Month: February 2024

Supermarkets and Department Stores That We Used To Visit In Kuala Lumpur

Post author By admin
Post date February 27, 2024
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Before the development of huge shopping malls and skyscrapers, the places where are parents and grandparents goes shopping are the department stores. It was one of the most happening spots and also a weekend activity for many families in the city. Let’s take a look and revisit some of the historical supermarkets.

Yaohan Supermarket

We can’t forget about Yaohan when talking about the rise of Japanese departmental stores in 80s Malaysia. The first Yaohan store in Malaysia was opened in The Mall, Kuala Lumpur in 1987.

It was later followed by Centre Point, Kota Kinabalu, Plaza OUG at Taman OUG in Jalan Klang Lama, and KOMTAR, Penang. Later it opened in Terminal 1, Seremban in 1996 and Sunway Pyramid, Subang Jaya in September 1997.

However the company went bankrupt in 1997, and was replaced by by Aktif Lifestyle in January 1998 and subsequently Parkson in 2004.

Hankyu Jaya

More than 30 years ago, Bangsar’s biggest attraction was Hankyu Jaya, a department store and supermarket that originated from Japan. When it closed down sometime before the 2000s, the building was left vacant for several years before its big transformation into Bangsar Village 1. The building still stands today, serving as a cool oasis for cafe-hoppers and banana leaf diners from the hot weather outside.

Fajar Supermarket

Fajar was founded in 1984 and was based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The supermarket chain was super popular back in the ’80s and had multiple branches all across Malaysia.

Globe Silk Store

Globe Silk Store was one of the earliest departmental stores in Malaysia. It was founded in Segamat, Johor in 1930. Its late founder, Tiratha Jethanad moved the store to Kuala Lumpur in 1947. They also had an outlet in Kuantan. The 12-storey building was remembered for selling school uniforms, school shoes and textiles, with two floors designated for its food court.

Campbell Complex

Campbell Complex is a 20-storey building, with two floors dedicated to shop lots and 18 to office space, that opened way back in May 1973, was the first high-rise shopping complex and is the oldest surviving departmental store that is still operating in Kuala Lumpur.

However, on April 8, 1976, Campbell Complex suffered a severe fire disaster caused by an electrical short circuit that badly damaged the building, and is regarded as the worst fire disaster involving a high-rise building in Kuala Lumpur to this day.

Attractions City Guide

Stadium Merdeka

The Stadium Merdeka is a stadium known as the site of the formal declaration of independence of the Federation of Malaya on 31 August 1957. The stadium is also the site of the proclamation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963.

The stadium was designed by American architect Stanley Jewkes, under the instruction of the first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman. Upon its completion, the stadium is the largest stadium in the Southeast Asia at the time of completion.

Tunku Abdul Rahman accompanied by Tun Abdul Razak to officiate the Merdeka Stadium.

The stadium witnessed the historic qualifying match of the 1980 Olympic Games, when the national football team last qualified the Olympic Games. However, due to the boycott led by the United States, the country did not participate in the final tournament. The stadium was also the venue for the Merdeka Tournament until 1995. Besides that, the stadium had hosted three out of the five Southeast Asian Games held in Kuala Lumpur. The stadium also hosted the fight between the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali and British boxer Joe Bugner in 1975. In 1975 also, the stadium hosted the Hockey World Cup final between Pakistan and India.

In February 2003, Stadium Merdeka was named a national heritage building. In 2008, the Stadium Merdeka received the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award for Excellence for Heritage Conservation owing to its cultural significance and embodiment of a unique independence declaration event.

In 2007, the stadium underwent massive renovations to restore its 1957 look. With that, the 45,000-capacity stadium was reduced to 20,000, which meant that several of the upper terrace blocks built over the years were demolished. Besides that, the entire stadium was to be decorated as the state it was when Tunku proclaimed independence, which included the word “Merdeka” written in the stadium and the original seating arrangements of the Malay Rulers, the Queen’s representatives and officers. The paintworks, main pavilion, two VIP rooms and the changing rooms were to be restored to its original state as well.

Arts & Culture

Here’s What to Know About Chinese New Year in Malaysia

Post author By admin
Post date February 8, 2024
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What is Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, with more than 4000 years of history, marks the beginning of the Chinese year. Chinese New Year is a festival that commemorates the first full moon of the new lunar calendar year, and the celebration starts from the eve until the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

There are various forms of traditions in Malaysia when it comes to celebrating Chinese New Year. Here are things that you may want to know.

