siri lawatan 1992 - 1999

LAWATAN KE KATMANDU 1998

still under construction

Suasana bandar Katmandu adalah seperti bandar Koboi. Keadaan berjerebu dan orang Nepal berpakaian lusuh

Semasa lawatan ke Katmandu, Banjaran Himalaya dapat dilihat melalui kapalterbang. Tetapi apabila berada di Katmandu, keadaan berjerebu menghalang penglihatan ke Banjaran Himalaya.

Raja Nepal yang masih berkuasa tetapi telah digulingkan

Ramai orang Nepal mempunyai rupa seakan akan orang Melayu. Bila kami berjalan di Katmandu, tidak nampak perbezaan. Orang Nepal menganut Hindu. Rasanya merasa begitu taksub. Semua kedai mempunyai bau yang kuil Hindu. Saya tidak sanggup berada lama dalam kedai mereka.

Orang Nepal menggemari muzik Bollywood. Agak pelik, bila orang Nepal bergaya Hindustan kerana rupa mereka lebih kepada Cina.

Monyet banyak kelihatan di bandar KAtmandu. Saya tidak pasti kenapa.

siri lawatan 1992 - 1999

Lawatan ke Paris May 1997

I was a bit lucky to be able to visit Paris for the 1st time. Thanks to my new friend, Yazaki san from Japan, I was able to utilise my transit in Paris Airport to visit the city. I arrived early in the morning and was only scheduled to fly back to Malaysia at night. Yazaki flown together with me from Conakry, Guinea after our meeting with Sotelgui. He planned to stay one night in Paris before flying back to Japan. Upon arrival, we travel to Paris together. After giving me some tips, we split.

The shopping area in Paris is an attraction by itself. At the end of the Boulevard,

The Arc de Triomphe  is one of the most famous monuments in Paris. It stands in the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle, at the western end of the Champs-Élysées.honours those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars, with the names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces. Beneath its vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I. The monument was designed by Jean Chalgrin in 1806

The monument stands 50 metres (164 ft) in height, 45 m (148 ft) wide and 22 m (72 ft) deep.

The Avenue des Champs-Élysées is known as "The most beautiful avenue in the world. With its cinemas, cafés, luxury specialty shops and clipped horse-chestnut trees, the Avenue des Champs-Élysées is one of the most famous streets and one of the most expensive strips of real estate in the world. Several French monuments are also on the street, including the Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde. The avenue runs for 1.91 km through the 8th arrondissement in northwestern Paris, from the Place de la Concorde in the east, with the Obelisk of Luxor  to the Place Charles de Gaulle  in the west, location of the Arc de Triomphe The Champs-Élysées forms part of the Axe historique. 

The Eiffel Tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris. Built in 1889, it has become one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The tower is the tallest building in Paris and the most-visited paid monument in the world; millions of people ascend it every year. Named after its designer, engineer Gustave Eiffel, he tower was built as the entrance arch to the 1889 World's Fair.

The tower stands 324 metres (1,063 ft) tall, about the same height as an 81-storey building. During its construction, the Eiffel Tower surpassed the Washington Monument to assume the title of the tallest man-made structure in the world, a title it held for 41 years,The tower has three levels for visitors. The tower has become the most prominent symbol of both Paris and France.

948 Day before the World Cup.

Eifel Tower is one of my favorite place



siri lawatan 1992 - 1999

LAWATAN KE SUDAN - DEC 1999



Lawatan ke Khortoum Sudan adalah satu yang menarik bagi saya. Saya menyertai rombongan delegasi dari PERNEC di ketuasi Ketua Pengarah Urusan, Tuan Hj Shaharom Shariff membawa misi untuk mencari peluang perniagaan di Sudan. Rombongan juga di sertai oleh En Ahmad Danial, COO International Business. Kami dijemput oleh oleh seorang ahli perniagaan Sudan. Beliau telah berjaya menjual set telefon buatan PERNEC di Sudan.

Saya nyaris ketinggalan kapalterbang kerana kesilapan masa. Tiket menunjukan waktu 21.30 yang saya ingatkan pukul 11.30 mlm. Kapalterbang terpaksa menunggu saya setelah Hj Shaharom meminta pegawai kapalterbang mencari saya. Saya tidak sedar langsung akan kesilapan sehinggalah saya mendaftar masuk dan pegawai syarikat kapalterbang membawa saya tergesa-gesa memasukki kapalterbang syarikat Jepun. Barulah saya tahu yang saya tersilap masa. Terima kasih kepada Haji Shaharom.





bersama Hj Shahrom di Souk - beli madu & kurma

Kami transit di Dubai (kalau tidak silap). Kami segera bersolat dan Hj Shaharom terus ke depan menjadi Imam di surau di airport. Jemaah dari negara lain terus menjadi makmum oleh jemaah di situ. Kami melakukan solat jamak. Satu contoh kepimpinan yang baik oleh Hj Shaharom.** (tribute untuk beliau di bawah)
Kami berurusan dengan SudaTel. Operator Telekomunikasi Sudan.. Selain berjumpa dengan pegawai tinggi, kami juga bertemu dengan Menteri Telekomunikasi. Kami mencari peluang untuk menjadi rakan kongsi perniagaan payphone di sini. Tetapi kami menghadapi cabaran untuk membina jaringan payphone disin. Masalah terbesar ialah nilai wang mereka yang rendah dan tiada duit syiling. Menggunakan kad bukanlah alternatif terbaik.

