quotes, complemented by full-colour, charming illustrations by Lisk Feng. A feast for the eyes and soul, this book is sure to help those on the journey towards loving yourself, your life and everyone in it.

RRP: RM59.95

December 2019

62

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERS Hardcover Fiction & Non-fiction *based on the week of 10 November 2019

Queenie Malone’s Paradise Hotel

by Ruth Hogan Queenie Malone’s Paradise Hotel is a novel of mothers and daughters, families and secrets, and the power of friendship. The book’s protagonist, Tilly, is an exuberant little girl who enjoys life to the utmost, living at the Queenie Malone's Magnificent Paradise Hotel in Brighton with its endearing and loving family of misfits. Tilly’s mother has other ideas, however, and sends her away to boarding school with no explanation or warning. This early betrayal has substantial impact on Tilly’s development, and she grows up to become a cold and untrusting adult with Eli, her dog, her only friend. She returns to Brighton following the death of her mother, and together with Queenie, discovers secrets about her mother that reveal a side completely unknown to her before. Relationships between mothers and daughters can be complicated, and pasts are often hidden for supposedly good reason; but for Tilly, uncovering it won’t just sate an underlying sense of curiosity, but may well pave the way forward to acceptance and forgiveness.

RRP: RM47.90

THE NIGHT FIRE

by Michael Connelly

WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING

THE GUARDIANS

by John Grisham

THE DESERTER

by Delia Owens

by Nelson DeMille and Alex DeMille

AGENT RUNNING IN THE FIELD

by Elton John

by John le Carré

ME

The Courage To Be Happy

by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga The Courage To Be Happy is the sequel to Kishimi and Koga’s global best-seller The Courage To Be Disliked where a philosopher gently leads his interlocutor, a young man, to greater self-awareness and acceptance. Written in the form of a Socratic dialogue, Courage utilises the theories of psychologist Alfred Adler to outline a way forward to a life of happiness and fulfilment. Alas, at the start of the sequel, we find that the young man has returned to the philosopher, bitter and disappointed that the Adlerian theories had let him down.

Despite taking decisive action with his own life and quitting his job to pursue a vocation as a middle-school teacher, he has hit a brick wall and blames the philosopher for leading him down the wrong path. Of course, our philosopher isn’t about to take these accusations lying down and patiently explains Adler’s ‘Philosophy of Courage’ to the youth in a conversation that lasts the entire night.

In this book, authors Kishimi and Koga present Adler’s theories as a philosophical guide for life in contrast to the first book, which was more focused on outlining Adler’s theory.

RRP: RM69.90

December 2019

63

CATCH AND KILL

by Ronan Farrow

BLOWOUT

by Rachel Maddow

DUMPTY

by John Lithgow

THREE DAYS AT THE BRINK

by Bret Baier with Catherine Whitney

Snap a photo of the front cover of this month’s Fireflyz and get a 5% discount at Lit Books store.

Address: P-01-11 Tropicana Avenue, 12, Persiaran Tropicana, Tropicana Golf & Country Resort, 47410 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia TEL: 03-7886 6988

SONY PICTURES

A t T h e M ov i e s

Jumanji : The Next Level

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Nick Jonas, Ser'Darius Blain, Madison Iseman, Morgan Turner, Alex Wolff, Awkwafina, Danny Glover, Danny DeVito Director: Jake Kasdan Release date: 13 December 2019 In Jumanji: The Next Level, the gang is back but the game has changed. Unbeknownst to his friends, Spencer (Wolff) kept the pieces of the Jumanji video game and gets inadvertently sucked into the game after repairing the system in the basement of his grandfather’s house. As Spencer’s friends Bethany, Fridge and Martha return to Jumanji to rescue him, they discover that nothing is as they expect. The players will have to brave parts unknown and unexplored, from arid deserts to snowy mountains, in order to escape the world’s most dangerous game.

December 2019

64

Playing at the cinemas Playmobil : The Movie

*Information is correct at the time of printing

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Anya Taylor-Joy, Gabriel Bateman, Jim Gaffigan, Adam Lambert, Meghan Trainor, Kenan Thompson Director: Lino DiSalvo Release date: 6 December 2019

STX FILMS

In PLAYMOBIL’s ® animated action adventure, a top secret organisation has caused citizens from different lands to vanish into thin air. The dashing and charismatic secret agent Rex Dasher (Radcliffe) must partner with smooth-talking food truck driver Del (Gaffigan) and Marla (Taylor-Joy) a smart, savvy civilian with her own secret agenda, to rescue them. Against unthinkable odds, the trio go on a fantastic journey across stunning new worlds as they gather clues for their rescue mission.

