Asian traditional heritage Ramadan at Amari JB

I’m at the Amari again, this time to preview the Ramadan buffet, themed Warisan Tradisi Asia where diners may enjoy a range of the best of Asian specialties at the Amaya Food Gallery.

Chef Gina and the talented culinary team serves an
Asian traditional heritage Ramadan at Amaya Food Gallery

I’m sure the hotel will stay true to its Thai brand and present an exciting range of authentic Thai dishes specially prepared by Thai Chef, Kanokwan Pungjaroenkijkul, better known as Chef Gina.

I can see her working at the stove in the open kitchen of the Amaya Food Gallery, dishing out something from the steaming wok. I hope I’m not distracting her from her work as she turns to me with a smile…

Chef Gina and her talented culinary team has created an interesting concept of a bustling local street scene in the Amaya Food Gallery, complete with live-cooking stations and self-serve stations.

The hotel has invited some 150 corporate guests for the launch of the Ramadan menu and while waiting for their arrival, I zero-in on the Thai section of the buffet for a closer look.

Don't miss a taste of Thai Chicken in Tamarind Sauce

I read the labels next to the dishes to discover mouthwatering dishes like Thai-style Baked Fish, Thai Pandan Chicken, Thai Beef Green Curry, Thai Chicken in Tamarind Sauce, Stir-fried Shrimps with Dried Chillies and Cashew Nuts, Half-shell Mussels with Lemongrass and Pok Tak Talay Soup.

Intrigued by its name, I make a mental note to try this Thai soup before any other item on this exciting buffet of over 100 dishes (served in a rotating menu) from Western, Thai, Indian, Chinese and Malay cuisines.

In a quick tour of the buffet (I’m familiar with the restaurant layout!) I check out the dishes in the Chinese, Malay and Indian sections, as well as the desserts and drinks.

Whole Grilled Fish to enjoy with side sauces

Besides juicy dried dates, there is a choice of thirst-quenchers like Nescafe Tarik, Teh Tarik, Sirap Bandung, Sirap Selasih, date juice, fresh sugarcane juice and soyabean juice.

I cannot miss the attractive pile of whole prawns, mussels and scallops in the Seafood-on-Ice counter and the colourful fresh greens plus ulam-ulam, keropok crisps and jars of preserved fruits in the salad and appetizer section.

In the Chinese and Malay section, there are traditional favourites like Chicken Bubur Lambuk, Ayam Masak Merah, Ikan Patin Tempoyak, Udang Goreng Kunyit, Ikan Bakar (Grilled Fish), assorted dim sum, Yong Chow fried rice, Fried fish fillets in Nyonya sauce, Wok-fried chicken with ginger and Chinese mixed vegetables.

Dean Rossilli, Siewkoon Ng and Pak Haris Nugroho
stirring the Gulai Kawah to launch the Ramadan buffet

Amari Johor Baru Area General Manager, Dean Rossilli, is invited to beat a gong to signal the start of the event and its resounding echoes certainly captured everyone’s attention.

Using long-handled paddles, Rossilli, along with Consul General of Indonesia, Pak Haris Nugroho, and UM Land Hospitaity CEO, Siewkoon Ng, stirred a cauldron of Gulai Kawah beef stew as a gesture to launch the Warisan Tradisi Asia Buffet.

Diners are cordially invited to enjoy the buffet spread so I head to the soup section to help myself to a small portion of Pok Tak Talay.

I hear the pleasant strains from a traditional gambus and throughout this meal, the tunes from a live ghazal band continues to entertain.

A tasty spoonful of Pok Tak Talay Soup

Then I sit down to discover that Pok Tak Talay is a mild, spicy seafood soup with a tasty mix of seafood and mushrooms tinged with lemongrass, ginger, basil and lime flavours.

With my appetite suitable whet by this spicy soup, I visit the live-cooking stations for a taste of Roasted Whole Lamb, selection of Satay, Murtabak, Roti Canai, Tandoori Chicken, Soup Berempah and Gulai Kawah (Rendang Kawah Rusa) and Nasi Impit served with Sayur Lodeh and a choice of Beef, Chicken and Coconut Serunding.

