Kapt. Abdul Razak HashimPresiden

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SEPTEMBER to DECEMBER 2014 / No.3 / 2014

COMMITTEE MEMBERS• Capt. Abdul Razak Hashim president 012 3221844 • Hj. Azlan Hussain vice president 0193811381 • Hj. Mohamed Azraai Ramli 0162567701 • Hj. Haron bin Ahmad 019 3844981 • Hjh. Noraini bt Abdullah 0193860140 • Encik Paul Dorairaj 0173978619 • Encik James Foo Jee Lai 0193874003 • Hj. Munawar Basha Khan 0194167441 • Mdm Krishnaveny 0126349252 • Encik Subramaniam G.P. Sarathy 0193393162.

We have a very good AGM which was held on 15th June 2014. Thank you for electing me as president for the second time. We had a dinner in the evening at the hotel Armada which was attended by members and spouses and the attendance was good. We would like to thank our advisor Tan Sri Hj. Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman and Puan Sri for attending the dinner.08th Mar 2014 was a significant date to remember for the disappearance of MH370 and to this date it has not been found. We extend our sympathies to the the passengers and crew and their families for such a tragic loss and also to our former employer MAS. Yet hardly six months had passed another tragedy had happened

Kita telah mengadakan suatu mesyuarat Agong yang baik pada 15hb June 2014. Saya ingin mengucapkan berbanyak terima kaseh kerana melantik saya sebagai Presiden bagi kali kedua. Kita telah mengadakan jamuan makan malam bagi ahli dan isteri mereka dan mendapati kehadhiran yang amat memuaskan. Kita ingin mengucapkan berbanyak terima kasih kepada penasihat kita iaitu Tan Sri Hj Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman dan Puan Sri kerana menghadiri jamuan pada malam itu. 08 Mac 2014 adalah tarikh yang bersejarah untuk mengingati kehilangan MH370 yang mana sehingga ke hari ini masih belum dijumpai lagi. Kami ingin menghulurkan simpati kami kepada penumpang, krew dan keluarga mereka kerana kehilangan yang amat tragik ini dan kepada syarikat MAS. Belum sampai enam bulan tragedi berlalu tiba lagi suatu musibah menimpa penerbangan MH17 yang terbang dari Amsterdam ke Kuala Lumpur telah ditembak jatuh dengan peluru berpandu di Ukraine oleh manusia yang tidak bertanggung jawab dan kita tidak boleh percaya tindakan ini boleh berlaku. Kita berharap hanya Allah sahaja boleh menghukum mereka yang bertanggung jawab kerana melakukan kejahatan tersebut.Kepada ahli yang beragama Islam saya ingin mengucapkan Selamat Hari Raya Aidlfitri yang terlewat. Saya berharap anda beraya dengan gembira selepas berpuasa selama sebulan dan dapat berkumpul dengan famili semasa Hari Raya. Bagi ahli beragama Hindu yang akan merayakan Deepavali pada 23 Oktober 2014, saya mengucapkan Selamat Deepavali. Saya ingin mendoakan selamat sihat dan bergembira selalu dimana sahaja anda berada dan berharap tahun tahun yang akan datang akan memberi keuntungan kepada kita semua ahli Masra.

DARI MEJA PRESIDEN

Please note that our MASRA website is now updated with latest info such as, Berita Masra (on-line), News, AGM, Social, Benefits, Travel etc. Our Web “www.pesaramas.com.org” or Google Search type “MASRA”

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From the President’s Desk

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07 Sept Taman Jaya (Amcorp)12 Oct. Shah Alam10 Nov Kelana Jaya07 Dec Taman Jaya (Amcorp)

NEW MEMBERS

Philomena Susceela 1599Ayob bin Jantan 1600Hassan bin Jaffar 1601Mohamad Zailal bin Ismail 1602Samsiah Atan 1603Hj. Baharuddin bin Nordin 1604Chan Siew Ling 1605

ORBITUARY, SO LONG FAREWEL

Sidek bin Yahya ENGMohd Yaacof bin Ali TFCSurjit Kaur a/p Gean Kartar INFAzmi Fuad b Abdul Aziz IFS Wan Sulaiman bin Ahmad ENGMohamad Isa bin Mohamad ENGMihad bin Tahir CGOMohd Nor bin Ismail TFCHussin bin Lais FLOCapt Johnson Daniel FLOCapt Wee TH FLO

Capt. Abdul Razak HashimPresident.

