Fort Conwallis

I have not been to this place since 1991. The last time I was here was during form 5. Lots of changes now. There is a RM3.00 entrance fee.

Main entrance.

Francis Light's tomb

Francis Light was not the founder of the Penang Island?

Dead doc’s family not eligible for compensation

It really saddened me to learn that Dr Norbaizura Yahaya, who died two weeks after being involved in an ambulance accident, is not eligible for compensation because she was not confirmed in her post, as reported in the Star.

Just not too long ago, our health minister was quoted as saying that government doctors do have insurance coverage when they accompany patients in an ambulance, in refuting Malaysian Medical Association president Dr Teoh Siang Chin's claim that doctors and other healthcare providers accompanying patients in ambulances were not covered by insurance.

The health minister also pledged help to the family of the doctor. What was our health minister standing there for? Wasn't he suppose to present or offer some 'humanitarian' support to the family of the victim, and not MMA?

In the mean time, does that mean that, all house officers should refrain from accompanying patients in ambulance since they are not confirmed in position, and thus not entitle to any form of compensation? Has the HO any rights to refuse accompanying patient then?

MMR

Yeon Guai Fei Chicken Rice

Discovered new dish at Lye Lye Hawker Centre.

Yeon Guai Fei Chicken Rice
Price: RM 4.50

Traffic Jammed Everyday

Jalan Masjid Negeri, formerly known as Greenlane Road, is like the main artery in Penang. It is one of the busiest road in Penang, connecting motorists from other parts to Penang bridge as well as the industrial zones in Bayan Lepas.

Every morning, this is the road I use to pass through on my way to the hospital. Anyone guess why it is so congested? Yes, it is because of those irresponsible and highly inconsiderate rich folks stopping by the road side to send their children off to Penang Free School!! Their stupid acts create a bottle neck in front of the school and the traffic jam streches all the way to Island Glades.

Similar situation on the other side of the road. School buses and inconsiderate parents parking by the road side waiting for students to come out.

Star (9th Sept 2006) reported roads in Penang are congested due to growing population following high-density development in towns and this resulted in increase in number of vehicles and transportation demand.

Among the strategies suggested to overcome such problem are to create more one-way streets and restrict private vehicles in congested areas; introduce intelligent transport system including LMT (Light Monorail Transit); introduce water taxis as an alternative to bring commuters from Penang Island to Seberang Prai, Pulau Aman, Pulau Gedong and man-made islands.

I doubted such strategies would ever work, as long as Penagites still have the kind of 'wanting-to-be cheap-and-convenience,-and-who-cares-about-you' attitude.

Penang' s traffic is actually not as bad as it is portrayed, unlike KL. The certain hours of road congestion is actually caused by those inconsiderate parents sending off and picking up students from schools.

Probably, one of the strategies should be, banning parents from parking or stopping by the road side or else relocate these schools away from the busied roads.

Seven Days by Dadawa

Just bought this beautiful latest CD by Dadawa.

Pg Property Fair 2006

This year again The Star organized one of the biggest property and home fair at PISA. For the past few years, I have been visiting the fair to get updated on new properties in Penang, with hope of finding a home for myself. Again, I was rather disappointed this time as there were not many properties deemed affordable to be even laid a thought on.

In Penang Island (I am talking about Island), a decent condominium with minimum of 900 sf were priced at least RM230 000 and above. With our goverment salary, though as a doctor, I was even ashamed to enquire about landed properties.

Most of the booths actually showcased their high-end super luxurious properties. Few notable ones were:

1. Slim Villa in Free School Road (Belleview Group), are priced from RM 680, 688 (with 70% sold).
2. Bukit Dumbar Villa town house (Medal-Rank), are priced from RM 402, 000.
3. Richmont Residences 3 storey link house (Richmont Sapphire) in Jelutong, are priced from RM 628, 000.
4. Desa Ara 3 storey terrace house ((Taimima) in sungai Ara, are priced from RM 588, 000).

5. Taman Seri Pantai 3 storey semi-detached (Vivahill) in Teluk Kumbar, are priced from RM 593, 000.

This condominium in town, Times Square (Ivory), are priced from RM 288,888, with 70% sold.
Other high-end super condo:

1. The View (Ivory) in Gelugor, are priced from RM 600, 800, almost sold out.
2. BayStar Condominiums (CP Landmark) in Queensbay, Bayan Lepas, are priced from RM 406, 120.
3. Amethyst Condonimium (Prima Prai Group), in Batu Uban.

New properties in Balik Pulau, Botanica. CT (developed by MTT Properties), has double storey terrace houses (built up 1,700sf, land area 1,200sf) priced at RM 269, 969 to double storey semi-detached houses (built-up 1,956 sf, land area 2,400sf) priced at RM 369, 969. Orchard lots are also for sale at RM 26 per sq ft (land size minimum 1 acre and above).

Some of the condominiums priced from RM 250, 000 to 350, 000 are:

1. Vista Gambier (Lereng Wira) in Jalan Bukit Gambier (yet to be launched).
2. Oasis Condominium in gelugor (yet to be launched).
3. Ixora Heights (PDC) in Taman Lipsin.
4. Regency Height (Palmex Industries) in Sg Ara, launched two years ago.
5. D-Regency (Ideal Gallery) in Bukit Gambier, launched last year.
6. Grand Ocean (Grand Jaya), in Tanjung Bungah.
7. Spring Condominum (IJM), in Jelutong Waterfront.

