Good Response To Earth Hour

It was a slow start in the morning but towards the afternoon thousands of residents in Puchong lent their support for the IOI Group of Companies’ Go Green event and an Unplugged Earth Show held at the IOI Boulevard in Bandar Puchong Jaya.

The public not only picked up useful tips through the various recycling activities, fruit enzymes and garbage enzyme demonstrations, they even took part in the traditional games and fund-raising activities.

The four-hour event from 10am-2pm featured local artistes like Christopher Lai, Jym Chong, Adrian Tan, Jeffrey Cheng, Peter Ong, Aric Ho, Amy Wang, Fang Ai Ling, Dennis Lau, Stella Chung, Johnson Wee and Ida Mariana with the public joining them for stage performances and interactive games.

Visitors were encouraged to take part in eco-games which were held in three sessions and for animal lovers, there was a talk on animal care by Dr Chan Kah.

IOI Group general manager (marketing and business development) Lee Yoke Har said the company had made a united stand to support Earth Hour since last year.

“The objective is to raise awareness of climate change issues and all our premises in Malaysia and overseas committed to turning off the lights for an hour last year. We are doing the same this year as well,” said Lee.

She added that the DIY fruit enzyme and garbage enzyme-making demonstrations, mudball-making and collection of recycled items were part of the activities to create awareness among the Puchong residents.

“The awareness is focused on adopting a lifestyle that is more environment-conscious.

“Everything we do must be considered friendly to the environment instead of harming it,” she added.

Lee said IOI was also creating awareness by distributing pamphlets and green living guides to all IOI townships so that the community could live a cleaner, safer and more eco-sensitive lifestyle.

The Go Green Day, she said, would meet its objective to educate the local community on environmental conservation and encourage them to embrace a green lifestyle to fight global warming.

“In fact, everyone can contribute in a small way and that will create a forceful impact,” added Lee.

There were also booths spreading the green message and a booth set up by the Tzu-Chi foundation for the collection of recyclables.

The Unplugged Earth Show continued from 7pm to 10pm with IOI Earth Hour ambassador-cum-Akademi Fantasia Season 1 champion Vince Chong and Francissca Peter entertaining the crowd.

There were also fundraising activities such as IOI Earth Hour T-shirts and sale of candles in aid of Malaysian Nature Society and Make-Your-Pledge for the public.

Source: The Star

I Wish You Love

Taman Tasik Prima Puchong

 

Taman Tasik Prima, a premier lakefront township in Puchong offers a resort living environment overlooking a 200-acre lake. It is a whole different lifestyle concept that integrates with the beauty of nature - imagine resort living everyday!

Location

Prominently situated in the established township of Puchong and within the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC), Taman Tasik Prima grants easy accessibility via major highways such as the Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP) and Shah Alam Expressway (KESAS Highway). This excellent location and accessibility makes Taman Tasik Prima a prime and worthy investment.

Built-up Area

Taman Tasik Prima is a low density development offering only 13 units of Lake Bungalow and 9 units of Courtyard Villa.

The Lake Bungalow comes with a modern open plan gallery design concept where the entrance unfolds to an exciting three storey gallery space. Designed with the residents’ comfort in mind, the spacious built up of 4,500 sq ft consists of 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 2 study rooms, and a family room. There's definitely ample space for a growing family. The living areas and master bedroom overlook private landscape areas and formal lawns where one can enjoy a magnificent view of the lake. These fine homes are tagged at an attractive price of RM1, 297,200 to RM1, 783,700.

As for the Courtyard Villa, they are designed to blend nature into the living space by allowing an abundance of natural light illuminate the home interior. With a built-up of 3,050 sq ft, all units come with 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and a family room. The living and dining areas open out to a private courtyard. For those who enjoy entertaining guests, a private party can be held at the spacious compound area. Prices for these villas range from RM646,100 to RM883,200

Both the Lake Bungalow and Courtyard Villa are equipped with 3-phase electricity supply and an expansive car porch big enough to accommodate 4 cars! Thoughtfully planned 50 feet wide driveway with paved pedestrian walkways, streetscapes and landscapes add to the appeal of this idyllic lakeside neighbourhood.

Launch

Launched on the 15th of August 2009, the developers are offering exclusive discounts for early birds. For the first 5 units of the lake bungalows and courtyard villas, a rebate of RM20,000 and RM10,000 are given respectively. Bumiputras can enjoy a 7% discount.

