Muhaizar Mohamad Attempts To Break National Marathon Record at Berlin Marathon

Current and four-time consecutive winner of the Standard Chartered KL Marathon, as well as S.E.A. Games bronze medalist, Muhaizar Mohamad will be attempting to break the national marathon record at the BMW Berlin Marathon on 16th September 2018. Muhaizar is currently being managed by Dirigo Events, who are also sponsoring his record breaking attempt. This is part of Dirigo Events’ continuing efforts to develop the sport of marathon running in Malaysia, as well as to provide support for one of Malaysia’s best marathoners.

Muhaizar has currently just completed acclimatization training in Cameron Highlands as he tries to give himself the best chance possible to break the current national mark. His personal best was recorded in his first ever overseas event when he posted 2:27:21 in close to freezing temperatures at this year’s Tokyo Marathon. He will attempt to go under the national record of 2:25:28 posted by Leo Tan, also in Tokyo this year.

Muhaizar will be leaving for Berlin on Saturday, 8th September 2018 on a 11.20pm flight from KLIA. You are cordially invited to meet him to offer your well wishes and he will also be at Paparich Signature Level 5 Departure at KLIA from 8.00 – 9.00pm. Do come and support him!

Malaysia Airports Brings KLIA’s Top Culinary Delights to the MIGF 2018

As a runner, our adventures are not limited to local running events. So, our oversea running adventure usually starts when we are at the airport. Thanks to the awesome F&B outlets at KLIA and klia2, we are always greeted with mouth-watering good food before we fly out or when we arrive!

During the Malaysia International Gastronomy Festival (MIGF) 2018, we were invited to sample the taste of KLIA’s top restaurants namely Bumbu Desa, Grandmama’s and Fukuya. The Taste of Malaysia Airports in a teaser to what can be expected at the upcoming annual KULinary 2018 event in November.



The three featured restaurants had showcased some of their most popular dishes that are a hit with travellers at Kuala Lumpur International Airports, KLIA and klia2.

These three restaurants were part of the Top 25 winners from last year’s annual KULinary event – a signature dining discovery campaign hosted by Malaysia Airports that celebrates gastronomic excellence and dining experiences at both terminals of the airport, KLIA main terminal and klia2.



We were welcomed to taste the best of Indonesian cuisine from Bumbu Desa with its signature dishes of Nasi Liwet, Ikan Bawal Taliwang Lombok (pomfret with special Taliwang Lombok sauce), Ayam Cabai Ijo (Green Chili Chicken), Gulai Kikil (Beef Tendon Curry) and more, washed down with Teh Botol (famous Indonesian jasmine tea).



Located at klia2, Bumbu Desa is truly the epitome of authentic Indonesian cuisine. With its truly authentic menu and setting, Bumbu Desa has changed the way Indonesian cuisine is enjoyed here in Malaysia, offering a unique food spread of over 30 varieties of Padang, Sunda and Malay dishes.



Nasi liwet is a fragrant rice dish cooked in coconut milk, chicken broth and spices, from Solo, Central Java. It matches the intensity of the Green Chili Chicken, which fiery taste make you crave for more.



We love the Gulai Kikil, which is made of chewy beef tendon, cooked in coconut milk and a myraid of spices. So "lemak" and delicious!



Ikan Bawal Taliwang Lombok is a must-try dish in Bumbu Desa. The pomfret is fried to a crispy perfection and then doused with the special fiery Lombok sambal.



Offering a mini Malaysia experience right in the airport, Grandmama’s serves traditional Malaysian flavours that make us, Malaysians feel right at home after a long and tiring flight, or make the arriving foreign guests feel welcomed as they first step into our beautiful Malaysia. Grandmama's is located at South Wing KLIA, Satellite Building.



Their Nasi Lemak is a must-try dish for visitors during this Taste MIGF event. Who can resist the temtation of the fragrant dan fluffy nasi lemak, served with delicious chicken curry and condiments. (Insert two thumbs up here!)



Fukuya @KLIA is a must-visit restaurant for those who love authentic Japanese cuisine. It is located at the Satellite Building, KLIA where you can grab a quick bite before departure.