Other live-cooking stations are serving Thai Laksa and a choice of Noodle Soup as well as popular fried snacks like Cucur Udang, Curry Puffs, Fried Durian Fritters, Fried Bananas and Fried Cempedak.

Chef Gina in action at Amaya Food Gallery

The meal is certainly not complete without a sweet ending. There are local dessert broths like Bubur Pulut Hitam, Bubur Cha-Cha, Bubur Kacang Hijau and Pengat Pisang as well as a range of pretty puddings, jellies, kueh, pastries, cakes and cookies.

On Fridays and Saturdays, diners can watch a live demonstration of traditional rattan weaving by physically challenged staff from the Johor Area Rehabilitation Organisation or JARO, and may support this charity in the spirit of Ramadan, by buying their beautiful handicrafts.

The Warisan Tradisi Asia Buffet will be served at Amaya Food Gallery from May 19 to June 14, daily from 6.30pm to 10.30pm.

Enjoy Early Bird deals of RM102 nett per person and RM51 nett for children aged six to 12 years and seniors aged 60 and above, when vouchers are purchased before May 1.

After May 1, prices are RM128 nett per person and RM64 nett for children aged six to 12 years and seniors aged 60 and above. Buy five [5] adult vouchers, get one voucher for free!

The JARO display and demo at lobby of Amari JB

Amaya Food Gallery also serves a Sahur Buffet from May 19 to June 14, daily from 3am to 5am. Priced at RM53 nett per person and RM26.50 nett for children aged six to 12 years and seniors aged 60 and above.

Festive meals during Hari Raya Aidilfitri on June 15 & 16:

Hari Raya High Tea Buffet from 3pm to 5pm at RM78 nett per person and RM39 nett for children aged six to 12 years and seniors aged 60 and above.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri Buffet Dinner from 6.30pm to 10.30pm at RM98 nett per person and RM49 nett for children aged six to 12 years and seniors aged 60 and above.

The Amaya Food Gallery is on the sixth floor, lobby level of Amari Johor Baru at No. 82-C Jalan Trus, 80000 Johor Baru.

Driving access is only from Jalan Trus while pedestrian access is convenient from Jalan Wong Ah Fook.

For reservations, Tel: 607 – 266 8888 or email: amaya.johorbahru@amari.com. 

Visit website: www.amari.com for full details of menus and special promotions at the hotel and restaurant.

Preserving Indian heritage in Johor

When I saw the invitation to the Ground-Breaking Ceremony for the Indian Heritage Centre at the Arulmigu Raja Mariamman Devasthanam Temple, my thoughts flashed to my story on Johor Baru’s Street of Harmony featured in my 2017 MPH Non-Fiction Bestseller book, My Johor Stories:True Tales, Real People, Rich Heritage.

Road sign pointing to Jalan Ungku Puan,
off Jalan Trus in Johor Baru

Just as immigrants from race groups like the Chinese, Sikh, Ceylonese, Javanese and Arabs arrived in Johor to seek their fortunes, the Indians found employment here as labourers and supervisors or mandore in rubber plantations developed in the outskirts of Johor Baru in the early 20^th century.

A mandore* in Sultan Sir Ibrahim’s plantation at Pasir Pelangi appealed to the sultan for land to build a temple to meet the religious needs of Indians and a site was granted at Jalan Ungku Puan.

*Born in 1887, this man was Kutha Perumal Vandiyar, who had settled in Johor Baru and realized that Hindus here needed a temple to meet their religious obligations.

Flower garlands for sale at the row
of flower shops at Jalan Ungku Puan

Vandiyar was privileged to have a close friendship with then ruler of Johor, Sultan Sir Ibrahim, and it was said that they would often have tea together.

When Vandiyar approached the Sultan for a place to build this temple, His Royal Highness magnanimously granted him an acre of land at Jalan Ungku Puan and also contributed M$500, a sum of money worth more than RM10,000 towards the construction expenses.

Vandiyar, with the help of other Hindus, built the original temple and when it was completed in 1911, the word, “Raja” was incorporated into its name as the Arulmigu Raja Mariamman Devasthanam Temple, in honour of the sultan.

