Anak Gen-X

Terletak di Jalan Datin Halimah , Taman Merdeka Johor Bahru ialah salah satu taman rekreasi santai yang jadi pilihan warga JB. Dibuka sejak 2011, taman seluas 12.5 hektar ini menawarkan suasana hijau dengan pelbagai kemudahan — memang sesuai untuk joging, santai petang, atau bawa keluarga keluar beriadah jauh dari kesibukan bandar.

Keindahan bandar JB lebih lima dekad yg lampau.  Kredit video: youtube jecshc

Whenever I’m in Perth , Kings Park is always on my list. I love the gardens, the wide open lawns, and the incredible view over the Swan River . But what also makes the park special is the State War Memorial . Standing before the Cenotaph and the Roll of Honour , you can’t help but feel the weight of history and sacrifice etched into every name. I’m especially moved by the panels that list those who perished in Malaya . As a Malaysian , it strikes a personal chord -- a reminder of how lives from across the world were intertwined in conflict, far from home.  Kings Park isn’t just a place of beauty, it’s also a place of remembrance, where past and present quietly meet.

Terletak indah di tebing Sungai #Sarawak di #Kuching, Masjid Terapung muncul sebagai salah satu tarikan baharu yang memikat hati pengunjung dengan gabungan keindahan seni bina dan suasana yang tenang. Berdekatan dengan Jambatan Darul Hana , masjid ini bukan sahaja berfungsi sebagai tempat ibadah, malah menjadi mercu tanda moden yang memperkayakan landskap bandaraya Kuching , sama ada dilihat pada waktu siang yang damai mahupun malam yang penuh cahaya.

I recently stumbled upon a fascinating story about a hidden dam in Miri , shared on the wonderful blog Sarawakian Aii (https://sarawakianaii.blogspot.com/). It led me to an excerpt from the Sarawak Gazette dated 3 January 1921 -- a small notice at the time, but one that would quietly shape the town’s survival. In the early 1920s, Miri was struggling through a prolonged drought. The Public Works Department had been working on the Salome Stream , hoping to complete a new watercourse by the end of 1921. They did. When the dam was finally finished that year, it supplied some 11,000 tons of water, becoming a crucial lifeline for the town. Another dam on the Saritan River failed to meet demand, and although many hand-dug wells dotted the landscape, they were simply not enough. The dam itself carried traces of a wider imperial network. Bricks used in its construction were imported from the Alexandra Brickworks in Singapore  -- some still lying loose at the site today, stamped with the...

  Taman Botani Perdana bukan sekadar taman rekreasi, tetapi juga sebuah pusat biodiversiti yang memainkan peranan penting dalam pemuliharaan flora serta menyimpan nilai sejarah yang tersendiri.

 

It was in December 2019, just a few months before the world shut down due to the pandemic. We were in Singapore for an event -- and for our almost-annual year-end wander -- when the craving for proper Malay–Indonesian comfort food struck. The original plan was to finally visit Hj Maimunah Restaurant , the award-winning spot proudly recognised by the Michelin Bib Gourmand . But the line that day was insane. So, after tossing the question to the good ol’ Facebook crowd, we found ourselves heading to Rumah Makan Minang on Kandahar Street  -- and what a recommendation it turned out to be. Oh man, this was Minang food at its glorious best. We fell hard for the rendang , ayam bakar , and tauhu telor  -- rich, flavourful, and absolutely tingling on the taste buds. The ambience didn’t disappoint either; it had that warm, lived-in charm that makes good food taste even better. Later on, a bit of digging revealed the restaurant’s fascinating backstory. Rumah Makan Minang began with t...

  If it’s been ages since you last stepped foot into a library, then you need to start that car and drive over to Pustaka Raja Tun Uda in Shah Alam . Set in lush green surroundings near the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Golf Club , this six-storey modern library offers a comfortable, stylish space packed with hundreds of thousands of books and resources.  Beyond reading, it features discussion rooms , WiFi, a makerspace , recording studio , kids’ area , café, prayer room, and disability-friendly facilities—making it a true second home for students, families, and curious minds looking to learn, relax, and get inspired in one cool, peaceful spot. And yes, you can borrow books here—I’ve borrowed some real gems myself!

  On this day in 1986, the late Sudirman Haji Arshad staged an unforgettable free, open-air concert right in the middle of Chow Kit Road -- one of Kuala Lumpur ’s most iconic (and infamous) streets. In what remains the largest street concert ever held in the capital, more than 100,000 people flooded the area, many arriving hours before a stage was even set up. By late afternoon, crowds had already gathered, eager to witness their beloved singer in action. As evening approached, authorities closed off the road to allow preparations for the 8pm show. What followed was more than just a concert -- it was a heartfelt tribute to Chow Kit itself: its bustling shops, street vendors, and everyday folk living side by side with nightclubs and budget hotels near Kampung Baru . That night, Sudirman didn’t just perform -- he united a city. And for those who were there, it became a memory that lasted a lifetime. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------...

