By: Salehudin Mohd Zain (Engineering & Maintenance)

Boria from Tadika Kepala Batas (Ceria Wawasan) 

Seperti  bulan jatuh keriba itulah yang boleh di ungkapkan bagi memenuhi kehendak kakitangan terutama bagi kakitangan Kejuruteraan dan Penerbangan Malaysia, khususnya.

Look and see - Questions & Tulips

Raja Azura Raja Mahayuddin, GM Group HR is our special guest and launch officiated by SGM E&M, Mohd Roslan Ismail

Bagi menyahut ungkapan tersebut pada tanggal 10 dan 11 Julai 2010,  Jabatan Sumber Manusia dan Hal Ehwal Kakitangn Kejuruteraan Penerbangan Malaysia telah mengadakan pertandiangan mencari harta karun yang bertemakan ‘PEARL OF THE ORIENT’.

Going through the Tulips

Seramai 250 kakitangan perbagai jabatan dan keluarga telah menyertai acara ini yang telah bermula dari Subang dan berakhir di Pulau Pinang.

Para peserta pertandingan telah di lepaskan secara rasminya dari Subang oleh Pengurus Besar E&M, En Roslan Ismail dan pengurus kanan pelbagai jabatan. Sepanjang perjalanan para perserta pertandingan telah melalui pelbagai rintangan dan dugaan di samping melihat pemandangan persekitaran kampung sekitar Perak dan Pulau Pinang.

When arrive in PEN, treasure and answer to be surrendered to the tech. people

Walaupun perjalanan ke destinasi memakan masa lebih dari 8 jam, ketibaan peserta disambut baik oleh kakitangan pengajur dengan senyuman dan keramahan. Di malam penyampian hadiah pula para peserta turut di hiburkan oleh kakitangan Pulau Pinang sendiri dan boria kanak kanak Tadika Kemas CERIA WAWASAN cawangan Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang.

Happy mood

Melihat telatah dan kelincahan pesembahan turut mengubat rasa kepenatan para peserta. Pihak pengajur juga turut menbuat kejutan pada para perserta di mana hasil jualan buku cenderamata dan nombor penyertaan telah di sumbangkan kepada rumah kebajikan Pulau Pinang.

Sikap prihatin kakitangan harus di beri pujian oleh pihak penganjur. Tempat pertama pertandingan berjaya membawa pulang, barangan elektrik berjumlah RM8 ribu disamping hadiah cabutan bertuah antaranya pakej percutian ke Bali, Colombo, Phnom Pehn dan lain-lain lagi.

1st Prize winner - Car Number 6 - Gentlemen from KLIA
Mohd Jalal Amran, Abu Norrazy, Mustafa Mohd Noor & Zulkifli Sujud

Pertandigan acara ini telah di menangi oleh kereta yang bernombor? Walaupun  telah menjadi adat pertandingan ada yang menang dan kalah tapi semua itu tidak menjadi ukuran bagi semua peserta yang penting semangat kerjasama dan hubungan kekeluargan harus menjadi contoh pada semua pihak. Semoga acara ini akan terus menjadi kenangan bagi semua peserta.

1st Prize winner - Car Number 37 - Best Ladies Team
Norsham Fairuz Ismail, Faridah bte Suradini, Shahidah bte Hanum & Anis Marhaeni

Sekalung tahniah dan syabas harus kepada ahli jawatankuasa  kejuruteran dan baikpulih pertandingan MENCARI HARTA KARUN SZB/PEN.

Last car winner - Gets a wooden spoon

By: Norkhaishar Abdul Rahman (Engineering & Maintenance Division)

Head tilt, chin lift. Look, listen & feel

Hasrul apply 2 slow rescue breathing techniques, still no chest rise - start CPR

I’ve been given the task and was privileged to attend a three days course on CPR conducted by Puan Rohana at the Malaysia Airlines Academy (MAA) recently. CPR is a rescue technique used to sustain life in the absence of spontaneous breathing and pulse.  Through CPR, sudden cardiac arrest or cardiac death can be reversed.  Sudden death includes stroke, airway obstruction, drug overdose, electric shock and severe allergic reactions. But sudden death is most often caused by heart attack.

To maintain an open airway, Saiful has to put the victim in recovery position

Gentlemen, please move the stroke victim using a blanket

“Aldrian, you have safely landed”

It was a very knowledgeable session after which a test was carried out, and we had each received certificates of attendance.

This is the technique to use in treating a sprained victim

See how the bandage is neatly placed by Pn. Rohana around the person’s ankle

First Aid does not usually apply during working hours, but can be applied in our day-to-day lives, outside of the working environment, too.  Accidents can happen anytime and anywhere. We’re not sure how and when it’s going to happen. Who knows, you might one day, save somebody’s life.

Abdominal Thrusts is a technique I used to `help Zarina regain total consciousness from choking’

Pn. Rohana shows us how to tie and untie a reef knot

Good job Zarina, I feel comfortable now

I’m applying an arm sling

Here are a few things you should know about CRP & some tips to apply in the case of an emergency:

• CPR saves lives
• It prevents complication and promotes recovery
• Some techniques we can use to save a life (pictures will tell you how each technique is applied, please be advised that picture shown are not actual emergency situation, purely a re-enactment of a possible emergency situation):

This process of treatment to immobilize the leg. Lokman has a fractured leg

A collar bone fracture… pity Lokman

Please ensure Lokman is safe, send him to the hospital

Thank you Pn. Rohana for the First Aid training

Our certificates in hand…hurray!

By: Norkhaishar Abdul Rahman (Engineering & Maintenance Division)

Hola… once again we celebrated Secretaries’ Week for this year.  In this event Engineering & Maintenance Division celebrated at Hotel Grand Dorsett, Subang Jaya.

The Organizing Committee - (standing from left: Khaishar & Eita, seated from right: Zana & Siti Sarah)

The food served was so nice

The events going so well

The girls were very supportive

Hope we shall do it again next year and perhaps the ladies from Engineering & Maintenance KLIA will organize.

Thank you ladies’

By: The Living MH Blog Team

To all interested candidates, come and join us as a Trainee Junior Technician. We will be conducting an open interview in East Malaysia on Saturday, 08 May 2010.