Members of the temple committee in the temple
compound for the Ground-Breaking Ceremony

The original temple has since been demolished. Over the years, the new building (1986) was upgraded and expanded with an adjacent multi-purpose hall, usually used for weddings, a row of flower shops, a meeting room and a carpark in its compound.

In June 2011, the temple marked its 100^th year anniversary with a grand celebration.

This property, which occupies the site at No. 1-A Jalan Ungku Puan, is a popular tourist attraction and a heritage landmark accorded the coveted status as a Heritage Religious Institution on the Persiaran Muafakat Bangsa Johor route by the State Government.

Temple president, K. Kiruppalini [Seated Left]
and temple priests performing
the religious ceremony at the event

The plan to add an Indian Heritage Centre is an exciting prospect and when it is ready, this will be the first of its kind in the city.

On my way to the event, I walk pass the flower shops in front of the temple grounds and notice that they have recently had a facelift. 

This project, I later learnt, was accomplished with the support from Think City Johor Baru.

I enter the temple compound and am greeted by my friends with a warm welcome.

I’m ushered to the event site where (I’m told) a religious ceremony will take place before the Ground-Breaking Ceremony, to be officiated by Guest-of-Honor, Member of Parliament for Johor Baru, Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad.

MP for JB, Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul
Samad, handing the first brick over
in the Ground-Breaking Ceremony

I’m glad that I’m among the witnesses of this historical event, where the first brick will be laid by Tan Sri Shahrir, to symbolically start the construction of this Heritage Centre.

Two years ago, Tan Sri contributed the sum of RM200,000 to the temple to kick-start the project and in 2017, more funds were raised from a charity dinner to boost the building fund for their Heritage Centre.

Now they are ready to construct a tw0-storey building at a total cost of about RM1 million, designed to showcase the vibrant history of the Indian community in Johor since the days of its pioneers.

The temple aims to promote greater awareness and appreciation of Indian heritage – first to the Indians and also among fellow citizens and visitors – through valuable artefacts, art and cultural exhibits and events, with an emphasis on traditional musical instruments.

Speaking of musical instruments, my reflections are interrupted by the dramatic beats of a traditional Indian drum and the fanfare from a traditional Indian trumpet!

This signaled the prompt arrival of Guest-of-Honour, Tan Sri Shahrir.

Temple priest puts a sash on
Tan Sri Shahrir's forehead

Temple president, K. Kiruppalini, and members of the temple committee ushered Tan Sri to his seat where he joins us to witness the religious ceremony happening at the site of the future Heritage Centre.

In his speech, Kiruppalini thanked Tan Sri for his generous support and explained that the Heritage Centre project included refurbishment of the flower shops as well as upgrading the meeting room and multi-purpose hall.

Based on the work schedule, he said the construction should be completed by 2019.

For the Ground-Breaking Ceremony, Tan Sri led the number of participants who handed one brick each to the temple priest who then ceremonially placed the bricks as the foundation inside a pit, dug into the ground.

According to temple tradition, Tan Sri and the participants were honored by having a sash tied to their foreheads and a flower garland placed around their necks.

Tan Sri congratulated the temple committee on the occasion and said that the Heritage Centre will be a wonderful addition to the character of Johor Baru as it will add value to the temple attraction.

Tan Sri Shahrir speaking at the event

He was pleased that the Heritage Centre will soon become a reality and it stand as a legacy to the Johor Indian community by offering opportunities to all sectors of the community to better appreciate and understand Indian cultural practices and heritage.

“Kepada semua!” Tan Sri exclaimed in Malay [translated: “To all!”] and went on to explain that it is his policy and practice throughout his career as a politician, to support the needs of our multi-cultural community.

From the loud applause, the appreciation from the Indian community is apparent.

The temple is more than
just a place of worship

In addition to an event souvenir, they also presented Tan Sri with a traditional garland and wrapped a beautiful shawl across his shoulders.

The event closed with light refreshments. And while I’m enjoying Indian delicacies like vadai and kesari, a South Indian sweet made from semolina that’s usually served for special events, Kiruppalini shared more details about the temple’s plans.

He said besides valuable artefacts, the Heritage Centre will also showcase the temple’s golden chariot.

