malaysia focus 3 2013

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CERTIFIED TO ISO 9001 : 2008

CERT. NO. : MY - AR 5240

StrengtheningEco

nomicResilience,

AcceleratngTransfo

rmatonand

FulllingPromises


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GST

2014

BUDGET

2014

Budget- page 4

FREECOPY

Why GreenTea?- page 37

Goods And Services Tax (GST)

- All You Need To Know- page 12

Inside:

ESTABLISHED IN

OCTOBER 2003

VOL: 3/2013www.penerangan.gov.my


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ISSN 1675-641X

Established in October 2003By the Department of Informaon Malaysia

All right reserved. No part of this publicaon may be reproduced or transmied in any form or any means,electronic or mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

The year 2013 has capped a number of signicant changes in the Malaysian ruling system asthe Prime Minister, Dato Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak, has announced the new cabinetline-up to help his transformaon agenda and naonal reconciliaon aer a ghtly-run general

elecon.

The new cabinet was described by the Prime Minister as a balanced one with

experienced former ministers, technocrats and young policians, and capable, which will

connue naonal transformaon and increase the trust of the people to the government. It is

hoped that the new line-up will strengthen the government and gaining back the peoples trust.

The Prime Minister tabled the 2014 Budget, which aimed at invigorang economic

acvity, strengthening scal management, inculcang excellence in human capital, intensifying

urban and rural development and ensuring the well-being of the people towards achieving

a developed naon status. It was formulated based on the theme Strengthening Economic

Resilience, Accelerang Transformaon and Fullling Promises, focussing on ve main thrusts.

The single largest and divisive issue in the 2014 Budget announcement was the

introducon of the GST and abolishment of the 10% Sales Tax and 6% Service Tax (SST) starng

1 April 2015. The GST is believed to be one of the major steps taken by our government as to

strengthen the economy in the long run.

Happy New Year!!

Editorial Board

AdvisorDato Haji Ibrahim Abdul RahmanDirector-GeneralDepartment of Informaon [email protected]

Datuk Poziah Abdul RahmanDeputy Director-General (Strategic Informaon)

Department of Informaon [email protected]

Editor in ChiefHajah Azizah [email protected]

EditorChua Hin [email protected]

CoordinatorNoor Hidayah [email protected]

Published in Malaysia by

DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION MALAYSIAMINISTRY OF COMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MALAYSIA

Level 8-16, 18 & 20, KKMM Complex, Lot.49,Persiaran Perdana, Precint 4,Government Administraon Centre 62100 Putrajaya

Website: hp://www.penerangan.gov.myPortal: hp://pmr.penerangan.gov.myEmail: [email protected]

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MALAYSIA FOCUS| DECEMBER 20134

FOCUS

2014 BUDGET CONSULTATION is themed as Strengthening Economic Resilience,Accelerang Transformaon and Fullling Promises. It emphasizes on twofundamentals which are; invigorang the economy and ensuring the well-being of the peoplein an inclusive manner. In reaching this extensive budget, ninety-six memorandums weresubmied to the Ministry of Finance for consideraon, covering a wide spectrum of macro,sectorial and social issues. The ve main thrust in 2014 budget are to invigorate economicacvity, to strengthen the scal management, to empower human capital, to intensify thedevelopment in urban and rural areas and to ensure the well-being of the people.

2014

BUDGETIn general, 2014 MalaysiaBudget which wasannounced last 25 October2013 shows the increasedallocaon of RM31 billioncompared to last yearsbudget which is RM232.8billion with RM201.9 billionfor management expensesand RM49.7 billion fordevelopment expenditure.

2014 Budget consultaon is themed asStrengthening Economic Resilience,

Accelerang Transformaon and Fullling Promises

1 to invigorate economic acvity

2 to strengthen the scal management

3 to empower human capital

4 to intensify the development in urban and rural areas

5 to ensure the well-being of the people

The ve

main

thrusts

budget


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achieving faster internet speed all overMalaysia. This RM1.8 billion aims tohave internet speed as high as 10Mbps

and minimum of 4Mbps with new 1000telecommunicaon transmier towersin rural areas and seabed cable forSabah and Sarawak. Datuk BadlishamGhazali, CEO of Mulmedia DevelopmentCorp Bhd believes with higher speedbroadband will not only achieve higherproducvity, but it will also give big boostfor Digital Malaysia which will serveas a very important catalyst to driveMalaysians towards a Digital Economy.

Economic acvies are alsoenhanced by increasing the investmentin public sectors to RM106 billion andprivate sectors to RM189 billion. Themain focus of the investments are the316km Banng Taiping West CoastHighway and developing Twin RailwayTracks from Ipoh to Padang Besar whichwill be proceeded to Johor Bahru later.There will also be investments intoPETRONAS for several projects. Forinstance, Rapid Project in PengerangJohor, Sabah Ammonia Urea Project(SAMURI) in Sipitang and Negaon PlantProject in Lahad Datu, Sabah. The projectswill also be expanded throughout thevarious economic corridors with abudget of RM1.6 billion to bring abouta balanced development in the countrySMES. RM120 million is set in nancingto enhance innovaon and producvityof the SME. The government accountfor 98.5% of businesses in Malaysia and

contribute 32.4% to Gross DomescProduct (GDP). Not only that, it alsoincludes the investment as the majorsource of employment.

MALAYSIA FOCUS| DECEMBER 2013 5

2014 BUDGET

The rst thrust of smulangeconomic acvity focuses on manysectors; one of the highly allocated

budgets is the agriculture sectors. For2014 alone, the government has allocatedRM6 billion for the implementaonof agricultural programmes that hashigh added value and compevecommercialisaon. The eort involvedthe establishment of Food and AgroCouncil for Export (FACE) to enhance thelocal agricultural products worldwide.With the plan, a cold room will be built inKuala Lumpur Internaonal Airport (KLIA)

exceponally for this purpose. Frozenproducts have become higher demandin the internaonal market. The productsrange from raw materials to processedfoods, thus with the existence of coldroom, the export of local agriculturalproducts could be achieved in highertarget. The budget also provides RM2.4billion for subsidies and incenves forferlizers, paddy and rice producon andshing industry mainly the shermen.For the replanng of rubber, palm oil,

cocoa plant and forest plantaons, thegovernment supported RM243 millionfor the farmers. New project of lobsterfarming will be acvely developed soonin Semporna, Sabah in the eort ofcommercializing and expansion of existedlocal products. Apart from assisng thegrowth of local farms and plantaons,the government aimed to developwasteland through contract culvaonas an eort for opmized culvaon andcreang new opportunies.

In this rst thrust as well, thegovernment executes the second phaseof High Speed Broadband (HSBB) incollaboraon with private sectors in

GSTGoods and Services Tax

1First Thrust: Invigorate Economic Acvity


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BUDGET 2014

Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak hasiniated the Naonal Blue Ocean Strategy(NBOS) in 2014 budget to intensify

development both in urban and rural areas.NBOS is to discover new opportunity toimprove public services for Malaysians witha good poron of creavity, producvity andinnovaon. This strategy involves all sectorsfrom central administraon, to the state andto private sectors as well. To reach further inthe rural areas, local commiee assigned as

Jawatankuasa Perwakilan Penduduk (JPP)

is created for beer communicaon andfeedbacks. The government has allocatedRM4.1 billion for basic infrastructure in rural

areas. RM1.2 billion is also set for buildingand upgrading dams and water treatmentplant. Apart from that public transportaonis aimed for improvement.

...local committee assignedasJawatankuasa Perwakilan

Penduduk (JPP) is created for bettercommunication and feedbacks.

In the h thrust, the governmentaim to set the level of the welfare ofpeople is parallel with the trends ofeconomic development in between 2000to 2012, emphasizing on the housing,transportaon, communicaon andeducaon components.

One of the new implementaon

is support and subsidy of TASKA feesfor parents. Government servants withhousehold income below RM5000 areeligible to receive RM180 of monthlypre-school support. RM250 of monthlysupport is also set for all parents withmonthly household income of RM900 andbelow.