Do check out the advertisement.

We wish you all the best!

By: Mohd Alamin Pardi (Engineering & Maintenance Division)

For two days, NDT section has been involved with the Malaysian Grand Prix Formula 1 race. NDT involvement was not so much on the Sepang race track but in helping the Mercedes Benz team racing cars to be race worthy. To be exact, NDT task was to carry out x-ray inspection on the engine coil bars in our facility at Subang. The images produced on the engine coil bars were then transmitted to the UK office for assessment by their experts. By having the images, the Mercedes Benz team will be able to ensure only the good condition engine coil bars are used for the vital race.

Dr. Sashi Balakrishan (Tribologist) and Vic Locke from Mercedes High Performance Engines sent  six set of Coil Bars and twenty-three spare sets  for X-ray  inspection for defect check, through Mr. Kenny Allan – Logistics Coordinator. These six set of Coil Bars used on Sunday 04 Apr 10 for Formula 1 at KLIA. This project was coordinated by Engineering Commercial Dept – Ms. Shanthi Kandasamy.

While waiting for the x-ray result, we extended our Malaysia Hospitality;   Mr. Kenny Allan was taken for a short tour by NDT staff, Philo. He was amazed to see how the work was carried out at Line 8, he also thank Line 8 staff, especially Engineers Troy Aleksey B., Maizuki and Munusamy for explaining and showing around. He also thank Engineer Jeffery Fosberry from line 7.

Mr. Kenny Allan was happy with the NDT staff, Leong Chee Hon, Yeap Khang Sean, Asnan and Islamuddin as they rushed to carry out X-ray work. He thanked the MAS -NDT for their cooperation in work with a prompt. In addition, the results came without any defects.

These Mercedes Benz- High performance Engines will be driven by Michael  Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button,  Nico Rosberg, Adrian Sutil and Vitantonio  Liuzzi.  It is good to see Michael Schumacher back.

Mr. Kenny Allan shared his small part with Mercedes Benz- High performance engines. He has been with the company for fifteen years, traveling to   various countries for Formula 1. He enjoys his work and loves challenges. Winning races bring excitement for the hard work by the team.  The Beauty of the Team is they work as a family concept and very close knit. As they all are away from home for eight months March to November - 19 races   in a year! They spend most of the time with the family before they go off for another eight months on circuit again to different countries.

By: The Living MH Blog Team

Hi everyone,

This time around, we are looking for new cadet pilots and Junior Technicians!  The interview session for the Trainee Junior Technician will be held on 10 April 2010 at MAS Academy, Kelana Jaya, Kuala Lumpur.                                                   

We wish you good luck!

By: Philomena Susceela (Engineering & Maintenance Division)

Philomena Susceela

I have been in the airline for the past 36 years ever since 15 October 1974. I joined as cabin cleaner in Engg Dept ASU to annoy my father, who refused to let me go for my nursing studies in London. He wanted me to look after my little brother! Mom was very encouraging, but as usual, the man wins!

Philomena as a technical staff 

My neighbor was working with MAS, he told me that MAS was recruiting aircraft cleaners. Therefore, I went and got the job! It was a shift work, It was not my choice of work but  my father anger’s was a sweet SIGHT to see.  However, in the end, I have to thank my father for what I am today.

Supervision by Mr. Siva

Coming into Technical line of work was the idea of  En. Nasir Abdollah, AGM of Heavy Maintenance, (Senior Quality Assurance Manager then) is the first person who wanted us (Non Technical) to be Approval Holders.  En Alamin (NDT Supt) ensures  mission accomplished. Yes,   it is a requirement for technical work and only way to enhance, to learn, practice and improve. in our career .Those days we used to have   improvement courses by Training Dept HR. This helps to build confidence, self-improvement and committed to the self and the company.

I am very bless to be working in MAS, getting the education that the MAS/other outside Agency  through MAS. These trainings have strengthened my foundation in my career.

 1.  Nov 2008 - Todate - NDT SNR Officer/Inspector (Workshop- NDT)
 2.  Oct 2004 - Nov 2008 - NDT SNR Officer, QA Dept, MAS
 3.  Jul 2001 - Sept 2004 - NDT Admin Ofiicer, QA Dept, MAS
 4.  Jan 2001 - Jul 2001 - Archives & Records Officer, QA Dept, MAS
 5.  Mar1996 - Dec 2001 - Modifications Officer,   Tech Svcs Dept, MAS
 6.  May 1992 - Feb 1996 - Library Clerk (R&D), R & D Sect, HR MAS,
 7.  May 1992 - Library Clerk, Corp Trg Sect, HR, MAS
 8.  May 1992 - Clerk Corporate Training, Corp Trg Sect, HR, MAS
 9.  May 1992 - HR Clerk,  Personnel Dept, MAS
10. Apr 1981- Apr 1992 - Library Assistant, Personnel Dept, MAS
11. Oct 1974 - Mar 1981 - A/craft Interior Cleaner, Engg ASU, MAS

Working  for the Airline is exciting, many changes took place. Seeing the airline growing  from babe  to present, maturing  under many Chairman’s,  MD's  and the staff have improve a lot  with new ideas  to better the industry. Of course, we too went  though bad times but we always spring back.  Hello! We need a bad situation to get better. Challenges never seems to cease. We are learning something new everyday.

I always like changes in any situation because it gives me a chance to learn and better myself in any situation.

Working for MAS, it is simply the best. MAS gave me a good education and a good career. I was involved in giving career talk for visiting schools while I was in HR. We trained in many fields in HR so that we are able handle anything if there is shortage of work force. I went from being an aircraft cleaner to a Senior NDT Officer/ Inspector.

I am   thankful to all my colleagues,  bosses, friends and love ones who supported and helped me   in many ways and carried me forward for what I am today. God has been good to me; there is a reason for me to be here like anyone else. I love working for MAS. Everyone that comes into my life is a blessing whether it is good or bad.  Everyone is good in his or her own ways and to me they all got beautiful hearts.