Visitors should not miss the newly created Hotate Miso Soup (miso soup with scallops) which is specially created to celebrate this year’s Taste MIGF event.



Other best sellers to look out for from Fukuya include Unagi Uramaki (deep fried spicy sea eel roll) and Shake Uramaki (deep fried spicy salmon roll).



We tried both spicy rolls and we must say out taste buds were totally jolted by the super hot cili padi bombs, hidden in the rolls! Heheh! Delicious nontheless.



Food lovers are encouraged to join the upcoming KULinary event at KLIA in November to discover the best hidden food gems that are available at both terminals of the airport. There will also be lots of fun activities and special meal deals for passengers to enjoy. #irunsoicaneat. Stay tuned!

For more info, please visit http://www.klia.com.my

ETIQA Invites All To The ETIQA 10th ANNIVERSARY FUN FEST

Etiqa will be celebrating its 10 Year Anniversary by hosting the Etiqa Fun Fest, an event filled with fun and entertainment for the whole family. The Etiqa Fun Fest comprises a free concert, a 5KM Fun Run, and a carnival at Setia City Park, Setia Alam on 18 August 2018, from 7.30am to 12.00noon.

Top Malaysian acts such as Dato’ Zainal Abidin, Dato’ Afdlin Shauki, Altimet and Chelsia Ng make up the line-up for the pumped-up concert that will unite all partners, customers and their families on this special day.



Popular fitness guru, Nana Al Haleq will lead the Zumba session, and participants will get the chance to meet TV host Awal Ashaari at the 5KM Fun Run! The unique Fun Run has been designed in such a way that families can enjoy interactive ‘selfie’ pit stops to make the run even more memorable. All proceeds collected from the Fun Run will go towards charity.

In addition to the run, the carnival offers free fun activities to both children and adults. Children will enjoy performances by Didi & Friends and Pikachu while for adults, there will be a Play Station 4 Virtual Reality booth, a mechanical bull ride and Human Jenga.



“The Etiqa Fun Fest is our way of saying thank you to all our loyal partners and customers who have given us their continuous support over the years. As Malaysia’s largest local insurer, Etiqa has grown by leaps and bounds in the past decade. Last year, we registered a breakthrough profit-before-tax surpassing the RM1 billion mark. With more than RM30 billion assets to date, our customer base has grown from year to year, displaying a strong track record of continuous growth within the insurance industry,” said Kamaludin Ahmad, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Etiqa Insurance and Takaful.

As the most visited insurance site in Malaysia, Etiqa’s achievement on the digital platform has been one of the main thrusts of success as customers can now navigate through a user-friendly website, download easy to use apps and even check their claims status online. In this manner, Etiqa strives to ensure a Fast and Easy experience for all its customers.

“With our expertise, we hope to continue creating a network of convenience and accessibility. As we strive to serve you better, we would like to invite all Etiqa stakeholders, customers and the general public to join us in celebrating this big milestone with the team.” he added.

For more information on Etiqa’s ‘Fun Fest’ Event, please visit us at www.etiqa.com.my/FunFest.

Bigger, Better & Gold-er: Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon Finisher Medal Unveiled

Singapore, 6 August 2018 – Organizers of the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM) 2018, IRONMAN, have unveiled a new medal design for the Marathon category for this year’s 42.195km race.

The new design is the first ever gold-plated medal to be unveiled and is 20 per cent bigger than the 2017 medal. It features Singapore’s icon, the Merlion, commemorating the race's prominence in Singapore's sporting calendar – celebrating national pride and excellence.

More than 14,000 runners in the Marathon category are expected to receive the iconic medal upon completion of the race on 9 December.

Ours to Run Set to take place on the 8 and 9 of December, the 17th edition of Singapore’s marquee running event, offers a new two-day format with a myriad of community-centric offerings and an improved race experience to over 50,000 runners across six different categories.