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BREAKFAST WALK 2014

on 17th July 2014 for which our flight MH17 flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down in Ukraine by unknown people using guided missile. Such an atrocious and an inhuman act cannot be believed could happen to peaceful flying passenger planes. Let God punish those who are responsible for such evil doings.To all Muslim members I would like to wish you all a belated Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri. I wish you all had a very happy celebration after fasting a whole month and met with your families during the Hari Raya. I also wish the Hindus who will be celebrating the Deepavali on 23rd October 2014 a happy Deepavali. I wish you all the best of health and happiness wherever you are and hope that the years to come will be fruitful years for Masra.

USE OF GOVERNMENT CLINICS AND HOSPITALS.As you are aware that there are Government clinics and hospitals provided by the Government for us citizens to go to if we are sick. There are two types of clinics, one is the government clinic and the other is the clinic 1Malaysia. If you are living in the cities or towns it is fairly easy for you to discover them if you ask people around you.Since we are retirees and many of us are in our sixties and seventies and do not own a steady income it is wise for us to go to the clinics or government hospitals for treatment. If we are senior citizens we have to pay very little and get treatment or medicines from the hospitals or clinics and in many cases for free.To show an example for a treatment taken at a private hospital, a member had to pay an exhorbitant sum for 4 days stay in a private hospital and although he can make a claim with Masra for 25% of the expenses he still had to pay an exhorbitant sum of his own money. In Government hospitals you can reduce the amount you pay if your son or daughter works with the government and get a letter of guarantee from him before you get treatment.By going to government clinics or hospitals you can reduce your expenses tremendously and still be healthy. The only setback is the time for you to get treatment as there is always a long queue as there are always a lot of people. If people can wait why can’t you.

BIRTHDAY WISHES FROM THE PRESIDENT. This service was stopped for some time as the earlier secretary had resigned and the new secretary who took over could not send as he was not conversent with the procedures.However the sending of birthday notices by the president will be resumed as soon as possible and this cannot be carried out until the secretary gets all the mobile phones from members. The sending of the birthday wishes is through media SMS and therefore if you want to receive your birthday wishes you must send your mobile phones numbers to MASRA. Our records show there are many retirees who do not have mobile phones. Some have their mobile phones but did not let us know of their numbers. Without the mobile phones we cannot send SMS to you.Nowadays you can get mobile phones which are cheap sold in the market. We would urge you to buy one and send the mobile phone numbers to us. For those who have purchased one please send your numbers to us through 1) the secretary at tel no.

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- taken from Paul Dorairaj email

0162567701 2) Editor 01117694211 or you can send by fax at 0378403232.

We hope by the end of the year we would be able to send birthday greetings to all members all over the country once you comply to our needs to know your mobile telephone numbers.

MEANWHILE HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ALL.

MASRA ACTIVITY CLUB

The MASRA Committee has decided to introduce an activity club for the members.Initially this proposed club was meant for the ladies but the committee has decided to include the male members and spouses, so that they too can participate and become members of the club and enjoy the benefits.

The Objective1. To get members for social interaction 2. Counseling 3. Share ideas4. Social activities5. Participate in activities like, eloquent speaking, line dancing, yoga and to expose your talent without being shy.

Initially we will meet once a fortnight Venue: MAS Academy, ground floor, No.2 Jalan SS7/13, Kelana Jaya.

Date and Time will be informed depending on the response from members.We do hope many members and spouses will join this club to enjoy the benefits.

Members, who are interested to join and to get more information, Please contact VENY 012 6349252 and SUE 017 8786595

Looking forward for this project to be a success.

T H O U S A N D A P O L O G I E S

APROSDOKIANS are figures of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected; frequently humorous. Winston Churchill loved them.