Diving squad

A chance to work with other Community Social work ,  I also got  my training as First Aider, sports massage  from the National Sports Doctor in Bangi. As First Aider, I was involved in disaster works.  As SAT team member in EMC in MAS, I’m   on standby 24 hours for any assistance is  needed during any emergency.  I am also a volunteer with NGO with Yayasan Salam. I had an opportunity to assist in Aceh   for the Tsunami – good experience, in bad situation, almost was killed during gunshot between rebels and soldiers during delivery of food and medical goods,  went through an experience of earth tremor (7.4) and got a nickname Mama Philo for making sure our  team is taken care of. 

During the Segamat floods, we cooked and delivered food by boat. We also looked after the stranded passengers of Bombay floods at Blue Wave hotel. I went through many more experiences.

I had so many adventures through MAS. It is good thing that my family supported me from the beginning in any thing knowing my passion for helping others.  My husband and my sons, Ganesan, Jevak (both of  them attached to MAS Engineering). My other son, Shasi is with Valiramgroup in KLIA and my daughter in law, Ilavarasi (Ticketing office - KLIA) is my strongest supporter.

My bosses and colleagues from Workshop NDT give me fullest support.  They encourage me in every way. I am lucky to have good team work and great support.  You see, "I am MAS and MAS is me.".

I could have achieved my ambition being a good nurse in London, but in MAS, I had the best of all kinds. Most of all, a chance to travel, to meet people and  learning experiences from my holidays.

In Bario, harvesting the padi fields

I love mother nature.  I have been to Orang Asli in Camerons, Sabah,   Kuching Sarawak Bario, New Zealand, Port Arlington – Melbourne, Philippine, India  and  more towards country side etc. I always wanted to experience the life of the tribes. My favourite place is Bario where I learned many things. While in Bario, I live the farmer’s life. In Paukat, I walked five kilometers to the farm to harvest the padi. My shoulders ache carrying few kilos of fruits, but looking at tiny women carrying 5 gantang of rice, with amazing strength. I could not help but simply admire them.  I went jungle trekking, canoeing, fishing but not for hunting. I will not be able to eat if I see the kill! 
 
I plan to go for a holiday  to see the whole of Malaysia. There are  many more places to see and many more things to learn...

By: Norkhaishar Abdul Rahman (Engineering & Maintenance Division)

Di wad 6B Wad Kanak-kanak

Mama kepada Muhammad Aiman, Nor Khaishar

Kejadian itu benar-benar tidak mungkin dapat ku lupakan sehingga kini.

Peristiwa bermula pada hari Sabtu, 06 Februari 2010 di mana aku hampir kehilangan anak bongsu ku yang berumur 1 tahun 9 bulan, Muhammad Aiman. Hari itu, aku terlalu sibuk menyiapkan juadah makan tengahari, Aiman telah terlepas tanpa pengawasan sesiapa.  Aiman dijumpai terapung di kolam renang di rumahku dan tidak ku tahu sudah berapa lama dia berada disitu.

Ku lihat dia tidak bernadi, badannya biru.  Ku tak tunggu lagi, aku terus buat CPR pada anakku Aiman, tidak ku sangka tiba2 hatiku kuat untuk menyelamatkannya.  Banyak juga air yang keluar dari mulut dan hidungnya.  Ku jerit juga supaya Aiman dengar suaraku dan ku mahu dia sedar seperti menangis atau menyebut Mama.  Ku jerit lagi namanya dan ku pohon padaMu Allah Yang Maha Esa, jangan kau ambil nyawa nya lagi.  Bila ku dengar suaranya seakan menahan sakit, terus ku papah anakku ke dalam rumah. 

Dalam keadaan begini aku tak sanggup memandu.  Anak2ku telah menelefon nombor kecemasan juga menelefon suamiku.  Aiman masih lemah.  Ku harapkan Ambulan yang tiba di rumah,  rupanya Polis dan Bomba yang sampai dahulu.  Seorang anggota polis telah masuk ke rumah untuk memberi bantuan. Dengan dibaluti tuala mandi berwarna putih dan tebal, Aiman dikejarkan ke klinik berhampiran bereskotkan Polis kerana takut jalan sesak.  Setiba di klinik, doktor membantu menyelamatkan anakku.  Disedut air selagi ada dan diberi inhaler di klinik itu.  Aiman muntah air lagi.  Doktor menyumbatkan ubat di dubur Aiman supaya tidak demam dan kejang.

Ku terima panggilan telefon bimbitku, ambulan sedang dalam perjalanan mencari kami dan ku menyatakan yang kami berada di Klinik Puteri Anuar, Meru.  Setibanya Ambulan aku dan Aiman dikejarkan terus ke Hospital Besar Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Klang.  Jalanraya di Klang sesak, macamana pun kami bolos dalam kesesakan lalulintas. 

Tiba di hospital, Aiman terus dimasukkan ke Zon Merah.  Dia diberi rawatan rapi. 

Bila keadaan Aiman stabil, Aiman dimasukkan ke wad PICU, wad kanak2.  Sambil menunggu anakku, tak sudah2 ku menyalahi diriku kerana melepaskan dia tanpa perhatian sesiapa pun.  Adik-beradikku datang menenangkanku.  Berdering2 telefon bimbit ku berbunyi.  Asal ku jawab, ku minta pada semua supaya mendoakan anakku selamat dan cepat sembuh.  Semasa menunggu anakku sedar, setiap kali ku terbayang kejadian itu, macamana ku buat CPR padanya di tepi kolam itu, aku menangis sendirian.  Doktor yang merawat anakku menyuruhku pergi berjalan2 bagi menenangkan fikiran.

Tepat jam 9 malam pada hari yang sama, Aiman tersedar lalu terus duduk di atas katil.  Aku terkejut, segala wayar yang melekat ditubuhnya, dicabutnya sendiri.  Dia rimas. Untuk aku memastikan yang Aiman masih ingat padaku, ku cuba test ingatan nya, lalu ku nyanyikan satu lagu yang biasa kita nyanyi bersama dan ku ingin dia menjawabnya.  Lagunya berbunyi begini `Satu, satu saya sayang... MAMA’ itulah jawapan Aiman (MAMA)’.  Ku terus peluk Aiman sambil menitis airmata sebab dia menyebut MAMA sambil ketawa.  Lega betul hatiku, doktor yang berada disitu turut gembira.  Aku bersyukur padamu Ya Allah, Kau tak pernah menghampakan permintaanku.

