Ramadan 2013

Islam is the state religion of Malaysia and a majority of Malaysians (61%) follow the Muslim faith. It is believed that Islam arrived in Malaysia during the 12th century, when traders from the Middle East stopped here en route to China. Ramadan or the Muslim holy month of fasting and the celebration of Hari Raya Pausa or Hari Raya Aidil Fitri(known around the world as Eid al-Fitr) are thus prominent events on the country’s annual festival calendar.
Ramadan is traditionally said to occur during the nine month of the Islamic calendar, but since this calendar is governed by movements of the moon, the dates for Ramadan vary every year. The sighting of the new moon at the sunset hour or “rukyah” signals the start of Ramadan. In Malaysia, this year Ramadan started on Wednesday, 10th July and will continue until the sighting of the next new moon, believed to be on Wednesday, August 7th.
Fasting during Ramadan is considered to be one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Muslims in Malaysia and elsewhere are not allowed to eat, drink or have sex, from the time of morning prayers (Fajr) typically conducted at dawn, until the evening prayers (Maghrib) at sunset. The daily Ramadan fast typically starts after the consumption of an early morning meal (Sahur) and ends with iftar feast. In Malaysia, this evening meal is referred to as "berbuka puasa” which translates as ‘to open the fast’.
In Malaysia, this basic act of fasting, involves considerable effort, given the year round, hot and humid climate which prevails and makes the act of going without food and drink all day very challenging. Non-Muslims in Malaysia are in fact asked to sensitive towards fasting Muslims during this time. Also Muslim eateries are usually shut until the mid-afternoon during Ramadan, though other restaurants and various other food and beverage outlets do remain open for business during Ramadan.
The act of Ramadan is expected to remind people of their less fortunate brethren. In Malaysia, Ramadan also features much togetherness with friends and family, especially during the time of iftar or breaking of the fast. Here the iftar meal is usually had at one of the country’s many animated Ramadan bazaars (pasar Ramadan). Most towns and cities in Malaysia host these vibrant Ramadan bazaars featuring myriad stalls offering sweet and savory eats, clothing, religious items, festive cookies, Iranian dates and more. Muslims as well as non-Muslims flock to these specially erected bazaars, which tend to open for business just before the evening prayers (Maghrib).
If you are visiting Malaysia, during Ramadan, you must try and sample the many foods offered at these bazaars. On offer at these bazaars are many traditional Malay dishes like Nasi Lemak(coconut rice), Ikan Bakar(spicy grilled fish), Ayam Golek(grilled chicken) and more, along with traditional coconut based deserts like ondeh-ondeh, kuih lapis and others. Also on offer are halal Indian and Chinese cuisines and even Italian and Mexican cuisines.

These Ramadan Bazaars are quite similar in character to the annual Christmas Markets of Europe and can be experienced in all major tourist hubs in Malaysia. In Kuala Lumpur, the Ramadan Bazaar experience can be had at the Shah Alam Stadium Bazaar or the Jalan Tunku Abdual Rahman Bazaar amongst many others. If you are visiting Penang, then the Ramadhan Bazaars on Jalan Makloom or Teluk Kumbar are recommended as a  must-visit.
The celebration of Hari Raya marks the end of Ramadan in Malaysia. Hari Raya is the biggest public holiday in Malaysia and typically extends over two days.  The holiday like most other celebratory events, features much feasting and enjoyment with family and friends. Gift-exchanging and the wearing of new clothes are other prominent features of the holiday, so much so that stores and malls around Malaysia host special sales and other events running up to Hari Raya.
Visiting Malaysia, during Ramadan offers visitors a chance to view the country’s indigenous culture and traditions at close quarters.