1. Where there’s a will, I want to be in it.2. The last thing I want to do is hurt you, but it’s still on

my list.3. Since light travels faster than sound, some people

appear bright until you hear them speak.4. If I agreed with you, we’d both be wrong.5. We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in

public.6. War does not determine who is right - only who is left.7. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is

not putting it in a fruit salad.8. They begin the evening news with ‘Good Evening,’

then proceed to tell you why it isn’t.9. To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal

from many is research.10. Buses stop in bus stations. Trains stop in train stations.

On my desk is a work station .11. I thought I wanted a career. Turns out I just wanted

paychecks .12. In filling out an application, where it says, ‘In case of

emergency, notify:’ I put ‘DOCTOR.”13. I didn’t say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.14. Women will never be equal to men until they can walk

down the street with a bald head and a beer gut, and still think they are sexy.

15. Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.

16. A clear conscience is the sign of a fuzzy memory.17. You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need

a parachute to skydive twice.18. Money can’t buy happiness, but it sure makes misery

easier to live with.19. There’s a fine line between cuddling and holding

someone down so they can’t get away.20. I used to be indecisive. Now I’m not so sure.21. You’re never too old to learn something stupid.22. To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call

whatever you hit the target.23. Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.24. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.25. Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any

more than standing in a garage makes you a car.26. Where there’s a will, there are relatives. And.....Finally:27. I’m supposed to respect my elders, but its getting

harder and harder for me to find one now.to Mr Paul Dorairaj for missing his name in the translation to Bahasa Malaysia from ‘The President’s Desk’ on the last issue of Berita

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Mesyuarat agung Masra telah dijadualkan pada 15hb Jun 2014 kerana menghormati bulan puasa yang berlangsung pada 28hb June 2014. Ia telah diadakan di tempat biasa di Malaysian Airlines Academy. Seramai 162 orang telah hadhir pada mesyuarat kali ini. Pada tahun ini kita akan membuat pemilihan ahli jawatan kuasa yang baru untuk 2 tahun bagi penggal 2014-2016.Mesyuarat telah bermula pada pukul 1030 pagi dan semua ahli jawatan kuasa yang lama telah mengambil tempat masing masing di meja hadapan untuk mendengar ucapan Presiden. Presiden telah mengalukan kedatangan semua ahli ke mesyuarat agong dan mengucapkan terima kasih kepada mereka serta penasihat Masra Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman. Sebelum membuat pemilihan presiden telah mempelawa penasihat kita untuk memberi ucapan.Tan Sri telah bercerita atas kedudukan MAS pada masa sekarang. MAS menanggung hutang yang banyak dan kedudukan nya pada masa sekarang tidak begitu baik. Ini kerana pasaran yang begitu kompetitif tambah lagi kerana satu lagi penerbangan iaitu Malindo telah masuk ke pasaran kita menjadikan lebih banyak tempat duduk dijual di kawasan kita. Selesai ucapan Tan Sri Aziz semua ahli jawatan kuasa telah mengambil tempat masing masing di meja utama dan membentang minit mesyuarat tahun lalu penyata tahunan dan penyata kira kira.

The inaugural Kuching International marathon 2014 was held at Padang Merdeka Kuching. It was organised by Kuching Marathon Association in collaboration with Kuching North City Hall. This Kuching marathon 2014 was held to promote Kuching City and also visit Malaysia year 2014. About 5500 participants from 30 countries took part. The running event included 5 km. to 42 km. categories.Two MASRA members namely Mr. James Foo Jee Lai and Mr. Selvarajah took part in this marathon together with 5 runners from the MAS Sports Club. All of us completed in good times and received the

beautiful medals. Unfortunately most of the top prizes were won by partcipants from the African countries.Nevertheless, congratulations to the two MASRA members and 5 runners from MAS Sports Club for participating and finished the runs in goood time.Contributed by James Foo Jee Lai

