Monday, December 08, 2025

IEM 46TH ANNUAL DINNER (2005)

IEM 46TH ANNUAL DINNER
SUNWAY CONVENTION CENTRE
BANDAR SUNWAY, SELANGOR
16 APRIL 2005
The event took place on Saturday, April 16, 2005 at the Sunway Convention Centre in Bandar Sunway, Selangor. The event was a significant gathering for the engineering fraternity and included a formal dinner and an awards ceremony. 
The Guest of Honor is Tan Sri Dr. Jamaluddin Jarjis, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation. 



The Guest of Honor, Tan Sri Dr. Jamaluddin Jarjis, The Science, Technology and Innovation Minister. 

Sunway Lagoon Theme Park, specifically the large surf beach pool and surrounding structures. 

The distinctive architecture of the Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall complex, including the large Lion Head entrance and the adjacent hotel tower. 

The Sunway Convention Centre is now known as the Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre. It remains a key venue for convention, exhibitions and major events in the Sunway Complex in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. 

OTHER EVENT IN 2005

Mechanical Engineering Technical Division committee and IEM Staff on Website Training at the Midvalley, KL



8/12/2025: 11.06 a.m








METD NETWORKING AT FINNEGAN IRISH RESTAURANT

That looks like a fun set of throwback photos! It brings back memories of the Finnegan Irish Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur from 2005 and 2006.
Mechanical Engineering Technical Division (METD) of The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) Seminar and Networking was held at Finnegan Irish Restaurant in 2005 and 2006, the caption places at Jalan Bukit Bintang, K.L. 






Finnegan Irish Restaurant was a popular Irish Pub and Restaurant chain in Kuala Lumpur, known for hosting gatherings and having a lively atmosphere. Several branches of Finnegan's operated across KL over the years like Bangsar,  Mid Valley, Desa Sri Hartamas and Changkat Bukit Bintang. 
However, Finnegan's on Changkat Bukit Bintang closed down around 2013





17 APRIL 2004: IEM 45TH ANNUAL DINNER

IEM 45TH ANNUAL DINNER
PALACE OF THE GOLDEN HORSES
17 APRIL 2004
IEM 45th Annual Dinner was held at the Palace of The Golden Horses, Seri Kembangan, Selangor on 17 April 2004. 
The Guest of Honour was Malaysian Prime Minister YAB Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.
The central event of the evening was the conferment of the IEM Distinguished Honorary Fellowship to Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad by the then IEM President, Ir. Prof. Abang Abdullah Abang Ali . 


The Arrival of Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad being ushered along a red carpet by the IEM President. 


IEM Secretariat Staffs



An exterior view of the Majestic Palace of the Golden Horses Hotel, showcasing its unique architecture and the lake surrounding it. 
In 2004, Palace of the Golden Horses was widely recognise as one of Asia's Premier luxury establishments and a pivotal venue for international diplomacy. It was a world-class 5-star luxury hotel, known for its opulent Malaysian-Moorish architecture. The hotel remains part of the MINES Wellness City complex. 

8/12/2025: 10.26 a.m







IEM ACTIVITIES IN THE YEAR 2002

IEM 43RD ANNUAL DINNER 
ISTANA HOTEL, KL
20 APRIL 2002
That looks like a wonderful memory! The 43rd Annual Dinner of The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM), which took place on 20 April 2002 at the Istana Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.




The Istana Hotel situated in the city's pretigious Golden Triangle, began operation in 1992. It featured 500 rooms, located at 73, Jalan Raja Chulan, close to key city landmarks like the KL Tower and a few minutes from major shopping malls.

Unfortunately, the Istana Hotel ceased operations permanently on 1 September 2021, after 30 years in business.It was one of the hotels that closed due to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was later acquired by Tradewinds Corporation Berhad and is currently being transformed Waldorf Astoria in Malaysia open aroung 2024. 

ISO TRAINING
THE INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS, MALAYSIA
AWANA GOLF & COUNTRY RESORT, GENTING HIGHLANDS
25-27 MAY 2002
ISO Training course organized by The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM), held at the Awana Golf & Country Resort (now Resorts World Awana) from May 25-27, 2002.
The training was most likely focused on the then-current version of the ISO 9000 series of standards, particularly ISO 9001, which deals with Quality Management Systems (QMS).
ISO standards are a set of international criteria for quality, safety, efficiency, and other management systems, and training is essential for implementation and certification. 







The Awana Golf and Country Resort is now known as Resort World Awana and has evolve into a nature-inspired resort destination within the Genting Highlands complex. It is currently rated 4 out of 5 stars. 


8/12/2025: 9.52 a.m









IEM ACTIVITIES IN THE YEAR 2001

GENTING VIEW RESORT 
In 2001, Genting View Resort was a 3-star, laid-back hillside hotel and condominium complex located in Genting Highlands, approximately 3,000 feet above sea level. It was known for its tranquil natural surroundings, offering a peaceful escape with a cool mountain climate.
The Resort was located off the main road to the main Genting Highlands resort area, about 10 km away from the casinos and hotels at the peak. It is about 40-45 minute drive from Kuala Lumpur via the Karak Highway.