223,000 housing units will be builtsoon with a very reasonable price. In fact,the government will ensure the stability

of housing price by curbing speculaonacvies and review Real Property GainTax (RPGT). Most of all the governmentwill prohibit the Developer InterestBearing Scheme (DIBS). RM578 million isallocated to build low cost houses underIntegrated Housing Programme (ProgramPerumahan Rakyat Bersepadu PPRB).These houses will be sold at the priceof RM30,000 and RM35,000 per unit inPeninsular Malaysia and RM40,500 perunit in Sabah and Sarawak. Under the

Perumahan Rakyat 1Malaysia (PR1MA)programme, 80 thousand houses willbe built and each houses will be sold 20percent lower than market price withthe allocaon of RM1 billion. Tan SriLeong Hoy Kum, MD of Mah Sing GroupBhd Group looks forward to exploringopportunies for suitable locaons for the

MyHome private aordable ownershiphousing scheme. He also menonsthat the RM30,000 subsidy per unit is aposive for the property industry as wellas the increase in maximum prices forlow-cost homes to RM45,000 per unit andRM170,000 for medium-cost units.

The well-being of sports

development has also taken intoconsideraon in 2014 budget. RM239million in 2014 Budget is set to upgradesports complex and courts.This eort isto enhance and maintain the pursuit ofexcellence of sports in Malaysia.

In a nutshell, apart from severalpolemical decisions in scal enty, thegovernment has made a balanced nancialdecision. As said by Hanifah Hashim,Malaysian Head Fixed Income and Sukuk,

Franklin Templeton Investments, Themeasures to strengthen naonal scalposion by cung subsidies are a stepin the right direcon in addressing theweakness in the countrys balance sheet.The budget has also made improvement inthe governments expenditure as said byTan Sri Teh Hong Piom, Chairman of PublicBank, We welcome the Governmentsrm commitment to connue addressingthe countrys scal challenge by furtherreducing the budget decit from 4.0%

of GDP in 2013 to 3.5% in 2014, througha combinaon of eorts in increasingrevenue and controlling of expenditureof the Government. We believe that theGST will be implemented in a coordinatedand ecient manner.

4Fourth Thrust: Intensify Development in Urban and Rural Areas

5Fih Thrust: Ensure the Well Being of People


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NATIONAL EDUCATION BLUEPRINT 2013-2025

The third objecve is outlining acomprehensive transformaon programmefor the system which could guideinstuons to meet new demands and risingexpectaons. It is also of the key changes tothe Ministry to iniate and support overallcivil service transformaon.

Malaysias Naonal Blueprintenvisioned a highly successful educaonthrough new ve systems aspiraons.The rst aspiraon is the accessibility ofeducaon for all children. This aspiraontargets 100% enrolment across all level intoeducaon instuon from pre-school toupper secondary by 2020.

The second aspiraon is aimed

to increase the quality of educaon forthe students. In this aspiraon, Malaysiaaims to be the top third of countries forits educaonal performance in terms ofinternaonal assessments within 15 yearssuch as Programmes for Internaonal StudentAssessment (PISA) and Trends in InternaonalMathemacs and Science Study (TIMSS).

The Naonal Blueprint also aims forequity by cung the gaps of the currenturban-rural, socio-economic and gender

achievement by y percent by 2020. Thisaspiraon targets to develop top-performingschool system that delivers the best possibleeducaon to every child.

The fourth aspiraon is to strengthenthe unity of the students through theinteracon from a range of socio-economic,religious, and ethnic backgrounds by learningto accept and embrace the dierences.

The Malaysian educaon system is alsotargeted to be beer manager by increasing

the eciency of the resources channelledinto the system in its h aspiraon. In thefuture mission, the improvements of thestudents outcomes are aimed to match thebudget allocated.

The transformaon of the system is

integrated based on four criteria. The rstis any acon to be taken must contribute tothe system and to the aspiraons. Second,factors that would make the most dierence

are priorised based from internaonalevidence drawn from researches. Third, thetransformaon itself is within the Ministrysability to deliver. Last, the benets of theimplementaon of the proposal outweigh thenancial and operaonal downsides. Thereare eleven shis that will need to occur todeliver the change in outcomes as envisioned

by all Malaysians.


In examining students learning inMalaysia educaon system, the Ministryderived few soluons to eect the changesnecessary. Few shis that is engineered forthe soluon is by providing equal access toquality educaon of an internaonal standard,ensuring every child is procient in BahasaMalaysia and English Language, developingvalues-driven Malaysians and empoweringJPNs, PPDs and schools to customise soluonsbased on need.

The next eort is in exploring the rolesof teachers and school leaders as the frontlineof the Malaysia educaon system by focusingon ways to improve the quality and supportprovided to teachers and school leaders. TheMinistry targeted to transform teaching into

the profession of choice and to ensure high-performing school leaders in every school.

The Ministry itself will go throughchange in order to best implement thepolicies and the iniaves in the Blueprint.This is targeted to be achieved not only byempowering JPNs, PPDs and schools, but toalso leverage ICT to scale up quality learningacross Malaysia, transform Ministrys deliverycapabilies and capacity and maximisestudents outcomes for every spent expenses.

The eort also involved in restructuringof the system which focuses on the phases ofeducaon. This is by providing equal chancesto an educaon to every child from pre-schoollevel to upper secondary level and partneringwith parents, community, and private sectorat scale.

The transformaon of the educaonsystem in Malaysia is also equipped withprogrammes that sequencing of iniaveswith the ulmate objecves. The sequencing

would be reported publicly through annualpublic report to increase the transparency fordirect public accountability.

The releasing of the Blueprint opensthe door of feedbacks and responses fromthe rakyat for the Ministry as educaonstands at crossroad and it will always needto be an ongoing eort to achieve a holiscnaon. The Blueprint is set to provide achance to carve out brighter and bolderfuture for all Malaysian children.


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SPECIAL ISSUE

THE AES SYSTEM is used to monitor allfederal roads, highways and expresswaysin Malaysia. The system came into operaonson 23 September 2012. With this system,road users and drivers will no longer violatelaws and with that in mind, accidents canthus be reduced. The system is meant todiscipline drivers and reduce road mishaps,accidents and fatalies. On the other hand,the public are also encouraged to extend

the photographs of drivers breaking tracrules. The AES system operaon is able to nabdrivers who break the speed limit and jumptrac lights.

AES Soluon Sdn Bhd, a government-owned company under the Ministry ofFinance Incorporated had taken over thetwo concessionaires contracted to setup the system. Operaons began on 23

September last year with 14 cameras set-upat expressways and federal routes in Perak,Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

The two concessionaires, Beta TegapSdn Bhd and ATES Sdn. Bhd. had beenpreviously tasked to set up the cameras in thecountry.

There are a total of 831 locaons, 566for speeding and 265 for trac light oences.

Of the 831 cameras, 250 are mobile onesthat will be located at high risk areas whichdo not have infrastructure for xed cameras.All the surveillance cameras which have a 11-mega pixel (11MP) resoluon, will be able torecord both sll images and video footages ofvehicles comming speed-related oencesand are connected via a broadband link tothe respecve systems headquarters. Oncecaptured, the photographic evidence is then

AESAutomatedEnforcementSystem


The Automated Enforcement System (AES) is aroad safety enforcement system whereby camerasare used to curb trac violaons. In line withthe Malaysian governments serious intenonto reduce road accidents, the AES system wasintroduced. Trac enforcements need to bebeefed up to cut down or reduce accidents androad fatalies.


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ECONOMY

Goods AndServices Tax


INTRODUCTION

The Prime Minister, Dato Sri Mohd Najib TunAbdul Razak has announced the GST (Goodsand Services Tax) when presenng the NaonalBudget 2014 which was held at the Parliamenton 25 October 2013 and will be implementedstarng on 1 April 2015. GST has beenimplemented in France as early as the 1950s.Currently, over 160 countries have implementedthe GST. In ASEAN, only Malaysia, Myanmar andBrunei have not implemented it.

WHAT IS GST?

GST is a consumpon tax levied on goods andservices at all levels of businesses. The consumer

is taxed only when they spend. GST will replacethe Sales and Services Tax.

It is aimed to streamline the countrystax system to be more eecve, ecient,transparent and business-friendly.

GST is imposed on goods and services ateach stage of producon and distribuon inthe supply chain including imported goods andservices.

