By: Roslan Ismail (Malaysia Airlines, Indonesia)

Bundaran HI, Thamrin

Picture of Jakarta

Welcome and enjoy Jakarta is the tag line for tourists when arrived in Jakarta.  As the capital city of Indonesia Jakarta is the melting pot of the people from different cultures, tradition, races, religion, education backgrounds and social status. It is a gateway to other tourist destinations in Indonesia and is equipped with all the means of modern transportation by air, sea, rail, or by land.

Jakarta was founded in 1572 (formerly known as Sunda Kelapa) and renamed it as Jayakarta, which means Victory. It was known as Batavia and the major ethnic of Jakarta people is Betawi people together with Sudanese and the Javanese who migrated here in great numbers after World War II. The history and culture of Jakarta are intertwined with many elements of India, Arabia and other parts of Asia and the colonial powers of Europe.

One thing about big city is the traffic that always happens in Jakarta especially during peak hours. So just relax and be patient so you will enjoy the city.

Monas / Monumen National

Sunset at Taman Impian Jaya Ancol

Where to Stay

Five star hotels are usually located in the city centre such as Jl. Sudirman or Thamrin area. Surrounding the Bundaran Hotel Indonesia, stand the Grand Indonesia Kempinski, Grand Hyatt, and Mandarin Oriental offering a beautiful view of the city. Other international hotels chains can be  found in Golden Triangle; Grand Melia Jakarta, Le Meridien, Sari Pan Pacific, JW Marriot, The Ritz Carlton and The Intercontinental Mid Plaza. Further north, you can find a slight more secluded hotel even located in the middle of the city. Borobudur Hotel offers privacy as wellas world class service and facility.  In the southern part of town, the option includes The Darmawangsa as an elegant boutique hotel, Grand Mahakam and Grand Kemang. Also Mulia hotel that located in senayan area.

For cheaper accommodation, Backpacker will usually choose the hotel in Jalan Jaksa. Here you can select from various mid price hotels and modest hostel.

List of Accomodations:

1. Grand Hyat: Jl. MH Thamrin Kav.28 Phone: 62-21-390 1234 (5star)
2. Grand Indonesia kempinski : JL.MH Thamrin Phone: 62-21-230 1008 (5star)
3. JW Marriot: Jl.Lingkar Mega Kuningan kav. E1.2 Phone:62-21-5798 8888 (5star)
4. Ritz Carlton : Lingkar Mega Kuningan Kav.E1 No.1 phone: 62-21-2551 8888 (5star)
5. Grand Mahakam: Jl.Mahakam I no.6 phone : 720 9966 (4star)
6. Sari Pan Pacific : Jl.MH Thamrin  phone; 62-21-390 2707 (4star)
7. Mulia Hotel : Jl. Asia Africa phone: 62-21-574 7777 (5 star)
8. Arcadia Hotel Jl.KH Wahid Hasyim 114 phone : 62-21-230 0050 (3 star)

Dinning Experience

Welcome to a world of wonderful taste treats and aromas! Jakarta’s special local cuisine offers much culinary food such as:
1. Nasi Goreng or Fried Rice differs slightly from the Chinese version. It has more seasonings and appears a bit darker, with a sweet soy sauce flavor.
2. Sate or Satay is also one of Indonesia’s most popular foods.
3. Gado-gado or means mixture as Indonesia’s national dish, which is actually quite similar to salad, served with a unique peanut sauce dressing.
4. Kerak Telor which consist of a mixture of sticky rice, serundeng (grated coconut), ebi (little shrimps), egg and spices then mixed and baked like omelets.
5. Soto (soup like dish) ia snother specific and familiar cuisines of Indonesia. A lot of kind and tastes of soto among others: Soto Betawi, soto ayam, soto Madura, soto mie and many more.
6. Sayur Asem usually served in a set menu with Nasi timbel, fried Gurame fish , sambal terasi and salted fish +lalapan (raw or steamed vegetables) –known as Sundanese food.
7. Nasi uduk is a Betawi traditional food

List of Restaurants (Indonesian food):

1. Sari Kuring (sundanese) located at SCBD lot 21 phone : 62-21-515 5302
2. Beautika (Manado) at jl.Hang Lekir No.1 phone 62-21-722 6683
3. Sate khas senayan at jl.HOS Cokroaminoto no 78 phone 62-21-3928763
4. Nasi uduk kebon kacang located at jl.Kebon kacang, tanah abang.

Jakarta’s Nightlife

Work hard, party hard! Celebrate the night life of Jakarta seems to be no end to Jakarta’s entertainment spots. From North (Glodok or kota) to South Jakarta has got you to cover.

List of Music Bars:

Blowfish –Wisma Mulia at Jl Jend gatot Subroto, Dragonfly- Graha BIP Jl.Gatot Subroto 23, and Mistere-Lingkar Mega Kuningan.

Shopping Pleasure

Jakarta, the Shopper Paradise - manages to charm all visitors with its magnificent sky-scrapper Malls and all the name brands you can dream of within. Every mall is unique with its own characteristic, e.g Plaza Indonesia- located in the heat of Jakarta at Jl. MH Thamrin, Plaza Senayan and Senayan City at Asia Africa stands out as the favorites hangout for the fashion-trend conscious among us. Pondok Indah mall- what makes this mall unique is the bridge walkway connecting the 1st and 2nd building high above the main road.

Bargain Hunters

The most prominent name in low budget shopping is ITC, whether it is ITC Mangga Dua, ITC Cempaka Mas, ITC Kuningan or others such as Tanah Abang this is where to finds lots of small boutiques with a variety of fashion items. Everything here is discounted. Roxy Mas in West Jakarta is recommended for cellular phones. Another electronic heaven is Glodok.

Culture Vulture

One particular place known for its collection of Indonesian antiques is Jalan Surabaya , located in the Menteng Area. For smart souvenirs-shopping you can always visit Jakarta’s Art Market (Pasar Seni Jakarta) located in Ancol area. Other areas with a special identify are Sarinah in Thamrin where you can buy hand carved wood accessories or batik.

