Malaysia Banjir Dec 2021

It's been a week since the one-of-the-kind Banjir (flooding) in Malaysia. It was reported that this is one of those one of 100 years kinda flood. It was lighting fast, unannounced nor predictable and had hit us real hard. 

To start with the facts: 

This is not the usual monsoon kind of flood. It is caused by a Philippines typhoon that brought a torrential rain - with downpour volumes that is an equivalent to a month - in just the 24 hours. This kinda volume causes overflows on the riverbanks and areas close to it.

It has hit a few states in Malaysia - Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Pahang, Kelantan & Terengganu with varying degree.

Up till today, we are still seeing the news and stories of the flood and its aftermath. 

What annoys me though - on these narratives on the social medias are those taglines of kita tolong kita .. kerajaan gagal.. bla bla bla.

Now - I dont want to lament over the inefficiencies of the Government. Or States Govt. Whichever responsible for this.

More of those with tear-jerker stories that says how proud to see people coming from all directions to help those in need. Now Keyboard Warriors - let's not forget - this is what makes Malaysia a wonderful country in the first place. Our society, in general are helpful lot. You name it, whatever the crisis, whatever the troubles - usually Malaysians are among the first to rally to help - be it donations (when its somewhere far and not easily accesible) , and in this case as it hits close to home, people are lending their support in ever possible way - be it sweats , food donations , clothes and / or money. This is culturally ingrained in our society - to help others. So that kind of tagline - rakyat jaga rakyat, come on - takyah nak politicise these kind of things boleh tak. Tolong je. Buat je. Serious - muak nak dengar the political innuendoes even in this kind of situation.

So there - I've said it. My two cents worth.

To those whom affected - my heart goes to you. Hope you will be back on your feet real soon. 

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-pm-ismail-mobilises-armed-forces-to-assist-with-flooding-more-rains-expected

Perlis, Malaysia

 Researching places of interest in Perlis

The only state in Malaysia that I have not been to, is Perlis Darul Indera. In my living years, shy a few more years to half a decade there is this one state that I have not set my foot on,

So I have been harping to hubs to take me there. This is now becoming reality, and thus I now am launching this initiative to work out WHERE TO GO in this tiniest states of Malaysia,

ROUTE:

From LebuhrayaUtara Selatan TOWARDS BUKIT KAYU HITAM

Go to Bukit Kayu Hitam

Return to R193 - Changlun Kuala Perlis Hwy

Take route 79 - To Padang Besar

Drive towards Padang Besar

Route OPTION A- Along Route 7 back to Kangar

Arau

Tasik Melati

Tasik Timah Tasoh 

ROUTE OPTION B 

From Padang Besar, go towards MataAir (Route R15)

- FRIM Mata Ayer, Perlis - there is the Canopy walk and you can find the oldest Pokok Jati, which was planted before merdeka ie 1953-R13 - Kaki Bukit. Gua Kelam

-R15 - Wang Kelian viewpoint

Taman Negeri Perlis

Jalan Lencongan Barat Time Pasoh (R144)

R121 - Then R11 :Detour Taman Eko Rimma Bukit Ayer

Go back to R7 to Kangar

Go towards Kangar

HOTEL - PUTRA REGENCY +6049767755

Kangar Floating Market

Foodplace: Nasi Ganja RPA

Go towards Kuala Perlis

-Kuala Perlis - This is where people take the boats to Langkawi

Look for Restoren Nelayan for Cucur Ketam

Tempat Makan

https://saji.my/tempat-makan-sedap-di-perlis/

Hills / Mountains (climbing required)

Bukit Keteri - A famous Rock Climbing site in South East Asia. 

Wang Gunung, Sungai Batu Pahat, Perlis

SOURCE:

https://www.maisinggah.com/tempat-menarik-di-perlis/

Kuih bakar - Recipe

Another one food yang I have never been able to make despite its simple/basic ingredients is Kuih Bakar

I was scrolling down insta and came across a posting about kuih bakar - that was the instagrammer’s kuih for buka posa yesterday. She shared that she uses the Kuih Bakar Pandan Joayee.

Couldn’t find the actual Joayee site but there are a number of other sites had this recipe. So I also copy lah so that next time can try

-—

Note for me: Recipe below utk 4 x acuan kuih bakar. 

Bahan- Bahan 

• 1 cawan gula
• 1 cawan jus pandan/ air + pandan essence
• 2 cawan tepung gandum
• 2 1/4 cawan santan (1 tin santan = 450 ml)
• 2 sudu makan mentega
• 3 biji telor
• 1/2 sudu teh garam
• pewarna hijau
• bijan

Cara-Cara:- 

1. Campurkan kesemua bahan dan blend sampai sebati.
2. Masukkan 2 sudu teh minyak dalam loyang dan oleskan rata.
3. Panaskan loyang dalam oven sebentar. Bila minyak telah panas, masukkan adunan tadi.
4. Taburkan bijan dan bakar pada suhu 180 C sampai kuning/garing (*ummi set oven 165C selama 1 jam 15 minit).