Dan malam itu, Aiman susah nak tidur sebab lampu di bilik PICU terang benderang dan dia asyik mengajakku bermain dengannya.  Oleh kerana Aiman tidur dengan lasaknya, jururawat hospital menyuruhku tidur bersamanya.  Entah pukul berapa aku terlena dengan Aiman dalam dakapan ku di atas katil yang sama.

Aiman telah dipindahkan ke wad 6B, yakni wad kanak-kanak.  Alhamdulillah anakku dijaga oleh ramai jururawat pelatih yang muda-muda yang sanggup melayan kerenahnya.  Sementara menunggu keputusan makmal, aku terpaksa tinggal lagi di hospital bersama Aiman sehingga hari Selasa.  Alhamdulillah, keputusan makmal sudah diperolehi dan Aiman tidak mendapat apa-apa jangkitan kuman di paru-parunya dan kami dibenarkan pulang pada petang hari Selasa, 09 Februari 2010.

Sesampai di rumah, terus terfikir di fikiranku, jangan ada tadahan air dalam baldi di bilik air dan pintu bilik air di rumah juga mesti sentiasa tertutup selepas menggunakannya.  Suamiku terpaksa menambah pengadang bagi menghalang Aiman keluar dari rumah.  Anakku sekecil ini, yang tahu hanya suka dengan air.  Sebagai peringatan pada semua seisi rumah, biar ku bising mulut agar semuanya sentiasa ingat yang kita ada si comel dirumah dan sentiasa awas selalu.

Aku amat bersyukur kerana diberi peluang menyertai kursus Basic First Aid. Dari apa yang aku pelajari aku telah dapat menggunakan taktik2 yang dipelajari untuk menyelamatkan nyawa anakku sendiri.  Terima kasih kepada semua tenaga pengajar di Malaysia Airlines Academy.  Kursus ini tidak semestinya diberi kepada Cabin Crew sahaja, malah Ground staff juga patut mempelajarinya.  Supaya kalian akan adakan lagi refresher course untuk semua kakitangan di Malaysia Airlines.  Kemalangan boleh berlaku bukan sahaja di tempat kerja sahaja malah di mana-mana juga dan kita harus waspada selalu.

Pada masa lapang, saya belajar berenang di kolam renang di rumah dan sekurang-kurangnya saya tahu menggunakan taktik CPR. Setakat ini,  saya belum lagi menempuh apa-apa kejadian yang memerlukan saya memberi bantuan First Aid pada kakitangan disini.  Dan seandainya berlaku dan sekiranya saya berada disitu, saya pasti akan membantu.

Sekian.

By: Abd. Rashid Sharif (Engineering and Maintenance - Staff Affairs)

Waiting for the lion dance performance

For the first time, history was created in the Engineering & Maintenance Division! A special Lion Dance performance was performed by the E&M Team named “Muhibbah Lion Dance Troupe”, in front of the entrance to the Engineering Complex in Subang Airport. This performance was specially organized to usher the Chinese New Year, Year of the Tiger which will be celebrated on the 14 February 2010.

Getting ready

Master giving directions

What is so special about this dance troupe is that it comprises not only Chinese dancers but they have Malay, Indian and Sikh dancers in the troupe. This multi-ethnic group reflects not only the 1MH spirit of E&M but it signifies the cohesiveness, the teamwork and camaraderie of the total MAS workforce. It truly symbolizes the 1 Malaysia philosophy of the Nation.

Setting up for the performance

 Part of the performance

Looking for the ang pow

The huge crowd from all over the Organization was spellbound by the splendid performance of the troupe.  Amongst the crowd that witnessed the event was Senior General Manager, E&M, En. Mohd Roslan Ismail and his Management Team, foreign guests of E&M and PETRONAS overseas staff who were on a special educational visit to E&M.

Lion is giving En. Roslan the offering

Mr. Tan WL accepting the offering from the lion for E&M good luck

Staff wanting to be blessed from the lion have to give the red packat

A roaring applause was given to the troupe for such a beautiful performance that was not only entertaining and exciting, but also heart stopping due to the many stunts they performed. Mandarin oranges were distributed by SGM Roslan and the beautiful girls and handsome men of E&M to the crowd during the event.

The program was specially organized by the E&M Human Capital Communication Team who comprises mainly the MH Juaras of E&M with the hope that the spirit of 1 MH and “I am MAS and MAS is me” will reverberate across all levels within the Organization.

Dressed in God of Prosperity

On behalf of the Engineering & Maintenance Team, we would like to extend our personal greetings to all Chinese friends around the world for a Happy `Gong Xi Fa Cai'.

By: Benjamin Siew Wan Siong (Guest Blogger)

Article captured from: http://benjaminsiew.blogspot.com/2009/09/every-flight-has-destination-ive-found.html

That's Meng Cheng! Photos taken from the A330 cockpit with the permission from the Captain of course!

I remember the first time I took my girl friend, Meng Cheng home and introduced her to my family. Naturally, my parents were curious how we met and I told them we met over the South China Sea. Both my mom and dad gave me this blank clueless stare and wondering what I was talking about.

Hello there, my name is Benjamin Siew Wan Siong. I'm currently 22 this year and an employee of Malaysia Airlines Engineering & Maintenance Division. Being 22 years old and working for an airline, it's a no brainer question on what I do with my free time. I travel!
And when I say travel, boy do I mean it. I always make it an effort to stop finding those excuses and just go wherever I want to go. But there's this one particular flight and I would love to talk about and it doesn't even tire me a bit even if I'm repeating it for the gazillion time!

