- His Royal Highness the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim started the Kembara Mahkota Johor 2012. The Prime Minister Najib were given the honour to flag the started of the Royal Entourage.
- Congratulations to His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah in conjunction of the installation ceremony as the nation 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The only King to date been installed twice as the Supreme Ruler
- In conjunction of the Installation ceremony, the Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah and Tuanku Hajah Haminah consent to attend and participate in the Royal Golf Tournament.
- In conjunction of the installation ceremony of Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah, a State Banquet was held attended by dignitaries and royal guests.
- His Royal Highness the Sultan of Johor consent to officiate the ground-breaking ceremony of Mersing Laguna project.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Arapaima Gigas
Welcome to my blog.
It is good to finally find a suitable topic for my Flora and Fauna sections as it is already 2 months since my last post. This month Flora and Fauna section will cover about a giant fresh water fish called as Arapaima Gigas. Still remember the “Dragon Fish” that currently still terrorizing Tasik Kenyir? In June 2009, according to the local townsfolk, the Arapaima Gigas is claimed to be responsible for the mysterious drowning of 2 men. The local (at Tasik Kenyir) refers the fish as ‘Dragon Fish’ or ‘Kenyir Monster’.
The arapaima, pirarucu, or paiche (Arapaima gigas) is a South American tropical freshwater fish. It is one of the largest freshwater fishes in the world.
CHARACTERISTIC
Arapaima can reach lengths of more than 2 m (6.6 ft), in some exceptional cases even more than 2.5 m (8.2 ft) and over 100 kg (220 lbs). The often cited maximum length of 4.5 m (14.8 ft) comes from a single second-hand-report from the first half of the nineteenth century, and is not confirmed. The maximum-cited weight for the species is 200 kg (440 lbs). As one of the most sought after food fish species in South America, it is often captured primarily by handheld nets for export, by spearfishing for local consumption, and, consequently, large arapaima of more than 2 m are seldom found in the wild today.
HABITAT
The fish is native at South America primarily at the flooded rainforest along the Amazon River. The arapaima has also been introduced for fishing in Thailand and Malaysia.
ECOLOGY
The diet of the arapaima consists of fish, crustaceans, and other small animals. The fish is an air-breather, using its swim bladder, which is rich in blood vessels and opens into the fish's mouth, an advantage in oxygen-deprived water that is often found in the Amazon River. This fish is therefore able to survive in shallow waters with dissolved oxygen as low as 0.5 ppm.
Due to the geographic range that arapaima inhabit, the animal's life cycle is greatly affected by the seasonal flooding that occurs. The arapaima lays its eggs during the months of February, March, and April when the water levels are low or beginning to rise. They build a nest approximately 50 cm wide and 15 cm deep, usually in muddy bottomed areas. As the water rises the eggs hatch and the offspring have the flood season to prosper, during the months of May to August. Therefore, the yearly spawning is regulated seasonally. The arapaima male is supposed to be a mouthbrooder, like its relative the Osteoglossum spp., meaning the young are protected in its mouth until they are older. The female arapaima helps to protect the male and the young by circling them and fending off potential predators.
IMPORTANCE
Arapaima are harpooned or caught in large nets and the meat is said to be delicious. Since the arapaima needs to swim up to breathe air, traditional arapaima fishers often catch them by first harpooning them and then clubbing them dead. One individual can yield as much as 70 kg of meat.
It is also considered an aquarium fish, although it obviously requires a large tank and ample resources. This animal also appears in the pet trade, although to keep an arapaima correctly requires a large tank and can prove quite difficult.
The tongue of this fish is thought to have medicinal qualities in South America. It is dried and combined with guarana bark, which is grated and mixed into water. Doses of this are given to kill intestinal worms. In addition, the arapaima's bony tongue is often used to scrape cylinders of dried guarana, an ingredient in some beverages, and the bony scales are used as nail files.
In Malaysia and Thailand, the arapaima has been introduced for fishing
COMMENT
Personally, I am still searching for the conservation status for this fish. It doesn’t look like that this fish is actually an endangered species.
How the arapaima which is native in Amazon is found living in Kenyir Lake?