Facilities and Amenities

It is a complete neighbourhood that offers unique features such as a landscaped central park to every precinct to create a quality lifestyle; aesthetically appealing underground cabling and covered drainage, and most importantly provides a safe gated and guarded sanctuary for peace of mind.

With an unbeatable location close to a public transportation hub, a clinic, schools, kindergartens, police station and banks, Taman Tasik Prima offers convenience to its residents with these readily existing amenities. Shopping is a breeze with shopping centres including the IOI Mall, TESCO and GIANT hypermarkets.

Upcoming amenities include water sport facilities, a lakeside commercial village, central parks with children's playground and a gazebo area.

The Developer

Taman Tasik Prima is developed by Prima Nova Harta Development Sdn Bhd, a joint venture with Bolton Berhad, an established name with more than 40 years in property development. Prima Nova Group is an up-and-coming property developer that is fast establishing a name for itself in the property sector.

Source: The Star Property

Zarra @ Bandar Puteri Puchong

Spreading over 22 acres of prime freehold land in Bandar Puteri Puchong is Zarra, an integrated township complemented by recreational and social amenities. Developed by IOI Properties Berhad, it is the last terrace house development in Bandar Puteri Puchong and undoubtedly, an appreciating investment you don't want to miss!

Location

Residents at Zarra can enjoy hassle-free traffic with its excellent accessibility via multiple links namely the KESAS Highway, Bukit Jalil Highway, Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP) and the South Klang Valley Expressway.

Built-up Area

Zarra comprises 183 units of 2 and 2 ½ storey terrace homes.

The built-up area for the double storey home ranges from 2,398 sq ft to 3,427 sq ft over a land area of 1,650 sq ft to 6,598 sq ft. Each unit has four bedrooms with four en-suite bathrooms.

As for the 2 ½ storey homes, they have built-up areas ranging from 3,020 sq ft to 3,045 sq ft of simple yet comfortable living areas, providing 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms.

Both of these exclusive homes boast high ceilings for enhanced spaciousness: 12ft and 11ft high ceiling for the ground floor and master bedroom, respectively. They are also designed with detailed attention paid to the overall quality and finishing which includes decorative cornices for living and dining area, separated dry and wet kitchen with a dedicated laundry area, porcelain tiles for living, dining and entrance foyer and a car porch big enough to accommodate 2 cars.

Adding to the list is a wide, automatic main gate for every unit as well as aesthetically concealed front drainage and underground utilities.

Facilities and Amenities

Bearing in mind the importance of security in an ideal community, Zarra homes are complete with peace-of-mind security features which include perimeter fencing* and a guardhouse*. These homes are also equipped with a Smart home Security System which offers many more benefits and provides added security to the overall house in general.

*Physical building, without security personnel & subject to local authority requirements.

Grocery and household shopping can be done nearby at the Giant Hypermarket and a private wet market Puteri Mart. Other facilities include the state-of-the-art Columbia Asia Hospital and other medical centers as well as both local and international banks namely, Citibank, OCBC, Standard Chartered and Al Rajhi Bank.

Meanwhile, the nation's largest indoor badminton hall and a 15-acre Town Park are also situated within the vicinity; ideal for sports enthusiasts.

Launch

Launched on the 11th of September last year, these exclusive homes are scheduled for completion in July 2011. Pricing is set from RM 599,800 to RM 1,254,000 with a 7% discount for Bumiputras.

The Developer

Zarra is developed by Flora Development Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of IOI Properties Berhad. IOI Properties is one of the largest property development investment groups in Malaysia, and is reputed as one of the most efficient and profitable property companies.

Source: The Star Property

Neway Puchong

CNI Store @ IOI Boulevard

After 21 years of selling products through its members, multi-level marketing company CNI Holdings Bhd took its business a notch higher when it opened its first retail centre recently.

“We saw the need to be more consumer-centric and to be readily available to the masses,” said CNI Group chairman Datuk Koh Peng Chor at the outlet in IOI Boulevard, Puchong, recently.

Koh said the company had also rolled out their “valued customer” programme late last year and felt it was the right time for them to re-establish their brand with local communities.

With the retail store, Koh hoped the brand would be able to provide convenience and ease to all members and customers, especially those in the Puchong community.

“We advocate the healthy living concept and we want to share this with the community, that is the reason for the name — LivUp! Healthy Living Store,” Koh said.

He added that under the company’s expansion plans, they expected to add a few more retail centres at strategic locations within the next few years.

At the store’s opening ceremony, the public were treated to free health and beauty screenings where CNI also gave away more than RM10,000 worth of free gifts through lucky draws and contests.