The Kuala Lumpur Festival

The Kuala Lumpur Festival celebrates the multi-ethnic and multi-cultural character of Malaysia’s premier city with a month-long cultural extravaganza every year. This festival, which was instituted in 2006, kicks off in the beginning of July and lasts the entire month. Special activities and various cultural performances are an integral part of the festival, whose aim is to promote unity amongst all Malaysians through a spirit of creativity.
Music and dance are prominent components of the KL festival and the event this year features a series of energetic band performances to be held at various KL shopping malls like Lot 10, Sungei Wan Plaza, Festival City and the Vivo Mall, throughout the month. The Kuala Lumpur Music Festival and Dance 2013, a dance presentation by the city’s Aswara Dance Company, are other prominent music and dance features of this year’s festival line-up. Also on the anvil, are Cultural and Holiday Dance Performances, to be hosted at various dates in July, at Kasturi Walk, part of the popular tourist attraction, the Central Market.
The city’s Indian community will offer displays of native dance forms of India, through events like NirtyaSamarpanam, a Kuchipudi Dance presentation, a Bharatha Natyam Arangetram concert and Sharangathi, a Bharatha Natyam/ Odissi Dance Concert, all events, scheduled to be hosted at the Shantanand Auditorium of the Temple of Fine Arts, in the Bricksfield neighborhood of Kuala Lumpur.
Aside from dance and music, the festival also features a strong drama element and offers several Malay drama and theater performances.  Performances of productions like Grey, Postcards from Rosa, Boeing Boeing, Bumiputeras Lucky Lucky Son, Rashomon, which have appeal for all ages, are to be held at various dates throughout the festival month at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Center. The festival program also offers displays of traditional Malaysian martial arts like Silat, Wushu, Silambam and Taekwondo, which continue to be practiced until today.
The dates of the Kuala Lumpur Festival, in 2013, coincide with the holy fasting month of Ramadan and thus the festival program offers various Ramadan-themed events as well. One such event is the Bubur Lambuk Congee Cooking Competition to be held at the National Institute of Broadcasting and Information Abdul Razak or IPPTAR on the 24th of July. Bubur Lambuk, a rice porridge is customarily consumed as a breakfast meal during Ramadan.
Also on the festival agenda are events like a Ramadan Youth Camp,(26th to 28th July) to be held at the National Mosque, an Islamic Fashion Display scheduled for various dates at the Sungei Wan Plaza and a Ramadan Spiritual concert and Nasyid competition scheduled for the July 28th at the DBKL City Theater.
These are but a few of the many festivities on offer during the month-long cultural extravaganza that is the Kuala Lunpur Festival. So if you have Kuala Lumpur on your travel schedule for July, do make sure you take in an event or two of the culturally-rich Kuala Lumpur festival.
Festival website-http://www.klfestival.org.my/