Saya tertarik dengan Sudan kerana ia negara Arab Islam yang berkulit hitam. Mereka berbahasa Arab dan pasrah dengan kehidupan sukar mereka kerana ekonomi yang ditekan oleh kuasa barat. Ia berlaku sejak penawanan dan pembunuhan diplomat Amerika pada 1973 dan serangan udara Tentera Amerika ke kilang farmasi pada tahun 1998. Peperangan dengan pemberontak Sudan Selatan yang beragama Kristian serta perlarian Darfur menambahkan alasan untuk Barat menekan Sudan. Walaubagaimanapun, Sudan mempunyai potensi untuk maju kerana mempunyai simpanan minyak yang banyak. Menurut pegawai Petronas yang berkhidmat di Sudan, keadaan lapangan cari gali di padang pasir adalah seperti kem tentera. Tentera menjadi lapangan dari serangan para pemberontak. Mereka mengalami beberapa serangan tetapi dapat dipatahkan oleh pihak tentera.

Terdapat beberapa masjid yang sudah berusia lebih beratus tahun tetapi indah pembinaannya. Dapat dilihat, rakyat disini taat beragama. Kita dapat merasakan suasana Islam di sini. Apabila tiba waktu solat, para peniaga terus mendirikan solat di kedai  atau di tapak jualan mereka. Saya merasa ketenangan berjalan-jalan meninjau bandar Khortoum. Kami melawat Open Market di sini yang dipanggil Souk. Kelihatan, kenderaan lama menggunakkan masih ber ada di jalan. Keadaan Souk seolah-olah tahun 60 an. Kelihatan agak berusia. Kami membeli kurma kering dan madu padang pasir. Kurmanya agak keras. Madu yang saya beli tidak ramai yang mahukan kecuali sahabat saya Rusli Daud. Alhamdulillah, berkat dari Allah, madu yang diminum olehnya dan isterinya membantu isterinya mengandung anak kedua setelah lama berusaha

Kami duduk di Hotel Holiday Villa milik syarikat dari Malaysia. Harga bilik hotel semalam agak mahal, RM 800. Saya mencadangkan En Ahmad untuk berkongsi bilik. En Ahmad juga seorang tawadhuk. Alhamdulillah,  lawatan kali ini ada berkatnya.

Khortoum terletak di pertemuan 2 sungai Nile, Nil putih yang mengalir ke utara dari Tasik Victoria dan Nil Biru yang mengalir ke barat dari Ethiophia.  Nil merupakan sungai terpanjang di dunia megalir sejauh 6,650km dan melalui 10 buah negara di Afrika. Ia mengalir ke utara ke negara Mesir dan berakhir di laut Mediteranean. Sungai Nil memain peranan besar membangunkan tamadun Mesir berkurun-kurun lamanya.

Perjalanan ke Sudan tidak menghasilkan peluang perniagaan yang dihajatkan. Mungkin Allah lebih mengetahui dan kegagalan itu mungkin ada hikmah untuk kami. Tetapi berada di sebuah negara Islam yang pasrah dengan kesukaran kehidupan memberi satu kenangan menarik dan pengajaran bagi saya untuk sentiasa bersyukur kepada Allah s.w.t.  

Tuan Haji Shaharom Md Shaharif

Beliau ialah seorang pemimpin yang mempunyai misi, bijaksana dan sentiasa menunjuk teladan yang baik, "walk the talk".  Di atas kepimpinan beliau, PERNEC berkembang dan berdaya maju. Bukan sahaja dari segi perniagaan bahkan beliau menitik-beratkan kerohanian.  Saya mendapat banyak pengalaman di bawah pimpinan beliau. Saya terlibat beberapa program khas syarikat bersama beliau. Saya terpilih khas untuk misi perniagaaan khas di luar negara dan dalam negara. Selain Sudan, saya terlibat di Guinea, Nepal dan beberapa feasibility study di Malaysia. Ketika saya meletakkan jawatan, beliau kecewa dengan keputusan saya dan menyatakan yang saya punya potensi untuk menjadi orang penting di PERNEC. Saya mengucapkan terima kasih tetapi saya punya cita-cita sendiri dan lebih selesa bekerja dengan kumpulan kecil.

siri lawatan 1992 - 1999

TRIP TO DENMARK DEC 1998

The trip to Conpenhagen Denmark was part of a factory visit and inspection to Zone System A/S, a Danish company for TM Special Network project. The trip was an agreed term for the Contract to supply and Install  Network Management System for Navy landline Telecommunication Network. Zone System was founded on 1995 by Niel Zibrandsten to provide telecomunication specialising on network protection.  