A lion dance performance by the Kun Seng Keng Lion and Dragon dance team also took centrestage where they performed their signature acrobatic moves on high poles accompanied by the 1Malaysia Drums assemble.

For this month, all walk-in customers would be able to taste its CNI coffee at no charge while those who buy RM70 and above would receive a complimentary CNI Valued Customer membership.

Under the CNI valued customer programme, CNI consumers would be able to enjoy themselves on products at member’s price as well as other discounts and promotional rewards with its affiliated partners.

Koh said the company aimed to be there for the community and welcomed everyone to treat its store as a community meeting place.

Source: The Star

Vio Serviced Apartment @ Setia Walk

Hai Siang Kopitiam

For most people, being faced with the loss of their employment would be a terrifying prospect. But when a Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS) was offered at his work place a few years ago, Adrian Chin took it calmly and then opted to resign.

Prior to this, he had actually never thought of giving up his job as a flight attendant with Malaysia Airlines.

He liked the job and had travelled to almost all the countries that MAS flies to in his nine years with Malaysia’s national carrier.

But when the VSS was offered, he saw it as an opportunity to start his own business. He had always been passionate about food, he says, so it was natural for him to venture into the food and beverage business.

“It happened almost impulsively,” he says. “When they told me about the scheme, I immediately decided to quit and open up a kopitiam. I did not even think of the risks and cost.”

Chin is now the proud owner of Hai Siang Kopitiam, which is located in Bandar Puteri Puchong, Selangor. Opened in 2006, he runs it with his wife Elly.

Despite their lack of business experience, they both managed to get their kopitiam off the ground mainly through sheer hard work plus a bit of luck.

First, they contacted their good friend David Choong, the grandson of the famous proprietor of Hai Peng Kopitiam in Kemaman, Terengganu.

“He helped us tie up some of the loose ends in our business,” says Chin, adding that he also found out that the success of a kopitiam lies in the coffee it uses.

With their consent, he is using Hai Peng’s black coffee as his staple. “I read an article that says coffee is the world’s most popular drink, followed closely by Coke. With that, I was certain that Hai Peng coffee would be able to attract customers around this area to my kopitiam,” he says.

He also found out that people in the Klang Valley prefer white coffee, which is readily available as instant mixes.

However, Chin went on a rather adventurous approach by offering the old-school black coffee mixed and brewed by hand. The result? A strong and aromatic brew that’s still black even with condensed milk!

He says he received mixed reviews at first, with some customers complaining that they were expecting white coffee.

But the hard-core coffee drinkers thanked him for introducing the black brew.

Once the choice of coffee was settled, he began to work on the menu, which comprises, among others, Sarawak Laksa, chicken rice and nasi lemak. The dishes are prepared fresh every day following recipes that he and Elly perfected.

Most of the dishes are below RM5 and are served in portions large enough to satisfy most eaters. In fact, some of the customers have complained that the dishes are too big, says Chin. “That is why all of my noodle dishes come either in regular or small sizes. I had a lot of people pointing out that the Sarawak Laksa was too big so my wife suggested we serve it in two different portions.”

Chin prepared four dishes – chicken rice, Sarawak Laksa, nasi lemak rendang and tuna sandwich – and three types of drinks – iced coffee, the famous Hai Peng coffee and three-layered-tea – for us to try. True to his word, the dishes were very filling.

Chin says he and Elly are aware that things may go wrong and have prepared for contingencies: “Did we mention that we also wait on tables, man the cash register, clean the place, make the drinks and cook too?”

This way, if any of my workers decide to leave, we can still manage with what we have, says Chin who has only a staff of five, three in the kitchen and two waiters.

“Being trained in the airline to be hospitable, approachable and helpful really paid off in the end for Adrian,” says Elly with a laugh.

This family-oriented cafe can accommodate up to 80 people comfortably and has an al fresco area for smokers.

Hai Siang Kopitiam is open from 8am till midnight Mondays to Saturdays and from 8am to 6pm on Sundays and public holidays.

Source: The Star

The Loaf @ IOI Boulevard

Japanese style Bakery and Bistro with the finest quality of breads, The Loaf opening soon @ IOI Boulevard

Camellia @ Taman Puchong Utama

Located just a heartbeat away from the hub of Puchong and in Taman Puchong Utama is Camellia double-storey terrace houses, the latest phase of the fast developing township.

