The third time

(picture from Utusan)
HRH Sultan Ibrahim of Johor after his arrival at Seremban Station

HRH Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar arrives at Negeri Sembilan after drives the locomotives of Ekspress Rakyat which on its way from Tanjung Pagar Station at Singapore to Kuala Lumpur Sental Station. The delegates consist of palace’s official departs from Johor Bahru Sentral Station at 9.15 am arrives safely at Seremban Station around 2.24 pm. Also accompanied the Sultan are the Menteri Besar of Johor, Datuk Abd Ghani Othman and KTMB Operation General Manager, Sarbini Tijan.

The train carries 350 passengers was drive by Sultan Ibrahim himself from Johor Bahru to Kluang Station. After a rest, he continuing driving again from Segamat Station until it arrives at Seremban Station. This is the third time of Sultan Ibrahim to drive a train after receives his train driving license during the Kembara Mahkota Johor in July 2010. The second time for Sultan Ibrahim was to attend the 223rd Meeting of Majlis Raja-Raja (Conference of Ruler).

Upon the arrivals of Sultan Ibrahim and his delegates at Seremban Station, they were greeted by the Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) of Negeri Sembilan, Datuk Seri Muhammad Hassan; States Secretary, Datuk Mat Ali Hassan; States Exco and President of KTMB, Datuk Aminuddin Adnan. Later, Sultan Ibrahim spends his time mingle with the public at the station. Sultan Ibrahim are scheduled to receives Darjah Kerabat Negeri Sembilan (DK) from the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir.

Pujangga Alam February 2011

Assalamualaikum and Peace be upon all of you.

Welcome to my blog.

Welcome everyone to the segment of Pujangga Alam. A segment in this blog specially made to shows many interesting places and its unique history in Malaysia. The once in a month segment has a special theme for this year, a Malaysian places with an animal name. Today, the topic is about the biggest city in the Island of Borneo, the City of Kuching.

Kuching

Kuching is the biggest city in the Island of Borneo and at the same time, the fourth largest City in Malaysia. Kuching serves as the Capital of Sarawak. It is the only city in Malaysia to be administrated by two local authority, Council of the City of Kuching South headed by a Mayor and Commission of the City of Kuching North, headed by a Commissioner.

History

Kuching in 1839

In Malay, the word Kuching means Cat. Nevertheless, even though the name clearly means Cat, is the origin of the name really from a Cat? There are several stories of how Kuching got it name.

• The word Kuching was taken from a small stream named 'Sungai Kuching' which flows between the Chinese Museum and Tua Pek Kong Temple. The river source is at a hill named Bukit Mata Kucing, which means 'Cat-eyed Hill'. The hill get its name from Pokok Buah Mata Kucing (Isau, Dimorcapus Longan ssp malesianus) which is common there.
• The word Kuching was derived from the word 'Coachin' which means Port. During the James Brooke administration, Kuching strategic location makes it a thriving port. Traders from India and China usually will stopped at Kuching to gets supplies before continuing their journey.

Before been named as Kuching, the place is known as Sarawak. Later, it is named as Sarawak Proper to differentiate it with the rest of Sarawak, where in 1841, consist the area between Tanjung Datu and Sungai Samarahan. In 1872, Sarawak Proper was given its present name, Kuching by Charles Brooke, the second Rajah of Sarawak.

In 1988, Kuching was given a city status. Thus, make it the third city in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh.

Interesting Places.

First of all, the city is the seat of Sarawak's State Legislative and Governor of Sarawak.

The Astana, the Official Palace of the Governor of Sarawak

The Sarawak State's Assembly Building

The city is also full with the legacy of Brooke's Administration.

Charles Brooke monument

Fort Margherita

Sarawak Museum

One of the Masjid at the city of Kuching

Masjid Jamek Negeri Sarawak

And, do not forget.. Kuching has two 'cats'.

The North Cat

The South Cat

That's all for now

Salam.

