Showcase of Hard Rock collectibles

 

Seven years ago in July 2019, I had the privilege to experience the first showcase of Hard Rock pins at an exciting event hosted by the Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast.

 

Hard Rock collectors showing off what they
received from the final round of Blind Trading

This August, I was back at the Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast again to enjoy a showcase of Malaysia’s largest Hard Rock Collectibles, an event for collectors to connect and trade, and for fans to explore and enjoy.

 

This time, the showcase not only featured pin collections but a wide range of Hard Rock collectibles like land-yards, soft toys, shot glasses, bottle-openers, fridge magnets, drum-sticks, tankards and T-shirts, among other rare Hard Rock souvenirs from Hard Rock hotel, casino and café destinations the world over.

 

While the inaugural event was held in the Constant Grind with 10 collectors, this year’s event of a record-breaking 12,898 collectibles displayed by 21 collectors, just required a larger space. So the event was held in Sessions, also located on Level One of the Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast.

 

Hard Rock pins displayed on
Raffique Hashim's black jacket

It was my pleasure to join fans and the collectors’ community from Malaysia, Singapore and Japan, to check out the wide range of Hard Rock memorabilia and chat with some of the collectors for stories on their passion for Hard Rock and their journey in collecting.

 

While the majority were male collectors, there were four lady collectors who were equally keen about Hard Rock collectibles. They were, Satomi from Japan, Noor Asmah Mohd Nawawi from Ipoh, Grace Chiam from Penang and Nanny Van Berlo from Kuala Lumpur.

 

As I met with the avid collectors, I discovered that many were with family members and that their families bonded from a shared passion for Hard Rock collectibles.

 

Seated close to Nanny Van Berlo was a giant soft toy teddy bear from Hard Rock Kuala Lumpur which she said, has a place of honour in her study room at home. Back home, her vast collection of cuddly small teddy bears on display – a total of 97 – were carefully stored within glass cabinets.

 

Nanny Van Berlo with her sons,
Raffique [Left] and Tarquin [Right]

Her enthusiasm for Hard Rock collectibles must have rubbed off on her two sons, Raffique Hashim and Tarquin Hashim, who each have their own range of Hard Rock collectibles on display. In addition to a large collection on display in the showcase, Raffique was wearing some 180 pins, proudly pinned on his Hard Rock black jacket.

 

His brother Tarquin, fondly called Mr T, shared that his interest in collecting was ignited when he observed how his brother negotiated while trading a Hard Rock collectible.

 

Himself a drummer, Mr T showed me his large collection of Hard Rock drumsticks and said that the first set of drumsticks he acquired was from Hard Rock Honolulu, followed by the next set from Hard Rock Hollywood.

 

Among his favourites in his collection of Hard Rock pins must be the series that featured drumkits, big bikes, and skull & bones.

 

A rare set of Hard Rock Monopoly
board game and Hard Rock
Studebaker retro transistor radio

I lingered longer with Mr T because I spotted rare Hard Rock collectibles among his range of Hard Rock memorabilia in a set of Hard Rock Monopoly board game and a Hard Rock Studebaker retro transistor radio that featured AM/FM bands.

 

At the first Hard Rock collectors’ event in 2019, I met with two Johorean collectors and was delighted to meet them again, this time accompanied by their respective families who were equally enthusiastic about their treasure trove of Hard Rock collectibles.

 

While Durai Rajah Naghaya was with his wife, Sarojini, daughters, Kastury and Vhinosha with two of their cousins, Azri Abdullah was with his wife, Alia, and sons, Djibril and Ebrahim.

 

I was particularly impressed by Azri’s collection of Hard Rock pins in the Pink October theme. Since meeting Azri with his family in 2019, his sons have grown into sturdy young men who share a keen interest in collecting Hard Rock memorabilia.

 

Azri Abdullah with his sons,
Djibril [Left] and Ebrahim [Right]
 

Kastury, daughter of Durai Rajah, said that when she was old enough to understand her father’s passion in Hard Rock collectibles, she developed her own interest in the same and continues to support him at collectors’ events such as this.

 

She pointed to a set of Hard Rock pins creatively arranged within a frame among her father’s collection on display and said that it was the first of their many father-daughter projects.

 

Kastury said her father Durai Rajah, who plays the classical guitar, probably received his first Hard Rock collectible in a gift of a Hard Rock pin in the guitar design from a friend who went abroad.

 

Meanwhile, Kelvin Foo from Kuala Lumpur was pleased to showcase his collection of Hard Rock shot glasses. His collection started long before the age of social media and if he was not able to travel to Hard Rock destinations, he could only acquire his collectibles through buying online via the eBay shopping platform.