I had my time at Genting View Resort in Genting Highland on February 17 & 18, 2001, while attending a meeting representing as the Secretariat Staff of The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (1999 - 2011). 



Standing outdoors with resort building (low-rise and the tall tower) and the surrounding forested hills in the background. 



The swimming pool area and a children's playground with a tree-house slide, set against the backdrop of the hilly, forested landscape and the resort buildings.

A Wide clear view of the resort buildings (the tall-tower & some low-rise structures) nestled in the lush green hills under a bright blue sky. 

The exterior of one of the resort buildings. 

The resort indeed is still operating today (2025) and appears to be a highly-rated place for a nature gateway. It is clearly thriving as a peaceful alternative to the busy hilltop of Genting Highlands. 

IEM 42ND ANNUAL DINNER
MANDARIN ORIENTAL HOTEL, K.L
21 APRIL 2001
The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) held this specific dinner at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, on April 21, 2001.



IEM President, Y.Bhg. Dato' Ir. Dr Gue See Sew is accompanying Deputy Prime Minister, Dato' Sri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi during the IEM Dinner in 2001. 

Me and my wife



The Mandarin Oriental Hotel had opened to business in October 1998. It was strategically positioned in the heart of Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) development, situated adjacent to the Iconic Petronas Twin Towers and fronting a 50-acre park. 

Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur is still operating today in December 2025.

2001: China: Beijing, Tianmen & Chengde

8/12/2025: 12.34 a.m

Sunday, December 07, 2025

2000 : THE MINT HOTEL KL AND PJ HILTON

The Mint Hotel of Kuala Lumpur

The Hotel was an operational three-star hotel located along the Kuala Lumpur-Seremban highway in May 2000.
  • Location and Features:  In 2000, the hotel was situated at the 8th kilometer of the Kuala Lumpur-Seremban Highway, close to the Mines Exhibition Centre and the Selangor Turf Club race course. It had 413 guest rooms and amenities including a pool and a fitness center.
  • Reputation Reviews from around that time described the hotel in extremely negative terms, referring to it as a "hell hole" with filthy conditions and issues with prostitution in the lobby area.
  • Closure and Rebranding The hotel ceased operations in February 2005 due to financial difficulties and a defaulted loan. It was later auctioned and acquired by property tycoon Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew. The hotel underwent a major refurbishment and rebranding programme and is now known as the Nouvelle Hotel.




HOTEL PJ HILTON
These are wonderful throwback photos! It looks like you had a nice time with your colleagues from the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) at a staff lunch twenty-five years ago.

Event Details
  • Occasion: IEM Staff Lunch
  • Date: Monday, March 20, 2000
  • Location: Hotel PJ Hilton (now Hilton Petaling Jaya), Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia



About the Venue
  • The Hilton Petaling Jaya is a well-known landmark in Petaling Jaya.
  • The hotel originally opened as Jaya Puri before coming under Hilton management in 1982.
  • In 2000, when your photos were taken, it was operating as the Petaling Jaya Hilton (or PJ Hilton).
  • The search results show it is the longest-managed Hilton property in Malaysia.
  • Based on the images showing a large, round table, the lunch was likely held in one of their dining outlets, such as the famous Toh Yuen Chinese Restaurant or perhaps the all-day dining restaurant, Paya Serai, both of which have been long-standing venues in the hotel.

It's fascinating to see the interior and exterior of the hotel from that time! The fourth picture clearly shows the main hotel tower.

7/12/2025: 11.37 p.m

15 APRIL 2000 : IEM 41ST ANNUAL DINNER (AI OVERVIEW)

The images are a wonderful collection documenting the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) 41st Annual Dinner held at the Renaissance Hotel Kuala Lumpur on April 15, 2000.

What the Photos Show

The photos offer a glimpse into the event and the hotel's ambiance at the turn of the millennium:

Group Photos: Images show attendees, including the man who appears in multiple photos, dressed in formal attire for the annual dinner. One picture clearly features the backdrop for the event: "IEM 41ST ANNUAL DINNER 15 APRIL 2000."


Dining Scene: Several photos capture guests seated at large round tables with red tablecloths, sharing a meal (likely a Chinese banquet setting, based on the dishes and use of chopsticks).



Individual Portraits: There are portraits of a man and a woman, both individually and together, both seated and standing, capturing the fashion and interior decor of the hotel at the time.



Hotel Exterior: Two images show the exterior and entrance of the Renaissance Hotel Kuala Lumpur, including its recognizable circular golden structure and grand drive-up area. The hotel was built in 1996, making it relatively new at the time of the event in 2000.



The Renaissance Hotel Kuala Lumpur continues to be a prominent fixture in the city, having undergone renovations since 2000.

7/12/2025: 9.25 P.M