A popular rumor stated that, the fish is kept in one of the resort at the lake. And the fish somehow manage to escape into the lake. After the mysterious drowning of 2 men is revealed, the Terengganu Government has officially announce a RM 10 000 reward for someone who able to capture it. It is to prevent the fish to somehow destroy the ecosystem in the lake. (Of course... the fish is supposedly not belonging at the lake).
Anyway.. good luck guys..!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Yasmin Ahmad passed away
Welcome to my blog.
Late yesterday night, Malaysia popular director, Yasmin Ahmad, 51, passed away at Hospital Pakar Damansara (HPD) after suffering stroke and brain hemorrhage. She died at 11.25 pm besides her husband, Abdullah Tan Yew Long and her siblings.
Film that has been directed by Yasmin is Rabun (2003), Sepet (2004), Gubra (2006), Mukhsin (2006), Muallaf (2008) and Talentime (2009). Her creativity also could be seen in many Petronas' commercials and evoked emotion of the viewers especially during the Aidilfitri celebration.
May Allah bless her.
ACHIEVEMENT
Sepet
Best Film Award and the Best Original Screenplay Award at the Malaysian Film Festival 2005.
Gubra
Best Screenplay award at the Malaysian Film Festival 2006
Mukhsin
Best Asean Film at the Cinemanila International Film Festival 2007
Muallaf
Asian Film Award - Special Mention at the Tokyo International Film Festival 2008.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Vampire Knight
Welcome to my blog.
Today anime sections will cover about a new anime of Vampire Knight. The anime is basically about romance and supernatural.
Vampire Knight (ヴァンパイア騎士, Vanpaia Naito) is a shōjo manga and anime series written by Matsuri Hino. The series premiered in the January 2005 issue of LaLa magazine and is still on-going. Chapters are collected and published in collected volumes by Hakusensha, with nine volumes currently released in Japan. The manga series is licensed in English by Viz Media. The English adaptation premiered in the July 2006 issue of Viz's Shojo Beat magazine, with the collected volumes being published on a quarterly basis.
The anime adaptation consists of 26 episodes. It produced by Studio Deen, the anime series' first season aired in Japan on TV Tokyo between April 8, 2008 and July 1, 2008.
PLOT
Yuki Cross's earliest memory is of a snowy night in winter, when she was attacked by one vampire and was saved by another, Kaname Kuran. Yuki is the adopted daughter of the Headmaster of Cross Academy, Kaien Cross, who is an ex-vampire hunter that now wishes for vampires and humans to live alongside peacefully. She has grown up and become a prefect for the school with one main purpose: for vampires to coexist peacefully with humans. Her fellow guardian, Zero Kiryu, a childhood companion whose parents were killed by a pure-blood vampire, is now determined to kill them all and refuses to trust them. Zero himself is now manifesting vampire traits, having been turned into vampire after he was bitten by a pure-blood vampire, Shizuka Hio, four years before.
Yuki tries to help him fight his bloodlust while also seeking to recover the memories she lost. As the series progresses, Zero's thirst for blood leads to his drinking from Yuki, by her consent, to avoid becoming a level E vampire. To stop this, Kaname gives Zero his own blood, making him a normal vampire which will prevent Zero from going insane and from needing to feed from Yuki. Eventually, it is revealed that Yuki is a pureblood vampire herself, the sister and fiancee of Kaname. To save Yuki from being killed by Rido Kuran, Kaname's uncle, her mother had sealed her memories shortly before her own death. After Yuki reawakens to her vampire nature, Rido again tries to kill her. As Kaname kills the vampire senate, Yuki fights Rido. During a fierce battle, Zero aids her in killing him, but then aims his gun at her, stating he will kill all of the pureblood vampires.
