Happy New Year To All

Goodbye 2008 and welcome 2009. 2008 has become history. Time keeps moving, whether we like it or not. ‘Happy New Year’ to everybody.

Keputusan PMR 2008 - PMR Results

PMR results 2008 is out today. A total of 26,378 students or 5.96 per cent of the 2008 Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) candidates scored grade A in all subjects they sat for compared to 5.65 per cent last year and 4.83 per cent in 2006.Education director-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom said the PMR results this year was better than last year in terms of the number of candidates getting grade A to E in the subjects they had taken."The results in all subjects, except for Geography and Arabic Communication, are better than last year with English achieving the highest increase by 3.6 per cent," he said when announcing the results here today.He said the disparity in the performance between urban and rural candidates have narrowed especially in Bahasa Melayu, English, Mathematics and Science."The reduced disparity shows that the second thrust of the Education Strategic Planning in the Education Development Masterplan, that is to bridge the performance gap between urban and rural students, has met its objectives," he said.On the number of candidates who failed to achieve the minimum standard by scoring at least grade D in all subjects, he said the figure had reduced from 63.53 per cent last year to 62.93 per cent this year.On the number of students who scored grade E in all subjects, he said they accounted for 440 candidates (0.10 per cent) compared to 559 candidates (0.13 per cent) in 2007 and 524 (0.13 per cent) in 2006."The majority of the candidates achieved better than grade C in 12 subjects and this is commendable," he said.Alimuddin said it was encouraging to notice that the number of students answering Science and Mathematics papers in English had increased.He said 51.2 per cent of the candidates answered Science papers in English this year compared to 21.5 per cent last year, and 26.9 per cent tackled Mathematics questions in English compared to 4.6 per cent last year.In JOHOR BAHARU, 3,031 or 5.65 per cent of PMR candidates in Johor scored grade A in all subjects (7As to 9As).Johor education director Sufaat Tumin said of them, 356 candidates obtained 9As, 2,348 (8As) and 327 (7As), and the number increased by 453 compared to last year.He said Johor achieved the School Grade Point Average of 2.84, the best result ever in five years with 15 schools accomplished outstanding results.In KANGAR, Perlis' performance improved by 1.04 per cent to 56.59 per cent with 276 of 4,658 candidates or 5.93 per cent scoring A in all subjects, said state education director Mansor Lat.Of them, 50 candidates obtained 9As, 220 (8As) and six (7As), he added.He said two schools - Sekolah Menengah Sains Tuanku Syed Putra and SMK Derma, Kangar achieved 100 per cent passes while five schools exceeded the state average.In KOTA BAHARU, 1,517 or 4.48 per cent of 31,346 candidates in Kelantan scored grade A in all subjects this year, an increase 95 students or 4.45 per cent compared to last year.State education director Mohd Ghazali Ab. Rahman said 409 of them obtained 9As, 1,090 students (8As) and 18 (7As).He said 10 schools, including four boarding schools, achieved 100 per cent passes, and they also improved their performance in English, Science and Mathematics.In SEREMBAN, 1,317 students in Negeri Sembilan obtained A in all subjects with 163 scoring 9As.State deputy education director Jamali Salam said the state Grade Average improved by 0.02 per cent to 2.77 per cent but the number of candidates who sat for the examination dropped by 264 to 17,662 this year.Renowned schools like Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan King George V, Kolej Tunku Kursiah and Sekolah Datuk Abdul Razak (SDAR) continued to record outstanding results.

A Merry Christmas to All

Events for January 2009

11th Jan 2009
KLAVA Open Back To Nature Relay - 2009
Flag Off Time : 7.30am
Organizer : Kuala Lumpur Association of Veteran Athletes (KLAVA)
Venue : Next to Taman Metropolitan Batu, Taman Mastiara, Off Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur

18th Jan 2009
Great Eastern Pacesetters 30km 2009.
Stating time : 30.1km : 6.00am
20km : 6.30am
Venue: Tapak A, Lake Gardens, Kuala Lumpur.