You see, the funny thing about faith is that it won't happen until you start believing in them. Of the many flights I took before, the seats next to me that I usually get are empty. I've once experienced a packed flight and yet, mysteriously, the right seat of my window seat was empty! This was happening to me without fail until this one day, during February 2008. It was after my birthday that I decided to opt for a trip up to Kuching, Sarawak just right before Chinese New Year holidays. Then, it was this flight, to Kuching, that I prayed that someone would sit next to me. Right after that, a sweet looking girl who was in her 20s and had a Nikon D80 DSLR in her hand, sat down next to me. I thought to myself that either I got myself a late birthday present or an early Christmas present.

Knowing how clumsy sometimes I can be with girl, we didn't speak to each other at first and I was just reading The Star newspaper that I got when I was boarding. After half hour into the journey, and noticing that the only reading material she had was the in-flight magazine, I offered my Section 2 of The Star Newspaper to her, but she TURNED ME DOWN! I was stunned and said "WHOA! You must be like the 1st person to ever not want to read the entertainment section of the newspaper". And believe it or not, that was how our conversation started. On that flight, while passing over the South China Sea en route to Kuching, we shared a conversation. We got to know each other's name, that we have a mutual friend from her college, she was going to Kuching to be a photographer for a friend's wedding, her hobby, places that she travelled. And that was when the clumsiness in me kicked in and I asked her AGE. Now there's a common rule of thumb that guys should never ask a girl's age or weight, but I did. Part of me wanted run into the lavatory and hide inside there till the end of the flight. But instead of that happening, she told me she just turned 21 a few days ago on the 27th of January. My face stopped smiling and there was this dizziness feeling in me that told me that all these seem so unreal. I immediately took out my IC and showed her my birthday. Soon enough, she too gave me that same look that I was giving her. We shared the same birthday!

Soon after we landed and before we parted ways, we exchanged contacts. And for some reason, the Kuching holiday didn't quite matter to me any more. My mind and soul was thinking about her most of the time. So we kept in touch even after my trip to Kuching and a few days before Valentine's Day, I challenged my manhood and ask her out to be my Valentine's Day date. I gasped and my heart skipped a beat when she said yes but with 1 condition. She told me that the dinner has to be a non-meat menu as she was a VEGETARIAN! I Immediately panicked as the restaurant that I had in mind wasn't going to work and I don't know any romantic vegetarian diner so I started firing out email around to ask for help. It was then one of the blogger Lim Su Ann a.k.a Pinkpau suggested The Apartment in KLCC. I immediately drove down to KLCC and made the necessary reservation. Lucky for me, they had a vegetarian menu and their staff was superbly kind and helpful.

Me and my lovely Meng Cheng at The Apartment KLCC

Came Valentine's Day, both of us had a wonderful night out and that was when I told her my intention that I wanted to be together with her. She smiled. And after a few months later, we were both officially together.

Our first time celebrating our birthday together

It's been a year plus now what I and Meng Cheng have been together. The girl that I knew over South China Sea, was the best thing that ever happened to me in my life. Thanks to MH, we had one hell of a year together doing the things we love most. Travelling!

Lundu, Sarawak. 2 hours drive away from Kuching City

Manukan Island, Sabah. First time witnessing a sea that is blue in colour!

Suntec City, Singapore. Mocked-up wedding for an indoor garden exhibition

Bali Island, Indonesia. Witnessing the cultural dance

Perth, Australia. Feeding the Kangaroos!

And that being said, I do hope I and Meng Cheng will have many more years of happiness to come? Every flight has a destination. I've found mine which i.e. in the heart of me beloved.

By: Keith Kueh & Ee Yong Hua (Malaysia Airlines Engineering Training Centre (METC)

Joyful moments with Mr. Au, Mr. Edward and Ms. Swee Yim

A common scenario that majority of us have experienced while walking down the street is we will be surprised to realize there are many pairs of eyes staring closely at us. A small Malaysia Airlines’ logo is sewn onto the top right corner of our pure white-coloured uniform is undoubtedly very attractive and cool. Why? Not too long after, a man tags us in high intensity of curiousness, asking us a million dollar question, “Are you a pilot?” Sadly to say, we will probably raise our eyebrows in disappointment and reply, “No, we are Trainee for Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (TAME).” The fact that people just cannot stop relating a pilot with an airline is still rooting firmly in the society; needless to say, this field of study is still new and fresh in Malaysia’s industry development. No doubt, our name may not be as glamorous as pilot, but, we are still the frontline fences of an airline. As a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (LAE), our main responsibility is to carry out maintenance of the aircraft from head to tail according to the airworthiness requirements, and then, by the end of day, dispatch the aircraft into safety and orderly operation.

Ee Yong Hua and Keith Kueh

We are second to none, we are the best

In the month of October 2009, we bid farewell to our beloved Training Manager, Mr. Au Ting Ling. He has been one of the best instructors in METC; favourite among the trainees for his skillful drawing of aircraft model. He has taught us whole-heartedly, making sure all his trainees understand the contents of each lesson. He puts enormous effort in making the lesson as fun as possible with his jokes and laughter. Indeed, we are enjoying every moment of Airframe Modules with Mr. Au; hydraulics, landing gears and aircraft’s structure have been fantastic with Mr. Au around. His advice for us before he left was something that we will never forget. Again, being a typical “Mr. Au”, he reminded us to strive harder to obtain our “three golden bars” over our shoulders. (Three golden bars are the epaulets put over our uniform to indicate our position as LAE) His message touches deep into our hearts; his words of wisdom will remain ringing in our ears. Without realizing, warm tears dripped down from our cheeks as we waved goodbye to Mr. Au on his last day of duty. Here, we take this opportunity to wish him all the best in his future undertaking. Take care always, Sir. We will miss you …

Friends forever!

Time flies in the split of seconds. Three years of training in METC is drawing to a conclusion. We had sailed through the sea of modules steadily without stumbling; our aim remains intact – To establish as a qualified LAE by the year 2011. Our next stop will be heading towards to MAS E&M for our two years of OJT. Being the pioneer batch from METC, we shoulder heavy responsibility to live up to the expectation, so as to raise the standards and quality of aircraft maintenance engineering. We foresee a new chapter of life in front of the road ahead, but, this will not deter us from cruising forward with strong grip of perseverance and endurance. Together, we unite, survive and win! Voila METC trainees …

Batch 06, TAME 69

By: Saravanan Subbaraman (Engineering & Maintenance)

BHARATHA NATYAM? A south Indian art form of dance so ancient and beautiful it’s been said that even the Gods fall spell bound when a dancer performs with their fullest Heart and Soul. Bharatha literally is the acronym of BHA – BHAVAM (expression), RA – RAAGAM (tune), THA – THALAM (rhythm) and Natyam means Dance. Therefore, the combination of expressions, being in sync with the tune and rhythm of the music or song played added with “Mudhras” (hand gestures), intricate steps, leaps and turns is what this dance form is all about.