Is GST a new consumpon tax?

GST will be replacing the exisngconsumpon tax that is the Sales and ServicesTax (SST).

The announcement of GST in Malaysia hasactually been made during the presentaon ofthe Naonal Budget 2005 which states that theGST will be implemented in 1 January 2007 toreplace the exisng consumpon tax.

However, the government has postponedthe implementaon of the GST to allow the

traders to make preparaon on the compungsystem and to provide exposure and appropriatetraining to the sta involved.

On 16 December 2009, the GST Bill has beenpresented in the Parliament for First Reading.This Bill should be presented for Second Readingand so on but has been deferred to take intoaccount the views from various groups andcommunity.

The issue of the governments drasc aconin the implementaon of GST is not relevantbecause the government has done detailedresearch, taking into account the views of allpares and provides enough me for all to beprepared before it was announced.

Why GST was introduced?

Reduces the cost of businessUnder the SST, the dealer could not make fullclaim for the tax paid on the business input.However, through GST, dealers will get thebenet as they can recuperate the input taxon raw materials or goods and services atevery level of the business. Finally the costsof business become lower.

Improves complianceThe SST has the disadvantage of causingdiculty in the aspects of tax administraon.On the other hand, the GST has the availablemechanisms which makes tax administraonmore manageable and increase compliance.

Reduces red tapeNow business becomes much easier by nothaving to apply for approval of exempon on

raw materials. Provides equality and fairness

GST is imposed equally between businessesinvolved, whether in the manufacturing,wholesalers, retailers, or in the service sector.

Makes the price more aordable for theconsumersThe GST eliminates the overlapping taxaonunder SST. Consumers will pay moreaordable price to most of the goods andservices under the GST as compared the SST.

Ensure transparencyGST is a tax system that is more transparent,eecve, ecient and business-friendly. TheGST is more transparent than the SST becausethe consumers will know whether the goodspurchased or the services obtained subjectto tax and the amount of tax to be paid.


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ALL YOU

NEED TOKNOW

GOODS AND SERVICES TAX


GST-How much is the GST rate and GSTthreshold?

The GST rate is set at 6% compared with theSST at 5%, 10% and specic rates for sales tax.While the service tax is at the rate of 6% andspecic rates.

GST threshold - RM500, 000 per annum.Businesses that do not achieve the sales annualtaxable supplies of RM500, 000 are not requiredto register under the GST. However, voluntaryregistraon is encouraged.

How the GST is implemented?

GST is charged on the added value at eachstage of producon and distribuon in thesupply chain including the importaon of goodsand services.

Every trader in the supply chain paid the GSTto the suppliers respecvely on the goods orservices earned and at the me they impose andcollect the GST on the goods or services sold bythem.

Are all goods and services in this countrywill be subjected to GST?

Not all goods and services will be subjectedto GST. Food items such as rice, sugar, salt, our,cooking oil, vegetables, sh, poultry, eggs andother basic food are not subjected to GST.

Basic service facilies such as piped watersupply and the rst 200 units of electricityconsumpon per month (for domesc users),transportaon services, health and educaonservices, issuance of passports and licenses,residenal sales, purchases and rental andagriculture land will not be charged GST.

This exempon is intended to ensure thatthe low-income earners will not be burdened bythe implementaon of the GST.

How will the government control theincrease of the price of goods and serviceswith the implementaon of GST?

The government will take serious measuresto ensure that no party will take advantage by

making excessive prots.

Among the steps taken was to introducethe Price Control Act and An-Proteering,intensive enforcement eorts through the

establishment of the Naonal Price Counciland publishing the Shoppers Guide.

In addion, to ensure that all traderscomply with the regulaons, nes andpenales will be imposed on unethical tradersin raising the prices of goods.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the GST will overcome theweaknesses in the present taxaon system.It would also make the countrys tax systemmore transparent, just, fair and business-friendly. At the same me, the GST is also oneof the best steps to strengthen the economyin the long run. The statement which saidthat the GST will impoverish the people is notright. The proposed structure of the GST hasbeen taking into consideraon the peoplesspending paerns, especially the low-incomeearners.

Te GS will makethe countrys tax systemmore transparent, fair,equitable and business-

friendly

This can be seen when various food items andbasic services will not be subjected to GST.In addion, the government has provided an

assistance package for the people to counterthe eects of the implementaon of GST.Related laws, enforcement programmes,educaon and disseminaon of informaonfor awareness have also been implementedto ensure successful implementaon of theGST.


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SPECIAL ISSUE

MALAYSIA FOCUS | DECEMBER 201314

There are many new mechanisms that are beingintroduced by the Malaysian government to opmise

the potenal and to grow the naons economy.One of the mechanisms is the Urban TransformaonCentre (UTC) under the Blue Ocean Strategy (StrategiLautan Biru) which was introduced to improve thequality of services through strategic partnershipsbetween government agencies and the private sector.

URBANTRANSFORMATION

CENTRE


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URBAN TRANSFORMATION CENTRE


THE URBAN TRANSFORMATIONCENTRE or UTC is one of the eortsand iniaves of the Government toprovide core services of the governmentand private sector to the city community,as a one-stop service centre locatedin a building and under one roof. UTCfacilitates and provides all the mainservices for the government and privatesectors in a strategic place. It plays a roleas the one-stop centre for youth acvies,retail space, NGO acvies and also aplace for the entrepreneur community.

An urban dweller can visit theUTC to aend to various maers suchas issues pertaining to taxes or thesand identy card, nancial servicesor engage in recreaonal acviesor workout in the indoor gymnasiumand other acvies such as wallclimbing, aerobics or a game of futsal.

Pudu Sentral, previously knownas Puduraya, is now known as theKuala Lumpur Urban TransformaonCentre and was ocially launched byPrime Minister, Dato Sri Najib Bin TunAbdul Razak on September 22, 2012.

The Prime Minister said atthe ocial launch, that the UrbanTransformaon Centre (UTC) is a one-stopcentre for those seeking government andprivate services in the heart of the city. Itis an enhancement of Pudu Sentral. Thebuilding and car parks were renovatedto place the government service centresand recreaonal facilies. Everything elseis sll the same. The buses will sll runfrom here, Dato Sri Najib said during the

ocial launch of UTC in Kuala Lumpur.

The Urban Transformaon Centrein Kuala Lumpur houses approximately 39government agencies, commercial oces,various private businesses, library, a youthdevelopment and acvity centre, a localproducts sales area, an acvity centre fornon-governmental organisaons (NGOs),including Klinik 1Malaysia, Kedai Rakyat1Malaysia, Kedai Kain 1Malaysia andthe countrys rst Kedai Buku 1Malaysia.

The Urban TransformaonCentre in Kuala Lumpur is the naonssecond UTC, following the rst, whichwas launched in Melaka earlier in June2012. Pudu Sentral has undergoneseveral makeovers including a majorone by the building owners anddeveloper, UDA Holdings Berhadwhen it was sll known as Puduraya.

The UTC is a project spearheadedby the Finance Ministry, under thegovernments Urban TransformaonProgramme. Besides the UTC in Melaka,located at Jalan Hang Tuah, which wasocially launched in June 2012, there isUTC Perak which was ocially launchedby the Prime Minister on February 15,2013. UTC Perak is located at Jalan DatoOnn Jaafar, the former premises of theSuper Kinta Departmental Store. Since itsoperaons for only a month, the UrbanTransformaon Centre (UTC) Perak hasalready aracted close to 50,000 visitors.

Second Finance Minister Datuk SeriAhmad Husni Hanadzlah said that thenumber of visitors was expected to soarfurther. He said that the Centres strategiclocaon was a plus point among visitors.Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni also said that thegovernment planned to set up anotherve UTCs naonwide. We have more orless agreed to the proposals for Pahang,Sabah and Johor. We are sll evaluangthe proposal for Kedah. Our target is toset up ve addional centres for now,but if we are able to set up more, we will

denitely do so. Our aim is to have one UTCin each city and state capital naonwide.

