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Top 7 things a Malaysian need to know before applying for Passport Malaysia
My husband and I went to Immigration Department at Wangsa Maju branch on Monday to renew our passport and we’re so happy that the process went smooth. Prior to applying, my husband was worried that his name was blacklisted. I told him if he’s not doing anything wrong with the Police or Income Tax Dept or PTPTN, he should be OK. Anyway, I searched the net on how to get information on blacklisted traveler and was happy to find out that we can check the status online.
I gather these tips to share with you:
1. Check your travel status
- You can now check whether you are blacklisted or not before applying for your passport: Travel Status Enquiry (SSPI)
2. Applying for new passport
- You need to bring 2 recent identical photographs taken in front of plain white or off-white background and you should wear dark coloured clothing covering shoulders and chest (as white is the background). Alternately, the immigration department offers photo service, you need not worry to much about photo. They have scarfs and jackets available there in the photobooth.
- You need to bring your MyKad.
- For children, adopted children, etc, please read full requirements here: Malaysia International Passport.
3. Renewing passport
- Only bring your MyKad and passport. You do not have to make copies of these documents, and there is no need to take passport photos. Your passport photo will be taken at the counter when your number is called.
4. Lost Passport
- If it’s missing or lost, you have to lodge a police report and bring the report when applying for a new one. Don’t forget to make a copy for their record. Please take note that application for replacement of lost passport will be sent to Immigration Department Headquarters, Putrajaya Malaysia for decision/process which will take approximately 3-4 months.
5. Waiting hours
- Effective from 11 May 2010, Malaysia international passport applications will be processed within an hour after payment is made. Please bear in mind that, the waiting for your number to be called is about one hour also depending on the crowd. So, expect two hours.
6. Passport Fees
- Fees are as per below:
RM200.00 for 5 years
- Special Fees
RM100.00 for 5 years
[Eligibility for special Fees: Children below 12 years old or student below 21 years old with proof to study abroad on the day submission and Haj pilgrims.]
- Exemption of payment
Exemption of payment is given to the handicap or disable person on the condition that they produce a letter from the Welfare Department.
7. Passport validity
- Your passport must be valid for more than six months – or to be on the safe side – one year. I went to renew my passport after an Immigration officer told me that I cannot travel on a passport with only 6 months validity.
Note: I am just giving tips of what you need to apply, for other enquiries, please contact Immigration Department: 03-8000 8000 or visit their website: Immigration Malaysia
- You can now check whether you are blacklisted or not before applying for your passport: Travel Status Enquiry (SSPI)
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You’re my heart, you’re my Seoul…
I am currently researching the best place in Seoul to visit.
Places of interest that are on my list include Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Biwon, the Secret Garden, Insadong, Hangang River and many more. I listed some of the best place according to my sketching and enjoying nature interest in iMasTravel page but I am really up to more places if time permits because I don’t really want to be a tourist, I want to be a traveler.
The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see. ~Gilbert K. Chesterton
Anyway, the title reminds me of this song, one of my favourite songs during the 80s:
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Feather study
My son found this feather near his grandma’s reban ayam (chicken’s den) and gave it to me. The lines are very interesting to look at so I took out my sketchbook and draw.
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Tangkak: Textile Heaven
Am now back in my in-laws in Tangkak for the weekend and school holiday.
Tangkak town. Straight ahead on the background is Gunung Ledang.
Amongst things I love about Tangkak is its countless textile shops. Tangkak used to be a popular textile centre in the 70s and 80s but lost its popularity after places like Nilai in Negeri Sembilan, was developed.
I’ve been to Nilai but to me Tangkak is the best because I get to see rows of old shophouses.
Textile town and old shophouses.
Realising that Tangkak has the potential to boost the tourism sector, effort has been made by Ministry of Tourism to promote Tangkak as a hub for local and imported textile, thus the launching of Textile Festival 2011 on 4th March 2011 by its minister, YB Dato’ Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen. This festival will be made as annual tourism event.