CHARACTERS
- Yuki Cross (黒主 優姫, Kurosu Yūki)
the adoptive daughter of the headmaster of Cross Academy, and a Guardian, one of the members of the school's disciplinary committee. Ten years prior to the start of the series, Yuki was rescued from a vampire attack by another vampire, Kaname. She lost all memory of her life from before the attack, and was adopted by Headmaster Cross. After Zero's vampire nature is revealed, she begins giving him her blood to drink. However, Yuki loves Kaname, who has always been protecting her and has been by her side during her childhood as a vampire. When Rido Kuran, their uncle, resurfaces at Cross Academy, Yuki's memories are unlocked, revealing that she is actually a pureblood vampire, both Kaname's "sister" and his fiancee. - Zero Kiryu (錐生 零, Kiryū Zero)
A year older than Yuki Cross, comes from a vampire hunter family. His parents were killed by the pureblood vampire Shizuka Hio after they were ordered to assassinate her lover, a former human that had not yet fallen to level E. Zero was taken in by the headmaster of Cross Academy and became a Prefect (Guardian), alongside Yuki Cross. He has a great hatred for vampires because of what happened to his parents, but it is later revealed that he himself is a vampire as a result of Shizuka's attack. It is also later revealed that his twin brother, Ichiru, also survived the attack and lived at Shizuka's side. After he consumes Shizuka, Kaname lets Zero drink some of his blood to keep Zero from losing control of himself in order to protect Yuki. - Kaname Kuran (玖蘭 枢, Kuran Kaname)
a pureblood vampire, saved Yuki from an attack by another vampire when she was little. He is the class president of the Night Class, much feared and respected by the other Night Class students. While he is cold and authoritative towards his fellows in the Night Class, he is always kind and sweet to Yuki. He has shown that he cares deeply for Yuki, and loves her in a romantic sense. He allows Zero to live because he knows his death would sadden Yuki, and because Zero is useful. He is both jealous and angry of Zero for biting Yuki and endangering her life. Kaname has been raised as Yuki's older brother. At a young age they had pledged to marry each other when they grow up, just like Haruka and Juuri, who were siblings yet married to each other. It is common for pureblood siblings to marry as it is essential to keep the bloodline pure. Also, a fact yet to be revealed to Yuki is that Kaname is not her "true brother". He is actually the ancient ancestor of the Kurans, and Rido is his master who awakened him from his grave, and put the ancestor's spirit in the 'real' Kaname's body, making him unable to kill his 'master'
The anime is very unique and very entertaining, the anime character introduction also progressing smoothly and the character drawing also done beautifully. Personally, I also love the opening song. Even though the series has its thriller and supernatural elements, there is also a comedy part to ease the pressure.
Here is the opening of the anime.
GALERIA
Some of the pictures of the series.
COSPLAY
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Welcome to my blog.
In the previous post of architectural segment, we have cover about the Taipei 101. Today, we are going to see the tallest free-standing structure on land in the world, The Canada’s National Tower, or commonly used as CN Tower. Even though have a height of 553.33 meter, it is not considered the highest building in the world.
The CN Tower, located in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is a communications and observation tower. On September 12, 2007, after holding the record for 31 years, the CN Tower was surpassed in height by the still-under-construction Burj Dubai. It remains the tallest free-standing structure in the Americas, the signature icon of Toronto's skyline, and a symbol of Canada. The architect of the tower is John Andrews Architects in association with WZMH Architects.
In 1995, the CN Tower was declared one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. It also belongs to the World Federation of Great Towers.
CHARACTERISTICS
The CN Tower consists of several substructures. The main portion of the tower is a hollow concrete hexagonal pillar containing the six elevators, stairwells, and power and plumbing connections. On top of this is a 102-metre (334.6 ft) tall metal broadcast antenna, carrying TV and radio signals. There are two visitor areas: the main deck level (formerly known as SkyPod) located at 346 metres (1,135 ft) and the higher Sky Pod (formerly known as “Space Deck” at 446.5 metres (1,465 ft), just below the metal antenna. The hexagonal shape can be seen between the two areas; however, below the main deck, three large supporting legs give the tower the appearance of a large tripod.