 

Noor Asmah Mohd Nawawi with
envelope, ready for Blind Trading

He laughed when I asked if his family was as keen as he was on Hard Rock memorabilia but was happy that his wife leaves him to indulge in his own passion.

 

Noor Asmah Mohd Nawawi recalled that the first Hard Rock pin and magnet that sparked off her interest in collecting, were gifts from a friend who presented her with them after her travels to Europe. These items are more precious now because this friend had since passed on.

 

Some 20 years ago, Noor Asmah started trading her items by post and her collection of Hard Rock pins and magnets gradually expanded. In fact, the collection she brought along to this showcase was just a fraction of her whole collection at home.

 

Just as Noor Asmah and I were chatting, we heard an announcement for the Blind Trading happening at the top of the hour and collectors were invited to prepare the item they wished to trade and place it inside an envelope.

 

Collectors holding up their envelopes, all set
to pass them from hand-to-hand in the first
round of the Blind Trading

One of the event highlights for the collectors was an activity dubbed, Blind Trading, held at intervals of one hour throughout the event.

 

I observed that this activity worked pretty much like Passing-the-Parcel, a familiar party game where the parcel – in this instance, the envelopes with the Hard Rock item within – were passed from hand-to-hand around the circle of collectors while the music was playing. When the music stopped, the envelope that ended in their hands will belong to that collector.

 

The final round of the Blind Trading was done differently. All the envelopes were placed on a table while the collectors formed a queue for their turn to pick up the envelope of their choice from the table.

 

Showing off what they got from the
Blind Trading; Kabilarasan Rajan [Left]
 and Mohd Ruzaini AKA Zoroyz [Right]

It was fun to watch for their expressions when each collector opened their envelope to discover what was inside. Some were absolutely thrilled while some were no-so-thrilled by what they got from the Blind Trade.

 

I understand from collectors that they usually bought interesting pins or magnets in duplicates as the extra pieces will go into their collection for trading with other collectors.

 

Conversely, there were some limited-edition pins or magnets that celebrate an official opening or anniversary of Hard Rock hotels, cafes or casinos, which are definite keepsakes that collectors may never part with. Such rare pieces were a pride to own and a pleasure to show-off to fans and fellow collectors at events like this.

 

At the close of the event, the organisers at Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast hinted that next year’s edition of a similar showcase will feature more international participants, a limited-edition pin drop and more fan experiences.

Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast is located at Jalan Pantai 3, Desaru Coast, 81930 Bandar Penawar, Johor.  Tel: +607 838 8888

For info on more events and promotions at Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, visit website: www.hardrockhoteldesaru.com

Celebrating 80 years of Hua Mui

 

From 1946 to 2026 – a total of 80 years – Hua Mui, a landmark restaurant in the heart of Johor Bahru’s heritage quarter, has been serving countless cups of coffee, slices of kaya toast, platters of signature Hainanese chicken chop and a menu of local favourites to generations of diners. 

 

Goodie bags for guests on their
80th Anniversary celebration

Fans of Hua Mui who have relocated elsewhere still stop by for a drink or meal at Hua Mui whenever they were in Johor Bahru for a visit. Such a stopover at Hua Mui – I was told – was mandatory for many Johoreans who missed its familiar charm and menu of comfort food.

 

The eighth day of August (8.8) in 2026 was the auspicious date picked to host their 80^th Anniversary celebration, held in their flagship restaurant situated at the corner where Jalan Trus meets with Jalan Dhoby.

 

Due to the fans’ demand and to introduce their brand of food and drinks to newbies, Hua Mui has opened outlets within malls as well as in standalone shops in residential areas of the city suburbs.

 

Facade of Hua Mui Restaurant with the
event tent set up by its side on Jalan Dhoby

Yet their flagship restaurant in downtown Johor Bahru remains a magnet for diners who appreciate the heritage charm of a traditional kopitiam that continues to serve satisfied customers since 1946.

 

For this anniversary celebration, a section of Jalan Dhoby adjacent to the restaurant, was closed to vehicular traffic for a tent to be set up there for that morning’s event.

 

The weather was bright and sunny as I joined the throng of business partners, family, friends and regular customers, who were also making a beeline to this event tent.

 

The old signage at the shop front

In the sheltered space within the tent, a small stage was arranged with seven Chinese drums, a familiar sight which indicated that this special occasion will be aptly celebrated by a dramatic drumming show in the art of the 24 Festive Drums.

 

While waiting for the VIPs to arrive, I wandered into the kopitiam to meet with the cousins Jeremy and Glen Chiang, third generation operators of this family business, and offered them my heartiest congratulations on such a milestone celebration.