The building project will also include the construction of modern toilets designed to cater to the elderly and physically challenged, an elevator as well as living quarters for temple priests.

The temple is not only a place of worship as they also oversee an Education Fund for needy students and a Special Charity Fund to help single mothers and needy families annually.

With an annual cultural events calendar that organizes classical dance classes, yoga classes, kolam contests and the Ponggal Festival, the temple is a center that develops a healthy and vibrant community that contributes positively to the state and nation, as a whole.

Note: While the Ground-Breaking Ceremony was held in 2018, construction work on the Heritage Center was delayed due to the Covid-19 global pandemic.

Update: The Indian Heritage Center is now open to the public. There are no entrance fees but visitors are encouraged to contribute freewill donations into a box at the front lobby. Thank you.

Fiesta at The Puteri Pacific this Ramadan

The Puteri Pacific Johor Baru invites you to share the spirit of Ramadan with a veritable feast at their Fiesta Ramadan spread in The Puteri Café.

A range of juicy fresh fruits is part of Fiesta Ramadan
at The Puteri Cafe in The Puteri Pacific Johor Baru

Located on the lobby level of the hotel, The Puteri Café looks familiar even though the view through its floor-to-ceiling glass walls has new buildings in a new and different city landscape.

I’m at the hotel for a media preview of the Fiesta Ramadan at the invitation of Director of Sales, Joyce Yap.

I recently met Joyce again at an event held at the adjacent Persada Johor International Convention Centre and it’s good to renew my acquaintance with Johor Baru’s most central business hotel.

I join a large group of corporate guests who are also here for the preview and am delighted to be seated close to the buffet where I can watch guests helping themselves to their favourite dishes.

Carving the Lamb Kuzi to serve

As she shows me around the various sections of the buffet, Joyce tells me that this is the last time we will be dining in The Puteri Café in its current setting.

That’s because the hotel will be embarking on a major refurbishment project, not only to equip it with new facilities but also to upgrade it with modern elegance and luxury.

This is indeed a timely project and I cannot wait to experience the all-new Puteri Pacific Johor Baru in the near future!

Meanwhile, my nostrils are assailed by the enticing aroma of freshly cooked food from the live cooking stations.

I make a beeline for the Lamb Kuzi, a whole lamb roasted with the finest herbs and spices and stuffed with fragrant basmati rice. I watch as the chef is happily carving and serving delectable portions to diners.

I remind myself to take only two spoons of rice with the Lamb Kuzi and drizzle it with the Kuzi gravy, from a separate dish nearby.

Adding a duck's egg to the Char Kuay Teow makes
all the difference to its tempting taste

[I’m limiting myself to a little rice so as to save space to sample other items in the wide buffet spread!]

Executive Chef Azamuddin Ahmad and his culinary team has prepared a menu of more than 100 items for the Fiesta Ramadan, ranging from appetizers, soups, main course items and desserts in the best of Malaysian favourites with a blend of cuisines from around the world.

Nearby, the Chinese chef is stir-frying flat rice noodles, better known as Char Kuay Teow. I watch as he skillfully cracks two fresh eggs onto the pan – followed by an additional egg (which I recognize from its lighter coloured eggshell!) – a duck’s egg!

Freshly-made steamed dim sum in the buffet spread

As all connoisseurs of Char Kuay Teow know, it’s the duck’s egg in these stir-fried noodles that makes all the difference to its tempting taste!

Selections of Halal dim sum served at Kai Xuan Chinese Restaurant, is also presented in the Fiesta Ramadan menu. Savour the dim sum with a choice of dip sauces like chillie sauce to a mild sweet sauce.

More guests are arriving and while Joyce leaves me to welcome them into the café, I wander off to the barbecue section. 

Here the chefs are grilling meat and seafood at a work station which is separated by an opaque glass wall.

Chefs preparing grilled meat and seafood behind an
opaque wall to reduce the sizzle and smoke from diners

There is an opening for diners to pass their selections to the chefs but it’s wise to have this wall which helps to reduce the sizzle and smoke from the dining hall.

Nearby at the Pasta section, diners can pick their choice of pasta, ingredients and sauces for the chef to prepare, fresh for their enjoyment.

