1985 - PENANG BRIDGE

This collage captures a monumental chapter in Malaysian history: the opening of the Penang Bridge in 1985. It wasn't just a feat of engineering; it was a symbol of national pride and the rapid modernization of the country.

Key Highlights of the Moment

• The VIPs: You can see Malaysia's 4th Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, and his wife, Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah, standing proudly in the foreground. Dr. Mahathir was the driving force behind this project, which was part of his vision to industrialize Malaysia.
• The Car: That car they are standing with is the Proton Saga, Malaysia's first national car. It was launched in the same year (1985), and Dr. Mahathir famously drove a red Proton Saga across the bridge during the opening ceremony to link two of his biggest "mega-projects" together.
• The Bridge Structure: The background shows the iconic cable-stayed middle span. At the time of its completion, it was the longest bridge in Southeast Asia and the third longest in the world, spanning 13.5 kilometers.

Fun Facts About the Opening

Feature	Detail
Official Opening	September 14, 1985
Construction Time	Approximately 3.5 years
Connecting Points	Perai (Mainland) to Gelugor (Island)
Historical Significance	It ended the total reliance on the Penang ferry system for vehicle transport.

Note: The bottom-right photo shows the final stages of construction/paving, giving a great "behind-the-scenes" look at the massive scale of the asphalt work required for the four-lane dual carriageway.

Google Gemini AI

2/2/2026: 4.38 p.m

CHEONG YOKE CHOY (1873-1958)

Cheong Yoke Choy (1873–1958) was a prominent pioneering figure in early 20th-century Kuala Lumpur. He is primarily remembered as a successful businessman, a major philanthropist, and a leader within the Chinese community.

Key Facts About Cheong Yoke Choy

1. Pioneering Entrepreneur: He was a highly successful tin miner and banker. Notably, he co-founded Kwong Yik Bank in 1915, which was the first local Chinese bank in Malaya.
2. Philanthropist: Often referred to as "The Elderly Philanthropist" (Ci Shan Lao Ren), he contributed significantly to education. He founded the Pak Peng Free School in 1918 to provide free education to poor families and co-founded several other Chinese schools.
3. Community Leader: He held numerous leadership roles, including serving as a trustee for the Xian Si Shi Ye temple and holding positions in various Chinese associations (such as the Kwong Siew Association).
4. Wartime Contributions: During the Second Sino-Japanese War, he was a strong supporter of anti-Japanese movements and relief funds. He was appointed president of the Kwang Tung Chinese Home-Relief Association in 1938.
5. Recognition: In recognition of his service, the British colonial government appointed him as a Justice of Peace (JP) and awarded him the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

The Cemetery 

The image shows the Cheong Yoke Choy Cemetery located at Jalan Kerayong, Bukit Seputeh, K.L. (part of the larger Kwong Tong Cemetery grounds).

• Significance: Despite his immense wealth, his final resting place is described as relatively simple, consisting of a tombstone next to burial mounds.
• Legacy: His grandson, Professor Cheong Kee Cheok (a respected economist), eventually wrote a biography about him titled "Cheong Yoke Choy (1873–1958): A Grandson Looks Back" to document his history and values.

Google Gemini AI

2/2/2026: 2.50 p.m

1997: SECRET RECIPE

From humble beginnings in a Petaling Jaya neighborhood to becoming a household name across Southeast Asia, Secret Recipe is one of Malaysia’s most successful homegrown F&B stories.

Here is a breakdown of its history and growth:

The Humble Beginnings (1997)

• Founder: Secret Recipe was founded in 1997 by Datuk Steven Sim (who, interestingly, was a hairdresser before entering the F&B world).
• First Outlet: The very first cafe opened in SS2, Petaling Jaya.
• The Team: It started as a small family operation with just four staff members, including Sim and his three nephews who were qualified bakers.
• The Concept: At the time, Malaysia lacked "casual lifestyle dining." Most places were either traditional coffee shops or fine dining. Secret Recipe filled the gap by offering a space where people could enjoy premium cakes and fusion food in a comfortable, modern setting.