Saturday Ensuring SCSM remains accessible to runners of all abilities, the 5km category has been reintroduced at this year’s edition. Participants looking for an entry-level distance but full marathon experience are encouraged to join this category, which will be flagged off after the 10km category run. The race will begin at the F1 Pit Building and end by the scenic views at The Float at Marina Bay on Saturday morning.

A few kilometers away, parents will be cheering their kids on at the revamped Kids Dash. The fun run, for children up to the age of 12 will take see the participants run through an exciting adventure as they dash through the scenic zones at the Universal Studios Singapore.

Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2018 Marathon category medal design features the iconic Merlion



Sunday The main event is Sunday’s Marathon and Half Marathon, which will take place on a brand new route, covering many of Singapore’s iconic and historical landmarks. Both runs will kick off at the F1 Pit Building, and conclude at The Float at Marina Bay.

This year’s Ekiden category will offer 500 groups of five runners the opportunity to run 42.195km as a team. The race will see each runner cover a distance of over 8km.

The most seasoned runners can take up the Double-Up Challenge, providing them access to either the 5km or 10km category on Saturday, before proceeding to participate in either the Marathon or Half Marathon on Sunday. They will get a special Double-Up Challenge medal on top of their individual categories medals.

Registration for all categories are available, starting with $60 for 5km, $80 for 10km, $90 for Half Marathon, and $110 for the Marathon.

To register and for more information, please visit www.singaporemarathon.com. Standard Chartered Cardholders will enjoy 15% off registration fee across all categories.

Follow the race:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SGmarathon
Instagram: @sgmarathon
Twitter: @SG_marathon

SPARK Foundation's Water Stewardship Project to Benefit Over 1,800 PJ residents

Water is a vital necessity for life. Every runner knows it. Get hydrated or you will never reach the finish line, especially on a hot and humid day. But how many of us are protecting and conserving our water sources? Last weekend, we had a chance to see some of the actions taken by a local community in PJ with the help of SPARK Foundation and local government agencies to work towards long-term sustainable water management.



As part of its ongoing water stewardship agenda, SPARK Foundation has committed to invest an additional RM2.5million over the next three years for the Phase 3 of its W.A.T.E.R (Working Actively Through Education and Rehabilitation) project. The Foundation aims to lead in water stewardship through collaboration with government agencies and local communities in strategic projects to protect water resources.

The W.A.T.E.R Project is a collaboration between SPARK Foundation and the Global Environment Centre - a non-profit organisation and government agencies which aim to raise awareness on the importance of river and water conservation through community-based programmes.

Key initiatives at project sites include rainwater harvesting, water thimble technology, wetland construction and reforestation.

To kickstart the Phase 3 of its project, SPARK Foundation in collaboration with Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and Global Environment Centre built rainwater harvesting system at Block 1, Desa Mentari in Petaling Jaya, which is located within one of its project sites, Sungai Penchala.

The system is capable of harvesting an estimate of one million litres of rainwater annually and will benefit over 1,800 residents in the area by supplying additional water supply that is suitable for general use such as cleaning, landscaping and irrigation.



Renuka Indrarajah, SPARK Foundation Trustee said: “Water stewardship is about businesses taking strategic action to ensure water is managed sustainably as a shared, public resource. We believe that commitment towards water stewardship goes beyond being an efficient water user. Through SPARK Foundation we want to take lead in water stewardship by collaborating with like-minded partners, engagement and education of local communities as well as investments in strategic initiatives at Sungai Selangor, Sungai Penchala and Sungei Way.”

Over the past ten years, SPARK Foundation has invested more than RM8 million in Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the W.A.T.E.R project. Since the inception of W.A.T.E.R project in 2007, SPARK Foundation has adopted five rivers including Sungei Way and Sungai Penchala in Selangor, as well as Sungai Senam, Sungai Buntong and Sungai Kledang in Perak. The combined efforts have led to improved water quality, heightened awareness on the importance of river conservation as well as a mindset shift among communities along the targeted river basins.



Renuka added: “To date, more than 30,000 Malaysians have been engaged through our education programmes, including supporting of the River of Life Public Outreach Programme, Train the Trainers Programme and our Mobile River Care Unit. Through our project, we have established 12 active river care communities to sustain the cleanliness of the river that flows through their neighbourhood.”