Places of interest

1. Taman Mini Indonesia Indah(TMII)
The enormous Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park gives visitors an overview of the Indonesia archipelago, its geography, arts, cultures, customs and tradition. It’s also good for family recreation such as Snow bay (water theme park) and Keong mas (golden snail) theatre, which present films on huge IMAX screen.
2. Taman Impian Jaya Ancol
The largest and most popular amusement park in Jakarta. It’s specially designed for family recreation, with a water park, theme park (Dunia Fantasi better known as Dufan), an art market, sea world and oceanic park, golf course hotels, restaurants and Beach Park.
3. Sunda Kelapa Harbour
This area is locally known as Pasar Ikan (fish market). Every morning, the catch is auctioned and it’s also an inter island port when visitors can come to see traditional wooden sailboats.
4.  Pulau Seribu (Thousand Island)
Scattered throughout the bay of Jakarta is easy accessible since of the tiny island  paradises are 20 minutes to 2 hours by speedboat from the Marina Ancol. These islands are ideal places for a change of pace, consist Pulau Seribu Marine Resort, Ayer Island, Bidadari island, Putri Island and etc.

Best Season to visit:

Great sale in Jun because of the Jakarta Anniversary and August for Independence Day, Hari Raya and December.

Significant touristic spot that keeps travelers coming back:

1. Friendly people
2. Shopper paradise
3. Culinary
4. Night life
5. SPA and Golf

There are a lot of things that is unusual in Jakarta such as:

- Festival in jalan Jaksa/kemang where you can find traditional Indonesian food, entertainment
- Independence day Festival (17August) where you can find panjat pinang (Group of 5 people try to reach gifts on the top of the Pinang tree which is oily and slippery)
- Ondel-ondel as traditional Betawi clown on Jakarta Anniversary
- PRJ (Pekan Raya Jakarta) only in June to celebrate Jakarta Anniversary
- Ojek (transportation by motorbike) as another alternative to avoid traffic jam.

Tips:

Even though we have direct flight KUL/BDO, the trip JKT to BDO only takes 2 hours driving.

Now, what are you waiting for? Get ready and start to pack to the Legend of Batavia. Malaysia Airlines flies 38x weekly from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta.

By: Azman Ismail (Malaysia Airlines, MASenidaya)

Pada 8 Ogos 2010 yang lalu, sekali lagi MASenidaya membuat kejutan besar pada tahun ini  di mana, kumpulan kebudayaan anak-anak MAS MAStari dan MASgamelan bersama MASCombo Jazz Band menyerikan majlis persandingan Dato Nur Mohammad Backer dan Datin Huda, di mana jemputan khas DYTM Raja Muda Perlis Syed Faizuddin Putra Ibni Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail  yang juga bekas kakitangan MAS sedikit masa dahulu. MAStari yang terdiri dari anak-anak kakitangan MAS yang berumur dari tujuh sehingga 12 tahun dan MASgamelan dari umur 9 hingga 16 tahun, berjaya menghiburkan dihadapan para tetamu khas diraja pada malam tersebut.

Dengan latihan intensif selama empat minggu sahaja, mereka berjaya membuat persembahan dua tarian tradisional gamelan dengan diiringi muzik gamelan secara live di hadapan baginda. Tarian Gamelan yang telah dikontemkan dari lagu gamelan ‘Lambang Sari' dan tarian kontem rakyat dengan lagu ‘Lenggang Kangkong’ telah membuatkan tetamu diraja terpegun dan terus mengambil gambar anak-anak MAStari dengan talifon bimbit baginda. Menurut sumber dari pembantu peribadi baginda DYTM Raja Muda Perlis amat berpuas hati dan suka akan persembahan yang dilakukan oleh anak-anak MAStari pada malam tersebut. Syabas pada semua anak-anak MAStari dan MASgamelan atas daya usaha anda semua menjayakan majlis perkahwinan yang dihadiri oleh kerabat di raja yang juga bekas kakitangan MAS.

Terima kasih diucapkan pada ibubapa yang tidak jemu menghantar anak-anak MAStari untuk menjalani latihan setiap hari Sabtu dan Ahad dari jam 10.00-1200 tengahari dan petang dari jam 3.00-6.00 petang di studio sudut seni SZB. Sekurang-kurangnya mereka mempunyai aktiviti yang dapat dimanafaatkan untuk diri sendiri selain dari belajar tarian tradisional Melayu yang diajar oleh jurutari yang didatangkan khas dari Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Selangor Cik gu Acik.

Saya sebagai Pengerusi MASenidaya 2010 amat berpuas hati dan rasa bangga dengan pencapaian yang dilakukan oleh anak-anak buah saya yang berjaya mengharumkan nama MASenidaya sekaligus nama Penerbangan Malaysia serta tidak ketinggalan Kelab Sukan MAS yang banyak menyokong aktiviti kami pada tahun 2010 ini.

Pada pembantu saya sekalu exco KSM Encik Nadzri dan isteri saya Puan Noor Intan Shafinar banyak membantu menjayakan setiap latihan di hujung minggu dan pembantu saya yang terdiri dari ahli MASenidaya sendiri serta Cik gu Acik dari JKKN Selangor dan Cik gu YM Raja Nor Sheela dari ASWARA, anda semua adalah pengerak seni yang tidak pernah jemu dan mengaku kalah dalam menjalankan tugas dengan penuh iklas dan setia dengan kerenah anak-anak MAS ini. Tanpa anda semua maka tidak akan kita kecapi kejayaan ini.

Pada anak-anak MAStari dan MASgamelan, cikgu mengucapkan selamat berpuasa dan belajar mengejar ilmu dunia dan akhirat dengan iklas dan jujur dan jangan terlalu  mengharapkan balasan dengan apa sahaja kerja yang kita lakukan kerana segala usaha yang ikhlas akan dibalas dengan ikhlas.