So how do you go to Tangkak? If you’re driving from Kuala Lumpur on the North South Expressway (NSE), take the Tangkak exit (Exit 23). After the toll, you’ll see a T-junction. Take the right turn (left turn will take you to Muar) and just follow the main road. You’ll see Tangkak town in about 10 minutes drive.
You can also take a bus there–there are Cepat Ekspress buses departing from Puduraya Station. Jalan Pudu, KL and Terminal Bersepadu Selatan, Bandar Tasek Selatan, KL. But make sure you find the counter that says KL-Tangkak-Segamat.
Alternatively you take any bus to Segamat (namely Transnasional) and let the driver knows that you want to go to Tangkak. The driver will drop you off at Tangkak Police Station or alongside the road where the textile shops are situated. But before you do that, please check with the counter at the terminal just to be sure. If not just take the Cepat Ekspress, it will drop you off safely at Tangkak Bus Station.
And of course, I got to capture my subject of interest.
For your information, Tangkak is a district capital of Ledang, in the state of Johor, Malaysia. It lies close to the neighbouring state of Melaka, especially to Jasin town and district of the state and about half an hour drive from Melaka city centre. The town is nicknamed “Fabric Town” or “Syurga Kain” in honor of its many cloth shops. It is also well-known as Gunung Ledang (Mount Ophir), which is the highest mountain in Johor, just 17 km away from the town centre of Tangkak. The mountain is clearly visible from any part of Tangkak.
Do you want to know how Tangkak got its name?
The name of Tangkak comes from ‘tang merangkak’. It happens when a settler, Long Mahmud with his seven siblings were said that they have to crawl up (merangkak) from the edge of Tangkak River to go to Tambak Hill at the area of Seri Makmur. The edge of the river is too soft and marshy as many brackens, ‘sendayan’, ferns and sago palm grow there. As the habitually of crawling (merangkak) at the edge of the river, locals calls it ‘tang Merangkak’ as a way to refer to that place. The word ‘tang’ is usually used by Malays in referring to a place.
For more information about current activities around Tangkak, do visit Tangkak District Council‘s website. Don’t forget to choose your language preference at the top left corner before you surf the website.
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7 ways to be a great storyteller for children
So how do you win over an audience of children?
I observed how TV Host/Singer, Sarimah Ibrahim told a story in a storytelling session on May 7, 2011, during the Picture Book Week in Bangsar, and from the session, I can point out 7 simple ways to be a great storyteller:
- Be confident and just be yourself.
- Choose a good, interesting and fun story.
- Act the story out with different voice tones and facial expressions.
- Tell it in your own words. Just remember a few lines and let them come out differently.
- Engage your audience in the story.
- Speak clearly and loudly.
- Have fun!
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Busy body
What makes a busy body ?
My own definition of busy body is when:
- the left hand is trying to help the right one to draw something on the laptop; using both mouse and tablet pen respectively,
- both legs are shaking while doing the above; of which will drag the body to shake along,
- the eyes are staring at the monitor while stealing sight of the rain outside the window,
- the ears are occupied with great instrumental music,
- the mouth is munching something and..
- the nose is trying hard to figure what’s that stinky smell on the air (the garbage lorry just passed by).
But of course, there is another kind of busybody, which I am also good at. LOL.
Ah well, I have been busy drawing, drawing and drawing. I am not complaining but enjoying every minute of it! Here’s two for my entries at iMastravel page @ Yahoo! Travel Malaysia.
Am working on few headers, a canvas painting for SIL, flower paintings for upcoming exhibition, sketches for sketchbook project 2011, preliminary sketches for my 2nd pictures book, illos for another book and many more. Not to leave behind blogging and updating my photos gallery and flickr.
Will post more drawings soon!
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I Remember You: Audrey Hepburn
Ok, I decided to draw on every page, not spread. I have ample time to draw more as I only gonna submit it by December 2011. So, instead of 15 spreads, 30 single pages to draw. Now it’s both gender instead of just female.
Audrey Hepburn, graphite on sketchbook.
I’m not going to put any thin watercolor as it’ll crumple the page. Tried on Princess D’s page and it crumpled like hell. Had to ironed it out to make it straight but still, the sign of crumple is there. Will alternately use colorpencils.