The Big Break (1998–2000)

• Award Winning: The brand gained massive popularity after winning the Best Cheesecake award at the Kuala Lumpur Cake Competition in 1998 for its Marble Cheesecake.
• Franchising: After testing the business model for three years, Sim began franchising to friends in 2000 and eventually opened it to the public in 2001.

Rapid Expansion & Halal Certification

• Halal Status: In 2004, Secret Recipe officially obtained Halal certification from JAKIM. This was a pivotal move that allowed the brand to become a staple for all Malaysians and paved the way for expansion into other Muslim-majority countries.
• Going Global: The brand expanded quickly into Singapore (1999), Indonesia (2003), Thailand (2004), and China (2007). Today, it has a presence in over 10 countries, including the Maldives and Bangladesh.

Key Milestones

Year	Milestone
1997	First outlet opened in SS2, Petaling Jaya.
1998	Won "Best Cheesecake" award; business boomed.
2004	Received official Halal certification from JAKIM.
2014	China’s Fosun International invested RM210 million, becoming a major shareholder.
2016	Launched the Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart brand, which became a viral success.
2023	Celebrated the opening of its 350th outlet in Malaysia at 1 Utama.

Fun Facts

• The Name: Datuk Steven Sim reportedly chose the name "Secret Recipe" after it came to him in a dream.
• Beyond Cakes: While famous for cakes, they are equally known for "fusion" dishes like their Laksa, Tom Yum, and Chicken Cordon Bleu, designed to cater to the local Malaysian palate.
• Market Leader: As of early 2026, the brand remains the largest cafe chain in Malaysia, with plans to surpass 400 outlets by the end of the year.

Google Gemini AI

2/2/2026: 2.58 p.m

HAWTHORNDEN ESTATE (WANGSA MAJU)

The image captures a scene from the 1968 classic film Anak Bapak, starring the legendary P. Ramlee. The location is Hawthornden Estate, a site that holds deep historical significance for the development of modern Kuala Lumpur.

Origins and Ownership

Hawthornden Estate was established in October 1888 in an area then known as "Ulu Gonggang." It was originally opened by J.A. Toynbee (a former manager of Weld’s Hill Estate) and several partners including representatives from the Chartered Bank and the Borneo Company.

However, its most famous owner was the tycoon and philanthropist Loke Yew. Under his ownership, the estate was a massive rubber plantation that spanned much of what we now know as Bukit Dinding and its surrounding foothills.

Cinematic Legacy

The estate's lush greenery and structured rubber trees made it a popular filming location during the Golden Age of Malay Cinema.

• "Anak Bapak" (1968): In the film, P. Ramlee plays Harun, a plantation manager. The image shows him leaning on a Mini Moke, a vehicle that became iconic through his films.
• "The Seventh Dawn" (1964): This Hollywood production starring William Holden was also filmed around Bukit Dinding/Hawthornden Estate, depicting the Malayan Emergency.

Transformation into Wangsa Maju

By the 1980s, the era of massive rubber plantations in Kuala Lumpur came to an end.

• National Defense: In the early 80s, parts of the estate were acquired by the Ministry of Defence (KEMENTAH).
• Urbanization: The vast acreage was rezoned for residential use. This led to the birth of Wangsa Maju (the name being a shortened version of "Titiwangsa Maju") and Setiawangsa.
• Legacy: Today, the only major remnant of the original estate is Bukit Dinding, which serves as a "green lung" for the city. Loke Yew himself was buried within the estate; his tomb remains a hidden historical landmark in the area.

The Mini Moke in "Anak Bapak" (1968)

In the film Anak Bapak, P. Ramlee’s character, Harun, frequently uses the Mini Moke to navigate the vast Hawthornden Estate. The vehicle's rugged yet stylish open-top design perfectly complemented the "modern man" persona Ramlee often portrayed during his era at Merdeka Studio in Hulu Kelang.