Setelah diluluskan maka semua ahli jawatan kuasa bagi penggal 2012-2014 telah meletakkan jawatan untuk memilih jawatan kuasa baru. Setelah memilih ahli jawatan kuasa baru dan tiga orang trustee maka mereka telah mengambil tempat mereka dan Presiden baru iaitu Capt Abdul Razak Hashim telah berucap dan mesyuarat telah ditangguhkan.Pada tahun ini kita telah dihiburkan dengan satu ceramah oleh Dr.Faridah anak kepada Puan Aminah Sirajuddin iaitu sister kita di klinik MAS yang telah bersara. Beliau telah berucap berkenaan skin transplant iaitu satu subject yang amat akademik dan sukar difahami tetapi amat menghiburkan. Dr Faridah telah berucap panjang lebar sehingga pukul satu setengah dimana perut banyak peserta berasa lapar. Ada yang telah beransur ansur bergerak ke dewan makan di akedemi tersebut . Dr Faridah telah menamatkan ceramah nya pada lebih kurang pukul satu tiga suku di mana makan tengah hari telah di sediakan di kantin tersebut.

MESYUARAT AGUNG MASRA

L-R: Mr James Foo Jee Lai & Mr Selvarajah with their medals after completing Kuching Marathon 2014.

AJK dan Tan Sri Abdul Aziz di meja hadapan sebelum mensyuarat Agung di mulakan.

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Selepas makan semua peserta telah bersurai dan yang terakhir berlepas dari kantin lebih kurang pukul dua setengah. Mereka bersurai secepat mungkin

kerana sebelah malamnya pula akan diadakan jamuan makan malam di Armada hotel pada pukul lapan malam.

Peserta yang hadir pada Mesyuarat Agung 2014.

AJK baru: Duduk Kiri ke kanan: Foo Jee Lai, Azlan Hussain, Kapt Razak Hashim, Noraini Abdullah, Krishnaveny.

Berdiri kiri ke kanan: Paul Dorairaj, Munawar Basha Khan, Muhammad Azraai, Haron Ahmad, Subramaniam GP Sarathy.

It was a very sad, sombre home coming for MH17 crew namely Capt. Wan Amran Wan Husin, Capt Eugene Choo Jin Leong, First Officer Muhd Firdaus Abdul Rahim and Flight Steward Sanjid Singh Sandhu. the moment the coffins were taken off from the aircraft, a sudden burst of rain came down signifying a ‘blessing’ from heaven.

It was about 8.45 am on Tuesday 2 September 2014 and by courtesy of MAS.

Mas Retirees were represented by President Capt Abdul Razak, Vice President Hj. Azlan Hussain, Treasurer Haji Haron Ahmad, Committee members Haji Munawar Basha Khan and Haji Aziz Amin.

The aircraft that brought the remains of the crew of MH17 namely the late Capt Wan Amran Wan Husin, Capt Eugene Choo Jin Leng, first Officer Mohd Firdaus Abdul Rahman and Flight Steward Sarjid Singh Sandhu.

Seen at the home coming ceremony of MH17 crew on tuesday 2 September 2014 at KLIA. From right: MASRA President Capt Razak Hashim, Treasurer Hj Haron and AJK Hj Aziz Amin and Hj Munawar Basha Khan.Committee members Hj Haron, Hj Munawar Basha Khan and Hj

Azlan Hussain with the MAS Chairman Tan Sri Mohd Nor and on his left is Ahmad Jauhary MAS Chief Executive Officer.

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New Zealand offers stunning landscapes and world class attractions. It is a country of stunning and diverse natural beauty , with towering jagged mountains, pristine trout-filled lakes, raging rivers, rolling pasture land, steep fiords, thermal wonderlands, superb beaches, delightful cities and active volcanic zones. New Zealand has something for everyone. No wonder it has been called “God’s own country “ and “The Paradise of the Pacific” New Zealand does deserve this description.

New Zealand consists of two main islands and many smaller ones in the South Pacific Ocean. It has a wealth of natural parks, rural areas and other out of the way places. If we want an ultimate vacation experience then a trip to New Zealand is all that we need.

