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NST Online: StreetsJohor

Posted: 03 Oct 2011 10:44 AM PDT

2011/10/03
By Ahmad Fairuz Othman

The 1Malaysia Convoy of 235 superbikes visited Pasir Gudang as part of their 11-state tour to mark Merdeka and Malaysia Day

A CONVOY of 235 superbikes with more than 400 participants made a stopover in Pasir Gudang during a six-day trip across all 11 states in the peninsula recently.

The group was part of the Superbikers Association of Malaysia (SAM) and others which took part in the 350km 1Malaysia Convoy on Sept 16.

It was held in conjunction with the Merdeka and Malaysia Day celebrations.

The group arrived at the Pasir Gudang Municipal Indoor Stadium on Sept 21.

They were treated to Hari Raya delicacies as the reception doubled-up as an Aidilfitri celebration.

They were entertained by Datuk Siti Nurhaliza Taruddin, who sang a couple of lagu asli.

The pop superstar and her husband, Datuk Seri Khalid Mohamad Jiwa, were participating in the convoy.

SAM honorary chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi praised the organisers and participants for promoting patriotism through the programme.

"Many participants got off from work to take part in this event, and they endured rain and heat for the sake of patriotism," said the defence minister.

He said the convoy was different from others as the 400 participants had visited and stayed at 13 army camps and police training centres during their journey.

"Participants included the public, army personnel, police and members of biker associations."

Zahid said big bike convoys were becoming increasingly popular in Malaysia, and this was acknowledged by signature big bike maker Harley-Davidson.

He said the American company had stated that it was interested in choosing Malaysia to host a regional event to celebrate its 105th anniversary.

Participant Ahmad Kamel Hussein, 58, said he rode his GS BMW bike at about 110 to 120kph on federal roads.

"Besides being a rider, I was the videographer for the convoy. Riding a high-powered motorcycle requires mental and physical stamina, and a lot of discipline."

Kamel, who manages a company that manufactures handwoven gloves in Kota Baru, Kelantan, said he often had to fork out between RM2,000 and RM3,000 to maintain his machine.

Baihaki Muhammad, 36, who rides a Ducati Multistrada, said it was the first time he had taken part in a motorcycle convoy across the country.

"I was very excited about being a participant as it was my first time," said the Kota Baru businessman.

"I have been riding big bikes for the past year and I enjoy it as it provides an opportunity for me to relieve stress from work.

"It is a healthy activity which involves exploring new places by road," said Baihaki.

Nuri Rahman, 42, said the 1Malaysia Convoy was well-planned and prioritised the safety of each participant.

"SAM has always been a good organiser of convoys, and this particular event was no exception," said the business development manager.

"The organiser made sure the marshalling was in place, that the police helped in controlling the traffic and proper accommodation was provided."

Nuri, who is based in Kuala Lumpur, has been riding big bikes for 20 years.

She has been using a Kawasaki ER 6F in the past year.

"There is a lot of excitement when I ride with friends. It is about the brotherhood of bikers. If any of us face difficulties on the road, an accident or whatever, we rely on fellow bikers to help us," said Nuri.

The woman from U.N.C.T.A.D

Posted: 03 Oct 2011 10:15 AM PDT

AS a teenager living with my parents and siblings in Sibu, Sarawak, I dreamt of travelling to many countries.

I wanted to work with Malaysia Airlines as that would give me the opportunity to visit exotic places.

I applied for the post of personnel manager with the airlines but did not get it.

I was glad when later on, I managed to get a job that enabled me to fly around the globe.

I have always been a little adventurous.

Before applying for the Malaysia Airlines position, I was a volunteer in the Army Reserves, also known as the Wataniah.

In 1980, I became the first Sarawak-born woman to be commissioned as an officer by the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan of Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah.

My career at the Kuching Port Authority took an exciting turn. I was sent for a two-week workshop for training managers in Plymouth, England.

I was 35 years' old at the time and had just returned to Malaysia after getting my Masters degree in Business at the New Hampshire College, United States.

At the end of the workshop, the facilitator offered me the job of establishing a regional resource centre with The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad).

This was under the Training In The Field of Maritime Transport (Trainmar) programme.

I was excited but hesitant. Coming from a small town, I did not know what would be expected of me, and my son was at that time five months old.

But my husband told me to say yes first and to negotiate the terms late r.

The general manager at Kuching Port Authority was very nice about it.

He said I could go back to work there if things did not turn out well. So, I went on 'secondment" to the United N at i o n s.

I was to be a course designer in maritime transport with Unctad on a 20-month contract. Our aim was to train course designers and instructors at 12 training centres of port authorities in the Asia Pacific.

I was tasked to set up the Trainmar regional resource centre at the Johor Port in Pasir Gudang. At age 36, when I finally came to Johor, I was the youngest field expert with the title "junior expert". My 20-month contract stretched to eight years.

During those globetrotting days, I had the time of my life. I have travelled to and worked in 42 countries including Jordan, Albania, Uruguay, Trinidad and Tobago, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines.

I was also on "loan" to other United Nations agencies such as International Civil Aviation Organisation, International Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok and United Nations Ocean of the Seas, I applied the same systematic methodology to train course designers and instructors.

I am currently an English lecturer at Sunway College Johor Baru.

I love teaching because it gives me great pleasure when the students improve their oral and written communication skills.

Now that I have travelled the world, I realise that I really like my current home in Johor Baru. However, I do love visiting Thailand with the Philippines coming in a close second.

I like Thailand because over there, your money can stretch a mile and I also get to talk to the locals as I have picked up a smattering of Thai words. Of course I also love the spicy food and the friendly people. Asians are more communal while Westerners are very individualised.

I am happy to visit friends and relatives, but I would not want to stay with them for long. I am the eldest of six siblings and they are all overseas except for a sister in Penang.

I have two brothers in Australia, a sister in Canada and another sister in England.

Teresa Yeo, 59, lives with her husband, a fish breeder in Taman Suria, Johor Baru. The couple have a daughter studying law in Cardiff, Wales, in the United Kingdom and a son who is a cadet pilot with Singapore Airlines.

Interview by Chuah Bee Kim

Kredit: www.nst.com.my

Selasa, 4 Oktober 2011

NST Online: StreetsJohor

NST Online: StreetsJohor

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