31st Jan 2009
8:00am
3rd AQUATHLON CHAMPIONSHIP 2009 @ JSKL Venue: JSKL (The Japanese School of Kuala Lumpur ) West Pool & West Field, Saujana Resort Section U2 Shah Alam

KLAVA Open Back To Nature Relay - 2009

Organizer : Kuala Lumpur Association of Veteran Athletes (KLAVA)
Date : 11-1- 2009
Venue : Next to Taman Metropolitan Batu, Taman Mastiara, Off Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur

Introduction
This event is organized by the Sub-Committee Members (Road Races/Relay) of Kuala Lumpur Association of Veteran Athletes (KLAVA) to cater for both competitive as well as fun runners. Due to the good response to all KLAVA previous road relay events, we decided to continue organizing more of these in order to promote teamwork, team spirit and fellowship. We also hope to get people who exercise regularly but are non-competitors to be introduced to team road relay and eventually also to participate in individual events. Everybody is a winner in our events because all participants will be awarded POSITION medals. Also, CHAMPION TROPHY will be awarded to the winning teams.* How do we know what runners want? Because we are also regular runners too.
For those who have participated in our previous relay events, you would have noticed a different venue each time previously. This best time however we feel that among all the venues, this venue, sited next to Taman Metropolitan Batu (outside the fencing) is the best. The route circumvigate a huge, scenic lake. Here you will find fishing enthusiastic, equip with rods and baits doing fishing. For the nature lovers, they can explore the area for wildlife such as birds, jungle fowls, monitor lizards etc. As for those who come with family, they can chose a place either within the fenced park or outside for a relaxed B.Y.O.F. (Bring Your Own Food) picnic. Even couples can watch the sunset or sunrise and the brilliant reflection at the waterfront. How romantic! There is something for everyone! This is ‘der’ place of discovery!
This is our first KLAVA event for year 2009. Depending on the feedback/respond, we may organize more road relay events similar to the Formula One Series whereby Championship points will be awarded and the teams for each category that score the most points shall be awarded the Championship Trophy. So, continue to use your team names for all the road relay events to be organized by KLAVA.
We hope that one day we can make road relay running events popular and with more clubs/associations/local municipalities organizing them!
So, please show your support and introduced more friends to participate.
Thank you!

Location
Entry to starting point is by gap through a chained gate inside of the Taman Metropolitan Batu about 400m to the left hand side.

Reporting Time : 6.45 – 7.15am

Flag Off Time : 7.30am

Distance Approximately 3.9km per runner

3 runners per team

For more info or registration, please call Adanan Mohammad @ 012-3110640, Eddy Choo @ 013–366 8932, and Tan Choon Siang @ 012–224 0757.

click here to download entry form

Sunday long run - Landslide area and Duta-Ulu Klang Expressway (2)

It took me about 1 hour 30minutes to complete the landslide run. Upon reaching the Hill View Interchange of Duta-Ulu Klang expressway, I decided to continues my run on the almost completed Duta-Ulu Klang expressway. On the new expressway, I was managed to reach the Plaza Tol Air Panas, which is about 5.5km from Hill View Interchange, as it was already 6.25pm. I need to turn back to reach my car before the night fall. I completed the whole journey at about about 7.10pm with total running time of about 2hours and 40 minutes.

Sunday long run - Landslide area and Duta-Ulu Klang Expressway

I decided to run near the landslide area at Bukit Antarabangsa today. I park my car near Jalan Hill View, Taman Hill View, Ampang and started my run at about 4.00pm. My first destination was Highland Tower follow by Lorong 2C and Jalan 2 of Taman Hill View. At the end of Jalan 2, which is the Middle-Link road, I turned right and ran for about 1km to reach Jalan Bukit Antarabangsa which if the entrance to Taman Bukit Antarabangsa. The landslide area at Jalan Wangsa 9 is about 1.5km from the Middle-Link road.

These are the remaing two condominium blocks of Highland Towers at Taman Hillview

Minor landslide at the middle of Jalan Bukit Antarabangsa

Jalan Wangsa 9, landslide started from here.