The main level is seven stories, some of which are open to the public. Below the public areas — at 338 metres (1,108.9 ft) — is a large white donut-shaped radome containing the structure's microwave receivers. The glass floor and outdoor observation deck are at 342 metres (1,122.0 ft). The glass floor has an area of 24 square metres (258 sq ft) and can withstand a pressure of 4,100 kilopascals (595 psi). The floor's thermal glass units are 64 millimetres (2.5 in) thick, consisting of a pane of 25-millimetre (1.0 in) laminated glass, 25 millimetres (1.0 in) airspace and a pane of 13-millimetre (0.5 in) laminated glass. Some people experience acrophobia when standing on the glass floor and looking down at the ground 342 metres (1,122.0 ft) below. In 2008, one elevator was upgraded to add a glass floor panel, believed to have the highest vertical rise of any elevator equipped with this feature. The Horizons Cafe and the lookout level are at 346 metres (1,135.2 ft). The 360 Restaurant, a revolving restaurant that completes a full rotation once every 72 minutes, is at 351 metres (1,151.6 ft). When the tower first opened, it also featured a disco named Sparkles, billed as the highest disco and dance floor in the world.
The Sky Pod is the second-highest public observation deck in the world, surpassed only by the Shanghai World Financial Center. On a clear day, it is possible to see 100 to 120 kilometres (62–75 mi) away, to the city of Rochester across Lake Ontario in the United States, the mist rising from Niagara Falls, or the shores of Lake Simcoe.
A metal staircase reaches the main deck level after 1,776 steps, and the Sky Pod 100 metres above after 2,579 steps; it is the tallest metal staircase on Earth. These stairs are intended for emergency use only and are not open to the public, except for three times per year for charity stair-climb events. The average climber takes approximately 30 minutes to climb to the base of the radome, but the fastest climb on record is 7 minutes and 52 seconds in 1989 by Brendan Keenoy, an Ontario Provincial Police Officer. In 2002, Canadian Olympian and Paralympic champion Jeff Adams climbed the stairs of the tower in a specially designed wheelchair.
PURPOSE
The CN Tower has been and continues to be used as a communications tower for a number of different media, and by numerous companies.
Among the television broadcaster are CBC, CTV, TVOntario, and Citytv.
Among the radio broadcasting at CN tower are JAZZ.FM91, Kiss 92.5, and 102.1 the Edge. All operated in FM and no AM broadcasting from the tower.
Motorola also operated in broadcast from this tower.
SAFETY FEATURES
Among of the safety measures that been implemented at the tower.
- the fireproof building materials used in the tower's construction
- frequent and stringent safety inspections
- an extensive sprinkler system
- a 24-hour emergency monitoring operation
- two 15,000-imperial gallon water reservoirs at the top, which are automatically replenished
- a fire hose at the base of the structure capable of sending 600 imperial gallons a minute to any location in the tower
Officials also noted that the CN Tower has an excellent safety record and that there has never been an accidental fire in the tower since it was opened in 1976.
COMMENT
Up until now, I'm still confused what the characteristics of a structure are so that it can be considered as building. As you can see in the figures below, it is clearly shown that the tower can claimed the title of the world highest building.
Whatever the reason, it is still among the most spectacular tower I ever see..
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Kelantan Royal Family (1979 - 2010)
Welcome to my blog.
Today royal segment will cover about Kelantan Royal Family. The ruler of Kelantan is styled as HRH Al-Sultan of Kelantan.
(more information can be refer to : - http://radin87.blogspot.com/2010/09/kelantan-royal-family.html)
HRH Sultan Ismail Petra II Ibni Al-marhum Sultan Yahya Petra is the 28th Sultan of Kelantan. His reign started from 1979 until 2010. In 2009, Sultan Ismail Petra was admitted to Mount Elizabeth Hospital. His reign ends on 13th September 2010 after 15 members of Kelantan Succession Council agreed to proclaim his first son, Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra as the new Sultan.
The consort to the ruler of Kelantan is styled as HRH Raja Perempuan of Kelantan. The consort to Sultan Ismail Petra is HRH Tengku Anis binti Tengku Abdul Hamid.
As the Sultan Ismail Petra currently hospitalized and seeks treatment in Singapore since 30 May 2009, his first son, Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra is proclaimed as the Regent of Kelantan. He is proclaimed as the 29th Sultan of Kelantan on 13th September 2010. He is styled as HRH Sultan Muhammad V
HISTORY
Kelantan was once a powerful state with ancient trade links with China, Champa and India, but became tributary to the Majapahit Empire during the 13th and 14th centuries. It re-established its independence under Raja Kumar, ca. 1411. It became an important centre for trade and commerce during the fifteenth century, but fell to Malacca in 1499. Following the Portuguese conquest of Malacca in 1511, the state disintegrated into several petty principalities. These principalities were conquered again by the Siamese and made subject to Patani I 1603.