The people of New Zealand are sometimes referred to as KIWIS. This can cause a certain amount of confusion among tourists, as there are two other distinct entities in New Zealand that also bear the name KIWI. They are The endangered, native bird that is the symbol of New Zealand, which is equivalent to Australia’s Kangaroo and The fuzzy, green and brown fruit, also known as the Chinese gooseberry, the growing of which is an important industry in New Zealand. The Kiwi is the national bird and symbol of New Zealand. It is a curious bird that cannot fly, it has loose, hair-like feathers, strong legs and no tail. Mostly active at night. Kiwis are the only bird to have nostrils at the end of its very long bill which is used to probe in the ground for food. It also has one of the largest egg-to-body weight ratios of any bird. Manuka Honey - Generations of New Zealanders have valued the Manuka plant and its honey for its powerful health-giving properties. Manuka honey has potent and unique antibacterial properties that support digestive, immune and overall health. Manuka honey comes from the crisp white flowers of the manuka bush, produced by the bees that pollinate the native manuka bush. Manuka is an expensive product because of its potency it is mainly floral honey, made by bees that interact with just one species of flower from the blooms of the manuka bush.

After hearing so much about this “God’s own Country”, don’t you feel like visiting this lovely country? Well…. a group of MASRA members with their spouses did venture in to explore this exceptionally lovely country and let me give you a summary of our visit.

First and foremost we had to get MAS Reservation to block seats on MH 131 and 130 for MASRA’s hassle free travel. This was a challenging task as MAS had to give first preference for commercial passengers. We had requested for 30 seats as the response from members was very encouraging. Our request was granted towards end of Autumn as it was the low peak period, that is nearly beginning of winter in New Zealand and some of the interested members did not join the package as it was close to winter and also because of the unfortunate disappearance of MH370. Only 15 seats were offered to MASRA members, who will be paying ID90 on Firm basis. 15 members and spouses left for Auckland and were met on arrival by our friendly agent Ms Annie and driver cum tour guide Paul. After loading our luggage in the coach we started sightseeing some of the places of interest in the city. We first stopped at a mosque, where our Muslim members went for their prayers and to check for prayer times and then we proceeded our city sightseeing before checking into the hotel.

On the second day, we visited Waitomo Glow Worm Caves. We had to enter a huge cave, which is dimly lighted. We had to go deep in to get into a boat operated by a man, who took us deep in and on the roof of the cave were the glow worms shinning like stars. They reminded us of the Fire Flies in Kuala Selangor.

We then went to Rotorua, Te Puia. At Rotorua, we were guided by a majestic looking Mori gentleman. Here we stepped into the ancient valley, where geysers, hot mud pools and boiling water still play after 40,000 years. We took some photographs at the boiling mud pool and were warned by the guide not to sit too long on the wall of the pool for our butts may get burnt as underneath the wall is the boiling water and boiling mud.

“KIA ORA” - Welcome to New Zealand (Mori Greeting)

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Part of speech by P.P. Ramachandran

Post graduate in Economics from the Bombay University, after serving the Reserve Bank for forty years. (the final part)Let me conclude with an allegorial story.

First God creeated the Cow and said, “you must go with the farmer daily to the field all day long and suffer under the Sun, have calves, give milk and help the farmer. I give you a span of sixty years.”The Cow said, “ that’s surely tough. Give me only twenty years. I give back forty years.”On Day Two God created theDog and told him, “Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at strangers. I give you a span of twenty years.” The dog said,” Too long time for barking. I give up ten years.On the third day God created the Monkey and said to him,, “Entertain people. Make them laugh. I give you twenty years. “ the Monkey said to God,”How boring, Monkey tricks for twenty years. Give me only ten years”. Lord agreed.On the fourth day God created Man. He told him, “Eat, sleep, play enjoy and do nothing. I will give you twenty years.”Man said,” Only twenty years. No way,I will take my Twenty and give me the forty the cow gave back, the Ten that the Monkey returned, and the Ten the Dog surendered. That makes eighty. Ok? Ok said God.That is why for the first twenty years we sleep, play and enjoy and do nothing.For the next fory years we slave in the sun and at work to support our family. For the next ten years we do monkey tricks to entertain our grandchildren.And for the last ten years we sit in front of the house and bark at everybody.

Thank you all, may you all live to a 100. God Bless.