Weddings in Malaysia

An examination of the marriage customs and traditions in Malaysia, reveals that that country’s three main ethnic groups, the Malays, the Chinese and the Indians conduct increasingly similar ceremonies during the execution of weddings within their respective communities..
A Malay Wedding
When a Malay man decides to ask a girl’s hand in marriage, he usually sends a male relative as his representative to her home. This male relative is usually accompanied by an entourage bearing gifts.  The gifts usually consist of  the engagement ring, sweets and an arrangement of betel leaves.
Once the date for the akad nikah or marriage vow has been fixed (Thursday evenings usually features as prominent choices for the Malay and Indian communities), the ceremonies get underway. A day before the nikah, the Malay bride and groom take part in a ceremony known as ‘mandi lulur’. The mandi lulur ceremony is conducted separately at the homes of both the bride and the groom. The ceremony features a turmeric based ceremonial bath scrub and is quite similar to the ‘haldi’ ceremony, an integral feature of a traditional Hindu wedding.
Yet another Malay wedding ritual which has Indian overtones is the majlis berina. During this ceremony the bride’s hands and feet are adorned with henna in a fashion that is quite similar to the mehendi ceremony of an Indian wedding. Both these ceremonies, the majlis berina and the mehendi ceremony are conducted with the same belief, that their conduct keeps all that is evil at bay.
The dawn of the wedding day sees the bride and groom perform a special ablution according to the dictates of Islam. This is then followed by the Malay wedding or akad nikah, a marriage ceremony conducted by a priest (imam) in front of witnesses. Once the nikah is solemnized, the bersanding ceremony gets underway.  This ceremony resembles the mandapa ceremony of Indian weddings, for during this ceremony the newly wedded couple is showered with blessings by the gathered congregation.  During this blessing ceremony (tepung tawar) guests anoint the couple’s upturned palms with various ceremonial potions like scented water and a paste made with pandan leaves and rice.
A Malaysian Indian Wedding
The Indian community in Malaysia largely hails from South India hence a Malaysian Indian wedding usually features the elaborate rituals of a southern Indian wedding. Before a wedding is arranged, the bride and groom’s horoscopes are generally compared for suitability; a date is then fixed in accordance with the auspicious dates of the Hindu calendar. A similar custom is observed by Malaysian Chinese wherein the birth dates of the bride and groom are compared for the fixing the date of the wedding ceremony.
Before the wedding the bride and the groom along with members of their families are expected to adhere to a strict vegetarian diet for a few days. A couple of days before the actual wedding ceremony the bride’s hands and feet are anointed with henna during the mehendi ceremony. On the day of the wedding both the bride and the groom take part in a ceremonial bathing ritual which involves the anointment of scented oils, turmeric and sandalwood paste. This ceremony is conducted separately at the homes of both the bride and the groom.
The bride then dons a beautiful sari and much jewelry and sets off for the temple. Bright colors and rich silks are favored as wedding attire. While traditional colors of mourning like white or black are deemed to be inauspicious and shunned. The Hindu wedding ceremony called ‘Agni parinaya’ centers on the holy fire and is accompanied by the chanting of Vedic hymns. The wedding terminates when the groom accepts the bride as his wife by tying ‘the thali’( mangalsutra or symbol of marriage) on her.
 Loud music, celebrations, the playing of games and devouring of a feast follows.
Malay Chinese Weddings
A Malay Chinese wedding features three letters(the betrothal letter, gift letter and wedding letter) and six rituals( the proposal, the divination of birth dates, the confirmation, the presentation of gifts, choosing a wedding date and the acceptance of marriage). The tea ceremony is integral to a Chinese wedding and before the groom arrives at the bride’s house, the bride undertakes an elaborate tea ceremony to honor and celebrate her parents. The color red which is deemed by the Chinese as auspicious is omnipresent at a Chinese wedding.
The groom then arrives at the bride’s house for the ceremony and tradition dictates that he must playfully try and sweet-talk, haggle or plead his way into her home amidst much mirth and laughter on the part of the relatives and guests. The wedding ceremony itself is very simple and features honoring of the elements, Heaven and Earth, the Kitchen God and the family’s ancestors. Another tea ceremony then follows during which the newlyweds pay respect to the groom’s parents. This is then followed by a grand wedding banquet.
Malaysia’s three main communities are quite distinct but having lived together for centuries, it is apparent that they are very closely linked. This is evident from the many similarities that exist in the customs and traditions which dictate the marriage ceremonies of these three main Malaysian ethnicities, the Malays, the Indians and the Chinese.

Danga bay

Iskandar Malaysia is a special economic zone located within the southern Malaysia state of Johor. Plans for the creation of this special economic zone, which spans an area of 2217 square kilometers and includes the city of Johor Bahru and its adjoining towns, Pontian, Senai and Pasir Gudang, date back to the year 2006.  The Iskander Malaysia project is being spearheaded by the Iskandar Regional Development Authority and work on the development of this new urban center modeled on the Pearl River Delta Economic Zone is on in full swing at present.
The Danga Bay Integrated Waterfront City is one of the most exciting ventures of the large Iskander development project. This mixed-use residential and commercial enclave is currently being developed along the 25 km long, scenic waterfront stretch facing the Straits of Johor. The area designated for the Daunga Bay Integrated Waterfront City covers an area of approximately 450 acres and the site is easily accessible via a network of highways, international air, and cargo and sea ports.

Various projects have been planned for this picturesque ocean front area including the building of a spanking new financial center, a marina, restaurants, hotels, residential condominiums, recreational parks and various top of the line retail outlets. The project has already begun to take shape and currently hosts various attractions:-

The Danga World Theme Park

The Danga World theme park is located near Istana Bukit Serene (the official residence of the Sultan of Johor) at a distance of about 7 km from Johor Bahru's city center. This mini-theme park is equipped with twenty different rides including roller coasters, carousels and a petting zoo, which offers viewings of various varieties of birds and native animals like monitor lizards.