Defense and Security Briefing

(picture from Utusan)

The 223rd Conference of Ruler's Meeting

The 223^rd Meeting of Majlis Raja-Raja (Conference of Ruler) this week receives the Nation Defense and Security Briefing from the Chief of Army, General Tan Sri Azizan Ariffin and the Chief of Police, Tan Sri Ismail Omar respectively. The Keeper of the Ruler’s Seal, Datuk Syed Danial Syed Ahmad in his statement said, the two days meeting of Majlis Raja-Raja (Conference of Ruler) among others discussing an Islamic matter and the appointment of Judges of the Appeals Court.

The Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, HRH Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir was the chairman of the 223^rd Meeting. Also presence at the meeting was the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (The Supreme Ruler) of Malaysia, HM Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. The two days meeting attended by all states Rulers and Governors accept for Terengganu, which was represented by Tengku Sri Bendahara Raja, Tengku Mustaffa Kamel ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah.

The Rulers and Governors were accompanied by respective Menteri Besar and Ketua Menteri accepts for the Chief Minister of Sarawak. The Yang Dipertua Negeri (Governor) of Sarawak was accompanied by the Chief Minister Representative, Datuk Amar Abang Johari bin Abang Openg.

Conference of Ruler's 223rd Meeting

(picture from Utusan)

Some of the states Rulers presence at the 223rd Conference of Ruler's Meeting. In front is HRH Tuanku Muhriz, The Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.

The 223^rd Meeting of Majlis Raja-Raja (Conference of Rulers) started on Wednesday, hosted by The Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, HRH Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir at the National Palace, Kuala Lumpur. All states Rulers attended the meeting accept for the Regent of Terengganu who was represented by Tengku Sri Bendahara Raja, HRH Tengku Mustaffa Kamel ibni almarhum Sultan Mahmud al-Muktafi Billah Shah. His Royal Highnesses was accompanied by the states respective Menteri Besar (Chief Minister). The Yang Dipertua Negeri (Governor) of Pulau Pinang, Sabah and Melaka was accompanied by respective states Ketua Menteri. Meanwhile, the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sarawak, HE Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin bin Abang Barieng was accompanied by the Chief Minister Representative, Datuk Amar Abang Johari bin Abang Openg.

At night, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (The Supreme Ruler) of Malaysia, HM Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin shall greet all states Rulers and Governors in the Official Banquet.

The second time

(picture from Utusan)
HRH Sultan Ibrahim of Johor

HRH the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar driving a train for a second time to attend the 223rd meeting of Majlis Raja-Raja (Conference of Ruler) this Wednesday. The Sultan was accompanied by the Palace's Officials departs to Kuala Lumpur Station from JB Sental at 9.15 am. HRH Sultan Ibrahim driving the Ekspress Rakyat Train which also carries another 350 passengers. This is the second time for Sultan Ibrahim to drive a train, and the first was during the 'Kembara Mahkota Johor' on 26th until 28th July last year.

HRH Sultan Ibrahim driving the train from JB Sentral until it reached Kluang Station for a rest. Later, the Sultan drives the train again from Seremban Station until the final destination at Kuala Lumpur Station. Upon the arrival of the Sultan at Kuala Lumpur Station, he was introduced with the services of Electric Train Services, ETS belong to Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad, KTMB. ETS was the second generation electric train and currently operated at Seremban - Kuala Lumpur - Ipoh Station. The ETS can reached the maximum speed of 160km per hour.

16th World Kite Festival

(picture from Utusan)
HRH Sultan Ibrahim during the Kite Festival at Bukit Layang-Layang, Pasir Gudang

HRH the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar proclaimed the opening ceremony of 16^th World Kite Festival at Bukit Layang-Layang, Pasir Gudang. Soon after the opening ceremony, Sultan Ibrahim gave his consent to presented the souvenirs and mingle with local and foreign participants for about 20 minutes. The kite festival was organized by state government started from Wednesday until Sunday with participation of more than 1000 participants, of which 221 of them from 30 countries.

Also presences at the ceremony are the Tunku Mahkota (Crown Prince) of Johor, Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim; The Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) of Johor, Datuk Seri Abd Ghani Othman and Chairman of Johor Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee, Hoo Seong Chang.