The UTC in Melaka has 70 Ministryoces, government and private sectorsand various NGOs had opened countersinside the UTC. Services available includegovernment services, health, security,educaon, praccal and job seekers,nance services, nancial developmentand entrepreneurship, NGO services,ulies, welfare and human development

as well as youth development.Besides these, UTC Melaka also

provides services such as a mini library,tuion centre, cyber caf, and tnesscentre and music studio. The UTC isbenecial for the people in Melaka as itprovides convenience, saves public meand also increases job opportunies.


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FEATURES

a major shopping period a few days before the

fesval.Diwali is an important fesval for Hindus.

The names of the fesve days as well as therituals of Diwali vary signicantly among Hindus,based on the region of India. In many partsof India, the fesvies start with Dhanteras,followed by Naraka Chaturdasi on the secondday, Diwali on the third day, Diwali Padvadedicated to wife-husband relaonship on thefourth day, and fesvies end with Bhau-beejdedicated to sister-brother bond on the h

day. Dhanteras usually falls eighteen days aerDussehra.

Like most of the fesvals in India, Diwalitoo has its base in mythology and there is a veryinteresng history about this fesval.

The rst day of the fesval begins withDhan Trayodashi, the second day of Diwali iscalled Narak Chaturdashi, which is popularas Cho Diwali. The third day of Diwali is themain day of the celebraons of the fesval of

Diwali. The fourth day of the fesval is devotedto Govardhan Pooja (worship of Lord GovardhanParvat). The h day of the fesval is BhaiDooj, the me to honour the brother-sisterrelaonship.

A kolamdrawing on the front doorstepsof Hindu households is common during the

Deepavali- Fesval of Lights

DIWALIis celebrated by Hindus,

Jains and Sikhs to markhistorical events, stories or myths. The fesvalis predominated by colourful display of lights,bursng of crackers, cleanliness, sweets andcakes, lots of shopping, joy and happiness.The fesve spirit brings people of dierentcommunies closer, to celebrate the joyous andvibrant fesval in the most blissful and livelyway.

Diwali is also known as the Fesvalof Lights. The fesval spiritually signies the

victory of light over darkness, knowledgeover ignorance, good over evil, and hope overdespair. The fesval preparaons and ritualstypically extend over a ve day period, but themain fesval night of Diwali coincides with thedarkest, new moon night of the Hindu Lunisolarmonth Kark. In the Gregorian calendar, Diwalinight falls between mid-October and mid-November.

On the eve of the fesval, people cleanand decorate their homes. On Diwali, Hindus

dress up in new clothes or their best ouit,light up diyas (lamps and candles) inside andoutside their homes, parcipate in family pujatypically to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealthand prosperity. Aer puja prayers, reworksfollow, then a family feast including mithai orsweets and an exchange of gis between familymembers and close friends. Diwali also marks


The fesval of Deepavali or Diwali is celebrated byIndians throughout the world in a joyous mood, withzeal and enthusiasm. Deepavali is celebrated in Malaysia

on 3 November this year. It is an ocial public holiday inMalaysia during the Deepavali fesval.


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Diwali fesval. Kolam is a form of sand painng

that is drawn using rice powder by femalemembers of the family to welcome visitors andalso Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity to theirhome.

Kolamwhich means beauty are oordrawings made of coloured our or rice andare used for ornamental or ceremonial designsduring the Indian fesvies such as Deepavali.In Northern India, it is known as rangoli. Thekolam has a dual funcon, both religious andornamental, which is to add aesthec value tothe Hindu home.

The simplest form of the kolam is thepulli kolam or doed kolam. Dots of riceour are placed in a grid-like framework, whichare then joined to take the form of a symmetricalshape or a regular polygon. Symmetry isimportant as it denotes universal balance or theHindu aspect of Shiva-Shak.

In Malaysia where Indians form animportant segment of the populaon, kolamdrawing is prominently displayed in many publicplaces, hotels and shopping malls and ocecomplexes during this season.

The Deepavali fesval is a good me forfamily and friends to immerse in a celebraon of

joy, get-together and celebrate with good foodas it is an event that caters for people of all ages.Many devotees also pray at the temple on thisauspicious day.

In Malaysia, there are also OpenHouses organised by Hindus celebrangDeepavali, whereby friends and close familymembers and business associates are cordiallyinvited to visit and aend the fesve occasion attheir homes, and enjoy Indian delicacies and tomingle with their friends, relaves, neighboursand loved ones.

The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC)

polical party also organised a Deepavali OpenHouse this year in conjuncon with the fesval.The MIC Open House was held at the Batu CavesTemple, Kuala Lumpur from 9.00am to 1.00pmon November 13, 2013. The Open House washeld at an open area in the vicinity of the templeand was well aended by polical leaders,dignitaries, local Malaysians, the general public,as well as foreigners and tourists.

Prime Minister Dato Sri Najib Bin TunRazak and his wife, Dan Seri Rosmah Mansorincluding other senior Cabinet Ministers,polical party leaders as well as diplomats andother senior ocers aended the MIC DeepavaliOpen House at Batu Caves on November13, 2013. A cake-cung ceremony was alsoorganised during the Deepavali Open House.

For Malaysians, the fesval is a joyousoccasion for social interacon and a meof merriment, get-together amongst all thedierent races in the country, vising friends,

neighbours and relaves to share and liven upthe fesvity, while forging racial harmony in linewith the spirit of the 1Malaysia concept.

Besides Malaysia, the Diwali fesval iscelebrated in a joyful and meaningful way. Theauspicious Day is also an ocial public holidayin India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Maurius,Guyanna, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname,Singapore and Fiji.

Kolam is a form of sand

painng that is drawn usingrice powder by female

members of the family towelcome visitors and alsoLakshmi, the goddess of

prosperity to their home.

DEEPAVALI


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20/40

THE 4TH INTERNATIONAL GREENTECH & ECO PRODUCTS EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE MALAYSIA


GES is a leading US Government-supported forum for promong economicgrowth through entrepreneurship. Theinaugural Global Entrepreneurship Summitin Washington, D.C. in 2010 was aendedand launched by President Obama withthe objecve to connect and engage withentrepreneurs, bankers, venture capitalists,investors and business contacts and policymakers to catalyse partnerships, encourageinnovave entrepreneurship, growth andstrengthen es.

This excing collaborave internaonalevent, the IGEM 2013-GES Summit helpedenhanced global entrepreneurship acvies,while generang posive sustainableeconomic and employment opportuniesthrough green growth. Dignitaries whoaended the GES Summit in Kuala Lumpurwere US Secretary of State, John Kerry and USCommerce Secretary, Penny Pritzker.

Aer three successful edions ofIGEM with the average annual parcipaon ofmore than 60,000 visitors from as many as 62countries and more than 350 exhibitors eachyear, IGEM 2013 connues to create a vibrantplaorm to facilitate business conneconsand opportunies and enhance exchange of

innovave and dynamic ideas amongst greenstakeholders and serves as an informavehub for the public.

The four-day IGEM 2013, theregions largest green technology and eco-products exhibion drew 469 exhibitorsfrom 23 countries, including the EuropeanUnion, Germany, Taiwan, China, SouthKorea, Japan and Singapore. It is an annualstrategic plaorm where industry players andprofessionals converge from various sectors,

public and private, big and small, local andforeign, new as well as the established, toexplore and seize the many opportunies ofthe excing and emerging green market in thecountry and the region.

It is also an excellent plaorm for theindustry players to strengthen with globalentrepreneurs for informaon exchange,networking and collaboraons, as well asproviding access to a rising de of investmentcapital in innovave green-tech iniaves,which is set to drive robust green growthfurther.

The IGEM 2013 exhibion wasorganised along six themac sectors,Renewable Energy and Energy Eciency,Water and Waste Management, GreenTransportaon and Logiscs, Eco Productsand Services, Green Building and Interiors,and Green ICT. Visitors were treated to variousunique, value-added oerings throughoutthe exhibion period, including the GreenInsights Seminars and Workshops, One-on-One Matching Programs and the MalaysianGreenTech Awards 2013.

The 4th IGEM was well aended bymore than 60,000 patrons with potenalsales of up to RM1.2million.

During the opening of the MalaysianGreenTech Awards 2013 on 12 October 2013,the Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri MuhyiddinYassin said that the government, realising the

potenal of green technology in driving thecountrys economy, will carry on with eortsto formulate and implement more policies todevelop environmental technology.