Rumah Limas Johor

Rumah Limas is a cultural center that offers much insight into the multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society of Malaysia. This center by way of its interesting displays, exhibits and cultural shows, also showcases the unique cultures and lifestyles of the eight diverse districts that make up the state of Johor. Much local food and locally produced handicrafts are also on offer at this cultural center.

Shopping malls

The Danga Bay area offers much opportunity for shopping in the form of malls like the Danga Bay Festive Street Mall, which offers more than 70,000 sq. feet of retail and exhibition space and the Danga City Mall, a five storey shopping complex, which hosts various local and regional specialty stores along with various dining and entertainment options

Dining

If you don’t fancy dining at a mall, then you can always choose to partake of Danga Bay’s many varied dining options like a dinner at Danga Beach. The Danga Bay beachfront offers diners the chance to tuck into fresh local seafood and much western fare, as they enjoy a unique al fresco dining experience along the waterfront.
Yet another dining option on offer at Danga Bay is Danga Cruise 8, a dinner cruise aboard a triple-deck cruiser. In addition to a delectable dinner the cruise also offers live entertainment and karaoke.
Aside from the above mentioned dining options, the Danga Bay waterfront city also hosts an International Restaurant complex, which encompasses restaurants like the Danga Palace Szechuan Restaurant(Chinese cuisine), Lazio ‘The Italian Restaurant and Cafe’, Asiana ‘Penang and Asian cuisines’ and Rose Garden Café which offers international fare. Also located within the complex is the Bayleaf Food Park, a large hawker complex, equipped with 32 food stalls offering a wide range of local specialties.

Want to discover something new in Malaysia?  Come to the waterfront paradise of Danga Bay in Johor and  uncover a world of possibilities.

Putra Golf Club

Golf is one of the rapidly developing sports in Malaysia. In fact, most avid golfers say that Malaysia is the golfing world’s best kept secret, for the country’s golfing infrastructure, a legacy of its colonial past, is very well-developed. Malaysia hosts more than 200 golf courses including several championship golf courses designed by leading lights of the golfing world like Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Junior, Max Wexler, and Ronald Fream amongst others.
Many of Malaysia’s golfing greens are set in the midst of bustling cities or border diverse terrains, like dense tropical forests, high cliffs, or pristine white sand beaches. Playing golf in Malaysia is also an relatively inexpensive experience when compared to many other golf destinations of the South East Asian region. Most golf clubs in Malaysia welcome visitors and charge reasonable visitor green fees that range from 50 to 200 RM excluding cart and caddie fees.
One such popular golf course in Malaysia is the Putra Golf Club. This club is located at a distance of about 10 km from the delightful town of Kangar in Malaysia’s smallest state, Perlis, situated in the northern most region of Peninsular Malaysia bordering Thailand. The Putra golf club is the only golf green in the state and is equipped with a par 72 18-hole course.  Although the layout of the course looks easy at first, seasoned professionals should tread carefully, for this course which has a rather rustic ambience due to its fairways being covered in cow grass is littered with strategically-placed traps like problematic water hazards and tricky bunkers and ravines.

The golf club is additionally equipped with a well-maintained club house which offers dining facilities.

Putra Golf Club details

Type Private
Course 18 holes, tree lined and open, gentle undulating terrain easy to navigate
Year built 1970
Designed                          DYTM Raja Mundis Perlis
Surroundings                  Jungle environment
Guest Policy Welcomed
Driving Range Available Yes
Putting Green Available Yes
Rental Carts Available Yes
Caddies Yes
Pro Shop Yes
Tee Times Welcomed Yes
Price Range Weekdays RM30
Price Range Weekends RM30
Other facilities   dining, restaurant, bar, changing rooms,

Putra Golf Club
Jalan Sungai Batu Pahat
 Kangar, Perlis 01000
Phone(s): +60(0) 4 9769 660
Fax: +60(0) 4 9761 203
So when you next fancy a golfing holiday with your buddies, why not consider the challenging course at the Putra Golf Club as a viable choice?