Infront is the landslide location at Jalan Bukit AntaraBangsa

New bridge to Taman Bukit Mewah

Back to Middle Ring road

Duta-Ulu Klang Expressway

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Duta-Ulu Klang Expressway is a new expressway in Klang Valley, Malaysia. The 18 km expressway connects New Klang Valley Expressway's Jalan Duta Interchange E 1 to Taman Hillview Interchange on Kuala Lumpur Middle Ring Road 2 in Ulu Klang. The construction of this expressway commenced in mid-2006. It is scheduled to open on 1 Jan 2009.
This 18.04km project is divided into 3 sections namely :-
Section 1 - 5.28km, from Jalan Duta Interchange to Sentul Pasar Interchange
Section 2 - 6.13km, from Sentul Pasar Interchange to Hill View Interchange
Section 3 - 6.59km, from Sentul Pasar Interchange to Greenwood Interchange

Kuala Selangor and Fireflies Tour - 7th Dec 2008

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Nine of us inclusive 3 children in a Toyota Unser started our journey from Ampang KL around 11.45am.We used the Sungai Buloh way and reached Kuala Selangor in time to have our lunch at 1.30pm. We have our lunch at this Restoran Makanan Laut Jeti Seafood, Pasir Penambang. The taste and quality of the food here was just ordinary. It cost us Rm137.50. for the following.
1)Cat fish in clay pot - Rm22.00
2)Steam fish - Rm45.00
3)Vegetable - Rm10.00
4)Vegetable - Rm16.00
5)Shell Fish (Lala) - Rm16.00
6)Soft Bean curd - Rm16.00
7)Tea + Ice - Rm 4.50
8)Rice for 8nos - Rm 8.00
I still remember the the River View Sea Food Restaurant beside it was much more tastier than this when we had our lunch here few years ago. We bought some dried shrimps, ikan bilis and some fish snacks from the store nearby.
We spend some time at one of the local Chinese Temple before proceed to take the train to the Bukit Melawati. When we approached to the light house a group of leaf monkeys was awaiting here to welcome us with open arms. Feeding the monkeys can work up an appetite and fun.
Then it’s time for the main event Kuala Selangor's most famous attraction - The Fireflies, which can be seen at either Bukit Belimbing or Kampung Kuantan. We chose Bukit Belimbing as was suggested by the local folk as they are using silent electric boats with better facilities and environment , where Kampung Kuantan is using sampan (traditional boat). We enjoyed our set dinner for 10 persons for Rm160.00 all in (7 dishes + 1 soup + unlimited refill of rice + drink) at the Bukit Belimbing Fireflies Restaurant. Then we purchased the boat trip tickets from the Ticket Counter which cost Rm12.00 for adult and Rm7.00 for children between 3 to 12 years old. The boat trip (which could fit in 15 persons per boat) took us to the swamp, and there was where the amazing journey started. We saw thousands of fireflies sparkling in the thick mangrove along both sides of the river banks, a wonderful phenomena resembling rows of brightly lit Christmas trees. This is truly a sight to behold and a must see when in Kuala Selangor.

BUKIT ANTARABANGSA LANDSLIDE

A landslide occurred at about 4am on 6th Dec 2008 in Bukit Antarabangsa, Hulu Kelang, Ampang, and police confirmed that four people were killed in the incident which buried 14 bungalows in two housing estates.
Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said the dead were Shaiful Khas Shahrudin, 20, Dr N. Yogeswari, 40, and Eng Yee Peng, 30, an Indonesian maid identified as Surinah.
He said efforts were ongoing to trace a fifth missing person.
"The operation will continue round the clock until we are sure that there are no more victims trapped in the buried houses. As the area is still unstable, we are moving very cautiously," he told reporters at the scene.
The post-mortems on three of the bodies recovered earlier indicated that they died from suffocation while the post-mortem on the Indonesian maid would be done tomorrow, he said.
Until 9.30pm, 48 families had registered at the school but only 10 chose to stay there while the others opted for other accommodation.
Khalid said what was worrying now was the earth movements during excavation work that could further destabilise the soil.
Today's landslide occurred about 1.5km from the place where one of three blocks of the 12-storey Highland Towers condominium collapsed on Dec 11, 1993, killing 48 people.
The Bukit Antarabangsa landslide is also the third to occur in the Klang Valley in a week.

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A visit to Aquarium KLCC

The main highlight of the aquarium is a 90 metre long underwater tunnel, the 10 foot long gigantic Arapamia, touch pool encounter along with the death-defying shark feedings at the Aqua Theatre. The rich marine life is seen through the acrylic class as we walked underneath it.

With over 5,000 different creatures and the latest in advanced interactive technology, Aquaria KLCC stimulates ous senses and open up our mind to the fascinating world under the sea.