From 2001 to last year, investmentsin green technologies amounted to someRM10.6 billion, with 237 approved projects.These ventures have also created more than20,000 jobs, he said.

Among the companies parcipangin the IGEM 2013 are Panasonic Malaysia

Sdn Bhd, Philips Malaysia Sdn Bhd, UMWToyota Motor Sdn Bhd, Land Rover, HondaMalaysia Sdn Bhd, Malaysian Investment andDevelopment Authority and the MalaysiaExternal Trade Development Corporaon.


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The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF)celebrated its 80th Anniversary this

year. To celebrate the auspicious occasion,a grand and mammoth military parade andstac displays were held in conjuncon withthe anniversary, at the historical DataranMerdeka, Kuala Lumpur on September 21,2013.

The parade started at 7.00am,followed by demonstraons of various unitsof the Armed Forces. A stac display ofvarious Armed Forces assets were also heldat Dataran Merdeka. Spectators had theopportunity to get up close and personal withthe Armed Forces new equipment aer theparade, many of which were displayed for therst me.

The Prime Minister, Dato Sri NajibTun Abdul Razak and Deputy Prime Minister,Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin arrived at the eventlocaon complete in full military gear and inarmoured vehicles. Both leaders wearing theArmed Forces new digital camouage arrivedseparately in the military vehicle to the

thunderous applause by spectators.

Dato Sri Najib took the AFCV 8 x 8armoured cars, the latest Malaysian ArmedForces acquision while Tan Sri MuhyiddinYassin arrived a few minutes later in another8 x 8 armoured vehicle.

Both leaders later received a salutefrom a guard of honour mounted by the

Malaysian Armed Forces personnel, beforebeing accompanied by Defence Minister,Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein and ArmedForces Chief, General Tan Sri Zulkii Mohd Zinto the stage to witness the 80th MalaysianArmed Forces anniversary procession. Alsopresent was the Chief Secretary to theGovernment, Tan Sri Dr. Ali Hamsa and othersenior ocers.

The parade themed MAF PerkasaKedaulatan Terpelihara, or A FormidableMAF, Sovereignty Safeguarded involved5,370 ocers and men as well as 200 assetsencompassing the land, air and sea services.The highlight of the parade was an emergencyrescue of hostages by a combinaon ofMAFs Special Forces using real weapons andexplosives.

Among the parade highlights was aphotocall by Prime Minister Dato Sri NajibTun Razak with the Malaysian Kombat TimStriker (PT-91M MBTs, Stormer APCs andMalaysian Infantry), the display of Russianair-to-air and air-to-ground ordinance used

by the Sukhoi Su-30MKM warplanes and themuch ancipated unveiling of the Number 5uniform in the digised camouage paern.

The missile war load for the RoyalMalaysian Airforce (RMAF) Sukhoi Su-30MKMwarplanes on display gave the opportunity tothe public, their rst view of the missiles inRMAF service. The missiles which made their


80thMalaysian Armed ForcesAnniversary

FEATURES


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public debut at the public parade during the80th anniversary celebraon include the Kh-29TE air-to-ground missiles, Kh-3P supersonican-radiaon missile, and Kh-31P supersonicair-to-ground missile.

The missiles were carried on at bedtrailers as part of the RMAF conngent. Alsoon display were American-made missiles suchas the Harpoon, Sidewinder and Sparrow.

Commemorave coins have beenproduced in a collaboraon eort betweenthe Malaysian Armed Forces and Bank Negara

Malaysia. In conjuncon with the 80thanniversary of the Malaysian Armed Forces,coin collectors can now obtain three exclusivecommemorave coins which have beenreleased by Bank Negara recently.

The commemorave coins areavailable in gold, silver and the Nordic Gold.The coins, which depict a ghter jet, a tankand a submarine to represent the threedivisions of the armed forces, will be inscribedwith the years, 1933-2013 to denote its

80th anniversary.A total of 500 pieces of the gold coins

are minted and sold at RM1,800 each. For thesilver ones, 1,000 coins are minted and soldat RM150 each while 25,000 Nordic Brilliantcoins are minted and sold at RM10 each.

The coins are now available for saleat Bank Negara Museum and Art Gallery

and its oces in Penang, Johor Bahru, KualaTerengganu, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF),the military of Malaysia consists of threebranches, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN),the Malaysian Army and the Royal MalaysianAir Force (RMAF).

Malaysias armed forces originatedfrom the formaon of local military forces inthe rst half of the 20th century, during theBrish colonial rule of Malaya and Singaporeprior to Malayas independence in 1957. Its

role is to defend the sovereignty and strategicinterests of Malaysia from all forms of threats.

It is responsible for assisng civilianauthories to overcome all internaonalthreats, preserve public order, assist innatural disasters and parcipate in naonaldevelopment programs. It is also sustainingand upgrading its capabilies in theinternaonal sphere to uphold the naonalforeign policy of being involved under theguidance of the United Naons (UN).

...themed MAF PerkasaKedaulatan Terpelihara,or A Formidable MAF,

Sovereignty Safeguarded...


MALAYSIAN ARMED FORCES 80th ANNIVERSARY


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FEATURES

MALAYSIA AND CHINA can make a strongcontribuon towards driving Asias agenda

by connuing their tradion of mutual co-operaon in pursuit of shared ambion, saidPrime Minister, Dato Sri Najib Bin Tun AbdulRazak at the Malaysia- China Economic Summitheld recently.

The Prime Minister said that as Asiaassumed a greater role in world aairs, thedecisions made naonally, bilaterally andregionally would have a profound impact onthe global economy. We can show through ouracons that Asias inuence will yield peace andprosperity, in our naon, our region and ourworld. Whether on bilateral trade relaons or

internaonal eorts to build a more sustainableglobal economy, we are strongest when wework together, said the Prime Minister in hiskeynote address at the Economic Summit.

Chinas President Xi Jinping, who was onan ocial visit to Malaysia and Dato Sri Najibaended the Malaysia-China Economic Summitin Kuala Lumpur. President Xi and Dato Sri Najibdelivered important speeches on strengtheningthe praccal co-operaon between the twocountries and Chinas economic development,hoping that the business communies of the

two countries will seize the opportunies, andconnue to write a new chapter of mutuallybenecial co-operaon.

President Xi Jinping arrived in Malaysiafor a three-day state visit on the second stopof his maiden trip to Southeast Asia, aerwrapping up a state visit to Indonesia, therst stop to Southeast Asia since assumingthe presidency in March this year. Accordingto Wisma Putra, the trip will enable PrimeMinister, Dato Sri Najib Tun Abdul Razak andthe President of China, Xi Jinping to chart thefuture direcon of Malaysia-China relaons,

which include rearming their commitmentto strengthen co-operaon in all elds andcontribute to the prosperity and maintenanceof peace and stability in the region.

The visit of Xi Jinping is of utmostimportance as it signals the commitmentof the Chinese leadership to maintain thelongstanding friendly relaons with Malaysiasince the establishment of diplomac relaons39 years ago.

Malaysia seeks to enhance es withChina and tap new areas of co-operaon. The

two countries will maintain es and make therelaons more mul-faceted and pervasive byincluding more areas for co-operaon such aseducaon, technology and nance. Moreover,

Malaysia welcomes more Chineseinvestments into the country, which is animportant part of bilateral co-operaon. PrimeMinister Dato Sri Najib said that Malaysia andChina shared common grounds on many mul-lateral issues, and urged the two countriesto work closely in the pursuit of economicdevelopment, stability, peace and prosperity.

Malaysia was the rst country amongAsean members to establish diplomac eswith China and the two countries will celebratethe 40th anniversary of the establishment ofdiplomac relaons next year. Dato Sri Najibsaid he plans to visit China and look forward toworking with Beijing on major events to markthe anniversary. He also said that Malaysia-China relaons have developed by leaps andbounds since 1974 when his late father TunAbdul Razak Bin Hussein, then the MalaysianPrime Minister, paid a historic visit to Beijingand forged es with China.