MASgamelan membuat latihan akhir…

MAStari latihan terakhir…..

Diharap persembahan ini bukanlah persembahan yang terakhir buat MAStari dan MASgamelan, tingkatkan latihan selepas ini dan segala undangan akan cuba kita tunaikan dengan sedaya upaya yang kita mampu.

Perancangan pada tahun 2011, MASenidaya, MAStari dan MASgamelan akan mendapatkan undangan keluar negara untuk terus mempromosikan tarian tradional Malaysia di mata dunia.

Saya juga akan cuba sedaya upaya saya selagi khidmat saya diperlukan untuk terus menyemarakkan seni dikalangan generasi muda mahupun yang berumur dikalangan anak-anak dan kakitangan MAS.

Pada uncle-uncle MASCombo, persembahan tetap matap seperti dahulu dengan lagu-lagu jazz dan moden melayu pada malam tersebut. Diharap masa akan datang terus akan berkoblirasi dengan MASenidaya.

Dengan kejayaan persembahan dihadapan DYMM Raja Muda Perlis ini adalah kejayaan kita bersama dan juga kejayaan Penerbangan Malaysia dan Kelab Sukan MAS yang berjaya mempunyai kakitangan yang berbakat seperti anda semua. Jadi jangan persia-siakan bakat yang ada dan diharap dipergunakan sepenuhnya untuk diri sendiri dan seni.

Pada pembantu saya yang banyak manabur jasa tanpa penat lelah, anda juga adalah tangga kejayaan persembahan yang saya rasa amat bemakna untuk tahun 2010 ini. Tanpa anda semua segalanya tidak akan berjalan dengan lancar dan jayanya.

Akhir kata, segala penat lelah kita bersama telah membuahkan hasil yang amat bermakna dan terkesan sehingga bila-bila.

Majulah seni untuk MASenidaya, MAStari dan MASgamelan untuk terus mengegarkan dunia bahawa kita bukan sahaja pekerja Syarikat Penerbangan Malaysia, malah kita juga adalah duta untuk Malaysia di mata dunia.

Selamat menyambut bulan Ramadhan Al Mubaraq dan Selamat Menyambut Hari Raya Aidil Fitri 1431 Hijrah dari kami wargakerja seni MASenidaya 2010.

By: Azman Ismail (Malaysia Airlines, MASenidaya)

Buat pertama kalinya Koperasi Serbaguna Kakitangan MAS selaku penaja Kumpulan MASenidaya ke Festival Tong Tong di The Hague pada bulan May yang lalu, telah menjemput kumpulan kebudayaan anak-anak kakitangan MAS yang terlibat membuat persembahan di Majlis Makan Malam Dan Perasmian Mesyuarat Agong Tahunan Perwakilan kali ke-13 yang telah dirasmikan oleh Y.B.Dato Hajjah Rohani Bt Abdul Karim Timbalan Menteri Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri Koperasi & Kepenggunaan pada 25 Jun 2010 bertempat di Grand Dorsett Subang Hotel Subang Jaya.

Seramai 8 penari genit berumur dari 7 - 10 tahun telah berjaya membuat persembahan semasa makan malam bermula jam 8.30 malam dan diiringi oleh kumpulan gamelan anak-anak MAS seramai 7 orang dan juga dari umur 8 -16 tahun.

Tarian berunsurkan TariGamelan yang telah dikontemkan oleg Jurutari jemputan dari JKKN ( Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara) Cikgu Acik dengan iringan lagu Gamelan Lambang Sari, telah berjaya memukau mata hadirin seketika dan penari ini juga mengiringi masuk tetamu kehormat masuk ke dalam dewan dengan disulami pembukaan silat dari kalangan ahli gamelan.

Dengan hanya 4 kali latihan bermula sejak 4 minggu yang lalu, setiap hari Ahad dari jam 3-6  petang, mereka berjaya membuat persembahan yang amat boleh dibanggakan. Insallah, selepas ini banyak undangan bakal diterima oleh mereka dengan tersebarnya gambar-gambar persembahan mereka ini dalam laman Facebook dan Youtube (masenidaya).

Semuga dengan komitmen dan sokongan dari ibubapa dari kalangan kakitangan MAS yang tidak jemu menghantar anak-anak dalam kelas MAStari dan MASgamelan ini, maka semangat anak-anak ini tidak akan pudar dalam menjiwai seni kebudayaan bangsa dari terus dilupakan.

Kelas MAStari dan MASgamelan akan terus diadakan setiap hari Ahad dari jam 2-6pm dan pada ibubapa kakitangan lain  yang berminat untuk menghantar ank-anak melihat sendiri latihan diadakan, bolehlah datang sendiri melihat latihan yang kami adakan untuk terus mencungkil bakat seni anak-anak di Studio MASenidaya Basement Admin 1 SZB atau boleh hubungi Pengerusi MASenidaya.

Sokongan dari pihak pengurusan amat kami hargai untuk kami terus menghidupkan seni pada generasi muda anak-anak MAS.

Majulah Seni Untuk 1MH dan 1Malaysia

By: Azman Ismail (Malaysia Airlines, MASenidaya)

MASenidaya has been invited by Tourism Malaysia, The Netherlands to participate at the 52nd Tong-tong Festival, The Hague from 18th May – 25th May 2010.

Tong-tong Festival is the biggest Eurasian festival in the world where last year alone attracted some 133,000 visitors to the fair. The event is a sensory stimulating blend of cultural performances, exhibitions and food fair rolled into one. Workshops in music, dance, art, cooking will also be held. Lecturers, master chefs, cook from Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia and USA were invited in recent years.

MASenidaya team of 24 staff from various departments in MAS will showcase 10 various traditional folklore dances of Malaysia famed for its warmth and friendliness.