 

Established in 1946 by their grandfather, Chiang Kia Boon, business operations flourished in the 1980s under the next generation helmed by David Chiang. Fondly called Uncle David, he soon earned the enviable reputation as the Face of Hua Mui.

 

This old wooden staircase
is still in use at Hua Mui

When his son, Jeremy, and cousin Glen, took over the business in the 2000s, it was only natural for Uncle David to receive the honour as brand ambassador of Hua Mui.

 

I often wondered about the original name of Hua Mui and when I looked at the old signage hung above the shopfront, I read that its spelling read as, Hwa Mui.

 

I was sure that their name in Chinese characters remained consistent but as I had observed that the name, Hua Mui or Hwa Mui, were used over the years, I had to find out why.

 

[Later over refreshments, I had the opportunity to chat with a friend from the Chinese media about this. She kindly helped to clarify that while the original name was Hwa Mui in the Hainanese dialect, they registered the business according to the Mandarin version as Hua Mui.]

 

A well-used menu at Hua Mui
 

A creaking sound caught my attention and I turned to see people moving up and down the wooden staircase that led to the dining hall upstairs. If those stairs could speak, what tales it could tell, about the generations of diners who used those same stairs, from the colonial years to modern-day Johor Bahru.

 

Built against a tiled wall – which was fashionable in a bygone era – this original wooden staircase and bannister remained unchanged except for the addition of caution stickers to guide people as they used the old staircase.

 

I saw menus on a worn-out table top and could not resist taking a closer look at a modern menu that was clearly well used, complete with wrinkled, dog-eared edges.

 

A choice of Hua Mui bread spreads

My thoughts just flashed to 2017 when I worked with the family of the Soo Peng Hang Press to publish a book to document their family’s business of a moveable type printing press in Johor Bahru.

 

I remember seeing some of the products they printed for their clients and among them was the menu for Hwa Mui Restaurant, used in the colonial era. I was rather amused to see that their menu not only listed food and beverage but also a range of hard liquor like whiskey, port and gin.

 

The restaurant has certainly come a long way since establishing itself as a landmark kopitiam in Johor Bahru. The Hua Mui brand has gone on to produce a range of products including their blend of Hainanese coffee and bread spreads like kaya or coconut jam, to enjoy on buttered toast.

 

Hainan Coconut Biscuits
were launched at the event

To celebrate its 80^th anniversary, the brand launched its latest product, a Hainanese recipe of Coconut cookie that is best savoured, paired with sips of Hainanese coffee.

 

I also spotted a range of brand merchandise to commemorate such a milestone celebration but before I could look closer, the event’s programme was about to begin so I quickly found my seat under that tent just as the VIPs arrived and the drummers took their places behind their drums.

 

The celebration kicked off with the thunderous sound of dramatic drumming in the Art of the 24 Festive Drums, a proudly Johor-born performing art that has gained worldwide recognition and was nominated by the Malaysian government for the 2026 UNESCO Intangible Heritage List.

 

The highlight of the event, at least to me, was the speech by Uncle David, the brand ambassador of Hua Mui who ably delivered an inspiring speech in his inimitable style.

 

After the salutations, he expressed his appreciation to loyal customers and for the unwavering support from staff. He was pleased that Hua Mui was not just a restaurant but has become part of the community as an iconic Johor heritage destination. In closing, he made a promise to continue the Hainanese legacy and preserve the kopitiam culture till the next generation and beyond.

 

Uncle David flanked by
Jeremy and Glen with VIP guests
at the cake-cutting ceremony

The event continued with a gimmick that released balloons and as in all birthdays and anniversaries, there was a cake-cutting ceremony.

 

Pleased that my position was close enough to watch the team unpack the celebration cake, I managed to capture a close-up view of this masterpiece specially created by Master Baker, Chef Ryan, to commemorate Hua Mui’s milestone 80^th anniversary celebration.

 

The cake décor featured various elements including the familiar façade of Hua Mui Restaurant with a classic Volkswagen Beetle parked outside, three postage stamps that represent a bygone era of postal services for correspondence, and an iconic cup and saucer of Hainanese coffee as well as a platter of their signature chicken chop.

 

[Later during our time for refreshments, slices of this celebration cake were served and I had the privilege to have a taste of this light and delectable cake.]

 

The 80^th anniversary of Hua Mui was an excellent opportunity to savour a Hua Mui Signature chicken chop, in a choice made with either Fried or Grilled chicken.