Developed by Hillcrest Gardens Sdn Bhd, Camellia double-storey terrace houses are the latest addition to their 600-acre Taman Puchong Utama township. These new houses now under construction are located just 3.5km away from the bustling hub of Puchong and just a stone’s throw away from a 9.2 acres recreation park.

Families living at Camellia will find everything they need just a short walk or drive away. For shopping and retail needs, there is the Puchong Utama Town Centre, Jusco @ IOI Mall, as well as Giant and Tesco hypermarkets. Schools and medical centres are close by too, putting all of life’s conveniences within easy reach.

Schools located close to Camellia are SK Puchong Utama 1, SK (M) Puchong Utama 1, SK Puchong Utama 2, SK Puchong Utama 3, Sin Ming Chinese Primary School, Han Ming Chinese Primary School, and Alice Smith School. Besides these, colleges and universities can be found at the neighbouring Sunway/Subang suburb. This gives growing families plenty of choices to send their children for education, making it a conducive living environment.

To access Taman Puchong Utama, one can use Jalan Puchong or the Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP). By using the LDP, residents here can get to key areas like USJ, Subang, Shah Alam, Putrajaya, Cyberjaya or even the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) with ease.

Practical homes

Occupying 18ft x 60ft freehold with individual titled lots, Camellia come with practical built-up spaces of 1,353 sq ft for intermediate units, and 1,423 sq ft to 1,733 sq ft for corner ones. Most importantly these houses are value for money buy from RM243,800 to RM458,743. Furthermore, units here limited to only 69 with 40% already sold.

Future owners also get to save on renovation costs as the houses are designed to maximise built-up space to create a comfortable living environment for families. Moreover, the developer has generously included a water filter for every unit and anti-termite treatment.

These houses come with three spacious bedrooms on the first floor and one on the ground floor. There are three bathrooms as well as a wet and dry kitchen. Planned for convenience, the wide column-free car porch allows 2 vehicles to be parked without restriction.

Reputable developer

Hillcrest Gardens Sdn Bhd has been developing quality homes since 1973. The company has two township developments in the Klang Valley, namely the 523-acre Seri Gombak, and the 600-acre mixed development township Taman Puchong Utama. To date, the company has completed and delivered more than 12,000 properties, both residential and commercial, in both townships.

Camellia at Taman Puchong Utama are scheduled to be completed on October 2011. Interested buyers should call Hillcrest Gardens Sdn Bhd at (603) 7492 1111. Alternatively, log on to their website at www.hillcrest.com.my to send an email enquiry or to find out more information.

Source: iProperty

Contraflow To Cut Traffic Jam

Lingkaran Trans Kota Bhd (Litrak) is introducing yet another traffic management scheme, a contraflow system, to ease the congestion during peak hours.

The contraflow system will start at the Petaling Jaya Selatan toll plaza and head towards Bandar Puchong (Km19.3 to Km22). Motorists going towards Puchong Perdana and Putrajaya will be required to enter the dedicated lane which is located on the extreme right of the toll plaza. There will be four tollbooths for motorists and the lane will end in front of the Esso petrol station in Puchong Perdana.

This will involve the closure of the flyover in the opposite direction towards Bandar Sunway and the Kesas Highway at the Puchong Jaya interchange to make way for an additional lane for Puchong Perdana and Putrajaya-bound traffic.

The dedicated lane for the contraflow is only meant for light vehicles heading towards Puchong Perdana and Putrajaya.

Motorists from Puchong heading towards Bandar Sunway, Kesas Highway and Federal Highway are advised to keep to the left lane and use the slip road after IOI Mall.

Motorists heading towards Bukit Jalil and Bandar Puchong Jaya are advised to use the commercial lanes, not the additional lane that is meant for motorists going towards Puchong Perdana and Putrajaya.

The Highway Ronda team will be stationed at strategic locations. Motorists are advised to adhere to the signages put up before the Petaling Jaya Selatan toll plaza and along the dedicated lane, which leads to and from Puchong Perdana.

The contraflow system will be in effect from 4.30pm to 8.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for public holidays.

Litrak chief executive officer Sazally Saidi said more than 10,500 motorists were expected to benefit from the traffic management scheme.

"We have been studying this traffic flow system for months and, theoretically, the contraflow system should work based on our studies. We are certain that, with the additional lane, the traffic flow will improve," he said.

Sazally said the contraflow system should reduce traffic congestion by 10 per cent.

"In any new scheme, there are bound to be hiccups. It will take about two weeks for road users to get used to the system. To ensure a safe journey we advise all road users to be vigilant and adhere to the signages and use the right lane," he said.

Source: NST