Dataran Merdeka

Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s old-world colonial district, is Dataran Merdeka or Independence Square, a site of much historical significance, for it was here that the end of colonial rule was signaled with the lowering of the Union Jack and the raising of the Malaysian flag at midnight on August 31st 1957.  This lush green square since then has been used as the locale for the annual celebration of Malaysian independence on August 31st, an event marked with much pomp and ceremony in the form of a grand Independence Day parade.
The main focal point of the square is its towering 95m tall flag pole, which is believed to be the tallest flag pole in the world. Also onsite at the southern section of the square is a marble plaque which commemorates the end of colonial rule in Malaysia, for it is at that very spot that the Union Jack was lowered as it signaled the end of the British-era in Malaysia.
Dataran Merdeka is surrounded by various magnificent edifices on all sides. To the east of the square is the majestic Sultan Abdul Samad Building, which was designed by Arthur Charles Alfred Norman, a British architect employed with the colonial government in 1897. The building which once hosted the superior courts of the country now houses the office of the Ministry of Information, Communication and Culture of Malaysia.
The western end of the square is dominated by the Royal Selangor Club Complex. This Tudor style building dates back to 1884, when it was built as a center for recreation for high-ranking officers of the colonial government. In fact the Dataran Merdeka was formerly known as the Selangor Club Padang or simply Padang and served as the cricketing green of the Selangor Club. Today, the club has who’s who of Malaysia on its membership rolls and is renowned for its two 18-hole championship courses, which serve as the site for many a golfing tournament.
To the north of the square is a stunning Gothic structure, the St. Mary’s Anglican Church. The church is the current Diocese of West Malaysia and also serves the seat of the Bishop of West Malaysia. St Mary’s which dates back to 1894, was also designed by A.C Norman. On the southern end of the square is a grand building which once housed the extensive collections of the National History Museum, but these have now been transferred to the National Museum.
Apart from its elegant and surroundings, the Dataran Merdeka also has an additional attraction in the form of the subterranean Plaza Putra, a food, leisure and entertainment complex that lies beneath the square.
So if are keen to soak up some Malaysian history on your trip to Kuala Lumpur, then the Dataran Merdeka should feature as a must-do on your sight-seeing itinerary.

The Bank Negara Museum and Art Gallery

As the saying goes, money makes the world go around. If you like most people have a healthy respect for ‘moolah’ or money, then Kuala Lumpur’s relatively new attraction, the Bank Negara Museum and Art Gallery should feature as a must-visit spot on your list.
Housed in a sleek, expansive new building, the Sasana Kijang complex, situated close to the majestic building which hosts the Bank Negara or the central bank of Malaysia and the Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Memorial, the Bank Negara Museum and Art Gallery offers an educational yet entertaining experience for all.
The museum’s attractions are housed within six main galleries namely:-
The Children’s Gallery
Aimed at children five years and older, the Children’s Gallery offers various interactive exhibits which aim to educate the young ones about money.
The Bank Negara Gallery
The Bank Negara Gallery offers information about the history and operations of Malaysia’s main central bank. The bank which helps to maintain a sound and stable financial system in Malaysia is also responsible for the issue of all the notes and coins in the country. A process, the bank started in 1967 and continues until today.
The Economics Gallery
The Economics Gallery chronicles the growth and development of the Malaysian economy as it navigates through an ever-changing global economic landscape.
The Islamic Finance Gallery
Malaysia is a leading hub for Islamic finance and this gallery offers much information on a unique financial system which is gaining much popularity and acceptance around the world.
The Numismatics Galley
The Malaysian central bank has for years been collecting coins with the aim of setting up a money museum. The Numismatics gallery of the museum chronicles the history of the Malaysian legal tender–the ringgit and its role in the social, economic and cultural development of the country.
The Art Gallery
The Art Gallery is perhaps the most interesting section of the museum. The Malaysian central bank has a large collection of artworks that currently stands at about 1700 works. This extensive collection has been built up over the years and features many big names of the domestic and international art world. Aside from its permanent collection, the gallery also hosts a rotating exhibition calendar.  On offer at the gallery at present is an exposition titled- ‘Fabrics of Society’ which will be on until the end of this year. So if you happen to be in Kuala Lumpur any time before 31st of December, do remember to pay a visit to this truly interesting attraction.
Open daily from10 am to 6pm, the Bank Negara museum and art gallery offers free access to the public.
http://museum.bnm.gov.my/teaser/index.html