Round Island Relay - 7th December 2008 - Esplanade, Penang

Klava is sending a team led by Eddy Choo to participate in this Round The Island Relay. Klava was the ex-champion in veteran catagory. They are there to retain thier title. I wish him and his team can maintain their title.
Penang Round the Island Relay
Date: 7 December 2008
Venue: Jalan Padang Kota Lama (Esplanade)
Telephone: 04-462 8260 (Govind)
A team of 12+3 reserved runners need to complete a loop of Penang Island. Each runner need to run less than 8km.

Tadika Cerdik - Holiday Classes

Date: 17 Nov to 11 Dec 2008 (Monday - Thursday, 9.00am-11.30am)
Venue: AR16, Jalan Tioman, Taman Setapak
Activities: Singing, Games, Cooking, Gardening, Picnic, Art and drawing, Laundry, Story telling, "Peter and Jane" reading, "Ming Ming Li -Li" reading, Mandarin, Bahasa Malaysia, English, numbers and computer.
Transport: Please contact Teacher Mery 012-3199805
http://www.cerdik.edu.my

Places of Interest in KL and Selangor

I am planning for a trip with my family to following places of interest in KL and Selangor during this school holiday.

1)Aquarium KLCC
Known as AQUARIA, this centre is a good place to go for a time of entertainment as well as for education on the wonders of the marine world after your shopping in Suria KLCC. Located within 5 minutes walking distance from Suria KLCC, this aquarium features over 5,000 animals of 150 species of aquatic and land animals from Malaysia and around the world.
This AQUARIA is opened from 11am to 8pm everyday with the last admission at 7pm.
Admission Fee
RM28 per adult with MyKad.
RM22 per child from 3-12 years old with MyKid.
Tel: 03- 2333 1888

2)Royal Selangor Visitor Centre Visit the home of the world-renowned Royal Selangor pewter. Children and adults alike can enjoy a variety of attractions and gain insighs into the pewter industry.

3)Orang Asli Museum Gain an insight into the traditional lifestyles and cultures of the country's indigenous communities. Displays include weaponry, clothing, musical instruments and replicas of dwellings. Carey island is home to the indigenous Mah Meri community, famed for their woodcarvings and masks. Situated at Km 24, Jalan Gombak, visitors can have an insightful glimpse into the lifestyle and culture of Selangor's "Original People" or orang asli that is fast disappearing with development and modernisation. It has a vast collection of tribal heritage such as blowpipes, spears, porcelain and ancestral figurines.

4)Sunway Lagoon Theme Park The sprawling 80-acre Sunway Lagoon offers fantastic rides and attractions. Among the highlights are 'Waters of Africa', 'Wild Wild West' and the world's longest pedestrian suspension bridge. The Wet World Water Park in Shah Alam is another popular attraction.

5)Taman Pertanian Malaysia (Malaysia Agriculture Park)The Malaysia Agriculture Park is the only agro-forestry park in this part of the world. It was initiated by the Agriculture Ministry of Malaysia in 1986

6)Sungai Dusun Rhino Conservation CentreLocated in sungai dusun, hulu Selangor, this unique rhinocerous conservation centre is managed by the department of wildlife and national parks malaysia. several programs are undertaken here to breed the sumatran rhino (dicerorhinos sumatrensis), which is a species protected by law throughout malaysia. This type of rhinocerous is the smallest of the five living rhinocerous in the world today, and it is one of the rarest and endangered species of large mammals. It is also the oldest rhinocerous in evolutionary terms. In appearance, it has a hairy coat and hairy ears. Operating hours : daily : 8.00 pm - 5.00 pmJabatan Perhilitan Selangor,Tingkat 3, Bangunan Sultan Salahuddin,Abdul Aziz Shah,40000 Shah Alam,Selangor.Tel : 03-559 3915Fax : 03-550 1830

7)Bukit Melawati This landscaped hill offers a panoramic view of the Selangor coast and the Klang Valley. Shaded by ancient raintrees are several fascinating historical attractions such as the Altingsburg Lighthouse, the Royal Mausoleum, the ruined Fort (Kota) Melawati, the legendary 100 steps, a fabled execution-block, children's playground and a quaint resthouse which offers wholesome meals for tired travellers.