• Design: The model used was a classic British Leyland Mini Moke, characterized by its low profile and lack of doors, which made it ideal for the tropical plantation setting.
• Cultural Icon: Following the film's success, the Mini Moke became a symbol of leisure and style in Malaysia, often associated with the "swinging sixties" aesthetic.
• Preservation: Many fans and car enthusiasts in Malaysia still maintain vintage Mini Mokes today as a tribute to P. Ramlee’s cinematic legacy.

Google Gemini AI

29 January 2026: 9.44 a.m

THE KINARUT MANSION

Deep in the jungles of Sabah, near the town of Kinarut, lie the skeletal remains of the Kinarut Mansion (locally known as Rumah Besar Kinarut). Once a symbol of colonial opulence, it is now one of Malaysia’s most notorious "haunted" landmarks.

The History: A Failed Empire

Built between 1910 and 1914, the mansion was a rare Greco-Roman style manor in North Borneo. It was commissioned by W.F.C. Asimont, the German manager of the Kinarut Rubber Estate.

• The Design: It featured 45 doors, 152 windows, and 42 massive chandeliers. It was built by an Indian architect using hundreds of Javanese laborers.
• The Fall: Asimont died in 1919 in Surabaya. Following his death, the rubber trade declined, and the British North Borneo Chartered Company demolished the house in 1923 for reasons that remain somewhat mysterious.
• The Rediscovery: The jungle reclaimed the site until the 1990s, when ruins were rediscovered by forestry workers. It was gazetted as a historical site in 1994.

The Hauntings: What Lurks in the Ruins?

The mansion's reputation for the supernatural stems from both its tragic decay and local folklore.

Entity	Description & Sightings
Hantu Tinggi	The "Tall Ghost." Locals report a figure so tall its head is lost in the clouds, often disguised as one of the towering trees surrounding the ruins.
The Pontianak	A vengeful female spirit. Visitors have reported hearing high-pitched wailing and smelling the sudden, cloying scent of jasmine (a traditional warning sign).
The "Follower"	Many paranormal investigators and media crews have reported the sensation of being followed or watched intensely while walking the 200-meter avenue of crumbling columns.
Apparitions	Fast-moving shadows and "white figures" are frequently sighted darting between the remaining stone pillars at dusk.

Visiting Today

The ruins consist mainly of stone staircases leading to nowhere and weathered Greco-Roman columns. While it is a gazetted historical site, the atmosphere remains heavy and eerie due to the encroaching secondary forest.

• Location: Near Kinarut, about 30 minutes from Kota Kinabalu, close to the Police Training Centre (PULAPOL).
• Vibe: It is a favorite spot for "Urbex" (urban exploration) and "Dark Tourism."

Note: If you visit, locals often advise staying respectful and avoiding "clowning around," as the site is believed by many to be inhabited by Orang Bunian (hidden spirits) or guardians of the forest.

Google Gemini Ai

27 January 2026: 8.11 p.m

THE AGNES KEIGH HOUSE,SANDAKAN, SABAH

Perched on a hill overlooking Sandakan Bay in Sabah, Malaysia, the Agnes Keith House (formerly known as Newlands) is one of the region's most famous "haunted" landmarks. While it is officially a museum dedicated to American author Agnes Newton Keith, its reputation for paranormal activity is so ingrained that it is now a pillar of Sabah’s "Dark Tourism" initiative.

The Haunting Legends

What makes this house unique is that the primary source for the hauntings is the author herself. Agnes Keith, despite claiming she didn't believe in ghosts, documented several eerie experiences in her writings.

1. The "Tall Woman" Apparition

Agnes frequently wrote about seeing a tall, gaunt woman in the house. In her book White Man Returns (1951), she described seeing the figure every day:

"I don't believe in ghosts. But every day I see a tall woman saying goodbye to her husband, picking up her baby and going down the street alone, standing at the end of the street and looking back."

2. The Bandaged Figure

After the Keiths left in 1952, the house was occupied by Rosemary Carlson (wife of the next forest conservator). Rosemary reported waking up at dawn to find a pale-faced woman with a white bandage around her head leaning over her bed and staring at her. The encounter was so terrifying that she reportedly passed out.