En, Azman Ismail, Chairman of MASenidaya says that: “We realized the expectations from the audiences, the organizer and Tourism Malaysia are indeed very high, but MASenidaya spirit of MH is just as high. To be involved in the prestigious festival, it is also MASenidaya small contributions toward the Company. God willing, with the involvement of MASenidaya, hopefully will generate interest to the Benelux’s. The  arrival of tourist form Holland amounting 122,000 visitors  last year, an increase of 10%  plus the fact that Malaysia Airlines daily flight on KUL/AMS/KUL sector, it will indeed be the catalyst of an increase visitors to Malaysia and passengers on Malaysia Airlines.”

By: Azman Ismail (Malaysia Airlines, MASenidaya)

Sekali lagi kami menjemput anak-anak dari kalangan kakitangan MAS, Firefly dan MASWings untuk turut bersama menjayakan product baru MASenidaya 2010 untuk terus mencungkil bakat yang terpendam dalam anak-anak anda untuk bersama menyerikan kumpulan tarian kebudayaan dan gamelan MAS untuk mereke terus menjadi insan seni yang memahami erti sebenar seni budaya bangsa sendiri.

Seperti yang telah kita war-warkan, tahun 2010 ini MASenidaya sekali lagi membuat kejutan dengan menubuhkan sebuah kumpulan Gamelan Wanita yang terdiri dari kakitangan MAS dari kalangan wanita sahaja telah mendapat sambutan amat mengalakkan.

Seramai 10 orang wanita yang berani mencuba bakat untuk mengerakan sebuah kumpulan Gamelan Wanita telah berjaya menjalani sessi percubaan memperkenalkan muzik gamelan dikalangan kakitangan wanita MAS.

Pada hari pertama hari ini 19 Januari 2010 dari jam 1300-1400 waktu rehat telah dimanafaatkan sepenuhnya untuk mereka mula-mula mengenali apa itu muzik Gamelan.

Dengan tunjuk ajar dari Pengerusi MASenidaya sendiri secara sukarela telah berjaya membawa perubahan besar dalam tahun 2010 ini. Semuga kehadiran mereka ini akan kekal untuk terus mendalami muzik gamelan sebagai hobi dan mengisi masa lapang atau sebagai kokurikulum selain dari kerja pejabat sebagai menghilangkan rasa stress.

Diharap terapi muzik waktu rehat ini akan meningkatkan mutu kerja mereka dan dapat menenangkan jiwa yang memahaminya. Pada mereka yang berminat boleh lah menyertai mereka ini setiap hari Selasa dan Khamis dari jam 1300-1400hr dengan kadar bayaran yang paling mininum di dunia yang penting biar belajar secara iklas.

Insallah akhir tahun ini kita bakal menonjolkan bakat seni dikalangan kakitangan wanita MAS di persembahan Syarikat, awam mahupun keluar negara siapa tahu!

Mereka dari kalangan bukan melayu digalakkan menyertainya bersama. Segala pertanyaan boleh hubungi: azmanis@malaysiaairlines,com atau call 019-2273466.

Kekalkan kehadiran anda dan ingat terapi muzik dapat menghilangkan stress.

'Bersama semarakkan 1SENI,1MH dan 1MALAYSIA'

By: Azman Ismail (Malaysia Airlines, MASenidaya)

Penubuhan kelas asas tari tradisional anjuran MASenidaya dikalangan anak-anak kakitangan MAS bagi memupuk kecintaan dan minat terhadap seni tari tradisional mendapat galakkan yang amat membanggakan.

Bermula pada awal bulan May 2009, seramai 21 orang anak-anak comel dari umur 4-12 tahun giat berlatih setiap hari Sabtu dari jam 2.30 - 4.30 petang dibawah jurulatih yang di bawa khas dari luar Encik Huzaini Bin Mohd Hussein, Encik Zainuddin Bin Abdullah dan  Encik Zairulazmi  Bin Othman dan di bantu oleh sukarelawan MASenidaya sendiri Encik Mohd Nadzri Ismail dan Puan Noor Intan Shafinar Yahaya, dan jurulatih gamelan anak-anak MAS YM Puan Raja Nor Sheela Bt Raja Aziddin dari ASWARA, telah berjaya membuat persembahan pertama di majlis meraikan pelawat anak-anak PINTAR 2009 di Auditorium Akademi MAS pada jam 0800 malam 9 Dec 2009.

Majlis lawatan anak-anak PINTAR seramai 160 orang telah sama-sama menonton persembahan pertama MAStari. Manakala, persembahan Gamelan anak-anak MAS menghiburkan mereka sambil mereka menjamu selera di cafetria MAA.

Majlis ini telah disempurnakan bersama YB Dato Haji Yusof Ahmad Muhaiyuddin (GMHR) dan YB Dato Kapten Nawawi Haji Awang (SGMER). Diakhir majlis tersebut, Dato Kapten Nawawi dan iringi Dato Haji Yusof telah sudi menyampaikan sijil penghargaan pada anak-anak MAStari dan Gamelan sempena majlis graduasi mereka bagi tahun 2009 dengan jayanya.

Untuk projek tahun 2010, bakat seni anak-anak MAStari dan Gamelan ini akan terus kami gilap untuk persembahan di dalam dan di luar negara. Terima kasih pada semua yang terlibat menjayakan projek MASenidaya bagi tahun 2009 ini dan saya berbangga dengan komitmen yang ditunjukan oleh ibubapa dikalangan kakitangan MAS yang banyak berkorbankan masa dan tenaga bagi menjayakan majlis graduasi tahun 2009 ini. Terima kasih tidak terhingga juga pada IFS Encik Salleh Ismail yang banyak membantu menyerikan lagi costume anak-anak pada malam tersebut.

Sokongan dari pihak MAS, MASwings dan Firefly amat kami hargai dan sanjungi bagi terus memartabatkan seni anak-anak MAS ini dimasa akan datang.

Syabas pada anak-anak comel MAStari dan MAS Gamelan 2009.

