THE BOOK LAUNCH SESSION AT SELANGOR INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR

   6TH DECEMBER 2025   ~ There were just too many things happening at the same time. Let me try to be as simple as possible, telling the story in chronological order.

First of all, an ex-student of [SMK Taman Universiti], Miss Ezatul Hanim Yahya, urged me to write a collection of [very] short stories to be publish as a book in Malay Language when I met her during one coffee session. [READ HERE] I told her I would try, especially I was only given like only 4 days to complete the mission. I even told her I would send her my drafts and if it did not meet her expectation, she did not have to print it.

And then, suddenly, the book cover was already printed, with the photo taken from my Facebook page.I successfully sent my drafts to Miss Ezatul with no high hope at all. It was alright if my writing was not good enough to be selected. However, the plan still happened as planned.

The next thing was Miss Ezatul asked me whether I could attend the book launch session at Selangor International Book Fest the following. Not only that, I was asked to be one of the panels for the forum session during the event. I thought other writers could not come so being the kind-hearted me, I agreed.

I made history on that day, and only four people were informed about this before it happened.

Mr. Ridwan Wahid and Puan Suhaila Sulong, the husband and wife couple who are my two dear friends, even came to see me during the book launch at Setia Convention Centre in Shah Alam. Thank god they missed the forum session.

the door gift:
spot me if you can

They even have the video recording of the forum on YouTube.

That was some sort of an achievement in my life. At least, if people ask me, what have I done after I retired, then I could just answer: "I have written a book."

I got to thanks one more time to Miss Ezatul Hanim Yahya for the opportunity to come up with my very first book, and hopefully not the last.

*FOOTNOTE: The printed book was only for the event. At present, I got the book proofread and edited by a Malay Language teacher, and will have to send it back to the publisher. I am not sure when it will be available for the public.

THERE IS ALWAYS A SECOND TIME AT KUEH CAFE

   6th DECEMBER 2025    ~ Puan Hanna Sheikh Mokhtar, a friend of UPM TESL Class of 1993, initiated a meet up for tea late in afternoon on my second day in Shah Alam.

She was also accompanied by her husband and son, both who were not strangers to me.

The chosen venue was Kueh Cafe located at Seksyen 13. This was my second time here, and was here for lunch for the first time a few months ago. [READ HERE]

The place was still packed with diners at 5:30 p.m. Many items on the menu were already sold out, even cold drinks were not available as they were out of ice cubes. Hence, Puan Hanna opted for something light like Lempeng, Cucur Udang, Cekodok and Rojak.

I got to thanks Puan Hanna and family for coming over all the way from Taman Tun Dr. Ismail to meet me [and send me back to the hotel after that]. We will sure, god willing, be meeting again soon.

FOOTNOTE: Current news related to this cafe is the owner of Kueh, Mr. E. is now married [was just married last week] to a Malaysian celebrity actress/singer Erra Fazira.

A SHORT RENDEZVOUS WITH A FRIEND FROM KUALA LUMPUR

Puan Shamsul Niza Shamsuddin, a friend of UPM TESL Class of 1993. was in town as she had to attend a wedding reception of a relative in Singapore. As she needed to pass me a few coffee table books published by NST, a short meeting was set. I wanted to take her out for supper but she was too exhausted for that.

Hence, we just met at the lobby of Holiday Inn Express, chatting while munching our potato chips.

I had to excuse myself before 11:00 p.m. she would have one long day tomorrow. It was just a short chat but it was always a pleasure to see a friend every time he/she is here in Johor Bahru.

THERE IS ALWAYS A SECOND TIME AT SERAI RESTAURANT

   6TH DECEMBER 2025    ~ Mr. Ridwan Wahid and Puan Suhaila Sulong not only attended the book launch event at Setia Convention Centre, but they also took took me to dinner right after. The chosen venue was Serai Restaurant located at the nearby mall.

This was my second time at Serai, The first one was at another branch in Mytown Mall in Cheras a few months ago with another set of friends. [READ HERE]

There were many people dining in when we arrived. Everyone must have had their dinner early like us.

THE VERDICT: With the kind of price, we were expecting food with better tastes. Unfortunately, I could get better Nasi Goreng Kampung [Fried Rice] somewhere else at a cheaper price.

The second gastronomic adventure in Shah Alam was completed on the first day. Thanks to the lovely couple for their kind gestures, which seemed to be endless. We bade our "goodbyes" when they sent me to my hotel. I am not sure when the next meeting will be as they career people are always occupied with work.

EATING BRIYANI AT KHULAFA IN SHAH ALAM FOR LUNCH

   6th DECEMBER 2025    ~ My gastronomic adventure for the weekends in Shah Alam started with the lunch trip to Khulafa Restaurant located at Seksyen 14.

Mr. Amirul Yusri, the younger brother of an ex-student, who is now working and residing in Shah Alam, picked me up at KLIA2 and then drove straight to the restaurant. He also drove me around the city before the book launch event started.

The pick of the day: Briyani with Mutton Curry and Teh Tarik. THE VERDICT: The rice and curry were not as savoury like I used to get at home, and not spicy at all. The portion, however, was huge.

I was then ready for the book launch event at Selangor International Book Fair located at Setia Convention Centre. And this was just the beginning of the gastronomic adventure in Shah Alam.