How is the Chinese New Year Celebrated in Malaysia?

Before the Chinese New Year

Spring Cleaning and Decorating the Home

Before the Chinese New Year, any Malaysian Chinese family will make a thorough cleaning of the house, or “spring cleaning.” After that, the entire house will be decorated with auspicious items and Chinese New Year decorations such as red cloth on the door, couplets, paper cuttings, red lanterns, flowers and other decors mostly in red colour.

Making Chinese New Year cookies and snacks

Cookies and snacks is a must in a Chinese home during the celebrations, as to serve family and friends who comes to visit. Traditionally, Chinese families will make their own cookies and snacks. But during the more recent times due to busy working schedules, many would just opt to buy it from the markets.

Chinese New Year Eve

The Chinese New Year Eve is considered one of the most important moment for Chinese families. In the evening of the eve, all family members will reunite together for a dinner while enjoying many traditional Chinese dishes or a steamboat.

Chinese New Year

Making Offerings and Prayers

On the morning of the first day of Chinese New Year, families will prepare offerings for the gods, deities as well as ancestors. Some families will visit temples for prayers and blessings.

Wearing New Clothes

Wearing new clothes especially on the first day is one of the most important thing to do for everyone. Remember to wear red or bright colours, which symbolizes good luck and prosperity. Never wear black colour or you’ll make the elders angry.

Yee Sang

Yee Sang is a unique tradition that actually started from Malaysia, specifically in Seremban.

The particular ceremony in every gathering of family and friends includes tossing Yee Sang as high as up into the air while uttering auspicious greetings. The dish which is served before any other dishes is believed to signify more fortune and good luck to come in the upcoming year. Read more about Yee Sang in this link.

Visiting Family Members and Friends

Family members and friends will visit each other’s houses during the celebrations. It is customary to greet with “恭喜发财” Gong Xi Fa Cai, “新春快乐” Xin Chun Kuai Le or any positive greetings during the Chinese New Year. Avoid using words that are negative.

Giving Out Ang Pows

It is customary for married couples to give out ang pows (red envelopes with money in it) to children and unmarried relatives. Sometimes the younger adults will also give ang pows to the elders. Such a tradition is practiced as a token of good wishes during the Chinese New Year.

Fireworks and Firecrackers

Throughout the 15 days of Chinese New Year, Malaysians will light up firecrackers and fireworks, which is believed to drive away evil spirits from the loud cracking noises and also to welcome the New Year.

Jade Emperor’s Birthday

Although many Chinese will still celebrate and offer prayers to the Jade Emperor, it is widely celebrated by the Hokkien community. To the Hokkien community specifically, it is more important than the first day of Chinese New Year. The Jade Emperor’s birthday falls on ninth day of the Chinese New Year, but it is celebrated at the midnight of the 8th day.

Due to the large population of Hokkien Chinese in Penang, it is celebrated on a grand scale. While there a huge celebrations at the Chew Jetty and the ‘Thni Kong Tnua’, or Jade Emperor’s Pavilion, the Chinese will also offer their prayers at home.

Chap Goh Meh

Chap Goh Meh, (which means the 15th night in Hokkien) marks the last day of the New Year celebrations. In specific places like Penang, there are special tradition where the women who are single will throw oranges into the sea, hoping that a man will pick it up to be her good husband. In a modern twist on the custom, single women now write their phone numbers onto oranges before throwing them into the water.

Best Of Hungry

Restaurants In Kuala Lumpur To Celebrate Valentine’s Day With Your Lover

Post author By admin
Post date February 7, 2024
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Valentine’s Day is one of the days where couples display their affection to each other which may include enjoying a romantic dinner together. Here’s some of the restaurants in Kuala Lumpur that you might want to consider spending a lovely dinner with your partner.

Manja

6, Lorong Raja Chulan,
50250 Kuala Lumpur.

manja.com.my | Instagram | Facebook

Nobu Kuala Lumpur

L4A-05, Level 4A, Shoppes at Four Seasons Place,
145, Jalan Ampang,
50450 Kuala Lumpur.

noburestaurants.com | Instagram | Facebook

Horizon Grill

Level 58, Banyan Tree, Horizon Grill,
2, Jalan Conlay,
50450 Kuala Lumpur.

banyantree.com

Natalina

Avenue K, Lot 06 – Level 03,
156, Jalan Ampang,
50450 Kuala Lumpur.