In 1760, a certain Kubang Labu succeeded in unifying the disparate territories into a single state once more, but he was overthrown four years later. Long (Luang) Yunus seized the throne and proclaimed himself Raja of Kelantan in 1764 but the state fell under the control of Trengganu after his death. Long Muhammad, younger son of Yunus, declared himself Sultan in 1800. He was eventually accepted by the Siamese as ruler of a separate tributary, twelve years later. Kelantan was transferred to British protection by the terms of the Anglo-Siamese treaty of 1909. Britain paying Siam for all outstanding debts and assuming responsibility for them in Siam's stead. Negeri Kelantan Dar ul-Naim became one of the Unfederated Malay States in 1911.
The Japanese invaded Kelantan on 8th December and were in full occupation by the 22nd of December 1941. They transferred Kelantan to Thai control in 1943. The state was freed from Japanese occupation on 8th September 1945 and became a state of the Federation of Malaya on 1st February 1948. It joined the other states of the peninsular to form the Federation of Malaya on 31st August 1957 and became a state of Malaysia on 16th September 1963.
SYMBOL
Flag of the Raja Perempuan of Kelantan
Flag of the Crown Prince of Kelantan
ROYAL FAMILY
Sultan Ismail Petra married twice. First with Tengku Anis, Raja Perempuan of Kelantan and secondly with Elia Suhana. The marriage with Tuanku Anis is blessed with 3 sons and 1 daughter.
- Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra (1969)
- Tengku Muhammad Faiz Petra
- Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra (1978)
- Tengku Amalin A'ishah Putri (1984)
*Tengku Muhammad Fakhry married with Mahohara Odelia Pinot, Indonesian model and daughter of Daisy Fajarina, lady of Bugis decents. (status unknown)
PALACE
The officials palace to the Sultan of Kelantan is Istana Balai Besar (Palace with Great Hall), located at Kota Bharu, Kelantan.
The residence of the Crown Prince of Kelantan is Istana Mahkota Kubang Kerian
INHERITANCE
Male primogeniture
**line of successions
- Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra ibni Sultan Ismail Petra, Tengku Mahkota
- Tengku Muhammad Faiz Ibni Sultan Ismail Petra, Tengku Bendahara
- Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Ibni Sultan Ismail Petra, Tengku Temenggung
- Tengku Dr Muhammad Faziharudean bin Tengku Feissal ibni Almarhum Sultan Ibrahim
- Tengku Ibrahim Farihadean bin Tengku Feissal ibni Almarhum Sultan Ibrahim
- Tengku Ismail Fadil bin Tengku Feissal ibni Almarhum Sultan Ibrahim
- Tengku 'Abdu'l Halim ibni al-Marhum Sultan Ibrahim, Tengku Laksamana
- Tengku Ariez Hazaril bin Tengku 'Abdu'l Halim
- Tengku Adrei bin Tengku Ariez Hazaril
- Tengku Adil Hazraq bin Tengku 'Abdu'l Halim
** Subject to changes
GALERIA
The pictures of the royal family members.
The pictures of al-Sultan and his wives.
The pictures of The Crown Prince of Kelantan
The picture of Tengku Bendahara of Kelantan.
The picture of Tengku Temenggung of Kelantan.
The picture of Tengku Amalin Aishah Putri.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Ijtimak Malaysia 2009
Welcome to my blog.
In the past 9 – 12 July, a huge events is held in KLIA quarters, the Ijtima’ Malaysia 2009. This event is held to remembering the Muslim of their responsibilities for themselves and also for their Muslims brothers. About more than 200 000 Muslims from all around the world has gather here. It is also the most suitable times for them to meet among the most prominent Muslims scholar such as Maulana Saad, Maulana Zubair, Maulana Ahmad Lat and also Bai Wahab. It is because, this is only the second time it being held in Malaysia, and the last is 26 years ago (1984).