In the cooked food spread, there are choices of local Malay and Chinese favourites as well as Western items. 

Seated so close, I cannot help but notice how diners are helping themselves to the Lamb dish but by the time I reach it, I only manage to pick just a few tender morsels left on that stewed leg of lamb…

[Note to self: Check out the Lamb early to avoid disappointment.]

Bubur Lambuk with a drizzle of spicy dark sauce

An entire section is dedicated to serving dates and a range of preserved fruits.

Several jars with air-tight lids are filled with a variety of crisps. I just hope diners will be considerate to keep the lids fastened for the crisps to remain crispy!

Keeping to the tradition of breaking-of-fast with family at home, there is also a section that serves a range of appetizing sambal sauces to go with a selection of ulam-ulam or fresh kampung greens as well as a choice of tossed kerabu or Malaysian salads.

Then I discover another staple for the breaking-of-fast - Bubur Lambuk – and this comes with toppings like chopped spring onions and croutons as well as spicy dark sauce, like the type used for soto or chicken soup.

A section of the delectable desserts

I cannot resist drizzling my portion with a little spicy sauce. And when I taste it, I like how this rice porridge warms my belly, so tasty and chockful of cubes of tender beef.

It’s so deliciously comforting that I make a mental note to have a second helping. [Later, after I leave the hotel, I realize that I failed to do so!]

That’s because I’m distracted by the desserts… There is a range of local kueh, bubur and pengat or local sweet broths, plus cakes, pastries, jellies and puddings!

This year, diners can look forward to enjoying a ‘Daily Must-Try’ item in the buffet so keep an eye out for this special addition every day.

Diners at The Puteri Café also stand to win attractive prizes including return flight tickets to holiday destinations like Australia, Bali, Vietnam, Surabaya and Bangkok, in special lucky draws.

A section of the diners in The Puteri Cafe

Fiesta Ramadan is served at The Puteri Café from May 17 to June 14, daily from 6.30pm to 10pm.

Price at RM98+ for adult and RM55+ for children aged between six to 12 years.

Early Bird reservations made before May 6 will enjoy 15% discount while reservations made from May 6 to May 15 will still enjoy 10% discount.

The hotel also offers a special package price for those who wish to organise private group buka puasa events under their Corporate Social Responsibility Programmes.

For enquiries and reservations, Tel: +607 219 9999, Ext: 9399 or send email to: sales@puteripacific.com

The Puteri Pacific Johor Baru is linked to the Persada Johor International Convention Centre at Jalan Abdullah Ibrahim and also enjoys parking access from Jalan Trus. Website: www.puteripacific.com

Woman wins #LongLoafChallenge 2018

The timer clocks click off at the start of the #LongLoaf Challenge for nine contestants who accepted the dare to eat their way through a Long Loaf Set of a 16-inch sandwich with half a kg of tasty Golden Fries within 16 minutes.

A keen audience capturing a photo memento of the
#LongLoafChallenge contestants at SDS Cafe, Paradigm Mall

It’s a contest of wills where each contestant is determined to polish off all the food from their platters served in the SDS #LongLoafChallenge 2018, in the shortest possible time.

Eight men and one woman bravely chomp their way through a 16-inch sandwich stuffed with slices of ham, chicken, smoked duck and fresh vegetables, and a side of half kg tasty Golden Fries coated with salted egg – all to the cheers of supporters and onlookers.

In a speed-eating contest like this, contestants are eating under pressure, chewing and swallowing with the help of gulps of water and where every bite takes them closer to winning the bragging rights as the SDS Champion Long Loaf Eater.

Rainbow Kumi [Left] with Iranian, Reza Dash
[2nd from Left] and other contestants at the event

All eyes are on the sole female contestant, Tng Mei Fong, better known as Rainbow Kumi, who earned the reputation as a gifted Female Champion Eater since 2016.

Rainbow, 27, who drove to Johor Baru with her husband and 3-year old son from Malacca this morning, is no stranger to eating competitions.

In 2016 she discovered her skills in speed-eating when she downed more than 30 hot dogs in a Hot Dog eating contest in Kuala Lumpur. That same year, she emerged as the Female Champion at the Muar Big-Eater Contest.