Chinas President Xi Jinping said that themutually benecial cooperaon has connuedto deepen since the two countries establisheddiplomac relaons 39 years ago. China hasbeen Malaysias largest trading partner for fourconsecuve years, while Malaysia has beenChinas largest trading partner in Asean for veyears in a row. Bilateral co-operaon in variouselds has been in the forefront of co-operaonbetween China and other Asean countries.

President Xi Jinping pointed out thatAsia remains the most dynamic region with the

greatest potenal in the world. Countries inthe region should focus more on developmentsand carry forward the Asian spirit of unity,co-operaon and pulling together in mes oftrouble so as to safeguard long-term stabilityand development in Asia. He also pointedout that the co-operaon between China andMalaysia has broad prospects which will benetthe two countries and the region. Both countrieshave agreed to upgrade bilateral relaons to acomprehensive strategic partnership, boosnga beer blueprint for the development of

Malaysia - China

Economic

Summit


The Malaysia-China Economic Summit was held at the KualaLumpur Convenon Centre, KLCC on 4 October 2013.


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FEATURES

TheAdvantages

of

ALMOST EVERYONE in the planet earthnow has at least sent an email, reply to achat through so-many-now-uncountable appscreated for communicaon and has registeredto a social networking site. This all started inthe year 1978 when two computer hobbyistcreated Bullen Board System to inform theirfriends of meengs and announcements.It has now developed into the era of noboundary to informaon as social media hasbecome the need of every child, parents,businesspeople and leaders to connect witheveryone else. I suppose, if one day there is abig mass of electrical failure which cause theretracon of the internet, most of us wouldnd it hard to survive, if we manage to getover the panic aack rst.

Basically, social media are Internetsites created by geniuses for people wholike to connect to others like you and me.Through these sites, we are able to interactfreely, sharing everything under the sun anddiscussing informaon about each otherslives and other people lives as well. The useof mulmedia and digital informaon getsour communicaon beer as creavity isinvolved where not only with words, we usenewly created vocabulary, pictures, videosand audio. This is like instead of having a plainvanilla ice-cream, you get to have chocolatecoated, jelly beans and strawberry jam vanillaice-cream. It has denitely turned moredelicious if not more aracve.

They appear in many kinds and manyfaces and the trends moves faster than the

Japanese bullet train. A year ago, blogging wasthe trend, now you have vlogging as the hip.There is even microblogs to add into the list,but do not get me started, it will not end, justask your uncle Mr. Google to get your shortanswers. There are also forums, messageboards and wikis to get an organizaon going.The convenonal bookmarking should bebanned now that social bookmarking existed.There is even tagging for pictures, news,wring communies, digital storytelling andscrapbooking, and data, content, image andvideo sharing, podcast portals, and collecveintelligence to sasfy your hunger for cyberworld communicaon. Now you have seen apeanut of the whole tree, you can see that notbeing in one is denitely being in the cavemanera. What makes it more holisc, social mediahas the advantages to all walks of life.

Social media help bringing peopletogether whether it is between parent andchild, lovers, policians and supporters orcelebrity and fans. We do know that socialmedia make possible to open communicaonand improving informaon discovery anddelivery. You can nd new people and newpeople can nd you too. You can even meetfriends you have lost contact over 20 yearsago, and communicate to your loved ones allover the world without paying the mountainload bills. When promong campaigns and


SocialMedia


26/40

SOCIAL MEDIA

ideas, it allows people from the dierentgeographical locaon to express and sharetheir views and meet in a single point. All youneed is a click and the whole world get theaccess to it, yes, even your supposed-to-be-only-between-us secret if you clicked wrongly.

Moreover business has becomemore visible to the public now with thehelp of social medias. With a very lowexpense, your brands visibility could beimproved through sites like Google Adwords,

Facebook Ads and Nunang. With beervisibility, it can tap a wider audience, anda wider audience usually translates tomore potenal customers. According to anarcle on SmallBusinessCompung.com,those businesses that calculated a returnon their social media usage, 76 percent ofthem reported a posive return. The socialnetworking works well with businesses as itcould target specically. When you monitorconversaons online via your website ofsocial media page, you could simply get

instant feedbacks and tesmonial fromyour customers. This helps with your brandmonitoring as you understand more of yourcustomers percepon which you can leadinto the way you want it to be. With sites likeLinkedIn enable users to request introduconsto business people who are connected totheir contacts. Once upon a me, you wouldbe le sorng through business cards aer anetworking event, trying to remember detailsabout each person, you can now easily lookup a connecons credenals and business

interests on their social media prole.

Through the educaonal sites, socialmedia has become the breadth of knowledgewhere students can experience the broadnessof knowledge and connectedness throughsocial media use. The idea of virtual classroommade able the concept of long-distancelearning easier and more manageable.Teachers are able to provide informaonthrough links, vlog and aachments. Theycan also set assignments and projects tocomplete. For students, who are engaged tothis acvies, it can give them the benetof being exposed to technology and can beconnected to a broader base of opinionsand world views through global connecons.Social media like Edmodo, Compung++, andMy Big Campus provides tools for helping

students to work together to create theirown meaning in work environments, socialcontexts and especially academic subjects.

Nowadays, geng a dream job couldbe as easy as buying your favourite burgerfrom the stall. Social media sites for jobportals now has numerously existed wherechoosing a suitable job is like selecng froma menu. These websites are like Jobstreet,JobDB, Best Jobs, Jen Jobs, and Allyhunt. Thegovernment and the private sectors have

widely used these portals and get connectedto their prospect workers without hassle.Employers get to choose the best candidatesand job seekers get to choose the best job.With the simple sharing click, the informaonget to travel fast via social network, emails,and blogs making it possible for less expenseand me needed to accommodate a jobvacancy. Infact, according to a quantavestudy, which involved 2,000 people, held byJobsDB.com, 82 percent of the job seekers inMalaysia chose online job portals for looking

for new and challenging opportunies, with41 percent said to be exploring to a beerdesignaon, checking the site three to fourmes a week.

With all the great reason to beconnected, social media sites has denitelymade life easier, with beer communicaon,prosperous business opportunies and wideraccessibility of educaon for you and me.Who knows, one day in a future ahead, ourexistence could only be proven by the log

on data we keyed in to create our Facebookaccount.



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MALAYSIAN PRODUCT

The metallic threads stand out against thebackground cloth to create a shimmeringeect. In the weaving process the metallic

threads are inserted in between the silk orcoon we (latudinal) threads.

The term songket comes from theMalay word menyongket, to embroider with

gold or silver threads. Songketis a luxury product tradionallyworn during ceremonialoccasions as sarong, shouldercloths or head es. Tanjak orSongket headdresses were

worn at the courts of theMalay Sultanates. TradionallyMuslim women and adolescentgirls wove songket; some boysand men are also weavingtoday.

Behind the beauful creaon ofSongket is a rich heritage that spans manycenturies in the Malay Peninsula. Perhaps,

the most glorious era of songket is during thesupremacy of the Malacca Malay SultanateEmpire in the 15th and 16th century.

During this period, trade in texleswere acve, especially when Malacca hadestablished itself as the richest trading

seaport in the region with profusion ofwholesale merchandise that can be foundaround the world.

Fine silks, brocades, coon texles,European damasks, Indian coon sarongand Chinese sans were found in abundanceand constantly shipped to Malacca to ll thedemands from both the locals and the foreign

traders.

SongketSONGKETis a fabric that belongs to the brocade family of texles.It is hand-woven in silk or coon, and intricately paerned withgold or silver threads.



28/40

SONGKET

Fashion, at that me, existed in theform of intricate mofs and paerns, hand-woven onto the most expensive materials.

It is worn only by the royal families, high-ranking ocials of the Kings court anddisnguished recipients of awards andtles.

Appreciaon of beauty was theassimilaon of nature into design. Adages,metaphors, proverbs and philosophywere reected on the mofs with muchwisdom. Spaces, gaps between mofs andeven number of mofs repeon were of

signicance as it conveys the unity of thecommunity.

Source: hp://limarsongket.wordpress.com/history-songket-life-me



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SPORTS

The Asian Youth ParaGames, featuring

over 1,200 athletesand ocials from 30countries, was ociallydeclared open by theMinister of Youth andSports Malaysia, KhairyJamaluddin, in a simplebut memorable openingceremony at the PutraStadium.