Melaka, UNESCO World Heritage City Celebration

Melaka, located on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia is the third smallest state in Malaysia. Melaka city, which overlooks the straits of Melaka, is the capital city of the tiny state of Melaka.  Easily accessible from Kuala Lunpur via an excellent network of roads, the city of Melaka is historic trading port with a rich cultural past.
Melaka was believed to have been founded by Parameswara (or Raja Iskandar) the last Malay ruler of Temasik (ancient Singapore) in 1396 when he and his followers settled at Bertram near the estuary of the Melaka River. The king named the site Melaka after a tree that grew there. Parameswara, used the strategic position of Melaka on the straits to transform it into a powerful maritime state and Melaka in due time began to attract traders from faraway lands like China, India, Japan and West Asia. Some of these traders actually settled down in Melaka as they intermarried with the local people and gave birth to the prominent Melaka community known as the Peranakan(Baba-Nyonya) people
The Melaka Sultanate thus occupied a prominent position in the history of Malaysia for it signaled the beginning of the emergence of a new Malay empire. However in 1511, Melaka fell into Portuguese hands and they ruled here for over a century until they were driven out by the Dutch in 1641. The Dutch built many fine buildings around Melaka in an effort to cement their presence there. Some of these buildings like the Stadthuys, Melaka’s striking pink town hall and the city’s red Christ Church stand tall until today.
The British followed the Dutch to Melaka in 1795, when Melaka was given to them to prevent it falling to the French during the Napoleonic Wars. The state was then returned to the Dutch in 1818 by way of the treaty of Vienna but then it passed back to the British in 1826, who continued to rule here until Malaysia’s independence from colonial rule in 1957.
These various European powers left their stamp on Melaka in the form of numerous heritage buildings and sites like the Portuguese built A Famosa Fort, St Paul’s Church, St Peter’s Church amongst others. These prominent heritage sites coupled with the city’s many historic temples, markets and quaint shop-houses have attracted legions of history buffs and tourists over the years.
Such has been the popularity and the renown of this heritage city, that on 7th July 2008, UNESCO bestowed it with the honor of the title, World Heritage City. The anniversary of this historic event has been celebrated with much pomp and ceremony ever since.
The anniversary celebrations are usually held in front of the Independence Memorial, located near the ruins of 16th century Portuguese Santiago Gateway in Bandar Hill. This nightlong extravaganza usually features a dazzling fireworks display and various cultural performances by Melaka's unique communities such as the Baba and Nyonya, the Portuguese, and the Chitty.  The event is then followed by much feasting and street dancing within the various neighborhoods of the city.
This year, the celebration of Melaka’s unique culture and heritage is slated for Sunday, the 7th of July, so if you happen to be in or around Melaka at that time, do make sure you participate in the revelry that celebrates the heritage of this truly unique Malaysian city.

PORT DICKSON INTERNATIONAL TRIATHLON 2013

A triathlon is a multi-stage competitive event that features the completion of three continuous, sequential disciplines, namely running, swimming and cycling. These three tests are usually conducted in immediate succession over various distances. The race is quite challenging and requires much training of the part of participants.
This popular endurance test for the usually takes the form, of  a sprint triathlon featuring a 5 km (3.1mile) run, a 750 meter swim(0.47mile) and a 20 kilometer(12 mile) run in no particular order. However, the race is held in various permutations and combinations around the world.
Port Dickson, popularly referred to as PD, is a popular beach destination situated in the state of Negeri Sembilan in the southern half of Peninsular Malaysia. Easily accessible via a network of excellent highways from cities like Kuala Lumpur and Malacca, this beachfront destination is also immensely popular with visitors from neighboring Singapore. Favored as a weekend getaway, PD is famous for its 10-mile long pristine beach front that overlooks the Straits of Melaka and is littered with tall coconut palms and casurina pines. On the weekend of 6th and 7th July in 2013, Port Dickson will be the cynosure of all eyes in the running world, as this holiday destination gets set to host its popular endurance test, the Port Dickson International Triathlon 2013.
The course of the Port Dickson International Triathlon 2013 is to be centered on its Avillion Admiral Cove area, a scenic 100 acre site which is located on the 5th mile of Port Dickson’s long coastline. This picturesque enclave is made up of various diverse terrains including 11 acres of virgin, hilly headlands, 69 acres of oceanfront lowlands and a sheltered marina basin which extends over approximately 20 acres. This varied landscape makes the expanse ideal for hosting a triathlon and testing the endurance and stamina of the extremely fit triathletes who come here to compete from around the globe. Last year’s event saw the participation of 1800 competitors and the event in 2013 hopes to surpass that number.
The Port Dickson Triathlon has various contest categories for men, women and children according to different ages though it also features team participation in the form of relay events. The event this year is scheduled for the weekend of 6th and 7th July and will have  the following program:-
6th July 2013, Saturday
Venue: Avillion Admiral Marina & Leisure Club, Port Dickson
SPRINT TRIATHLON
Time : 7:30am
Distance : 750m Swim, 20km Bike, 5km Run
Age Categories:
Men Open: 16 - 29 years, 30 - 39 years, 40 & above
Women Open: 16 - 29 years, 30 & above