It all began when I was around 7 years old, my mum who had danced for MAS in here younger days wanted to see her sons dance as well and enrolled me and my brother under her dance coach, Mrs. Vatsala Sivadas (Malaysia’s famous Peacock dance duo) at the Temple of Fine Arts.

Honestly, I was not an avid fan of this art form at first. I only went because like most children do, to please their parents and I merely took it as an exercise. But after the age of 15, I realized that when I danced, people stopped and looked in awe. Hence, I must be doing something right without my realization. After attending many dance performances and learning the scriptures of each dance before performing is when a whole new world of understanding was bestowed upon me. I now know that the dancer is able to invoke many sorts of feelings upon the audience merely with his dance.

I, Saravanan Subbaraman, am now a trainee engineer with MAS and a blessed Indian who is mastering this art form. Nobody would believe when they see that one moment I’m covered in grease, dust and grit looking shabby and worn out at work and the next adorned in jewellery, draped in silk and groomed to perfection before a performance.

It is a daunting task to juggle my passion of dancing with a career that requires lots of time studying, on job trainings and exams. As the saying goes and has never been wrong, WHERE THERE’S A WILL, THERE’S A WAY. I would call my dance teacher to inform of any cancellations and reschedule to the next possible date and time.

At present, I’m in a dilemma of having the burden and pressure to excel in both fields. At work, preparations are on going to becoming a Licensed Engineer and at dance the expectations are mounting for me to complete the “Arangetram” (graduation). Therefore, I have made a conscious decision of giving priority to career 1st and then with my head held up high to complete the Arangetram as a dignified Engineer.

Unlike other dances, Bharatham is inseparable with Hinduism as verses, scriptures, folklore and stories of Gods are sung and danced with fullest devotion. This helped me comprehend my religion much better as all of it is visual and physical.

Hence, when it’s the time of the year where all Hindus celebrate Deepavali - The Festival of Lights, it’s a gentle reminder of the virtue of prayer and devotion all darkness is shunned by brightness, triumph of good over evil and enlightenment is all within one’s self. On this day of Deepavali, first salutation is given to god by visiting his abode after taking a morning bath and adorning new clothing then it is time for visiting family and friends, the day goes by with just spending time with family and at the end of it, a simple family prayer as a sign of gratefulness for all that we have been blessed and together we light oil lamps around the house as a symbol of acceptance of enlightenment into our lives from then on, followed by a dinner feast.

By: Shankar Menon (Engineering & Maintenance)

Thaipusam stall

MAHA's annual gathering

The MAS Hindu Society was registered on October 1997, with the objectives to inculcate human values and principles, to facilitate the development of religious and cultural knowledge and to perform selfless service.

To this end, we have been making numerous visits to charitable organizations to spend time with the less fortunate. We also organized a "Grand Charity Food and Fun Fair' in July 2001 to raise RM120,000 for the DLS KKB Orphanage Building Fund. One of our main yearly activities is to run a religious Book Stall at Batu Caves during Thaipusam to give people an opportunity to purchase books to increase their children's knowledge.

Our Monthly Charity services include assistance with food provisions to the Agathiyans Home and the Senbaga Valli Illam Orphanage.

"It only takes a minute to perform an act of kindness, but its impact can last a lifetime."

Farewell gathering

DEEPAVALI or Diwali means “a row of lights”. It falls on the last two days of the dark half of Kartik (October-November). For some it is a three-day festival. It commences with the Dhan-Teras, on the 13th day of the dark half of Kartik, followed the next day by the Narak Chaudas, the 14th day, and by Deepavali proper on the 15th day.

There are various alleged origins attributed to this festival. Some hold that they celebrate the marriage of Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu. In Bengal the festival is dedicated to the worship of Kali. It also commemorates that blessed day on which the triumphant Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. On this day also Sri Krishna killed the demon Narakasura.

In South India, people take an oil bath in the morning and wear new clothes. They partake of sweetmeats. They light fireworks which are regarded as the effigies of Narakasura who was killed on this day. They greet one another, asking, “Have you had your Ganges bath?” which actually refers to the oil bath that morning as it is regarded as purifying as a bath in the holy Ganges.

Everyone forgets and forgives the wrongs done by others. There is an air of freedom, festivity and friendliness everywhere. This festival brings about unity. It instills charity in the hearts of people. Everyone buys new clothes for the family. Employers, too, purchase new clothes for their employees.

Waking up during the Brahmamuhurta (at 4a.m.) is a great blessing from the standpoint of health, ethical discipline, efficiency in work and spiritual advancement. It is on Deepavali that everyone wakes up early in the morning. The sages who instituted this custom must have cherished the hope that their descendents would realize its benefits and make it a regular habit in their lives.

In a happy mood of great rejoicing village folk move about freely, mixing with one another without any reserve, all enmity being forgotten. People embrace one another with love. Deepavali is a great unifying force. Those with keen inner spiritual ears will clearly hear the voice of the sages, “O Children of God! unite, and love all”. The vibrations produced by the greetings of love which fill the atmosphere are powerful enough to bring about a change of heart in every man and woman in the world. Alas! That heart has considerably hardened, and only a continuous celebration of Deepavali in our homes can rekindle in us the urgent need of turning away from the ruinous path of hatred.

On this day Hindu merchants in North India open their new account books and pray for success and prosperity during the coming year. The homes are cleaned and decorated by day and illuminated by night with earthen oil-lamps. The best and finest illuminations are to be seen in Bombay and Amritsar. The famous Golden Temple at Amritsar is lit in the evening with thousands of lamps placed all over the steps of the big tank. Vaishnavites celebrate the Govardhan Puja and feed the poor on a large scale.

