- Discovery Overland Holidays

September 2013 issue
SABAH
(TADAU
KAAMATAN)30
2012 -debris!
31 May 2012
DOH FEATURE OF THE MONTH
- Dive
against
debris? StriveMay
against
While it was very satisfying collecting loads of trash in the Dive
against Debris activity during the June (1–4) MNS Marine Group trip
to Perhentian Island, the cynical part of us feels this movement is
really just another excuse to scuba dive, and create more debris!
Project AWARE, in Protecting our Ocean Planet – One Dive at a
TimeSM, says 'Collecting data about the debris found underwater is
… critical to filling current data gaps that exist ” and goes on, “There
would be a lot less marine debris if people were more careful with
their waste.”
The boat uses diesel and engine oil (where do the plastics go?); the
electric air compressor is ultimately diesel powered, and needs frequent filter changes (hmm … where does the operator dump the old
filters?). So, let's lead by example. Let's re-use and reduce wherever
we can; and let's also talk with our dive and resort operators so they
create as little new waste as possible while catering to our holiday. As
our children have shown, all that is essential for a good time is fresh
air, sunshine and a clean beach.
Photo Credit: C.H. Ong
Dive against Debris downplays the root cause – the creation of waste
in the first place. Let's examine our own waste creation, just for this
trip. What did we bring and consume? Really, for an island holiday,
all you need are t-shirt and shorts. But so subsumed are we in consumerism that, for us, a holiday is not complete without bags of potato chips, 3-in-1 coffee packets, snack-sized chocolate bars, sweets,
biscuits …
That's the obvious new debris that we brought along. The resort also
created waste while feeding and accommodating us: the numerous
single serve packets of butter and jam at breakfast; the small soap
bars in the rooms – again, all individually wrapped; the packaging
that accompanies all the other essentials – from laundry detergent to
drums of diesel for the electricity generator….
How about modifying our behaviour, and leading by example to how
that it is possible to reduce waste and still have an enjoyable holiday?
Yes, do have a bag of our favourite imported potato chips, but also,
do buy munchies from our local kacang putih vendor, filling our own
re-used plastic bags; let's pre-mix our own 3 in 1 Milo/coffee at
home; and bring our own soap bars and shampoo. On the island,
those in groups could inform the resort operator we are happy to
share a big block of butter and a jar of jam at breakfast. And we can
all use less air conditioning and enjoy the fresh island air more.
We don't need to dive to know that marine debris is a problem. A
beach survey and clean-up, which we also performed during the trip
for the Clean Coast Index, may actually provide more accurate datapoints. It is certainly lower impact – just walk, collect and tabulate.
Don't forget – scuba diving generates waste too.
Resource: Malaysia Nature Society Selangor Branch
Protect the rusa, or lose it forever
The survival of the sambar deer is also pivotal to realising the country’s goal of saving the Malayan tiger.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers (MYCAT) is calling for urgent and decisive action to save the sambar deer, a critical food source for wild tigers and a species
that is already missing from several protected forests in the country.
The sambar deer, locally known as rusa, is facing extinction in Peninsular Malaysia due to poaching
for its meat and for sport. Despite a six-year moratorium on hunting sambar deer that was put into
place in 2009, scientists have found no evidence of population recovery to date.
The sambar deer has not been captured in camera trap studies in selected forests in Kelantan and Pahang, and are seen less frequently in areas
studied in Johor by MYCAT partner organisations.
Rather than waiting until the moratorium runs out in 2014, MYCAT calls for an immediate change of the sambar deer’s legal status – from
hunted species to totally protected species – under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.
Total protection means absolutely no hunting or trade. Under the Act, penalties for hunting or keeping totally protected wildlife can reach
RM300,000 (approx. USD91,075) and/or 10 years jail.
“The sambar needs both on-the-ground and legal protection now. The former has proved difficult given the meagre resources at hand, but the
latter can be done today by the Minister for Natural Resources and Environment. It a serious situation and we hope he will give the sambar full
legal protection,” says MYCAT general manager, Dr Kae Kawanishi.
This call is prompted by research in northern Taman Negara National Park, Pahang where MYCAT found that beyond the western border of
the Park, the sambar deer is nearly extinct due to poaching.
Even inside the park, it has remained a rarity since the 1990s. Meanwhile, tiger population in the same area has plummeted over the past decade. In southern Pahang, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)-Malaysia Programme has also not recorded any sambar deer on camera traps.
In Kelantan, WWF-Malaysia did not record any evidence of the sambar deer in scientific studies conducted in 2004, 2005 and 2012.
Protecting the tiger too
Perhilitan’s records show that the sambar deer was legally hunted in the same area in the early 80s,
but it is now likely locally extinct in the Gunung Basor and Gunung Stong Utara Forest Reserves in
Kelantan.