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Internaonal Paralympic Commiee President,Sir Philip Craven, Paralympic Council of MalaysiaPatron, Tun Jeanne Abdullah and Asian ParalympicCommiee President, Dato Zainal Abu Zarin, wereamong the other dignitaries who graced todays

grand opening.A total of 30 countries will be parcipang in

the third edion of the Games which is the biggestever in the history of this mul-sports extravaganza.The previous edion in Tokyo in 2009 oered vesports.

A total of 14 sports will be contested herethis me. This is a signicant increase from the 2009Games in Tokyo. That shows the Games are onlygrowing in stature and a trend I hope connues,said Khairy in his speech.

It is my hope that the masses will havea beer understanding of para sports and theParalympic philosophy, commented the Minister ofYouth and Sports.

He went on to address the youth of Asia. Itsgreat to see the spirit and the burning desire presentin our young athletes here today. This is where a lot ofyou will realize your dreams, forge new friendships,and make the impossible, possible.

Winning is important and I know thats whatathletes like you have trained very hard for. Everyonewants to win a gold medal. However, for all of you tobe here, compeng against some of the best in Asiatells me that all of you are winners. Connue strivingfor excellence in both sports and life.

Following the declaraon of the openingby the minister, the Games torch was jointly lit byseveral Malaysian athletes against a backdrop of amini reworks display. Some entertainment followedfeaturing leading Malaysian athletes.

Source: hp://www.asianyouthparagamesmalaysia2013.org.my

ASIAN YOUTH PARALYMPIC GAMES 2013


The ocial mascot for theAsian Youth Para Games Malaysia2013 (AYPG2013) is the mousedeer, a nave of the Malaysianrainforests. Though small in size,measuring between 15cm to30cm and weighing less than three

kilograms, it goes by the name ofkancilorpelandukin Malay.

The mouse deer or SangKancil is a popular characterin Malaysian and Indonesianfolklore, and is portrayed as anintelligent and resourceful animal.Many Sang Kancil stories depictthis creature as being quick-thinking and able to overcomechallenges by using its wit andagility, which goes to show that itssmall size is no barrier.

The Kancilproves to be theideal mascot of the AYPG2013as it epitomises the true spirit ofthe Paralympian, represenngthe strength and determinaonof these athletes with disabilies.More so since the athletes of theAYPG2013are young.

This is their opportunity toface their challenges, overcomethe odds and show that theybelong on the world sports stagealongside their highly successfulcompatriots. Their strength,agility and skill should neverbe underesmated and theirdisability should never be seen asa barrier to their success.


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SPORTS


However, it was Japan who surged to thefront as the conngent from collectedfour gold medals and a silver in athlecs, totop the overall standings aer rst day ofcompeon. Malaysia is now in the secondspot with three gold medal followed by Iranwith 2 gold.

Mohd Fitry Ghani, Mohd Nor AimanNor Afendi and Nur Aziah Shahnizamprevailed in their respecve events to providethe hosts with a perfect opening day of the

ve-day mul-sports compeon.

Fitry earned the honour as the rstgold medalist of the Games following his featin the F11 long jump, leaping to a distance of4.57metres in to claim the rst gold of theGames. Mohd Nor then bagged the 100mYouth T37 nal in a me of 15.86 sec whileNur Aziah clocked 17.55 sec in the womens

HOST CLAIMSTHREE GOLD

MEDALS, JAPAN

TOPS MEDAL

STANDINGAFTER DAY

ONE

100m under-16 T11 nal today.

A delighted Fitry, who is visuallyimpaired, defeated Thailands KeesChanathip for the countrys rst gold medal.Id like to thank my family, friends as wellas the conngent for supporng me. Im sohappy and proud that I won the rst gold,said Fitry, whose idol is world shot puchampion, Mohd Ziyad Zolkei.

Nur Aziah, who is also visually

impaired, defeated Japanese Riho Yokio. Imhappy that I won the gold today, said theyoung athlete.

The events won by the threeMalaysians had two parcipants in eachcategory. A category must have at least twoparcipants for gold medal to be awarded.

IT was a perfect day for Malaysia as the host baggedthree gold medals on the opening day of the athleccompeon of the Asian Youth Para Games Malaysia 2013in Kuala Lumpur.


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FIRST DAY GOLD MEDALIST


The Asian Youth Para Games is a mul-sport event held every four years for youthathletes with physical disabilies. The rstGames was held in 2003 in Hong Kong andaer a six-year lapse, the second edion washosted by Japans capital city Tokyo in 2009.

This years edion in Kuala Lumpurcarries the slogan Where Passion Grows,Dreams Fullled, Friendships Strengthened,and ngly, will see some 1200 athletes andocials from 30 naons compeng in more

than 600 events/disciplines.

Meanwhile, the Asian Youth ParaGames was ocially declared open todayby Minister of Youth and Sports, YB KhairyJamaluddin. Internaonal ParalympicCommiee President, Sir Philip Craven,Paralympic Council of Malaysia Patron,Tun Jeanne Abdullah and Asian ParalympicCommiee President, Dato Zainal Abu Zarin,were among the other VVIPs who graced theopening at the Putra Stadium today.

This years Games is the biggest everwith 1,274 athletes and ocials involvedin the sports that are being contested. Atthe last Games in Japan, only ve sportswere contested. A total of 14 sports will becontested here this me. This is a signicantincrease from the 2009 Games in Tokyo. Thatshows the Games are only growing in stature

and a trend I hope connues.It is my hope that the masses willhave a beer understanding of para sportsand the Paralympic philosophy.

The AYPG connues tomorrow withthe athletes baling for honours in all 14sports.

The Asian Youth Para Games is a mul-sport event held every four years for youthathletes with physical disabilies. The rst

Games was held in 2003 in Hong Kong andaer a six-year lapse, the second edion washosted by Japans capital city Tokyo in 2009.

KFC Malaysia is the Games SportsPartner while lading car distributor EdaranTan Chong Motors Sdn Bhd, oil and gasgiants PETRONAS, Eau Claire and MIKASA areamong the ocial sponsors of the Games,which is sanconed by the Asian ParalympicCommiee (APC) and supported by theMalaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Source: hp://www.asianyouthparagamesmalaysia2013.org.my

Mohd Fitry Ghani earnedthe honour as the rst goldmedalist of the Games.


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CALENDAROF EVENTS

OCTOBERTexle Cra Promoon26 Sep 2013 07 Oct 2013This promoon showcases the beauful texles of Malaysia, suchas bak and other materials. Browse through the outlets selling avarietyof texles and visit the exhibions and demonstraons.

Fabulous Food 1Malaysia - MalaysiaInternaonal Gourmet Fesval01 Oct 2013 31 Oct 2013

Get ready for a delectable feast as gourmetrestaurants and top chefs whip up a variety ofspecial dishes and delicacies using ne, qualityingredients. Travel around the country andsavour delicious culinary creaons.Organiser: Ministry of Tourism and CultureMalaysia

Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix11 Oct 2013 13 Oct 2013

Catch the worlds best riders and bikes in aconat the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix, heldover three days at the Sepang InternaonalCircuit.

Hari Raya Aidiladha15 Oct 2013Also known as Hari Raya Haji, this fesval marks the culminaon of theHajj pilgrimage to Mecca which is performed by millions of Muslimsannually. It is also known as Hari Raya Qurban. Muslims in the country

celebrate the fesval with prayers and the sacrice of cale.

Mt. Kinabalu Internaonal Climbathon 201319 Oct 2013 20 Oct 2013Dubbed as The Worlds Toughest Mountain Race, this race is a truechallenge to the spirit of human endurance. The average climbertakes two days to climb the mountain but parcipants of the race canmake it in less than 3 hours up and down Mt. Kinabalu (4,095.2m),with a total distance of 21km for all Men, Women and Mens Veterancategories. The Climbathon is part of the Sky RunnersWorld Series Circuit for the 9th consecuve year

and is the only race that is in the circuit held outsideEurope.

The Sky Runner World Series is regulated andcoordinated by the Europe-based Federaon for Sportat Altude (FSA).