** guna acuan bahulu kemboja, set oven 180C... bakar 30 minit api bawah saja, 20 minit api atas bawah dan 10 minit api atas saja supaya permukaan kuih garing. Semua ni bergantung pada oven masing2 ya. Kalau guna acuan bahulu kemboja ni dpt dlm 4 keping kuih bakar. 

——

Asam Pedas - Nogori style

 cooking the asam pedas

As you would like have seen in HERE and HERE. One of the dish that I actually really like is Asam Pedas Daging.

Last few years, I thought it was also very difficult to find. Still is. If you go to standard kedai nasi campur, chances are you would not find it on the array of offering.

Thankfully though these days there are more and more of those ' specialised' menu restaurants that has made its foray. 

After the failed tries, I try again with a receipe given by my friend, its actually her late dad's asam pedas paste. It was good, it was successful. The only bummer side to that is I dont cook often enough and paste needs to be made in large batch.

So the other day we made a cooking date - me and my cousin. It was successful and using the same recipe, i was able to cook a decent asam pedas on my own too.

So here goes

1 kg meat

bawang kecil (20)

Bawang besar (2)

halia

galanghal

Serai x 3 (ketuk2)

daun limau purut

cili kering

asam jawa

potato

salt

minyak

Black pepper

Blend A:

20 bawang kecil

2 bawang besar

2 inch halia

1 inch galanghal

Blend B:

cili kering x 20 (pedas) - not so hancur

Alternatively can use cili boh?

Method:

Panaskan minyak dalam 3 sudu besar (minyak nak banyak)

tumis Blend A (bwang2) with slow fire

Dah caramelised bawang then add cili blend, cook with slow fire

put in asam jawa satu sudu besar (add half first)

black pepper sikit

Serai

after dah naik minyak, put in the daging, and then air

then potato

and then daun limau purut

Spaghetti Aglio Olio with shrimps (prawns)

Today's menu as requested by MrFluff. The shrimp spaghetti oglio olio.


Ingredients:
Garlic 5 pips - chopped finely
Parsley
Chili flakes
Olive oil
Lime juice
Prawns
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste

Method:
1. Heat up the oil
2. Saute garlic and chilli flakes
3. Mix in prawns until its half cook
4. Add in spaghetti, mix it well
5. Add in parsley, lime juice, salt and pepper

Mix it all out and done!

Bon appetit

Education ...

So I watched with interest on the recent outcries. First - it was about the call to not celebrate those who are high-flyers or straight A scorers. Now, those A scorers apparently are denied the chance to enter SBPs or MRSM, if they are coming from well to do families.

There are arguments from both sides. From teachers and parents of those high-flyers students, they obviously are not happy because in their view, why should these hard-working children be denied to be celebrate their success?

Whereas on the other camp, they say that we must not make those who couldn't make it feel left out.

Most recent topic - the outcries of those 6As who failed to secure a place in boarding schools or MRSM due to their parents income.

I honestly do not know how true this claim is - ie if indeed these students could not be placed because the selection criteria has changed.  It was said that those who are scoring 3As or even less are accepted if they are coming from B40 income group.

That is fine, really. In fact this I suppose is in line with the original intent of the boarding schools. Though the bar really should not the set too low in my opinion. Less one or two As would be fine, but a big gap perhaps

The next question is why haven't we been able to formulate this success to other schools then. It has been a while now that the boarding school and MRSM have been introduced. These schools are touted to be the better ones, compared to the standard Sekolah Menengah. I think while it is great that the government wants to ensure those less fortunate or rural gets groomed, we shan't forget the rest of the population. Why are we able to produce top notch students from certain schools but failed to do so on others. This is the more pressing question that the authorities has to address. Perhaps, there is a need to emulate the formula, with modifications?

If the success of the boarding schools and MRSMs are due to the controlled environment ie students have proper Prep times , balanced meal and playtime, why not introduced similar concept at the Sekolah Menengah but with costs to be borne / supplemented by parents?

And last but not least - please stop changing the directive every two or three years. Vast changes like education blueprint plan is not something that you see result in a year or two. Hopefully we will see better things going forward.

Asam Pedas - Mel’s dads recipe

okay this one i gotta try.

Saving this link here for the time being for safe keeping.

Piccas will follow once dah buat

https://www.facebook.com/586743665/posts/10155844852513666/