KIDS TRIATHLON
Time : 9:30 am
Venue : Admiral Marina & Leisure Club, Port Dickson
Distance :
- 10 years & under : 150m Swim, 4km Bike, 800m Run
- 11 to 15 years: 300m Swim, 8km Bike, 1.6km Run
Competition categories:
Boys: 10 years & under, 11 - 15 years
Girls: 10 years & under, 11 - 15 years
7th July 2013, Sunday
TRIATHLON CHALLENGE

Time : 7:15 am
Venue : Admiral Marina & Leisure Club, Port Dickson
Distance : 1.6km Swim, 2km Beach Run, 45km Bike, 8.5km Run
Age categories:
Men Open: 16 - 29 years, 30 - 39 years , 40 - 49 years , 50 - 59 years, 60 years & above
Women Open: 16 - 29 years, 30 - 39 years, and 40 years old & above
Men Relay & Mixed Relay
The event fees of the triathlon usually include, an event T-shirt, a carbo-loading dinner on the night before the event as well as a goodie bag from the sponsors.
So if you feel you swim like a fish, run like the wind and cycle as if the hounds are chasing you, why not participate in a triathlon to test your skills? The Port Dickson event presents a perfect opportunity to do so, for after the grueling race is done, you can actually have a restful holiday as you relax and recuperate on one of the resort’s many stunning beaches under the tropical sun.
http://www.triathlonmalaysia.com

1Malaysia Contemporary Arts Tourism Festival

02 Jul 2013 – 30 Sep 2013
If you are a arts enthusiast and want to acquaint yourself with the Malaysian contemporary art scene, then the annual the 1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism Festival or 1MCAT is a tailor-made event for you. This three month long art extravaganza, which usually kicks off in the first week of July every year, aims to generate awareness for Malaysian contemporary art, so that it has a reach beyond the country’s borders. The festival features several art exhibitions, seminars, auctions, installations and various art-themed programs as it attempts to showcase the talents of the country’s many emerging as well as established artists.
The 1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism Festival is customarily organized by the Malaysian government’s tourist promotion arm, Tourism Malaysia. The agency’s support and patronage of the festival has played a vital role in its success. Tourism Malaysia’s backing of this contemporary art festival has helped launch the careers of several new artists, while at the same time it has also helped established artists reach a wider global audience. Aside from promoting artists’ careers and renown, Tourism Malaysia also aims to use the festival as a tool to enhance tourist numbers to Malaysia. The festival offers viewings of homegrown Malaysian art, which in turn actually serve as a unique display platform for Malaysian art and culture.
The 1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism Festival features much active collaboration between art galleries, museums, state governments, educational agencies, NGOs and the private sector. All these various organizations work together in their endeavor to institute Malaysia as a prominent regional hub for contemporary art. Several well-known names like Yap Kim Boon, Khalil Ibrahim, Suhaimi Fadzir, Umibaizurah Mahir, Suzlee Ibrahim, Ahmad Zakii Anwar, Anurendra Jegadeva and others are set to feature at the 2013 event. The festival which celebrates its fourth anniversary this year, is expected to draw 40,000 domestic and international visitors
http://www.tourism.gov.my/en/Master/Web-Page/Events-n-Festivals/2013/7/1Malaysia-Contemporary-Arts-Tourism-Festival