“On behalf of SPARK Foundation, I would like to extend our gratitude to GEC, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), MBPJ, and Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS) and the local communities for their continuous support for our water stewardship agenda.



Tuan Johary Bin Anuar, Deputy Mayor of MBPJ said: “Water conservation is a critical effort that must be managed effectively especially in a highly urbanised and fastgrowing city like Petaling Jaya. Protecting water resources is our collective responsibility and we are committed to supporting the organisations who empower local communities to take action. The initiative by SPARK Foundation, GEC along with multi-stakeholders is exemplary as it delivers measurable impact in an area that benefits all Malaysians. We strongly encourage other organisations to learn from SPARK Foundation and embrace holistic environmental improvement projects that are relevant to their businesses."



Dr K. Kalithasan, GEC River Care Coordinator also added that: “The W.A.T.E.R Project has been a success due to a smart partnership with government agencies and communities. With the renewed project direction, we will be able to introduce alternative water supply and strengthen awareness on water conservation to the general public.”



You too can be part of this green cause too by signing up as volunteers or become a partner via the SPARK Foundation’s website www.sparkfoundation.com.my

Watch the launch video on our IGTV HERE.

HOCO O2O Retail Concept Store Launch

Malaysian mobile phone accessories distributor Cosmos Online Sdn Bhd officially introduced “hoco.” and also their Hoco O2O Retail Concept Store at a press conference held at their flagship outlet in Low Yat Plaza, today.

“hoco.” is an international premium lifestyle accessories brand from Hong Kong Haoco (hoco.) Technology Co., Ltd, which is dedicated to the development of high-quality digital accessories. Established in 2009, the young company focuses on the development and production of digital products with simple design philosophies, to create exquisite digital lifestyle products.



Gracing the launch event was brand principal and Hong Kong Haoco (hoco.) Technology’s General Manager, Gavin Ou and Cosmos Online Sdn Bhd’s Chairman Choong Sang Joo, Joining them at the official ribbon cutting ceremony were Lotyat Plaza’s Marcom & A&P Manager, Raymond Foo and a representative from Malaysia Mobile Communication Association (PPTM).



Its products include accessories for Apple, Samsung, HTC, MEIZU and other major brands. ”hoco.” has also established an excellent reputation in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, North America, the Middle East, Europe and other regions across the globe, and has become a leading brand in the digital accessories market space.



“hoco.” is targeted at the mid to high-end market with a significant product range, and is user-friendly in design, fashionable and comes with excellent build quality. If you are looking for exquisite, “hoco.” makes it for you.



Other than phone accessories, we are quite impressed with the range of sports audio products offered by “hoco.”

Go check 'em out today.
















For more info, please visit https://www.facebook.com/hocomalaysia/ or http://www.hocomalaysia.com/estore/

Show Room:
Ug-46 Plaza LowYat, 7, Jalan Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

#RuntheworldwithMongChin on A+E NETWORKS®’ LIFETIME® ASIA

Kuala Lumpur, 17 July 2018 - A+E Networks’ LIFETIME Asia is set to air its brand new six-part, digital-first original production, WHO RUNS THE WORLD WITH MONG CHIN on 23 July 2018. Hosted by popular Singaporean social media influencer, Yeoh Mong Chin, the highly-anticipated series takes her on an epic adventure – six runs in six Southeast Asian countries over eight weeks: Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam. The series marks the latest partnership between A+E Networks’ LIFETIME Asia and Canon.



Making her debut on the small screen as the star of the series, Mong Chin, also known by her social media moniker ‘Mongabong’, is no stranger to being in the limelight. Having carved out a niche for herself on the Instagram landscape, she’s created a career from her love for fashion, beauty, travel and food. Since starting out 5 years ago, she has amassed a loyal following and made a name for herself, with over 147,000 followers on Instagram.