"Bersama Menyemarakkan Seni Kepersada Antarabangsa"

By: Suat Vatansever (Malaysia Airlines, Turkey)

We carried Sakarya University races for Sun cars competition in Australia on 30 Sep 2009. SAITEM is one of the departments in Sakarya University to create Sun Cars with new technology in creating Green Cars for environment friendly without using petrol.

Saitem has participated in Shell Eco Marathon on 15 May 2009, the race is organized in Germany between Berlin-Dresden, and Saitem was 3rd.

This will be the second time that Saitem is participating in the race in Australia between Darwin – Adelaide (3000 km) on 20 October 2009.

MH ISTANBUL IS ALWAYS SUPPORTING SCIENCE and ART

By: Saravanan Subbaraman (Engineering & Maintenance)

BHARATHA NATYAM? A south Indian art form of dance so ancient and beautiful it’s been said that even the Gods fall spell bound when a dancer performs with their fullest Heart and Soul. Bharatha literally is the acronym of BHA – BHAVAM (expression), RA – RAAGAM (tune), THA – THALAM (rhythm) and Natyam means Dance. Therefore, the combination of expressions, being in sync with the tune and rhythm of the music or song played added with “Mudhras” (hand gestures), intricate steps, leaps and turns is what this dance form is all about.

It all began when I was around 7 years old, my mum who had danced for MAS in here younger days wanted to see her sons dance as well and enrolled me and my brother under her dance coach, Mrs. Vatsala Sivadas (Malaysia’s famous Peacock dance duo) at the Temple of Fine Arts.

Honestly, I was not an avid fan of this art form at first. I only went because like most children do, to please their parents and I merely took it as an exercise. But after the age of 15, I realized that when I danced, people stopped and looked in awe. Hence, I must be doing something right without my realization. After attending many dance performances and learning the scriptures of each dance before performing is when a whole new world of understanding was bestowed upon me. I now know that the dancer is able to invoke many sorts of feelings upon the audience merely with his dance.

I, Saravanan Subbaraman, am now a trainee engineer with MAS and a blessed Indian who is mastering this art form. Nobody would believe when they see that one moment I’m covered in grease, dust and grit looking shabby and worn out at work and the next adorned in jewellery, draped in silk and groomed to perfection before a performance.

It is a daunting task to juggle my passion of dancing with a career that requires lots of time studying, on job trainings and exams. As the saying goes and has never been wrong, WHERE THERE’S A WILL, THERE’S A WAY. I would call my dance teacher to inform of any cancellations and reschedule to the next possible date and time.

At present, I’m in a dilemma of having the burden and pressure to excel in both fields. At work, preparations are on going to becoming a Licensed Engineer and at dance the expectations are mounting for me to complete the “Arangetram” (graduation). Therefore, I have made a conscious decision of giving priority to career 1st and then with my head held up high to complete the Arangetram as a dignified Engineer.

Unlike other dances, Bharatham is inseparable with Hinduism as verses, scriptures, folklore and stories of Gods are sung and danced with fullest devotion. This helped me comprehend my religion much better as all of it is visual and physical.

Hence, when it’s the time of the year where all Hindus celebrate Deepavali - The Festival of Lights, it’s a gentle reminder of the virtue of prayer and devotion all darkness is shunned by brightness, triumph of good over evil and enlightenment is all within one’s self. On this day of Deepavali, first salutation is given to god by visiting his abode after taking a morning bath and adorning new clothing then it is time for visiting family and friends, the day goes by with just spending time with family and at the end of it, a simple family prayer as a sign of gratefulness for all that we have been blessed and together we light oil lamps around the house as a symbol of acceptance of enlightenment into our lives from then on, followed by a dinner feast.

By: Azman Ismail (Malaysia Airlines, MASenidaya)

Mulanya rasa macam tak ramai yang nak join MAStari ni, tapi pada 9 May 2009 Sabtu jam 2 petang dah mula ramai family yang datang untuk register anak-anak untuk kelas yang buat julungkali dianjurkan oleh MASenidaya.

Thank God, hari pertama seramai 15 orang anak-anak staff yang berumur dari 5 - 13 tahun datang mendaftar untuk kelas MAStari dan minggu kedua Sabtu lepas on 16 May 2009 bertambah menjadi 18 orang mula berminat untuk mempelajari tarian tradisional ini.

Pendaftaran cuma RM20.00 dan monthly RM30.00 rasanya cukup murah untuk kelas selama 2 jam setiap hari Sabtu dari jam 0230-0430 petang. Dengan minuman ringan disediakan selepas 1 jam berlatih dan tenaga pengajar dari Kebudayaan Selangor dan dibantu oleh bekas penari MASenidaya Encik Nazri selaku Exco KSM dapat meringankan beban tenaga pengajar jemputan.

Tujuan dan matlamat kelas MAStari ini, bukan sahaja mencungkil bakat tari yang ada dalam jiwa anak-anak staff MAS malah kita cuba nak tekankan agar sikap jatidiri, berani, berdisplin, saling menghormati dan yakin pada diri adalah tujuan utama kelas ini diadakan. Alhamdulillah pada minggu kedua ramai anak-anak comel ini dah mula tunjukkan minat yang mendalam dalam asas senitari Inang yang diajarkan dan sudah mula mempunyai kenalan yang baru antara anak-anak staff yang lain.

Bulan pertama ini, asas tarian Inang diajar pada mereka dan pada bulan seterusnya tarian Joget dan Zapin akan diajarkan pada mereka ini sebelum jemputan khas membuat persembahan dikhalayak ramai diadakan nanti.

Target kita sebelum bulan Ramadan akan habiskan kelas MAStari ini dan pihak MASenidaya akan memberikan sijil penyertaan pada mereka yang terlibat dalam majlis graduasi nanti.

Pada mereka yang mempunyai anak yang comel dari umur 4-13 tahun maseh boleh menghantar anak-anak anda setiap hari Sabtu dari jam 0230-0430 petang untuk menimba ilmu tari ini agar mereka lebeh berani dalam menghadapi cabaran hidup disekolah mahupun diluar sana.