In 2017, Rainbow was crowned Champion in the Food League SG Spice Contest, holding the record for finishing 4.2kg of Chicken Rice in 30 minutes and 41 pieces of Seremban Siew Pau in 30 minutes!

Long Loaves with a side of Golden Fries, ready to be served

Led by Michelle the event Master of Ceremony (MC), the crowd is roaring – with cheers of utter surprise – as they witness how Rainbow is making rapid progress, eating her way through the 16-inch sandwich in less than four (4) minutes into the contest.

It’s amazing how speedily and systematically she manages to eat while the contestants seated to her left and right are chewing steadily and still have a large portion of their sandwich and fries left on their platters!

Held at the SDS Bakery & Café at Paradigm Mall, Johor Baru, the event is attracting passers-by and shoppers who are happily distracted by the excitement happening among the contestants.

All smiles and ready to start the speed-eating contest!

The MC draws our attention to Rainbow who has already eaten her sandwich and is feeding on the fries with the help of her bare hands, counting down the seconds in which her food is fast disappearing!

In just four minutes and seven seconds (4.7 minutes!), Rainbow polished off all the food and emerged Champion of the SDS #LongLoafChallenge event!

While Rainbow receives her Champion’s award of a Drape and Certificate from SDS Marketing Manager, Alice Loh, the other contestants plough on, undeterred and ever determined to become the first runner-up.

As the men eat their way through the sandwich and fries I cannot help but notice how they seem to have a somewhat gentlemanly way of competing…

Eating their way through the contest!

The time limit of 16 minutes for this contest is almost up when the MC spots the contestant seated at the far right of the long table, who is finishing his pile of fries…

As the timer clock ticks its 16th minute, 22-year old Kua Zhi Jian from Skudai, polished off all the food on his platter to become runner-up of the SDS #LongLoafChallenge.

The time is up and while the other contestants do not win any titles, they can give themselves a big pat on the back for giving this difficult challenge a try.

For taking part in the contest, they each enjoyed a complimentary meal and are presented with a complimentary Voucher to savour a cappuccino brew at SDS Cafés.

We are the champions - Rainbow Kumi
[Right] with Kua Zhi Jian

It’s truly astounding to witness how Rainbow beat eight other contestants in such a short time! And to understand her better, I sit her down along with her husband, Tan Wei Yong, for a chat.

Speaking in a mix of Mandarin and English, she tells me that this morning when they arrived from Melaka at about 9am, they enjoyed a local breakfast.

Rainbow, who has a naturally large capacity for food, said she enjoyed two packets of nasi lemak and two packets of mee siam with her teh tarik or traditional pulled milk tea.

Having just completed this speed-eating challenge, Rainbow tells me that her stomach feels only 10% full and she is ready to have a spot of lunch!

She and her husband were married in 2012 and they have two children, a 6-year old daughter and a 3-year old son. She said Tan encourages her to eat and over the years, she soon discovered her ability to eat a lot of food.

Tan chips in with a laugh, saying that when she was expecting, she could eat even more!

From her experience in various eating contests, Rainbow has gained much confidence to take on various eating challenges. In fact, next Sunday she will be joining a hot dog eating contest in Malacca.

Think you can do better? Then take up the challenge!

Rainbow confessed that she was feeling unwell today. At the start, when she assessed the food on the platter, she thought that it should take her about five minutes to finish it.

But she emerged the Champion when she accomplished it in only 4.7 minutes!

Other champion eaters from the SDS #LongLoafChallenges held at various participating SDS café outlets from now till end June 2018 and Rainbow, will join the Grand Finale Championship in July, where the ultimate winner will enjoy 1-year’s supply of complimentary SDS Dining Vouchers!

The SDS #LongLoafChallenge is organized in collaboration with McCain Food Inc, one of the world’s largest producers of frozen potato French Fries and potato specialties.

Think you can do better? 

Then take up the #LongLoafChallenge at participating SDS café outlets at AEON Tebrau City, AEON Bukit Indah, AEON Kulaijaya, AEON Bandar Dato Onn, KSL City, Taman Johor Jaya, JB City Square, Taman Universiti, Taman Perling and Kota Tinggi.