VenueKuala LumpurCra Complex,Kuala Lumpur

Venue

Kuala Lumpur

Venue

Sepang

Internaonal

Circuit,

Selangor

VenueNaonwide

Venue

Mt.Kinabalu,

Sabah


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OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

Deepavali Fesval of Lights02 Nov 2013Deepavali or the Fesval of Lights is celebrated by Hindus with prayers, family

gatherings and fesvies. Open houses are held where family and friendsvisit each other and enjoy delicious tradional goodies (except Labuan andSarawak).

Raja Muda Selangor Internaonal Regaa 201315 Nov 2013 23 Nov 2013The Raja Muda Selangor Internaonal Regaa (RMSIR), one of Asias oldestkeelboat sailing events now in its 24th year, is scheduled to take place from15th to 23rd November 2013. Organised by the Royal Selangor Yacht Club(RSYC) in associaon with the UK based Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), thisannual event is the only oshore sailing regaa held in Malaysia and Thailand.With a mixture of overnight passage and harbour races starng in Port Klang,the coastal course comprises a total of 240 miles up the Malacca Straits,

with stops at the unique tropical islands of Pangkor, Penang and Langkawi.Compeve sailors from Asia and beyond come to Malaysia each year intheir hi-tech racing yachts, to parcipate alongside local challengers andhistoric vessels. Teams are made up of both professional and non-professionalsailors, the laer being the majority. You can view these magnicent yachts,and maybe catch a glimpse of the racing, at Pulau Indah Marina Port Klangon Friday 15th and Saturday 16th November, Straits Quay Marina Penang onTuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th November and Telaga Harbour Langkawion Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd November.

Urbanscapes 201323 Nov 2013 24 Nov 2013Urbanscapes is the rst and only all-day user-generated creave arts fesval.

It aims to bring together communies and parcipants from the elds of music,arts, lifestyle and lm under a single banner to showcase the best of the localscene.

Organiser: Freeform Sdn. Bhd., K-2A-1, Block K, Palm Square, Jaya One, No 72AJalan Universi, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Malaysia.

Penang Island Jazz Fesval

05 Dec 2013 08 Dec 2013The Penang Island Jazz Fesval is an annual event since 2004.The fesval consists of main stage programme with a numberof supporng acvies held over a 4 days period that includesexhibion, charity dinner, community drum circle and others. Theunique feature of the event is the legacy it leaves to develop localjazz musicians as well. Exhibions of Malaysian arsts that originatedfrom Penang will be showcased and the event has intenon to bringin Internaonal Music Exhibions as a cluster event in the future.This year, the fesval will include jazz music workshops and forumswith speakers whom are internaonal performers.

Christmas25 Dec 2013The Christmas spirit is made merrier with Malaysias tropical weatherand friendly people. Visitors will be spoilt for choice as there aremany restaurants, bistros, shopping malls and hotels that oer greatpromoons planned specially for the occasion. Join in the celebraonand have a sunny Christmas in Malaysia!

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

VenueBayview BeachResort, Penang

VenueMAEPS,Serdang,Selangor

Venue

Natonwide

Venue

PortKlang,Penang&Langkawi

VenueNaonwide


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Kelantan, also known as the Cradleof Malay Culture oers a delighulprofusion of colourful tradions, charmand scenic beauty. Located in the north-

eastern corner of the Peninsula, Kelantan,also known as the Land of Lightning isan agrarian state with high paddy elds,rusc shing villages and casuarina-linedbeaches. Nature-based acvies rangefrom simple river cruise, raing, caving,mountain climbing, and bird-watching tojungle trekking.

The capital of Kelantan is KotaBharu, which is a good base for whichto explore the surrounding countryside.

Siamese inuence is evident in this state,with the many temples and architecturalinuence on local buildings.

Kelantan is isolated from thewestern states and Terengganu by highmountains. The land is mountainous onthe west and south. There is a at alluvialplain created by the Kelantan River alongwhich most major towns are located.

MALAYSIA FOCUS | DECEMBER 201334

TRAVEL INFO

There are many waterfalls in thismountainous area. One of the highestwaterfalls in Malaysia or even SoutheastAsia is the Jelawang Waterfalls which

is reputed to be about 160metres. Thewaterfall is a characterisc feature ofGunung Stong State Park. Visible frommiles away, there are numerous otherwaterfalls, although smaller, as oneventure deeper within the State Park.

The Jelawang Waterfall is locatedat Dabong town, Kelantan. Dabong lies inthe area dedicated as Gunung Stong StatePark (GSSP), formerly known as JelawangJungle, and is situated on the fringes of

Malaysias massive Tiwangsa range. Themountainous backdrop here are made upof majesc peaks such as Gunung Ayam,Gunung Stong, Gunung Tera, GunungSaji, Gunung Koh, Gunung Baha, GunungBeirut, and Gunung Che Tahir (Gunung isthe Malay word for mountain).

Located in south-west Kelantanin the district of Kuala-Krai, the Gunung

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Stong State Park is slowly earning areputaon as a popular budget outdoorrecreaon and nature desnaon.Aracng mountain climbers, jungletrekkers, bird watchers, cavers andoutdoor lovers looking for an o-the-beaten-track adventure, Gunung StongState Park with its scenic view, mountainsand the waterfalls has the elements of anexcing experience.

Many varied acvies herecapture the essence of the place,such as the homestay experience atJelawang, catching sh at the KelantanRiver, climbing Stong River, enjoying thecool waters at the Jelawang Waterfalls,picnic, jungle-trekking and vising thefruit orchards when it is in season. Thevillagers plant durian trees, pineapples,duku, rambutans and bananas.

One of the main aracons at theState Park is Gunung Stong (1,422 metres),is the dome-shaped granite complex

which is more than 500 million years old.For an exhilirang experience and fortranquillity, clamber up to the upper Falls,the magnicent seven-ered Jelawangor also known as the Stong Waterfalls.Arguably the tallest waterfall in Malaysia,and also reported to be the highestin Southeast Asia, the jaw-droppingcascades sit within the 21,950 ha GunungStong State Park. The sunrise view overthe sea of clouds here is spectacular. Witha drop of 305 metres, the Jelawang Fall isindeed an excing tourist spot for many,both locals and foreigners. To reach thetop of the waterfall from its base, it takesmore than half an hour of trekking. Base-camp is set at the top of the Jelawang Fall.

On top of this waterfall, there aretwo camp sites and a big stage separatedby a river. This natural stage can t or

accommodate at least 40 60 people.It is a favourite spot for visitors andprofessional photographers to capturethe beauful sunrise and sea cloudview in the mornings as well as thepanoramic full star view at night. Thusthe place here is also popularly knownas the 3 view Stage.

From Kuala Lumpur, it takes about6-8 hours drive to Dabong town andabout two hours trekking me to reachthe top of the waterfall or camp site.

If travelling by road, fromKuala Lumpur, take the North-SouthExpressway heading north and exitat Kuala Kangsar. From the exit, headtowards Gerik and then proceed alongthe East-West Highway towards Jeli.At Jeli town, follow Route 66 leadingto Dabong. Alternavely, take the EastCoast Expressway from Kuala Lumpurtowards Bentong. From there, followroute 8 to Gua Musang, and then get on

to Route D29 to Dabong.

From the Kuala Lumpur SentralStaon, the northbound express train toKota Bharu will take travellers throughseveral small selements includingDabong. From there, one will need tocross Sungai Galas and head to Jelawangwhich is only 3km away.

Travellers can take a boat at KualaKrai to Dabong/Jelawang. The boat ride

takes about an hour.Do not forget to plan your next

local holiday desnaon and make adate to visit Dabong, Jeli in Kelantan andenjoy the cool, refreshing and excingJelawang Waterfalls, the scenic viewsand the outdoor fun acvies.

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INSPIRATION


Giving up positions of leadership ismore dicult than giving up the world

(and its pleasures).

Sufyn al-Thawr

Above all other things, the one thing that I found

to benet a person most in this world and the

Hereafter is a suitable brother (friend).

Sufyn al-Thawr

If you desire happiness, then seek out knowledge

and enlightenment, and you will nd that

anxiety, depression, and grief will leave you.

Shaykh Aidh al-Qarni

A sincere advisor does not have enmity towards

you if you do not accept his advice.

Ibn al-Qayyim


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