Sama-sama lah kita memartabatkan Senitari Melayu agar tidak dilupakan oleh generasi zaman serba moden ini yang lebeh kearah tarian kebaratan. Majulah seni untuk MAStari dan MASenidaya.

This article by Redmummy (Friends of MH) extracted from http://redmummy.com/2009/05/04/erl-to-klia-for-jakartas-trip/

thursday afternoon 30 april, ai chartered a cab from VA menghala ke ERL, Bandar Tasik Selatan. This is not an expensive trip, i have to  do a proper budget for the getaway. I m going to Jakarta under the flag of Malaysia Airlines, n i promise you that lots of entries that you can use as your guidelines, fly with me and Malaysia Airlines.

since this is my second trip to jakarta, i m quite open already. kalau dulu langsung tak tahu apa2 kan…so now dah ada pengalaman sesikitlah. In this trip, i came as a blogger, bekerja, review and berehat bercuti jugak.

Untuk ke ERL BTS, kamu boleh gunakan access lrt atau komuter sahaja. saya menggunakan taksi dari rumah VA ke sini kerana saya tidak mahu meninggalkan kereta di parking LRT.

lagi pula saya menggunakan khidmat jiran saya yang juga driver taksi, so sambil tidur pejam mata, saya membantunya mendapatkan sedikit wang saku lah.

i like this picture. seperti satu perjalanan yang jauh tiada berpenghujung. do you know that di sebelah ERL BTS ni sedang didirikan kompleks bas yang ala2 pudu raya tuh? the biggest complex in Malaysia, ai was told.

Aku tak tau pun, gamaknya kalau taun depan nak naik ERL, taun depanlah baru tau ada kompleks besar-besaran tuh. Apa jadi sama Plaza Rakyat yang digembargembur dulu tuh? rasanya dah 10 taun terbiar begitu jer kan, project tak menjadi.

walaupun saya di dalam ERL, tapi saya masih boleh mendapat connection to my blog, that s why none of you know that i was actually away to Jakarta (except few frens sahaja). setiap kali naik ERL saya lebih selesa memilih untuk duduk di tempat yang tidak menentang arus perjalanan. aku pening kepala lah kalau duduk yang berlawan arus nih, so kerana itulah dari pintu depan, aku menarik luggage ku hingga ke hujung coz takde tempat kosong pulak yang dedepan. ada tuh ada ler but pening kepara aaa…

The ERL is co comfortable, saya sudah biasa berdikari berjalan ke mana-mana bersendirian, saya pernah ke KLIA menaiki ERL tanpa ditemani sesiapa kerana ingin menemui suami yang ketika itu berada di Holland. saya hampir2 juga terlelap di dalam ERL tetapi kerana kelajuan dan kecepatan transport serbaguna ini, saya kembali ke dunia nyata.

Lagipun satu sebab saya memilih ERL coz harga tambangnya tidak mahal, kalau saya naik airport limo, mahal lah pulak yet my 2nd luggage is in my 1st luggage. so still convienent untuk pergi ke KLIA menaiki ERL.

kamu boleh membuat pilihan yang sama, tapi kalau saya bersama anak-anak, saya lebih memilih Airport Limo.

sesampai sahaja di KLIA, saya terus check in, banyak counters dibuka mempercepatkan prosess check ini di sini. rasanya dalam banyak2 countries yang saya pernah pergi, counter MAS masih di hati. kalau dah kena q pepanjang tuh alahai, oh lagipun saya buat early check in, sampai awal di airport coz nak avoid orang ramai kalau dah nak dekat boarding time.

in less than 5minutes, saya mendapat boarding pass saya. dont forget to tell the ticketing staff you nak duduk mana. saya suka duduk di depan, tidak perlu di window. di aisle pun senang. coz saya nak cepat keluar, rimas aku dok lelama lam flight yg benornya. but this trip, saya takde luck lah, seats depan sume dah taken, nak depan lagik kena pi Business class, hehehehehe, saya hanya mendapat ticket economy mar 

to kill of the time, saya berjalan2 pusing klia, nothing special. kedai brooch yang aku berkenan dari dulu broochnya, tak turun2 lagik harga. we had our late lunch di sini, the Aseana Cafe, where we saw lots of VIPS pulak lam masa yang sama.

Bukan segan nak mengambil gambar during lunch di situ, tapi dek kerana terlampau ramai VIPs, saya takut pulak kang ada yang ingat saya ni paparazzi. so saya memilih untuk makan sahaja, tanpa mengindahkan gambaran di Aseana Cafe.

usai makan, since kat Aseana Cafe terlalu ramai manusia, saya duduk di ceruk ini untuk membuat sedikit blogging job. Jejaka itu rakyat indonesia sedang menunggu untuk pulang ke jakarta jugak but he is in early flight. yang kelakornya airline dia dok diseru2 tp dia dok lagi kat situ sampai aku pulak yang tegur dia ‘you need to leave now sir, flight kamu sudah memanggil kamu’.

DI KLIA, connection to the internet is FOC, ada wifi, ada kebebasan untuk mengaccess RM. speed pun laju jugak, so memang sesuailah kalau ramai bloggers yang macam saya ni nak buat blog job.

Internet access to me, the die hard blogger adalah sangat penting. kalau tidak, kamu semua kesunyian dari any of the entries if i were on holiday.

in the boarding area, saya mencuri masa yang ada untuk berbual sama anak-anakku. Saya berpergian untuk bekerja dan saya enggan membawa anak-anak di trip kali ini. Lagipun last january, saya sudah bawak anak2 ke Jakarta, for me Jakarta is not a suitable place for my kids. Susah maknya nak menyoping….

yang paling hazab the macet in jakarta boleh bisa anak-anak mengamuk di dalam kijang innova.