Black Christmas

Starring: Imogen Poots, Aleyse Shannon, Lily Donoghue, Brittany O’Grady, Caleb Eberhardt, Simon Mead, Cary Elwes Director: Sophia Takal Release date: 13 December 2019

UNIVERSAL

Hawthorne College is quieting down for the holidays. But as Riley Stone (Poots) and her Mu Kappa Epsilon sisters – athlete Marty (Donoghue), rebel Kris (Shannon) and foodie Jesse (O’Grady) – prepare to deck the halls with a series of seasonal parties, a black-masked stalker begins killing sorority women one by one. As the body count rises, Riley and her squad start to question whether they can trust any man, including Marty’s beta-male boyfriend Nate (Mead), Riley’s new crush Landon (Eberhardt) or even esteemed classics instructor Professor Gelson (Elwes). Whoever the killer is, he’s about to discover that this generation’s young women aren’t about to be anybody’s victims.

Spies In Disguise

20TH CENTURY FOX

Starring: Will Smith, Tom Holland, Ben Mendelsohn, Karen Gillan, Rashida Jones, DJ Khaled, Masi Oka Director: Troy Quane, Nick Bruno Release date: 25 December 2019 Super spy Lance Sterling (Smith) and scientist Walter Beckett (Holland) are almost exact opposites. Lance is smooth, suave and debonair. Walter is … not. But when events take an unexpected turn, this unlikely duo are forced to team up for the ultimate mission that will require an almost impossible disguise – transforming Lance into a brave, fierce and majestic … pigeon. Walter and Lance will have to work as a team or the whole world will be in peril.

December 2019

65

hear it. see it. feel it

Golden FY wallet

Travel as much. Age is just a number!

Our NEW Golden Wallet for the senior travellers

RM1,000* TOP UP

+

RM250 BONUS AMOUNT FROM FIREFLY

=

RM1,250 TOTAL VALUE

* GOLDEN WALLET is only applicable for individuals above the age of 50. Terms and conditions apply.

Sign-up now!

at ewallet.fireflyz.com.my

December 2019

77

FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd (199501017403 (346606-K))

Firef ly News 67

News & Happenings

68

Firefly Network

70

Firefly Fleet & Service Info

Services and Support Agreement

Firefly Airlines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bangladesh-based Novoair,, which will see both airlines working together in areas of training, engineering, aircraft maintenance and operational support. The Novoair team also visited the Firefly hangar and headquarters in Subang Skypark and Ara Damansara, receiving first-hand insight into Firefly’s operations.

Novoair is the latest to come on board with Firefly Maintenance Repair Organisation (FYMRO) services.

Under the FYMRO, Firefly does its maintenance checks inhouse, whilst also providing aircraft maintenance support for other airlines. Specialising in the ATR72-500/600 aircraft, the services cover A to D checks at approved facilities in Subang, Selangor and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Its clients include Hi Air and MASwings in addition to other local airlines.

Aside from maintenance checks, Firefly also has approval to perform component and structural repairs.

December 2019

67

Net work Map

ZOO NEGARA

Ampang

A DIFFERENT SIDE Straddling both Selangor and KL, Ampang is often overlooked, but has much to offer visitors.

Read our story on pages 24-27 for what it offers in terms of food and nature, including where to see the adorable giant pandas.