O Ram! The light of lights, the self-luminous inner light of the Self is ever shining steadily in the chamber of your heart. Sit quietly. Close your eyes. Withdraw the senses. Fix the mind on this supreme light and enjoy the real Deepavali, by attaining illumination of the soul. He who Himself sees all but whom no one beholds, who illumines the intellect, the sun, the moon and the stars and the whole universe but whom they cannot illumine, He indeed is Brahman, He is the inner Self. Celebrate the real Deepavali by living in Brahman, and enjoy the eternal bliss of the soul.

The sun does not shine there, nor do the moon and the stars, nor do lightning’s shine and much less fire. All the lights of the world cannot be compared even to a ray of the inner light of the Self. Merge yourself in this light of lights and enjoy the supreme Deepavali.

Many Deepavali festivals have come and gone. Yet the hearts of the vast majority are as dark as the night of the new moon. The house is lit with lamps, but the heart is full of the darkness of ignorance. O man! wake up from the slumber of ignorance. Realize the constant and eternal light of the Soul which neither rises nor sets, through meditation and deep enquiry.

May you all attain full inner illumination! May the supreme light of lights enlighten your understanding! May you all attain the inexhaustible spiritual wealth of the Self! May you all prosper gloriously on the material as well as spiritual planes!

By: Ramesh Sabapathy (Engineering & Maintenance)

Come every festivity, MAS always have a strong team of men and women at our Engineering & Maintenance (E&M) facilities KLIA and SZB. They hold the fort to ensure that our aircraft are checked thoroughly to ensure every one aircraft is ready to fly to carry our customers to destinations all over Malaysia and around the world. While the day-to-day operations are being managed, we also have teams working on aircraft that are docked for their maintenance checks.

Work has to go on and while there may be a tinge of sadness, our men and women celebrate as oneMH family at work and there’s always grand potluck of every one bringing in a Raya spread too. Families at home also understand and cheer them on. Each meal packet for lunch and dinner consists of Nasi Beriani, Chicken Masala, Dalca & Papadam, Nasi Himpit with kuah kacang, Lemang with Chicken Rendang, Raya cookies, fruits & drinks (packet & mineral).

By: Nurazma Ibrahim (Kejuruteraan & Penyenggaraan, E&M)

Kakitangan wanita sedang membungkus kurma untuk diagihkan

Bubur lambuk dan kurma sedang diagihkan kepada warga E&M, SZB

Sempena kedatangan Ramadhan Al-Mubarak tahun ini,  seperti tahun-tahun sebelumnya, pihak  Kejuruteraan & Penyenggaraan (E&M) sekali lagi mengadakan aktiviti pengagihan bubur lambuk dan kurma kepada warga E&M, SZB pada setiap hari Selasa dan Khamis.  Selain dari aktiviti di atas, warga kerja E&M juga terlibat sama dalam aktiviti amal yang dianjurkan oleh Bahagian Komunikasi Syarikat yang berlangsung di KLIA pada 28/8/09 dengan mengundang anak-anak yatim dari Rumah Kebajikan Anak Yatim & Miskin Al-Munirah, Klang yang menerima sumbangan baju dan duit raya.  Meraka juga dibawa melawat ke Hangar 6 dan juga diberi penerangan tentang kerjaya seorang juruterbang . Disamping itu pengagihan bubur lambuk diadakan untuk warga kerja MAS di KLIA sumbangan dari LSG Skychefs Brahim.  Turut turun padang Pengerusi MAS, Tan Sri Dr Munir Majid.

Majlis berbuka puasa bersama kakitangan dan pihak pengurusan

Satu majlis berbuka puasa telah diadakan untuk kakitangan E&M bersama pihak pengurusan pada 10/9/09.  Majlis ini dianjurkan oleh Jawatankuasa Perhubungan (Potfolio Modal Insan), Bahagian Hal Ehwal Kakitangan dengan kerjasama Jabatan Baikpulih (AOD), Jawatankuasa Surau dan Jawatankuasa Bilik Rehat Hangar 3.  Majlis ini diserikan dengan kehadiran penceramah undangan Ustaz Mohd Zamri dari Mantop Training and Consultancy seterusnya disudahi dengan solat Terawih dan Witir.  Turut hadir adalah Pengarah Operasi, Dato’ Tajuden Abu Bakar dan Pengarah Urusan MAE/Pengurus Besar Kanan E&M, En Mohd Roslan Ismail.

Dengan adanya aktiviti-aktiviti seperti ini dapat mengeratkan silaturrahim antara kakitangan dan pihak pengurusan dan mendapat keberkatan ilahi.

DOO Dato’ Tajuden, SGM En Roslan, En Rashid dan Ustaz Zamri (Penceramah jemputan) sedang berbuka puasa

Kami yang bertugas di Jabatan Kejuruteraan & Penyenggaraan (E&M) mengucapkan Selamat Menyambut Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf, Zahir & Batin kepada semua rakan-rakan kami yang beragama Islam.

By: Shariffuddin Jaafar (Engineering & Maintenance)

Cockpit window inspection by LAE Al Azim, Jr. Tech Adzhari and Jr. Tech Fuad

Engine inspection by LAE Jeffrey

22nd August 2009 is the date for Muslims in Malaysia to start fasting for Ramadhan. Every healthy and capable Muslim will do this as part of our Rukun Islam including us in MAS Aerospace Engineering (MAE). I’m very happy we are still breathing to celebrate Ramadhan once again this year together with all our engineering colleagues.

Fuel tank entry by Jr. Tech Mazlan Sanusi

Aircraft docking for “C” check by HML05 crew

This year, we have quite a tough Ramadhan. We have to do engine replacement on our client's B737-300 aircraft, doing “C” check for 10 days on MH B737-400 aircraft including fuel tank entry, skin replacement on B737-800 aircraft, carry out painting on B757 3rd party airline partners and many more.

This entire project is really meaningful to our Company in order to generate income and we are so happy to contribute in the current economic situation. Those projects mentioned might only generate few thousand dollars but still can pay at least some amount of our monthly pay.