One of the crowded booths was this new development in Bayan Baru township, opposite PISA, showcased a shopping centre, D'Pi*zza, with two types of condominiums. Interestingly, the whole block of the 1,100 sf-type condo was apparently 'sold' to some interested party, still under negotiation, even though the project was yet to be launched. I learned that the model was taken down on the second day of the exhibition, left with only the 1,300sf-type condo available for the 'viewing'. This project was supposed to be launched in December 2006.

Other cheaper condominiums (low medium cost) in the less strategic locations are:

1. BL Garden (Reka Indah), in Lebuhraya Thean Teik (at the hilly slope).
2. Relau Indah, Relau.
3. Desa Impian, Air Itam.

On the positive note, the minimum salary for those applying for low-cost and low medium-cost houses would be raised to RM2,500 and RM3,500 respectively while the age limit is reduced from 21 years to 18 years, according to the Penang Structural Plan 2005-2020 Draft report.

Look like, for a government doctor like me, I can only opt for those low medium cost apartments, since my monthly salary does not even hit RM 3,500 after 6 years of working. To buy landed properties in Penang Island? Probably in my dream.

Chopper Board

Lunch at Chopper Board Tesco

Black pepper chicken rice set
RM 5.60
Add rice RM 0.80

He Got Big Fish

Scary.

Sam Poh Tung

Here are some of the pictures I took during my visit to Ipoh. Sam Poh Tung is a temple built in the cave, located along Jalan Gopeng (road name now changed to some " Jalan Raja....", can't even remember the long name).

We walked through some tunnel that lead us to a beautiful garden.

There is a turtle pond too.

A unique sculpture.

Meditation temple.

Bonsai garden.

Beautiful landscape.

Yeh Lai Siang

Where? Yeh Lai Siang Restaurant, behind Balik Pulau market.
Open? Dinner, supper.
Ample parking spaces.

I had a late dinner last night, alone, and decided to have rice. My sis recommended me this.

I ordered food for one person and this was what I got, 8 pieces of Belacan chicken wings!

Plus, this rather large plate of Sambal Belacan Tou Meow, enough for 3 persons! The cook probably overestimated my ability.

Price: RM 10.60

Medical Doctor To Audio Designer

The Star, Sunday Personality, 10th September 2006.

Ipoh Old Town

So, we went to Ipoh old town (supposingly, some of the best shops) to have breakfast.

Here was the Ipoh Koay Teow Th'ng or Kai See Hor Fun. My friend recommended to me and he said it is the best in town.

Price: RM 3.20 (Small).
Rating: 8/10

No doubt, this was very nice. I noticed Ipoh's Koay Teow is very smoothery and firmy. 'Best' but also quite pricey for a small bowl.

Someone asked me what the heck I was eating Asam Laksa in Ipoh as nothing compares to Penang's. I simply wanted to taste if there was any difference.

Price: RM 2.50 (Small).
Rating: 6/10.

One thing about this bowl of laksa, it was 'salty', as compared to Penang's, which is more sweet, sour and spicy.

Yin Yong or Sar Hor Fun
Price: RM 4.00 (Regular).
Rating: 8/10.

I always believe Sar Hor Fun/Yin Yong/Wat Tan Hor is the best in Ipoh.

Nga Choy Kai

Look like, Ipoh is synonym with beansprout chicken (Nga Choy Kai). One would feel incomplete if he/she does not taste it.

Some said, this one is the best in town. Hmm, judging from the crowds....

Nevertheless, we tried the one next door, Onn Kee (main).

It was only 'so-so' for me, I didn't find or taste anything 'so special' about Ipoh beansprout chicken.

Impiana Casuarina Ipoh Hotel

Apparently, my friend said this is the "luxurious" of all hotels in Ipoh. I am not sure how many star this hotel is (some said 5*), but I give it a 3-star by my standard.




Disappointing facts:
1. Very strong cigarrette smoke odor in the corridor.
2. Old furnitures.
3. Room too dimmed.
4. No complementary mineral water in the room.
5. No slippers.
6. Interrupted hot water in the bathroom.
7. Air-con not cold enough.

Dinner Talk

A dinner talk at Impiana Casuarina Ipoh Hotel.

About "Vasculopathy and Diabetic Renal Disease"

Chaired by Dr. Ng, a cardiologist.

Speaker: Dr. Gavin Mark Carney, consultant Physician & Nephrologist from Australia.

I was surprised by a big turn-out from Ipoh folks, as it registered more than 90 people. I wondered how often was the drug talk in Ipoh, as in Penang, we had it almost every week. Even then, we always see the same batch of 'senior' GPs only, very few from the government doctors.

Tribute to the Crocodile Hunter (R.I.P Steve Irwin)


Goodbye Wildlife Warrior

Steve Irwin crocodile hunter Dead (Rip)

Botanic Walk

Care centre to be operational soon

(Star, 2nd September 2006)

NEW FACILITY: THIS RM40mil Ambulatory Care Centre at the Penang Hospital is dedicated to performing minor surgeries and day care treatment

It is equipped with six operating theatres to cater to patients who would be sent home to recuperate after undergoing minor surgeries or day care treatment.

This will reduce the need for patients to be warded and decrease the demand for the 1,090 beds in the hospital at Jalan Residensi.

Completed last year, the centre will only be operational after the procurement of an extra RM800,000 fund to install mechanical and electrical systems and equipment.

Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Lee Kah Choon said the centre was expected to be put into service within six months after the procurement of the money. – STARpic by ASRI ABDUL GHANI