Districts In Malaysia

District: Pontian Towns in the district:  Ayer Baloi, Air Masin, Api-Api, Benut , Jeram Batu, Pengkalan Raja, Pontian, Rimba Terjun, Serkat, Sungai Karang, Sungei Pinggan, Benut, Pontian Kechil, Pekan Nenas Last time I was there: 2013 The story:  I’ve mentioned this before -- growing up, I didn’t really explore much of my own home state, Johor . But some of my best childhood memories come from trips to Kota Tinggi , visiting my aunt and her family. The waterfall visits, especially, are something I still remember fondly. Another place we used to visit -- thanks to another aunt (my late father’s sister) -- was Pontian. Her husband was a high-ranking police officer, and we’d stay in a lovely bungalow with a big open field nearby -- perfect for us kids to run around and play. That was decades ago. The last time I found myself back in the Pontian district was in 2013. We were already in Johor Bahru , and on a whim, I thought -- why not take a drive, revisit some old memories, and...

District: Kuala Pilah Towns in the district:  Ampang Tinggi . Johol , Juasseh , Kepis, Langkap, Parit Tinggi, Pilah, Seri Menanti Last time I was there:  October 2021 The story: The first time I set foot in Kuala Pilah was back in the late 90s, when I was attached to the judiciary . It was a short work trip, but my colleague and I still managed to squeeze in a couple of local sights -- one being the Ulu Bendul waterfall , and the other, Istana Seri Menanti . I still remember the drive vividly... navigating past kambing and lembu , and carefully avoiding fresh “obstacles” along the way just to reach the palace. 😄 It was quite the experience -- and one that left a lasting impression. Fast forward to October 2021, I returned on a scenic road trip from Kuala Klawang to Kuala Pilah and Seri Menanti. Yes, that’s itik salai gantung in the photo below. Along the way, you’ll find plenty of roadside stalls selling all sorts of interesting local food and tidbits -- definitely worth a...

District: Putrajaya , Federal Territory Of Putrajaya Last time I was there: Usually there every couple of months for makan or just passing by The story: Mention , and this memory still comes rushing back. Fifteen years ago, I received one of the hardest phone calls of my life. Moments after finishing Malaysia Hari Ini , I was told that my dear friend, Kharis -- known fondly among us as Tuan Senang Besar -- had passed away after collapsing while jogging near Kelana Jaya Stadium . Just hours earlier, at 5.52am, he had BBM -ed me. We were supposed to run the Putrajaya Night Marathon together that very weekend. I remember staring at that last message in disbelief, struggling to accept that he was gone. Al-Fatihah, my friend. In the days that followed, my emotions were all over the place. The event was still on, but I wasn’t sure I had the heart to run. Friends encouraged me to do it in his honour, and eventually, I decided: 10km for Allahyarham Kharis. We started calling it “ Run for T...

  District: Kuantan , Pahang Towns in the district: Beserah, Hulu Kuantan, Hulu Lepar, Kuala Kuantan, Penor, Sungai Karang, Gambang, Bandar Kuantan, Beserah & Tanjung Lumpur Last time I was there: 2022 The story: We’ve had some great family getaways in Kuantan over the years -- the last one in 2022 still fresh in memory. But beyond the holidays, Kuantan has also been the backdrop to some pretty defining moments in my working life. From a Judges’ Conference during my time in the judiciary, to a World Cup-themed treasure hunt and intimate industry sessions in my magazine days, and later, a couple of management retreats during my Media Prima chapter -- this town has seen it all. One that really stands out goes back to February 2009. The economy wasn’t exactly friendly then, but we pushed on with our annual management retreat in Kuantan. It had been a while since I last stepped into the Hyatt , but it still carried that same grand, polished feel. This time, though, the vibe...