 

I, however, opted to celebrate with a taste of their 80^th Anniversary Chicken Chop. And when it was served, I was delighted to see that they still served food with a side of Lingham’s Chili Sauce (in sachets), in a typically Malaysian way for diners to enjoy this dish. [No, I did not use the chili but returned it to them.]

 

A serving of the
80th Anniversary Chicken Chop

When I sank my teeth into the familiar taste of Hua Mui’s Hainanese-style chicken chop, it was a taste of sheer nostalgia worth the sum of eighty years, one that had pleased the palates of generations of diners and will go on to gain new generations of fans as the legacy of Hua Mui lives on in Johor Bahru.

 

Congratulations Hua Mui Restaurant on your 80^th Anniversary! Sending you my best wishes for every success now, into the next eighty years and beyond!

 

Restoran Hua Mui Johor Bahru is at No. 131 Jalan Trus, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor.

Their central kitchen is certified by JAKIM and specific modern outlets are certified Halal while the older and legacy outlets are traditionally Halal. Tel: +607 224 7364. For more information, visit website: www.huamui.com

A meaningful Mid-Autumn with Wan Li

 

The arrival of the Mid-Autumn festival brings with it one of the season’s most anticipated treats – mooncakes.

 

Snow Skin Masterchef, Ronly Choo, proudly showcasing
an array of Wan Li mooncakes at the launch event

While I prefer traditional baked mooncakes filled with classic lotus seed paste, the season’s traditional treat is now complemented by snow skin mooncakes, created with imaginative new flavours, textures and techniques.

 

Meaningful Mid-Autumn celebrations by Wan Li, the Chinese restaurant in Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel, begin with an exquisite mooncake collection dubbed Eclat de Lune, that celebrates the beauty of reunion, timeless traditions and renewal of relationships through refined craftsmanship and contemporary elegance.

 

A range of traditional baked
 mooncakes at Wan Li

The talented culinary team at Wan Li have put their heads together to present a range of traditional baked favourites as well as delicate snow skin creations.

 

Led by Snow Skin Master Chef Ronly Choo, her team of pastry artisans have taken a timeless Mid-Autumn tradition to new heights with refined interpretation and exceptional attention to detail.

 

The collection of mooncakes this year introduces two delightful new flavours for the snow skin creations. They are Rose Lychee, a delicate blend of fragrant rose and refreshing lychee and Pandan Cheesecake, where the familiar aroma of pandan meets the rich creaminess of cheesecake.

 

With a bit of encouragement, Chef Ronly revealed the step-by-step, meticulous method in the preparation of fresh ingredients that go into making the fragrant Rose Lychee snow skin mooncake.

 

Some of the quality ingredients that go into
 the stuffing of traditional baked mooncakes

During the mooncake tasting experience, Wan Li provided cups of Chinese tea for us to sip while tasting the various samples of snow skin mooncakes.

 

This was further enhanced by a pairing experience of mooncake with tea. Following their guide, I found that the Pandan Cheesecake snow skin mooncake pairs perfectly with the taste of Jasmine Tea.

 

These contemporary flavours join an elegant selection of Wan Li’s signature baked and snow skin mooncakes, including the luxurious Durian Snow Skin mooncakes, thoughtfully curated to delight every durian-lovers’ palate.

 

Baked mooncake stuffed with 
pure lotus paste - my favourite!

My pro-tip for durian-lovers is to save the Durian Snow Skin mooncake to eat last so as to slowly savour its pungent taste and let it linger.

 

“Mid-Autumn is a celebration of togetherness and every mooncake we create carries that sentiment,” said Executive Chef, Muhammad Syafiffi Tahir.

 

“With Eclat de Lune, our culinary team sought to honour traditions that have been cherished for generations while introducing refined flavours and contemporary craftsmanship,” he added.

 

He said that the addition of the new flavours, Rose Lychee and Pandan Cheesecake snow skin mooncakes, reflect their passion for innovation while remaining rooted in the heritage of this beloved festival.

 

Baked mooncake stuffed with
assorted fruits and nuts

Inspired by the graceful bloom of flowers beneath the moonlit sky, the Eclat de Lune range is thoughtfully presented in a luxurious blossom-inspired, keepsake box.

 

More than just a festive gift, this collection embodies the Renaissance Hotels’ spirit of discovery, that brings people together through authentic cultural experiences, memorable moments and meaningful celebration.

 

The Eclat de Lune range of mooncakes are available from now to 25 September 2026, priced from RM188 nett per box of four mooncakes.

 

Handcrafted, Halal-certified, baked and artisanal snow skin mooncakes are made with no preservative, the perfect choice to celebrate the season or to present a meaningful gift to family, friends, colleagues and business associates.