However, in Johor, where there has been a strictly-enforced hunting ban since 2008, the sambar
deer have often been camera-trapped but less frequently than wild boar and bearded pigs.
“The data is clear. Strict field enforcement linked with a sympathetic policy of protection is crucial if the sambar deer is to survive,” says WCS
-Malaysia Programme’s feline biologist, Liang Song Horng.
The survival of the sambar deer is also pivotal to realising the country’s goal of saving the Malayan tiger, our experts warn. A recent WWFMalaysia study in Belum-Temengor found that where there are more sambar deer, there are more tigers.
“The sambar deer is the largest preferred tiger prey species. It provides the tiger with the greatest energy for the effort spent hunting it,” says
WWF-Malaysia’s tiger biologist Dr. Mark Rayan.
“So, the two species are inextricably linked. If sambar deer numbers go down, tiger numbers will too and the evidence is already pointing in
that direction,” he adds.
MYCAT urges this action in the hopes of making enforcement simpler for authorities and ensuring continued protection for the sambar deer,
which has seen its wild population decimated by persistent illegal hunting for the wild meat market. “Poaching has already driven the wild banteng and Javan rhino to extinction in Peninsular Malaysia, with the Malayan tiger and many other species not far behind. The time to avert this
crisis is now,” says Traffic Southeast Asia’s Acting Regional Director, Dr Chris Shepherd.
Resource: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com
DOH RECIPE OF THE MONTH - Nasi Ulam Recipe (Malaysian Mixed Herb Rice)
Preparation Time:
40 minutes
Cooking Time:
10 minutes
Makes:
2 serving
Ingredients A
~ 1/3 cup dried shrimp
~ 1/2 cup fresh or frozen shredded coconut
~ 2 cups cooked rice, chilled
~ 5-6 medium daun kadok (wild betel leaves), finely sliced
~ 1/4 cup Thai basil leaves, finely sliced
~ 1/4 cup mint leaves, finely sliced
~ 1/4 cup daun kesom (polygonum leaves/Vietnamese mint leaves), finely sliced
~ 3 kaffir lime leaves, finely sliced
~ 5 shallots, peeled and thinly sliced
~ 1 lemongrass, white part only, thinly sliced
~ 1 teaspoon salt
~ 1 teaspoon sugar
~ 3 heavy dashes white pepper powder
~ 3 heavy dashes black pepper powder
Method:
Soak the dried shrimp in warm water until softened. Coarsely pound them using a mortar and pestle. Heat up a
wok and dry toast the pounded shrimp until they are dry or smell aromatic. Do not burn the dried shrimp.
Make the shredded coconut into kerisik by stir-frying them continuously in a wok, until they turn golden brown in
color. Transfer to the mortar and pestle and pound until fine. Set aside.
In a big bowl, combined the cooked rice and all the herbs, shallots, toasted coconut, and dried shrimp together.
Add the salt, sugar, and peppers. Toss to combine well. Serve immediately.
DOH RECIPE OF THE MONTH - Cucur Badak Recipe
Preparation Time:
Less than half hour
Cooking Time:
Less than half hour
Makes:
5 serving
Ingredients
For the dough
1 lb sweet potatoes (boiled and mashed)
10 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Small shrimps for garnishing (with shells and heads on)
1 tablespoon of sugar
A pinch of salt
For the filling
4 cups of grated coconut
1/2 cup of dried shrimps
1 garlic*
3 shallots *
6 fresh red chillies (or dried red chilies)*
1 lemon grass (use only the white part)*
1 1/2 teaspoon tumeric powder
5 slices of peeled fresh ginger*
Salt to taste
Sugar to taste (palm sugar preferred)
2 tablespoons cooking oil
Method
For the dough
Boil the sweet potatoes in hot boiling water for 15 minutes.
Peel the skin off the boiled sweet potatoes and mash them in a big bowl
Mix the mashed sweet potatoes with flour, sugar, and salt till a soft dough is formed. The dough shouldn’t be too
sticky. If too sticky, add more flour to the mixture.
For the filling
For the filling
Pound all the (*) ingredients.
Soak the dried shrimps in hot water for 15 minutes and then pound them. Set aside.
Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil and add in the pounded ingredients plus the pounded dried shrimps. Fry till
fragrant.
Add in the grated coconut and mix well.
Add in salt and sugar to taste.
Set aside and let it cool.
For the wrapping
Dust your hands with some flour and take a bit of dough (about the size of a small ball), flatten it and put the filling in the middle.
Cover the filling and press one small shrimp on top of the dough.
Heat oil and fry till golden brown.