About 12 giant camps have been set up to supports all of the participants, local and foreign. The solah that performed here were also among the largest saf and jemaah ever been formed in the country. Most of the senior who came here also make an example that the Ijtima is like a small scale resemblance of Haji. Some of the VIP present in the events is Dato Najib Razak, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Tuanku Muhriz and Dato Muhammad Hasan.
All the pictures here is taken from the camp number 7, I did not takes pictures from the main camp because wants to respect the elders request who didn’t want their pictures to be taken.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Nuclear Energy : Decision for a better future
Welcome to my blog.
As a developing country, various part of Malaysia has been develop. House, business and industrial park boomingfrom the economy prosperity that we experienced now. To sustained this, Malaysia also need a strong fundamental of power generation to feed this large partions of economy activities. 3 large corporotion are responsible of power generation, transmission and distribution. Tenaga Nasional Bhd at peninsular Malaysia, SESCO at Sarawak and SESB at Sabah.
And, like other business entity, reducing cost is vital for this companies. This is risk that has to be faced nowespecially after the hiking of oil price during the last 5 years. As most of our power generation is feed by oilnatural gases to produced electricity, the cost are also rising alongside with the oil price. Thus, a new alternative energy still been developed to overcome this problems.
Renewable energy
The territory of Malaysia is blessed with many sources of this renewable energy. Solar, Wind and Hydroelectricity are among that has been implemented in Malaysia. But, this power plant are only produce about 13% of our total energy generations. Hydroelectric are the cheapest energy produced and Malaysia has a large reservoir of the source. By building the dam, electricity can be generate and supply both day and night.
But, relying on hydroelectric are not an option now as there is no more suitable placed to build a hydroelectric damn. It is save to say that, hydroelectricity in Malaysia has reach its maximum potentials.
Solar and wind meanwhile, even has been using for small scale generations, improving it to generate to a large scaleis another matter. We are lucky that Malaysia located near the equator and that means a sunshines everyday. But,using solar during the rainy seasons are unlikely. Thus, solar power in malaysia exist in hybrid with wind. But, using Wind in large scale are not an options either as we need a large pile of land to act as 'wind farm' to generates electricity. Plus, unlike hydro.. solar and wind main problems is it unconsistent generations.
It usually go to waste when the plant electric generations is overly produced.
Nuclear energy
Alongside others alternative energy is the nuclear energy. Unlike others, nuclear energy can actually generates a stable electrical power to the consumer. Most of developed countries has implement this energy like South Korea andFrance. Among the advantages is reduce cost of electrical generations and thus ensure the cost reatively low and harmless to the environment. Plus,the energy produce are also high. But,it's also comes with a high risk. Especially its radioactivity of the source. Chernobyl Tradegy are a good example.
but, if we do not act soon as possible, Malaysia will faced a time of energy crisis. A very critical issue now is "How we can generates maximum electrical power with a minimum cost as possible"...
p.s :
I can eloberate this issue futher.. just give your comment here or email me...
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Wind Of Change
Welcome to my blog.
My life has change quit a bit after i finished my last education semester at University. Finally, I started my Industrial Training. I have set my target that I want to get my training at Sime Darby or YTL. But, better luck next time. Currently, I undergo my training at Tenaga Nasional Bhd. A leading utilities company in Malaysia. Undergo my training more or less gave me the first impressions about working life, where only 5 minutes delay can make all the differences.
Late to work, what a nightmare.
TNB does not gave any allowances or job vacancy, but for those who want to gain as much working experience as possibles, this is a place to you. As an Electrical students, most of what i've learned in University is applied here. Enjoyable and tiring at the same time..
BLOG ANNOUNCEMENT
Usually, when I still a student, I have many free times for spending my time with my blog. But, things are not as easy as before when youre working. To many comitment, go to work then worn out when you get back. Same things repeating over and over again. And of course, it is getting worse.. internet connection problem repeatedly occur at my house recently.. Thus, to all my readers, if my blog does not meets your expectations, just let me know.I will use my utmost capability to improve it.
Until next time guys...