MH723 is ready for RM.

saya mahu bawa kamu terbang…

ikuti perjalanan saya yah?….

This article by Redmummy (Friends of MH) extracted from http://redmummy.com/2009/05/04/capek-kerana-jakarta/

that was a big surprise isnt?

tapi untuk satu2 entry jakarta by MAS nih saya kena tulis dengan penuh terperinci, bukan boleh tulis tangkap muat waktu2 mengantuk ngan penat jerihnya. lagi pula kol 3 pagi pun saya tak tidur lagi, so camne saya nak flowkan idea.

untuk itu, saya hold dulu sehingga saya bertenaga semula.

in my previous entries berulang kali saya bilang, saya shopping - it s true, saya buat mini tiny soping sket kat jakarta and bandung.

saya juga kata saya tidur - di waktu malam of cos lah, dan di dalam kijang innova coz jakarta and bandung penuh dengan macet (jem). waktu itulah saya melelapkan mata dan berehat.

entry hari Jumaat lalu totally disiapkan separuh waktu di rumah, dan separuh lagi waktu di KLIA khamis lalu.

entry hari sabtu dan ahad, disiapkan di jakarta selepas 12 tengah malam, yang mana saya berjaya mengalihkan ingatan kamu.

entry emo ari ahad, sebenarnya mana de aku emo pun, tp ai m redmummy, ai got to distract my readers with something else before korang menjerit kenapa tak ada entries2 terbaru and bergambar.

huhuuuuu………! dan saya melalui Kastam dengan penuh berhemah, sib baik tak kono tahan lagik.

Bersedia untuk mendapat sedikit ilmu dan pengalaman mahal manis pahit maung suka duka sewaktu diterbangkan MAS to Jakarta. That s gonna be long and lotssssssssssssss of entries.

By: Azman Ismail (Malaysia Airlines MASenidaya)

Pada Sabtu, 11 April 2009 yang lalu, MASenidaya dan Kumpulan Bangra MAS telah diberi penghormatan bersiaran secara lansung dalam rancangan "Nasi Lemak Kopi O" terbitan TV9.

- Peserta-peserta dari MASenidaya dan Kumpulan Bangra di Studio TV9 -

Dengan adanya aktiviti ini, MASsenidaya dan Kumpulan Bangra telah mengharumkan nama KSM secara tidak lansung dan MAS dalam mempromosikan produk yang dihasilkan oleh kakitangan MAS sendiri. Walaupun tiada sebarang bayaran di peruntukkan, namun kita telah berjaya menjual nama MASenidaya di mata penonton Malaysia yang menonton TV9 pada hari tersebut. Semua kakitangan yang terlibat juga telah menunjukan bahawa konsep oneMH  dalam slot rancangan tersebut. Diharap dimasa akan datang kumpulan-kumpulan lain dibawah KSM akan diperkenalkan melalui slot seperti ini di masa akan datang.

Terima kasih juga pada Jabatan Komunikasi MAS yang telah banyak memberi sokongan selain dari pihak KSM untuk menjayakan program ini. Kami sebagai kakitangan MAS amat berbangga membawa nama MAS dan KSM dalam slot yang singkat ini. Inilah dia oneMH yang boleh kami banggakan.

By: Azman Ismail (Malaysia Airlines MASenidaya)

Pada Sabtu, 11 April 2009 yang lalu, MASenidaya dan Kumpulan Bangra MAS telah diberi penghormatan bersiaran secara lansung dalam rancangan "Nasi Lemak Kopi O" terbitan TV9.

- Peserta-peserta dari MASenidaya dan Kumpulan Bangra di Studio TV9 -

Dengan adanya aktiviti ini, MASsenidaya dan Kumpulan Bangra telah mengharumkan nama KSM secara tidak lansung dan MAS dalam mempromosikan produk yang dihasilkan oleh kakitangan MAS sendiri. Walaupun tiada sebarang bayaran di peruntukkan, namun kita telah berjaya menjual nama MASenidaya di mata penonton Malaysia yang menonton TV9 pada hari tersebut. Semua kakitangan yang terlibat juga telah menunjukan bahawa konsep oneMH  dalam slot rancangan tersebut. Diharap dimasa akan datang kumpulan-kumpulan lain dibawah KSM akan diperkenalkan melalui slot seperti ini di masa akan datang.

Terima kasih juga pada Jabatan Komunikasi MAS yang telah banyak memberi sokongan selain dari pihak KSM untuk menjayakan program ini. Kami sebagai kakitangan MAS amat berbangga membawa nama MAS dan KSM dalam slot yang singkat ini. Inilah dia oneMH yang boleh kami banggakan.

By: Zaileen Hashim (Communications Division)

Most of you may have already seen the video “MH = Malaysian Hospitality” on YouTube.com. I am taking this liberty to add the link http://www.youtube.com/user/malaysiaairlinesMAS just in case you haven't and want to check it out.

Our "MH = Malaysian Hospitality" was the first video which we put together to rally our 19,000 staff to come together and hurdle to deliver our brand promise “5 Star Value Carrier". We had 30 employees across the organizations, our management teams who volunteered to talk about MH = Malaysian Hospitality and our tasks on what we needed to do to deliver our promise to our customers. We also featured our customers and business partners to talk about “What MH = Malaysian Hospitality means to them” and vice versa their feedback on “What we as an airline should do to deliver MH=Malaysian Hospitality”.

It was definitely an exciting experience for me when I was given the task to produce our 1st video. As I was new to producing internal corporate video, I had the opportunity to learn from my colleagues who gave a lot of
Once again, mid of last year, we took on a few more projects and produced a series of videos, built around the oneMH theme. This video oneMH - Passion. Heart, Mind and Soul which you are about to watch represents the dynamic changes happening within the organization and included interviews with employees from various departments. 

Taking on a slightly different approach from the MH = Malaysian Hospitality video, the oneMH video is produced in a home-made stylized video. I very much like to think of it as “A MTV Style Corporate Video”. A mixed of fun with a strong message that builds on employees’ strengths and passions. 