natalinakl.com | Instagram | Facebook

Ignis

G-02A, Ground Level,
The Sphere, No. 1, Avenue 1,
Bangsar South City,
8, Jalan Kerinchi, 59200 Kuala Lumpur.

igniskl.com | Instagram | Facebook

Chateau Dionne

24G, Jalan Medan Setia 2,
Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur.

chateaudionne.com | Instagram | Facebook

Thirty8

Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur,
12, Jalan Pinang,
50450 Kuala Lumpur.

hyatt.com | Instagram

Bocado

Ground Floor, Bangunan ECM Libra,
8, Jalan Damansara Endah,
Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur.

bocadokl.com | Instagram | Facebook

Ultime Atelier & Boulangerie

Level 3A, Menara NobleLand,
2, Jalan Changkat, Lorong Ceylon,
50200 Kuala Lumpur.

ultime.com.my | Instagram | Facebook

Marini’s on 57

Petronas, Level 57,
Menara 3, Persiaran KLCC,
50088 Kuala Lumpur.

marinisgroup.com | Instagram | Facebook

PRIME at Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur

2, Jalan Stesen Sentral,
Kuala Lumpur Sentral,
50470 Kuala Lumpur.

primekualalumpur.com

Arts & Culture Hungry

The Yee Sang That Originated From Seremban

Post author By admin
Post date February 4, 2024
1 Comment on The Yee Sang That Originated From Seremban

Yee Sang has been a part of the Chinese community during the Chinese New Year, and every Chinese might have lou sang at least once during the yearly celebrations.

The origin

While many might have thought that this dish comes from China, it is believed to be created by a Cantonese migrant by the name of Loke Ching Fatt who is operating a catering business in Seremban during the 1940s.

Now, this person is actually the grandfather or our incumbent Minister of Transport, YB Anthony Loke.

Dubbed lou hei yee sang (捞起魚生), it was meant to be consumed on the 7th day of the Lunar Chinese New Year, otherwise known as ren ri (人日), which commemorates the moment when the Goddess Nuwa created mankind from mud.

*A rare picture of the Loke Ching Kee shoplot, which served as the business headquarters, family home, tenement, storage, and public dining area.*

What Is In The Yee Sang?

The composition of yee sang in itself is significant to the Chinese, owing to the meaning ascribed to each ingredient. Although there are many different variations of yee sang nowadays, most of them contains this few ingredients:

Raw fish slices, usually salmon – To symbolise an abundance of prosperity
Pomelo – To symbolise an abundance of good luck
Cucumber – To symbolise many happy returns
Papaya – To symbolise many happy returns, and the ability to be the best version of one’s self
Carrot – To symbolise an abundance of wealth
Crackers – To symbolise gold ingots used in ancient China
Crushed peanuts or sesame seeds – To symbolise fertility
Vegetable oil – To symbolise liquid gold coating all aspects of one’s endeavours
Plum sauce – To symbolise a year filled with sweetness
Lime – To symbolise many good tidings
Five spice powder – To symbolise the five branches of happiness, namely family, wealth, health, kindness, and a happy ending

National Heritage List

Yee Sang has been so important that it has been a part of the culture for Malaysians especially the Chinese. In fact, Yee Sang has been added into the Malaysia’s National Heritage List.

If you want to get your yee sang in Kuala Lumpur & Selangor, here’s the list that you might want to check out.

Events News

Manchester United Legend David Beckham Is In Kuala Lumpur

Post author By admin
Post date February 1, 2024
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Football icon David Beckham has landed in Kuala Lumpur City and is about to hit the scene at The Exchange TRX at 6.00pm later today.

The 48-year-old famous personality with an innate sense of style, both on and off the football pitch, would be officiating the “World of the Predator Exhibition” for sportswear giant Adidas at the new shopping mall.

With over 86 million Instagram followers, the former Manchester United legend made the fans excited especially Malaysians by sharing a photo of himself against the beautiful backdrop of the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur.

“I mean… wow… what a view, what a city,” Beckham wrote, with an emoticon of the Malaysian flag.

He has visited Malaysia on multiple occasions in the past, his last being in September 2017 at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

Beckham won’t be the only celebrity coming to the boutique mall as other Asian stars will be gracing it as well.

Kim Yug-yeom of K-Pop boyband GOT7 and Thai actor and singer Nanon Korapat will be present at the opening of Coach’s new store.

The dashing duo will arrive on Friday at 6.00pm and charm fans with their charisma and stage presence.

K-Pop singer and actress Kim Se-jeong will be attending Longchamp store’s grand opening on Saturday at 12.00pm.