We then visited the Paradise Valley Springs, where we saw wide variety of colourful Rainbow Trouts, unique birds, parrots and some native animals. We then left The Paradise Valley for the Agrodome to enjoy the Agrodome Sheep Show on time. There is so much to see at the Agrodome Sheep Show which is an hour-long interactive experience where, we were introduced to 19 different breeds of champion sheep on stage as their sheep master entertained us. We saw the shearing display, collection of various texture of wool and how the trained sheep dogs work in the sheep dog trail. We were given the opportunity to feed the cute cuddly baby lambs and milk the cows. There is also an excellent souvenir shop at the Agrodome, filled with some of New Zealand’s best products. Unfortunately we did not have much time to shop here as, Paul our driver had to drop us off at the hotel before he can knock off duty before 8 pm.The next day we departed Auckland by flight (Air New Zealand), to Christchurch and from there we boarded another flight (Jet Star), to Queenstown. On arrival we were met by Dirk, our very friendly Driver cum Tour Guide. After loading our luggage into his buggy; he took us on a city tour of Queenstown, which is quite a small town, before we checked into our hotel.The following day, we were going for the Milford Sound Scenic Cruise, and we were advised to bring along sunglasses, insect repellent, waterproof jackets and woollen sweaters etc as we may be attacked by insects and the sun may be too strong and the waterproof jackets to prevent us from getting wet from the heavy rain and strong winds..

WOW! ! ! we were in the huge Milford Sound Ferry. OH! what a great experience!

Milford Sound Scenic Cruise is simply stunning. It is a natural wonder of world fame. In Maori legend, the fiords were created not by rivers of ice, but by Tu Te Raki Whanoa, a Godly figure, who came wielding a magical adze and uttering incantations. Whatever the fiord’s mood- teaming with rain or with glistening on deep water – it will definitely inspire you. Nowhere else in the Fiordland do the mountains stand as tall, straight and out of the sea. In the foreground of the fiord stands the legendary Mitre Peak, a remarkable presence dominating the skyline and waterfalls almost from every mountain.

Next morning we went on sightseeing of Queenstown city and Arrowtown, we went down to view Bungy

Hello Friends, this is your fellow member Veny,

Let us all pray for the souls of the victims, who lost their lives in the unfortunate disappearance of MH 370 and the blown off MH17 and also pray for their families who, are grieving for their loved

ones.

Owing to the unforeseen double tragedies for MAS I have decided to put our tours on hold until 2015.

The following tour packages are lined up for 2015 :-

5D 4N Korea; 8D 7N Golden Triangle with Kashmir; 7D 6N Kerala; 7D 6N Nepal; 6D 5N Sri Lanka; 4D 3N Hong Kong Disneyland.

Those who are interested in these packages please call me, Veny

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That night on Sunday 15th June we had a dinner at the above mentioned hotel as was our tradition to do so. We had ordered 30 tables to accommodate 300 people. Member’s admission was free but the member has to foot RM 30 for the wife. This in view of the financial situation of MASRA.Attendance for the night was very satisfactory and we were very glad that our advisor Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman and Puan Sri attended the dinner. Tan Sri also gave a speech before the dinner started and was very pleased that Masra continued to survive in spite of the bad situation faced by MAS. The disappearance of MH370 also saddened everyone who attended the dinner as this was a mystery to MAS. Food was served at around nine and MAS combo entertained the crowd that night.The usual bass singer Azhar was not available but was taken over by a lady singer who was very entertaining. The dinner finished very quickly at around ten as there were no activities except for the singing. Lucky draws were drawn during the course of the dinner. There were ten hampers given out to winners that night. As the next day was Monday and a working day everybody rushed home after the dinner ended. The food was very good and everyone enjoyed the dinner as there was plenty of food.

MASRA DINNER 15 JUNE AT

THE ARMADA HOTEL

Agrodome Sheep Show.

Members of MASRA at Rotorua geysers.

Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman delivering his speech

at the MASRA dinner.

The lady members chit chatting before the

dinner.

Jumping and Lake Wakatipu and later we went shopping.

- by Krishnaveny-To be continued in the next issue of Berita Masra

Members at the entrance of Tanoa Aspen Hotel.

Milford Sopund Ferry.

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