Motivating and light-hearted, this short clip oneMH – Passion. Heart, Mind and Soul features our unsung heroes of the airline and the passion our team has for the arts and cultural activities they engage in.

I was fortunate to be given this task once again. Together with my colleague Farzleen, we set out to plan the production of this video. From planning the timetables, arranging the interviews, making logistics arrangements, all of these were done in merely 3 months. The most challenging of all is getting people together. But our effort has been paid off well!

My colleagues and I are very much excited to hear from you. Let us know what you think of this video. Tune in to this blog - more videos coming your way!  I will also be posting more stories about arts and cultural committees, so check out our blog!

By: Melissa Crocker (Malaysia Airlines, Kuching)

Whilst the MH blog is being brought to life, I asked myself – will I be able to write as good as my other colleagues? With that, I procrastinate in submitting my weekly blogs, and crossed my fingers in hope that I would find an inspiration to write something worth reading. I waited and waited but it never came.  Then, as I repeatedly read the blogs written by my colleagues, I realised that they all wrote with enthusiasm.  As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm”.

Included in my article are a few photoshots taken during one of our MH activity held in Kuching station.

Then, I recalled how enthusiastic our Managing Director, Dato Sri Idris Jala was when he did the shout out for MH=Malaysian Hospitality to all Malaysia Airlines staff across the board.  He begin by asking each and every one of us – ‘What does MH stands for?’ We looked at each other and were wondering at the back of our mind, what does this man have in his sleeves?!  Then he uttered out MH=Malaysian Hospitality and we were like- wow that’s right! We never thought of that before! Dato Sri Idris says again MH has always been with us and it is in us. It is our Malaysian way of Hospitality and we should start treating our customers as our guests!

Later on, the communication team were busy organising round table sessions and workshops for over a hundred hand picked MH Juaras nationwide to help cascade MH=Malaysian Hospitality to all its 19,000 staff in MAS.  Before MH is being made known externally, all the MH Juaras were given a years’ task to convert everyone in its organisation to embrace Malaysian Hospitality.

Immediately after the workshop, all the Juaras went about executing their duties as commanded by the Chief MH Dato Sri Idris Jala.  Guided by our MH Buddies, we quickly briefed our Area Managers on the proposed activities for the year and thankfully, all the managers were very supportive towards the Management’s direction on the subject matter.  Ever since, the Juaras has been endlessly organising mini workshops, mini townhalls and ‘Turun Padang’ sessions together with our Senior Management team, Area Manager and Departmental Heads to show to the staff that we are serious in walking the talk!

This internal communication is not an easy task mind you – am speaking through experience as I am one of the chosen ambassador for MH. We have to organise MH activity every last Wednesday of the month to commemorate MH Day as a reminder for ourselves to treat everyone as guests. (Notice I use the word ‘we’ even though the event was coordinated by one person but I would like to emphasise that all of us are not working in silos)

Being the ambassador of MH, I have to exemplary exhibit all the four values of MH, which are: Natural, Spontaneous, Determined and Willing for staff to emulate, as I always believe in leadership by example.  I am currently ‘taking care’ of 424 staff in Kuching and we have been continuously shouting, living, eating and breathing MH enthusiastically!

Salam MH

By: Sumathi T S Singham (Communications Division)

A group of ladies' from Communications Division in Subang, got together during their lunch hours for two consecutive days to lay a “Kolam” in conjunction with Deepavali, also known as, the festival of lights.

For a beginner like me, who celebrates Deepavali and above all, I have never done a “Kolam” before.  Quite ironic, isn’t it!  I realised that laying out this colourful artwork gave me a therapeutic experience.  Whilst working on a tight dateline, I felt the experience working on this artwork relieved me from work pressure.  Apart from that, I also enjoyed working together with my colleagues.

From now on, I will encourage my family to start thinking of a creative artwork, our very own “Kolam” for the coming festival of lights.

By: Sumathi T S Singham (Communications Division)

A group of ladies' from Communications Division in Subang, got together during their lunch hours for two consecutive days to lay a “Kolam” in conjunction with Deepavali, also known as, the festival of lights.

For a beginner like me, who celebrates Deepavali and above all, I have never done a “Kolam” before.  Quite ironic, isn’t it!  I realised that laying out this colourful artwork gave me a therapeutic experience.  Whilst working on a tight dateline, I felt the experience working on this artwork relieved me from work pressure.  Apart from that, I also enjoyed working together with my colleagues.

From now on, I will encourage my family to start thinking of a creative artwork, our very own “Kolam” for the coming festival of lights.

By: Ahmad Faizal Ibrahim (Airport Operations)

I believe most of us in Malaysia Airlines didn't know what kind of job, we Check-in Counter staff, has to face everyday. Okay, most of the days.

Long queues, passengers refused to pay for their excess baggage and overbooking on MH flights. This can be considered as everyday event. Overbooking needed to cater for no-shows, but with the current ticketing rules, the number of no-shows decreases and sometime the number is close to nothing. Hence, angry passengers who really need to go but have been denied boarding. And guess to whom they channeled their anger?
It is us, we at the airport have to face all sort of trial and tribulation, day in and day out.

Even a festive season such as Hari Raya wouldn't stop the dedication of our warriors from this unwanted situation.

I admired their spirit, having to face all kind of problems they still can come up with beautiful mural to signify Hari Raya. The idea is to get each and every staff's picture and coupled with World map, to signify our vision- to be World-class Frontliner, and paste it to our office wall.

The reason for this is simple, we want to boost their morals and made them realized that they are part of the team. They are part of the family, not only on Hari Raya but every day of the year.

It took them 2 weeks to come up with this mural. That involved designing, picture taking, cutting, coloring, detailing and assembly.

And the result is very satisfying, everybody tend to stop and stare with awe.

Here’s wishing Selamat Hari Raya to all from Malaysia Airlines Check-In Counter