 

The hardest interview I've ever done was with Animal Planet's Jeff Corwin . Here's the story: NewMan magazine had been invited to a junket in Taiwan to do an exclusive interview with Corwin back in 2004. I had assigned my writer to do it, but his passport had expired, so I had to go with just a couple of days' notice. PROBLEM WAS, it was at the height of the Bird Flu pandemic in Asia. And I was having a fever and a cough. So when I got on the flight and started coughing, people were looking at me worriedly. I spent the rest of the flight holding back my cough, which was torture. Then we had to get down in Hong Kong . And they were doing a thermal scan . That's it, I thought. I was going to be stopped and quarantined here! As I passed the scanner, I saw the red light lit up! But luckily, it was an elderly lady in front of me who was pulled aside. Phew! But still, the flight continued to be torture for me, as my fever got worse. We got into Taipei slightly late, a...

Pantai Tanjong Lobang di Miri terkenal dengan lokasi yang dekat dengan bandar, suasana santai dan pemandangan matahari terbenam yang indah, menjadikannya tempat popular untuk beriadah dan berehat.

    On this day in 1959, Tunku Abdul Rahman attended the world premiere of Mahsuri at the Cathay Cinema in Alor Star -- marking a proud and rather unique moment in Malayan history. What made it even more special? The film was based on a script written by the Tunku himself just a year earlier, in 1958. Long before Merdeka , during his time as a district officer in Langkawi , he had taken a deep interest in local folklore -- carefully documenting stories passed down by islanders. One legend, in particular, stayed with him: Mahsuri. Synopsis of Mahsuri The film tells the tragic tale of Mahsuri, a beautiful maiden falsely accused of adultery by a jealous rival. Despite her pleas of innocence, she is sentenced to death. As she dies, Mahsuri curses Langkawi with seven generations of misfortune . Only years later is the truth revealed, but by then, the curse has already taken hold. A statesman, historian, and storyteller -- this moment reminds us that Tunku’s legacy wasn’t just ...

Nama Damansara sebenarnya mempunyai dua kisah asal usul yang menarik. Secara rasmi, nama ini diambil daripada Sungai Damansara yang mengalir di kawasan tersebut. Sejak dahulu lagi, kawasan ini dikenali sebagai antara mukim yang padat penduduknya dan berkembang pesat di Lembah Klang . Namun, menurut cerita lisan pula, nama “Damansara” dikatakan berasal daripada kisah sepasang suami isteri dari Sumatera , Deraman dan Sara , yang datang merantau mencari kehidupan yang lebih baik. Dalam perjalanan, Sara jatuh sakit dan meninggal dunia. Deraman yang terlalu sedih kemudian menamakan kawasan tempat kejadian itu sebagai gabungan nama mereka berdua -- “Deraman” dan “Sara”, yang akhirnya menjadi Damansara. Dari sebuah kisah duka, lahirlah nama sebuah kawasan yang hari ini menjadi antara nadi penting di Lembah Klang. Sumber: Koleksi Cerita Asal Usul Sejarah Daerah Petaling

  The 1966 edition of Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Show stands as a vivid snapshot of Malaysia’s early post-independence spirit. Held along Jalan Klang in Kuala Lumpur , the 43rd MAHA ran for four days and drew an impressive crowd of around 150,000 visitors. It was officially opened by Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj , reflecting the importance of agriculture to the young nation’s development. The event showcased farming innovations, livestock, and local produce, while bringing together communities and industry players in a celebration of progress and self-sufficiency. MAHA itself has a long and storied history, dating back to 1922 when it began as a modest agricultural exhibition. Over time, it evolved into a major national platform highlighting advancements in agro-food , horticulture , and agrotourism . From its early days to its modern editions held at MAEPS in Serdang , MAHA continues to reflect Malaysia’s agricultural journey -- from t...

On this day in 2016, Khairul Idham Pawi etched his name in history by winning the #Moto3 race -- an unforgettable moment for Malaysian motorsport . For the very first time at a Moto championship, Negaraku echoed proudly on the podium, marking a historic milestone for the nation. A victory that gave us all goosebumps -- and a moment Malaysians will never forget.

  Hari ini kita raikan ulang tahun ke-80 -- penyiar yang membesar bersama negara, dari era radio gelombang awal hinggalah siaran digital. Semuanya bermula seawal 1921 apabila membawa masuk set radio pertama ke Tanah Melayu dan menubuhkan Persatuan Wireless Johor . Dari situlah gelombang penyiaran mula hidup, sebelum berkembang ke Pulau Pinang dan Kuala Lumpur. Langkah rasmi bermula pada 1 April 1946 dengan penubuhan Radio Malaya di Singapura. Dari Jalan Young (kini Jalan Cenderasari), ia berpindah ke Bangunan Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur pada 1956 -- seiring denyut nadi negara yang menuju kemerdekaan. Tahun 1963 menyaksikan laungan “Inilah Radio Malaysia” berkumandang, dan pada tahun yang sama televisyen hitam putih diperkenalkan. Menjelang 1969, radio dan TV bergabung menjadi RTM , dengan siaran dari Angkasapuri -- ikon penyiaran negara. Dari TV warna yang dilancarkan pada 1978, ke siaran 24 jam Radio Rangkaian Nasional, ke era Selamat Pagi Malaysia , hinggalah ke platform di...

Come for the skyline. Stay for the alien rumours!