A winners’ chart will be updated regularly on the SDS Official Facebook fan page.

Follow the SDS #LongLoafChallenge 2018 on http://bit.ly/sdslongloafchallenge18

Children enjoy charity movie treat

Cahaya Surya Bakti (CSB), the volunteer society which manages and runs three schools for Rohingya refugee children in Tampoi, Kluang and Pekan Nanas, recently hosted a charity screening of Disney/Pixar’s animated movie, Coco.

Cahaya Suria Bakti students, teachers and volunteers
at Level Six lobby of mmCineplex in JB City Square

Since 2013, these Rohingya Learning Centers have been facing an increasing need to expand and accommodate the growing student population.

Run by expatriate and local volunteers, the schools are guiding students aged between six and 16 in education centers based in Tampoi (2013), Pekan Nanas and Kluang (both in 2017) to speak, read and write in proper English and Malay.

Founder and executive director of CSB, Soraya Alkaff-Gilmour is pleased that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has selected CSB to be their Eighth Implemented Partner in January 2018.

Soraya [Right] sharing a light moment with the children

Soraya explained that under CSB, education is a social service that requires long-term planning for the Rohingya students to help them achieve their ambitions and to provide them with secondary school education in Johor.

At the moment, students aged 13 and above cannot continue with secondary school education here. As such, some young girls will stop school and be married while the teenage boys must do manual work to help to support the family financially.

Burdened with this responsibility, CSB is working hard to raise funds to go towards fitting out their new school premises which has the capacity for 200 students at Jalan Sutera Merah 3 in Taman Sutera.

Cahaya Surya Bakti teachers and volunteers at the event

Meanwhile, the charity screening of this animated movie at mmCineplex, Johor Baru City Square was attended by some 100 Rohingya children and their teachers from the learning centers in Tampoi, Pekan Nanas and Kluang.

Care-givers from the Berkat Children’s Home, Cerebral Palsy Association and Home for Special Children escorted 65 children to enjoy the movie with their Rohingya friends.

Tickets at RM60 were sponsored by generous donors and well-wishers and all proceeds goes towards the expansion of their school buildings and the children’s school fees, uniforms and transport fees.

Goodie bags handed out to each child before the movie

It was a fun Saturday morning for the youngsters to assemble on the Level Six lobby of mmCineplex, eagerly anticipating the start of the movie.

For most of these children who may have never been to JB City Square, let alone inside a cinema hall, this outing to Johor Baru was an exciting and memorable excursion.

The teachers and volunteers had arranged goodie bags filled with a bottled drink, buns and cake for the children to nibble on during the show. These were handed to each child as they took the escalator up to Hall 8 of the Cineplex.

CSB and mmCineplex ensured that all were
comfortably seated in Hall 8 of the cineplex

Packed into each goodie bag was a refreshing bottles of Minute Maid Orange Juice, kindly contributed by Coca-Cola Refreshment Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

Meanwhile, the wheelchair-bound children and their carers conveniently reached the cinema hall with a ride up on the nearby elevator.

CSB had also thoughtfully arranged packed lunches, generously sponsored by a donor for the children from Pekan Nanas and Kluang, because they had a longer return journey after the show.

Poster for Disney/Pixar
animated movie, Coco

The team at mmCineplex did their part to make the young and special viewers comfortable in the cinema hall, like providing booster seats for smaller children and keeping the house lights on even during the screening.

With some sponsors, well-wishers and guests joining the event, the seating capacity in the hall was almost full when the lights dimmed and the movie trailers and commercials started.

Then it was time to sit back and enjoy, Coco. Everyone was transported to Mexico to join young Miguel, a boy who dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. [By the way, Coco is the name of his aged grandmother!]

Enquiries for support and partnerships with Pertubuhan Kebajikan Cahaya Surya Bakti (CSB) can be sent to Email: cahayasuryabakti@gmail.com

Donations, sponsorship and contributions may be banked-in directly to Pertubuhan Kebajikan Cahaya Surya Bakti at RHB Account No. 251076-0000-5037, Taman Pelangi branch.