Engine replacement on MH B737-400 by HML05 crew

Sometimes we have to stay back a bit late to meet our target for the day. We are assigned to go for duty travel to do certification in line stations like I did for Jeddah and Denpasar and because of this we were not able to break fast with our family.

This situation is normal to us in every Ramadhan. I do feel sad because my family is not with me but I find it very interesting because, when we are back at base in Subang, each one of us will buy food for breaking fast. We get together and share whatever we have just like potluck and end up having a lot of varieties on the table!  A bit different compared to breaking fast with my family at home. Normally, we will discuss what we need to do for work - the every aspect on how to get the job done. It takes only few minutes and after that we will do Maghrib prayers together.

Of course, when we are on duty travel to line stations, normally we will break fast on aircraft eating aircraft food. It sounds so tiring but that’s the actual fact we have to face and it’s our responsibility to make the Company move forward.

Customer aircraft towing by HML05 crew

Many people think that working in the Holy Month of Ramadhan is so hard. Actually, it is not. When we fast, we feel that our body is so light and makes us eager to finish the job. In actual fact, we are more productive compared to other months especially working after lunch break. Don’t make this holy month as an excuse to delay the job. We are telling the world that MAE are very capable to carry out maintenance on every aircraft we have in our hand. After all this hard work, we made every party happy, especially the customers. Every end of the month, we are paid a salary which feeds our family. Feeding my family with my own hard work is the most precious task for me and I hope this coming Aidilfitri festival will be the most unforgettable ever.

By: Keith Kueh (Malaysia Airlines Engineering Training Centre (METC) 

Looking into the mirror deeply, back in the olden days, I was introduced to aircraft by a very peculiar way. As opposed to the typical phrases where many parents used to teach their kids on ABC, where A is for Apple, the first alphabet I knew was A for Aeroplane. By the age of three, when I have the intellectuality to understand by visual and acoustic, Dad spoke to me a lot about airplanes. He started off with simple and easy methodology…

I recalled,

Occasionally in the evening, whenever he was not working, he would drive me in his creamy white Toyota car to the airport. He parked his car beside the road, overlooking the long runway; holding me tight around his broad arms, whispering softly into my ears, “Son, this is an aeroplane, and this is where your destiny begins.” The joy of seeing the aeroplane taking off with its wheels departing from the ground was overwhelming, even though it was just a split moment. Innocently, my eyes stared closely to the aeroplane until it disappeared behind the cloud. As I grew up, I developed deep interest in aeroplane, as if there was as strong bond and fondness between us.

I recalled,

When Malaysia Airlines (MAS) did modification to its B747 fleet into freighter aircraft, I was one of the very few who had an opportunity to attend the exhibition when it made its maiden flight to Kuching International Airport. I was rather shocked and amazed; for this was my first time to see such a huge aeroplane. I asked Dad, “Why this aeroplane so big and has four engines?” He replied me with a joking tone, “Because it is a Daddy aeroplane”. Nevertheless, I was very excited that I jumped in a cloud nine.

I recalled,

When I was in Standard Three, my foster father’s son, Augustine had been offered by MAS to study Aircraft Maintenance Engineering as an Apprentice. As a father who wants the best for his child, he harbored a dream for me to emulate Augustine’s footsteps. He told me from time to time, “Son, study hard, and hopefully next time, you could enter this programme too”. Being a typical kid who was so eager to play, I had never really appreciated Dad’s advice till one day; teacher in school gave an essay with the title, “My Ambition” to be. I was totally lost and with a blanked face, I could not pen down any single word. From that moment, I remembered what Dad have been telling me all this while; and I found my direction to sketch out an essay, entitled, “My ambition is to be an Aircraft Engineer”. I began to understand the importance of education; I started to love Physics and Mathematics. However, to master these subjects in hands was quite an uphill task, but there was always this inspiration that drove me through.

I recalled,

Every time, Dad comes back from work, I saw this kind of weary look in his eyes. Being a line technician in Kuching International Airport, he has to cope with his circadian rhythm to work shift hour, either in the early dwell hour of 430am or as late as 12 o’clock in the midnight. Furthermore, he has to cope with the extremes of ferocious weather; sometimes in got-scotching sun, sometimes in heavy downpour, and for years, he never breathes any single word of complaints to his family. I was touched and moved by Dad’s sacrifices to work till his bones’ end just to fill our empty stomach, but, as the same time, somewhere in my heart, I felt needles of pain; more toward to a sense of guilt for being a spoilt kid. I made a promise to study hard to succeed one day in order to ease Dad’s burden off his shoulders.

I recalled,

After SPM, I submitted my application to MAS for the Trainee Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (TAME) programme. I was called for an Aptitude Test, however, luck was not on my side; I did not get through. Hugely disappointed and broken-hearted, I isolated myself miserably in room. Dad came in, tapped me gently on my head, saying, “Son, don’t give up, there will be another chance for you. I am sure, there will …” Dad was right, he never lie to me. A year later, I got another shot after submitting my second application. I got through every obstacle up till the day of interview.

I recalled,

A day before interview, Dad thought me about Basic Engineering tools (multi-grip pliers, mallets, screwdrivers, etc) and some basics on aircraft’s systems. Indeed, I felt relaxed and confident while facing the panel of interviewers. They were impressed with my performance, and I left the room with a broad smile on my face. Dad has never abandoned me throughout the journey; he is always by my side to cheer me up and supporting me endlessly.

Today,

I am part of MAS big family. I have been accepted into Malaysia Airlines Engineering Training Centre (METC) for the TAME programme. Everyday, aircrafts such as ATR 72, B737 and sometimes A330 fly over my head. Again, I recalled Dad’s words back in twenty years ago. His words have brought me thus far in my life, shaping my inner self and molding me into a better person. His word of wisdom is still ringing in my ear; I will always remember them forever. Coming into the third year of training, I hope to obtain my certificate and licenses soon as a present to my Dad. I want to make him the happiest Dad in the world. One day, I hope to be linked up with my Dad in working area; the excitement of releasing the aircraft into service together through the co-operation of a father and a son will be a sweet memory to remember …