 

The tasting platter of Wan Li's
snow skin mooncakes

To mark the launch of the Mid-Autumn season at Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel, enjoy 15% savings on ALL mooncake purchases until 25 August 2026.

 

Mooncakes are available for purchase at the Mooncake Booth located in the hotel lobby, open daily from 9am to 10pm, while advance orders are welcome for both personal and corporate gifts.

 

For more information and placing orders, call Tel: +607 3813388 or email to: henry.lee@renaissancehotels.com

 

Eclat de Lune mooncakes are also available on the Oddle platform at https://wanlirestaurant.oddle.me/en_MY. Orders may also be placed via WhatsApp Business daily from 10am to 9pm via Tel: +6012 771 9056.

 

For exclusive updates and special deals, visit website: www.wanlichineserestaurant.com

 

Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel is situated at No. 2 Jalan Permas 11, Bandar Baru Permas Jaya, 81750 Masai, Johor. Website: jbrenaissance.com

Event spaces at The Sky Pavilion

 

Looking back, it was Nov 13 in 2019 when I was among the guests invited to witness the official opening of Toppen Shopping Centre, a 1.25 million square foot meeting place anchored by IKEA Tebrau, the only IKEA store outside of the Klang Valley.

 

Representatives from Toppen and Sky Pavilion
with business partners and guests

Toppen Shopping Centre was designed to be more than just a shopping centre but a community hub and an exciting destination in Johor Baru.

 

During the event, we had the privilege to see the building layout that was inspired by IKEA’s Scandinavian roots that featured spacious and clean designs with lots of natural light and greenery to create an enjoyable place. And the crown jewel of Toppen is its rooftop, aptly named The Topp.

 

A section of the landscaped garden at
the rooftop of Toppen Shopping Centre

This rooftop level was designed for community activities with interactive outdoor spaces, a multi-purpose court and event piazza, a rooftop garden, kids’ water-play area, and e-sports arena and the region’s first permanent outdoor cinema.

 

Recently I was invited to witness the reimagined rooftop on Level Three in Toppen Shopping Centre that showcased The Sky Pavilion that has evolved into a versatile, experience-led event space designed to host a wide range of occasions, from corporate functions and brand activations to weddings, private celebrations and social gatherings.

 

Event setting for an Indian wedding

In a simple Ribbon-cutting ceremony, The Sky Pavilion was unveiled. The indoor space in The Sky Pavilion offers adaptable layouts and event configurations, and provides organizers with the flexibility to transform the venue according to different event formats, capacities and creative requirements.

 

Its supporting facilities and link to the Toppen’s rooftop garden extends the possibilities for indoor and outdoor experiences, receptions and social gatherings.

 

Event setting for a Malay wedding

Since Toppen opened in 2019, the adjacent landscaped garden on the rooftop has matured beautifully and the greenery is a perfect foil for the event space. The gazebo and archways, festooned in ferns and flowers to a backdrop of sunny skies, will present a charming setting for photo mementoes.

 

We had the pleasure to see the venue’s versatility, demonstrated through “Scenes to Be Seen @ The Sky Pavilion at Toppen” where we experienced different samples of event settings within the space for Corporate Events, Weddings and Private Parties.

 

Event setting for a Chinese wedding

In addition to the traditional event settings distinguished for Chinese, Malay and Indian weddings, we were also treated to see settings for Birthday and Gender Reveal celebrations.

 

To illustrate the range of experiential programmes that may be hosted at the venue, we enjoyed a floral arrangement workshop and a balloon-sculpting challenge.

 

This showcase was complemented by Nanyang Seafood Restaurant which presented its refreshed, Muslim-friendly Nanyang dining experience.

 

Backdrop for a Birthday celebration

Inspired by more than a decade of Teochew culinary heritage, we had a taste of their menu which featured traditional flavours, fresh ingredients and contemporary touches, in an additional dining and catering option for events hosted at The Sky Pavilion.

 

If the event organisers preferred to use their own caterer, there is also a provision for them to rent the kitchen to prepare the Food & Beverage catering for their event.

 

The reimagined space in The Sky Pavilion reflects Toppen’s commitment to creating adaptable spaces that will bring businesses, brands, families and communities together.

 

Event setting for a Gender Reveal celebration

With its flexible setting and range of event possibilities, this venue offers event organisers a convenient destination where ideas can be transformed into meaningful and memorable experiences.

 

Toppen Shopping Centre is located at No. 33 Jalan Harmonium, Taman Desa Tebrau, 81100 Johor Baru, Johor. The Sky Pavilion is on the rooftop at Level Three.

 

For venue enquiries and bookings, call The Sky Pavilion @ Toppen on Tel: +6011 – 2088 7595.