Banda Aceh

Firefly Sales Offices & Counters

SUBANG

Subang Skypark Terminal Ground Floor Departure Hall Terminal 3 Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport 47200 Subang, Selangor TEL: +603 7846 3622 OPERATING HOURS: Daily; 5 am to 10 pm

PENANG

Flight Operations Centre Mezzanine Floor Penang International Airport 11900 Bayan Lepas TEL: +604 630 2489 OPERATING HOURS: Daily; 5:30 am to 10 pm

KELANTAN

JOHOR

Ground Floor, Aero Mall Senai International Airport 81250, Johor Bahru TEL: +607 598 7488 OPERATING HOURS: Daily; 6 am to 10 pm

INDONESIA

KEDAH

International Departure Hall Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport Banda Aceh EMAIL: aceh@fireflyz.com.my OPERATING HOURS: Daily; 8:30 am to 5 pm

Main Terminal, Sultan Abdul Halim Airport 06550 Alor Setar TEL: +604 714 3911 OPERATING HOURS: Daily; 7 am to 8 pm

LANGKAWI

Airline’s Marketing Representative

Selected Airport Ticket Offices

Sultan Mahmud Airport 21300 Kuala Terengganu TEL: +609 667 5377 OPERATING HOURS: Daily; 7 am to 9 pm

PERAK

Floor 3, Room 302, Phuket International Airport Maikhao, Thalang, Phuket 83110 TEL: +66 76 351 477 FAX: +66 76 327 312 EMAIL: phuket@fireflyz.com.my

Level 5, Departure Hall Main Terminal Building Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) 64000 Sepang, Selangor OPERATING HOURS: Daily; 5:30 am to 12 am

PAHANG

SINGAPORE

Sultan Ismail Petra Airport 16100 Kota Bharu TEL: +609 774 1377 OPERATING HOURS: Daily; 5:30 am to 9:30 pm

TERENGGANU

Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport 25150 Kuantan TEL: +609 538 2911 OPERATING HOURS: Sat to Mon, Wed & Thur; 9 am to 6 pm

THAILAND

Langkawi International Airport 07100 Padang Matsirat, Kedah TEL: +604 955 9622 OPERATING HOURS: Daily; 9 am to 8 pm

Sultan Azlan Shah Airport 30350 Ipoh OPERATING HOURS: Daily; 9 am to 5 pm

City Ticketing Office

SUBANG

Lot R-01, 3rd Floor, CITTA Mall No.1, Jalan PJU 1A/48 Ara Damansara 47301 Petaling Jaya Selangor, Malaysia OPERATING HOURS: Mon to Fri: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm; Sat, Sun & public holidays – closed

21, Seletar Aerospace Road 1 #01-03, Singapore 797405 TEL: +65 3158 8279 OPERATING HOURS: Daily; 7 am to 7:30 pm

December 2019

68

KLIA

KL SENTRAL

Lot L2.23, Level 2 Nu Sentral Shopping Centre 201, Jalan Tun Sambanthan, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur OPERATING HOURS: Daily; 10 am to 10 pm (including public holidays); last queue number: 9:30 pm

Ways you can check in aside from the airport : WEB CHECK IN: At www.fireflyz.com.my.

Print out the boarding pass yourself.

Available for Malaysia domestic and Singapore flights only. For Indonesia and Thailand inbound/outbound flights, check in is through the counter at the airport only.

MOBILE APP CHECK IN: Via Firefly Mobile from your mobile phone. Download the app from Apple App Store and Google Play Store for free.

KIOSK CHECK IN: Check in and print your boarding pass at these kiosks at the airport.

This service is available for code share passengers as well.

Seremban

INTERESTING MEDLEY The capital of Negeri Sembilan state is big on food, culture and attractions. Turn to page 18 for a 12-hour itinerary.

(Seletar Airport)

Call Centre General Hotline: Malaysia +603 7845 4543 (Daily 8am – 8pm) Singapore +65 3158 8279 (Daily 8am – 8pm)

December 2019

69

*Correct at the time of printing. Please visit www.fireflyz.com.my for more information.

(Kuala Lumpur)

Our Fleet & Service Information

Get acquainted with our service information for a fuss-free travel experience.

On-Time Performance

No-Smoking Policy

Our check-in counters close 30 minutes before departure. Please allow at least 45 minutes for immigration and security clearance. Boarding gates will close 10 minutes prior to departure and late passengers will not be accepted.

Cabin Luggage Handling

ATR 72-500

Manufacturer

Avions de transport régional (ATR) No. of aircraft

12

Height

7.65 m Maximum Fuel Capacity

841 Gallons

Maximum Cruising Speed

Passenger Seating

510 km/h

Length

Maximum range with full passenger load

72 (single class) 27.17 m Wingspan

890 nautical miles (1648.28 Km)

27.05 m

Operation Hubs

Smoking, including the use of electronic cigarettes, is prohibited on all flights.

Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, Subang & Penang International Airport, Penang

Passenger and crew safety onboard our flights is our highest priority.

In compliance with the airline’s policy and in observing Occupational, Safety and Health Regulations, cabin crew are no longer required to stow passengers’ hand luggages into the overhead stowage compartment. This is to minimise occupational hazard and ergonomic risks faced by cabin crew December January 2019 2019

70

in the aircraft. Cabin crew on duty will, however, assist passengers travelling with infants, young passengers travelling alone, the elderly, and passengers with reduced mobility.

Passengers who are fit and in good health must carry, stow and secure their own hand luggage on board.

Hand luggage exceeding the 7kg weight limit is required to be checked in before boarding.

Wheelchair Assistance

Manual self-propelled wheelchairs can be provided for a fee, subject to availability. Please enquire through our Call Centre upon booking.

Electronic Cigarettes

Electronic cigarettes must be carried on one’s person or in carry-on baggage only. Recharging of the device in-flight is not permitted.

Refusal to Carry or Restraint of Passenger Onboard Firefly has the right to refuse to carry passengers that they consider to be a potential risk to the safety of its other passengers and crew. We value courteousness. Any form of threat, verbal abuse or violence towards our staff will not be tolerated.

Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs)

For safety reasons and in line with the Regulatory Guidelines, mobile phones and all PEDs must be switched off once the aircraft door is closed. Whilst cruising, devices placed in flight mode may be used. The devices must again be switched off during the approach for landing until the aircraft is parked at the terminal building. Devices transmitting strong signals must remain switched off throughout the flight, until disembarkation. The Captain may prohibit the use of devices that can interfere with the aircraft’s system.

Lithium Batteries

Lithium metal or lithium ion cells or batteries for portable electronic devices (PEDs), including medical devices must not exceed 2g for lithium metal batteries and 100Wh for lithium ion batteries. All spare batteries, including lithium metal or lithium ion cells or batteries, for PEDs must be carried in passengers’ carry-on baggage only. These batteries must be individually protected to prevent short circuits.

For PEDs containing non-spillable batteries, they must be 12V or less or 100Wh or less. A maximum of two spare batteries may be carried.

These batteries must be individually protected to prevent short circuits.

December January 2019 2019

71

Fresh & Frozen Seafood

Fresh and frozen seafood are strictly not permitted in check-in baggage. They may be accepted in cabin baggage, subject to the destination’s quarantine regulations. They must be properly packed and meet the cabin baggage weight and size requirements.

A maximum of 2.5 kg of dry ice per passenger is permissible if dry ice is used to carry these items.

We reserve the right to refuse carriage if the items are not properly packed.

# FlyFirefly littlemis

Taga g us on Instagram @ fireflyairlines and get your photos published. adriant1000

sha ppyfe

et

s of 848 like et A row sha ppyfe inds us m re t littlemis a th e cream anseni ic m d a e lt #L e g m in bal warm ia lo ys g la t u a o ab cutim ysia #cuti #visitmala

shahadatsammy

61 likes shahadatsammy KL city view inside the lensball #visitmalaysia2020

pondok.penang zaimah.amee

667 likes adriant1000 We all have two lives.

The second one starts when we realise we only have one ~ Confucius. #kualaterengganu #malaysiatrulyasia

34 likes pondok.penang Had clear air, smooth flight, safe plane ride, blue sky and butter cake! #firefly #ballpendoodle

lieen_ewan

aidid1412 nicely done sir davidrinconj10 Wow cool shot

ra

11 likes zaimah.amee ra I was plea santly surprised and absolutely de lighted when I found out that the en tire interior of the plane was de corated with these wo nder ful illustrat ions featuring Mal aysian people.

Kudos to Firefly for th is awesome ini tiative! #happypasse nger #firefly

singapore.spotter sheersun14

19 likes sheersun14 Excellent flight and crew! #DavyJ ones #SockM onkey #FireFlyAirlines

20 likes ay ppy Wednesd lieen_ewan Ha as you ht flig ur yo joy everyone. En y always. y. Happy-happ enjoy your da

December 2019

72

76 likes singapore.spotter New spotting location! Here’s a Firefly ATR-72-500 readying for takeoff @seletar.airport

December 2019

78

December 2019

80