3. Modern Sightings

Museum staff, security guards, and visitors have reported:

• The Stairs: A female figure seen standing on the wooden staircase or vanishing into corners.
• The Roof & Windows: Locals have claimed to see a lady looking out from the upper windows or even standing on the roof of the house at night.
• Auditory Phenomena: Sounds of doors opening and closing in empty rooms.

Historical Context

The "haunted" nature of the house is often linked to the heavy history of Sandakan during World War II:

• War Trauma: The original house was destroyed during the Japanese occupation. Agnes and her family were held in internment camps (recounted in her famous book Three Came Home).
• The Rebuild: The current timber house was rebuilt in 1946–1947 on the exact same foundation as the destroyed home. Some believe the "energy" of the previous structure remained.
• Discovery of Remains: During her time in the garden, Agnes famously found a human skull grown into her orchids and a rusting sword nearby—grim reminders of the violence that occurred on the grounds.

Visiting Today

The house is now a beautifully restored museum under the Sabah Museum Department. It features colonial-era furniture, Agnes's personal belongings, and a gallery detailing her life.

• Location: Jalan Istana, Sandakan, Sabah.
• Dark Tourism: Recently, the Ministry of Tourism has even considered "night stays" or camping for paranormal enthusiasts who want to experience the atmosphere after hours.

Google Gemini AI

27 January2026:8.01 a.m

THE MINI BUSES IN KL

The "Bas Mini" is arguably the most legendary chapter in Kuala Lumpur’s public transport history. Known affectionately (and sometimes fearfully) as the "Pink Lady," these buses were the lifeblood of the city for over two decades.

The "Pink Lady" Era (1975–1998)

The service was introduced on September 23, 1975, as a solution to the city’s growing congestion and the inability of large stage buses to navigate narrow housing estate roads.

1. The Rainbow Before the Pink

Initially, the buses weren't just pink. They were color-coded by route:

• Blue, Yellow, Red, Purple, and Green stripes on white bodies helped commuters identify their bus from a distance.
• In 1990, the government standardized the fleet to the iconic shocking pink and white to create a unified identity for the service.

2. The "F1" Driving Style

The Bas Mini was notorious for its "death-defying" speed. This wasn't just for thrills; it was a result of the commission-based system:

• Drivers and conductors were paid based on the number of passengers and trips they made.
• This led to a "race" between rival buses to reach passengers first.
• It wasn't uncommon to see a bus tilting on two wheels while taking a sharp corner or weaving through traffic like a kapcai (motorcycle).

3. The "Sardine" Experience

The official capacity was around 20–30 people, but in reality, they often carried double that.

• "Masuk lagi! Belakang kosong!" (Move in further! There's space at the back!) was the constant cry of the conductor, even when passengers were literally hanging out the open door.
• The buses were usually hot and non-air-conditioned, and the "stop" bell was often broken, requiring passengers to shout "Bang, berhenti!" (Brother, stop!) or bang on the roof to get off.

Why They Were Phased Out

On July 1, 1998, the service was officially terminated. Several factors led to their retirement:

• Safety Concerns: Their aggressive driving led to high accident rates.
• Modernization: The government wanted a more "civilized" and integrated system ahead of the 1998 Commonwealth Games.
• Consolidation: The fragmented small operators were replaced by larger corporations like Intrakota, which eventually evolved into today's RapidKL.

Where are they now?

• Museum Pieces: You can find a preserved Bas Mini at the National Museum (Muzium Negara) in KL, complete with its cramped interior and original livery.
• Modern Trials: In 2019, RapidKL trialed "mini buses" again to solve the "last-mile" problem, though these are modern, air-conditioned versions far removed from the wild "Pink Ladies" of the 80s.

Fun Fact: The Bas Mini was so fast that people often joked they were "flying" through the city. Despite the danger, many KL-ites still miss them because they were incredibly frequent—you rarely had to wait more than 5 minutes for one!

Google Gemini AI

26 January 2026: 7.50 a.m