As part of her adventures across Southeast Asia, Mong Chin explores unique locations that are off-the-beaten-track. While prepping for her runs, she also meets individuals from all walks of life who are united by their love for running, music, food, fashion and more. Mong Chin shared, “Embarking on this project is a first in many ways for me and encompasses all the things that I’ve always loved from travel, food and photography. Being a part of WHO RUNS THE WORLD WITH MONG CHIN has given me the confidence to overcome many challenges and brought me closer to my followers as well. I’m excited to use this opportunity as a new platform to be able to share my experiences by creating unique and authentic content for my followers.”



In WHO RUNS THE WORLD WITH MONG CHIN, LIFETIME Asia will be embracing a digital-first approach where Mong Chin’s followers and LIFETIME Asia viewers get to follow her on her journey with exclusive online content filmed on-location. Viewers can connect with Mong Chin on a personal level, as they peel back the curtain to see what goes on in the life of an influencer.



This is also in line with LIFETIME Asia’s mission to encourage and cultivate women’s talent and advocate for more women in influential content making roles in the media landscape.

Edwin Teoh, Head of Marketing, Domestic Operations, Canon Singapore also added, “Canon’s expertise in cutting-edge imaging solutions enables us to complement the increasing demand for consuming and creating content on-the-go. We are excited to partner with A+E Networks on their digital-first original production series and confident that the latest Canon EOS M50 mirrorless camera with 4K movie shooting capability and a feature for seamless image transfer to mobile devices, will empower viewers to experience running the world vicariously through Mong Chin’s adventures.”



Highlights of Mong Chin’s adventures on WHO RUNS THE WORLD WITH MONG CHIN

1. Singapore
In her home country, Mong Chin takes on the ILLUMI Run, an ultimate party on the run where participants run through ILLUMI glow water and experience electrifying music in the ILLUMI dance zones. She also joins outdoor enthusiasts, Ministry of Adventure for a kayaking expedition at Punggol Waterway. Mong Chin then goes behind-the-scenes of Toruk: The First Flight by Cirque du Soleil, where she tries her hand at performing some moves with cast members including kite-flying and boomerang-throwing. Not to be missed is the ‘instagrammable’ Boufe Café, where Mong Chin tastes and snaps the most colourful sweet treats.



2. Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)
The city’s most iconic running event – Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon – sees Mong Chin join runners from all over the country, who pit themselves against international champions on the streets of Kuala Lumpur. To get in shape before the run, she meets personal trainer and businesswoman, Nana Al Haleq for a training session. While in Kuala Lumpur, Mong Chin visits batik artist Lazim Ismail and Nadia Hasbi, to design hand painted batik sports leggings. For a grand cafe experience, Mong makes a trip to Juan Valdez for their rich cup profiles, where she also has a go at making latte art.

3. Thailand (Chiang Mai)
Mong Chin takes part in the annual Singha Songkran Chiang Mai Run – a race to celebrate the Thai New Year. This nighttime run ties in with four days of celebrations across Chiang Mai. As part of the festivities, Mong Chin joins the locals and tourists as they get soaked in water fights all along Chiang Mai Old City. Viewers will also see her walk through the Bua Ton’s Sticky Waterfalls. The rushing waterfall is not only a sight to behold but it has a unique feature that allows one to climb directly up the rocks into the oncoming cascading water. Mong Chin get the chance to feed and pet sheep at Farmyard Café, and then enjoy a refreshing ice-cold dessert – mango bingsu!

4. Vietnam (Hanoi)
In Hanoi, Mong Chin joins a local running club, the Hash Hound Harriers, on their run along the countryside. Following a trail set by ‘Hares’, the runners race to a mystery end location where a crate of beer awaits them! Mong Chin also helps the Hares set the trail for this race. While in Hanoi, Mong Chin soaks in the sights via a street tour on a Vespa, visiting the Unicorn Pub for a Pho Cocktail and wraps up at the famous Train Street along Hanoi’s Old Quarter. She is invited to dine at a local’s home and have a taste of authentic Hanoian cuisine. To conclude the trip, Mong Chin takes part in a 1920s themed murder mystery party and has to figure out who the murderer is by the end of the night!