HOTEL UPDATES
Kings Green Hotel City Centre Melaka (Boutique Hotel)
Opening
Location
Rooms
: 18 Oct 2013
: Malacca
: 161 guest rooms
The Royale Bintang, Penang
Opening
Location
Rooms
: End 2013
: Georgetown City
: 300 Rooms
The St. Regis, Kuala Lumpur
Opening
Location
Rooms
: 1 December 2014
: An artist's impression of St Regis Kuala Lumpur in KL Sentral.
: 200 guest rooms & 200 branded residences
The Clans Hotel, Georgetown
Opening
Location
Rooms
: 3rd Quarter2014
: The Khoo Kongsi, Georgetown
: 46 stylish rooms and suites
Tanjung Rhu Resort (renovation works in progress)
Duration : Rooms: Immediate till 15 December 2013 and resume in the New Year 2014, Saffron
Restaurant: Immediate till November 2013, Rhu Restaurant: Immediate till October/
November 2013
Involves : Refitting the room interior with an improved layout, new furniture and fittings, new wall
and ceiling panels as well as electrical and plumbing improvement.
Note
: The works areas will be designated from time to time and buffer zones will be
incorporated to reduce impact on guest rooms and facilities.
Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa, Langkawi (renovation works in progress)
Duration : Immediate effect till end October 2013
Involves: Constructing an additional swimming pool (infinity)
Impact : All facilities/services of the hotel is not affected and are still available to guests e.g. main
swimming pool, beach area, coffee house, restaurant, lobby, bar, etc
Note
: There no facilities throughout the hotel will be closed.
The Andaman, Langkawi (renovation work in progress)
Duration : 8 May 2013 - 31 October 2013
Involves : 47 new Seaview rooms are in progress while 17 new luxury suites on the ground floor
is delayed, an additional 6 weeks is required to fully complete the work of private pools
and gardens.
Impact : North Wing and view of the building from the beach
EVENT UPDATES
Royal Pahang Billfish International
Challenge
13 Sep 2013 – 15 Sep 2013
Venue: Lanjut Beach & Golf Resort,
Rompin, Pahang
1Malaysia Contemporary Arts Tourism Festival
02 Jul 2013 – 30 Sep 2013
Venue: Kuala Lumpur Convention
Centre
The Royal Pahang Billfish International Challenge is the flagship event
for Pahang Government State, Tioman Development Authority & Pahang
Tourism. This event is the largest
fishing competition in Malaysia currently which involved many local and
overseas participants.
This prestigious event gives an insight
into Malaysia's fascinating contemporary arts scene. The unique platform
showcases both established and upand-coming names in the industry.
Malaysia Day Celebration
16 Sep 2013
Venue: Nationwide
1Malaysia Lantern Tourism Festival
19 Sep 2013
Venue: Central Market, Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia Day is held on September 16
yearly to commemorate the establishment of the Malaysian federation on the
same date in 1963. Celebrations are
held at various parts of the country.
The Lantern Festival, also known as
the Mid-Autumn or Mooncake Festival, traditionally signifies the end of
the harvest season. Malaysian Chinese homes celebrate with family gettogethers, prayers, and mooncakes,
while kids show off their latest lantern
designs.
Fabulous Food 1Malaysia - Malaysia International Gourmet Festival
01 Oct 2013 – 31 Oct 2013
Venue: Kuala Lumpur
Hari Raya Aidiladha
15 Oct 2013
Venue: Nationwide
Get ready for a delectable feast as
gourmet restaurants and top chefs
whip up a variety of special dishes
and delicacies using fine, quality ingredients. Travel around the country
and savour delicious culinary creations.
Also known as Hari Raya Haji, this
festival marks the culmination of the
Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca which is performed by millions of Muslims annually.
It is also known as Hari Raya Qurban.
Muslims in the country celebrate the
festival with prayers and the sacrifice of
cattle.
Asia Harley Days
14 Sep 2013 – 21 Sep 2013
Venue: KLCC Esplanade
he year 2012/2013 will mark Harley
Davidson’s 110th anniversary. For
this very special occasion, the Harley
Davidson 110th Anniversary Experience will tour around the world. This
event includes custom bike shows,
multiple stages for music and live
bands, motorcycle display area and
motorcycle parade and is set to come
to September 2013 in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.
Textile Craft Promotion
26 Sep 2013 – 07 Oct 2013
Venue: Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex,
Kuala Lumpur
This promotion showcases the beautiful
textiles of Malaysia, such as batik and
other materials. Browse through the outlets selling a variety of textiles and visit
the exhibitions and demonstrations.
1Malaysia Lantern Tourism Festival
11 Oct 2013 – 13 Oct 2013
Venue: Sepang International Circuit,
Selangor
Catch the world's best riders and
bikes in action at the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix, held over three
days at the Sepang International Circuit.