5. Indonesia (Lombok)
On the day of the famous Rinjani 100 ultramarathon, Mong Chin visits the second highest volcano in Indonesia, Mount Rinjani and does the beginners run up Bukit Sisek. In Lombok, Mong Chin also meets Chelsea Etienne, owner of Island Mermaids, the first school in the world to do mermaid swimming out in the open ocean! Mong Chin becomes a mermaid for a day and takes a glass bottom boat out in the clear sea for a swimming lesson at Pantai Pandanan. She visits the local Tanjung market to shop for local produce, then uses the ingredients to whip up a delicious meal in a traditional Indonesian cookery class.

6. Philippines (Cebu)
Continuing her adventure in Philippines, Mong Chin takes on the Spartan Sprint as part of the Spartan Race Cebu 2018. She faces multiple obstacles having to climb, push, jump, and crawl through fire, mud and barbed wire in order to finish the race. To wind down, she goes to Cebu’s famous BBQ street, Larsian Sa Fuente, the ultimate go-to place for Cebuano foodies to check out the best grill eateries in town.



To catch Mong Chin in action and to learn more about the unique and vibrant Southeast Asian cultures, tune in to WHO RUNS THE WORLD WITH MONG CHIN on 23 July, Mondays, 9.30pm on LIFETIME Asia (Astro Ch 709).

Relay for Life Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia’s Largest Cancer Event to Celebrate Caregivers

Kuala Lumpur, 29 June 2018 – the nation’s largest cancer celebratory and remembrance evening is back for its 12th year at Dataran Petaling Jaya.

Relay for Life (RFL) Kuala Lumpur, organised by the National Cancer Society of Malaysia, will celebrate the most important people in a cancer patient’s life: caregivers. Previously held for 16 hours, the duration of this year’s relay has been shortened to eight hours.

From 4pm to 12am, participants – patients, caregivers, family, friends, and local communities – will take turns walking around a running track to show their unity against cancer. RFL will also feature a remembrance ceremony, track challenges, on-stage fitness activities, and performances by survivors.

“Our theme this year is caregivers – our unsung heroes in a cancer journey,” says Dato’ Zuraidah Atan, Chairperson of Relay for Life Kuala Lumpur. “These are the people who take care of their family members or friends tirelessly, ensure that the doctor’s advice is followed, and even advocate for better care, more funds, or more research on cancer.”

However, the role of caregiving is also often very stressful and neglected, Dato’ Zuraidah says. Taking care of the practical needs such as transport, hospital visits, cooking and cleaning, and running other errands can be physically exhausting.

Many struggle to balance job responsibilities with their tasks while taking care of their parents or children, and some are even battling cancer themselves.

“They often fear – and feel responsible – for their loved ones’ health, but suppress these feelings because they feel they have to be a pillar of strength and hope,” she says. “They also neglect their own needs, which leads to frustration, and risk emotional as well as mental exhaustion.”

Apart from celebrating – and highlighting the importance of – caregivers at Relay for Life Kuala Lumpur, the National Cancer Society of Malaysia had also set up a toll-free cancer helpline to provide information as well as emotional support.

“When we set up the cancer toll-free helpline in 2016, we expected that most of the callers would be patients,” Dato’ Zuraidah says. “To our surprise, half of the callers are actually family members or friends, who ask many questions on behalf of the patient.

“We found that the well-being – whether physical or mental – of the patient really falls on the caregiver. We are currently strengthening our cancer support programmes, in the hope that our survivors can share the load by providing emotional and some practical help.

“Funds raised from Relay for Life will go towards these programmes – we have currently set up networks in Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Tung Shin Hospital.”

Funds will also go towards NCSM’s education and outreach activities, cancer and health screening services, as well as free accommodation for children with cancer.

Online registrations can be made at www.relayforlifemalaysia.com.

NCSM is especially grateful to its sponsors and supporters Astro, Bridgestone Tyres, ROSEN Malaysia, Accenture, Idifynetz, Vitahealth, Shokobutsu, Yakult, Popcart, Copper, Parkson, and Shape magazine.