 TM also conducted other factory visit such as to Andrew Corporation together with Trisilco Folec. The person in charge for Trisilco Folec at that time none other Suhaimi Meor Hassan, the popular singer with poetic songs. He was a nice and relax person. Everytime, we met, he could still remember me despite we knew each other in a short period. We did have tough time together negotiating with TM especially with the Manager in charge, Puan Hamidah.

Puan Hamidah and En Yusni represented TM Specialised Network whilst I represented Pernec. Martin from Zone System was the host. The CEO, Niel Zibrandsten was also peresent during our visit. We visited Conpenhagen at wrong period which was end December 1998 right after Christmas. It was really cold almost 0 deg C. It was also holiday period that many shops were closed at that time. Conpenhagen was like a ghost town. I was suffering from rhinitis allergy but I took wrong medicine, clarinase which was effective to dry the nose. I end-up having irritating  and itchy nose until I stopped taking the medicine.

 The visit to Zone System office It was  eye opener to me. The company proved that a company with only 20 employees can still do global business worldwide. They were one fastest growth company in Denmark. The business operation was kept to minimum. They did not have any production but developed own products. They employed Sales, R&D also Testing team and Technical  support. The R&D team design the products. Once finalised, they will engage another Contract Manufacturing to produce the equipment for them. The R&D team would do the final test after receiving the goods from the CM.

We took opportunity to visit interesting places in Denmark. One of the them was the Conpenhagen icon,  "Little  mermaid,  a statue of a mermaid in Langelinie, Conpenhagen. It was based on the fairy tale by Han Christian Andersen. It was with a height of 1.25 metre.

The statue was commissioned in 1909 by Carl Jacobsen, who had been fascinated by a ballet about the fairytale in Copenhagen's Royal Theatre and asked the primaballerina, Ellen Price, to model for the statue. The bronze statue, which was unveiled on 23 August 1913.

Another interesting location was the museum. Here we learnt about the Scanivadi and medieval history. One of interesting dispaly was the boat of the

siri lawatan 1992 - 1999

TRIP TO LONDON 1996

Upon returning from Guinea, the PERNEC delegation managed to squeeze  a 2 day 1 night trip to London on our own cost. They planned the trip while staying in Guinea. The trip certainly a pleasant one except for one incident. I don't have a complete note compared to other trips so I just jot down based on what I can recall.



infront of the entrance to subway



We stayed at a budget hotel but the cost was equivalent to RM400 a night. It was quite expensive considering a 4~5 star hotel in Malaysia cost only RM150 net at that time. There was only shower cubicle in the room. The toilet was located at the staircases. I shared the room with NoorAzizan.

With Rahmatullah at the Trafalgar Square

 

Big Ben

We spent the days visiting interesting places in London. The first place was the famous Oxford street. Although it was shopping area, we didn't shop at all except for the incident. Next, we took the opportunities other attractions in London. We visited Trafalgar square where there were the tame birds and other places; Big Ben, 10 Downing street (really?), the famous Thames river bridge. It was easy to move around using the subway. It was like rushing around from one place to another place. Unlike the business trips, we were like tourists. I bought souveniers from roadside kiosks. The price was not really bad. We moved quickly from one place to anothers that the memory didn't stick to my mind.

Others than these landmarks, double decker bus, London taxi, telephone booths and the subways were the icons of London .

There was an unforgetful incident. All of us got cheated a few hundred ringgit (in values) by a group of  cunning auctioner. I couldn't imagine this could happen in London. Initially, we were attracted by a large crowd in one of shop. There, an auction was taking place. They auctioned expensive items at low price. The auctioners were so shrewd dragging to raise hand and agree to purchase the auctioned items that no-one saw what was coming at the end. I couldn't remember exactly but we ended up paying a large sum of money for low cost products. Everyone got shocked!  





 

Not sure whether this is 10 Downing street

London is located in England. Together with 3 others countries, Scotland, Wales and Northern Island, they made up the United Kingdom. It is also known as Great Britain. These 4 countries shares the same Queen and Government. As such, the Prime Minister rules the 4 countries. The flag of "Union Jack" is a combination of flags from these 4 countries.  Within this Great Britain, the people from England is called English. Scottish for Scotland people, Irish and Welsh for Ireland and Wales. However, outside UK, they are known as British. All of them speak one language, English. When come to the sport, England is the dominant team whether in Football, cricket, athletics  and other popular games. Rugby is the only sport that other country can match England. I just get these actual facts only yesterday (10th Feb 2012) when my colleague from London, Drew Martin told me.  When come to European event, these 4 countries will participate individually.





 







Double decker bus in the background

siri lawatan 1992 - 1999

TRIP TO AUSTRALIA - FEB 1997

Trip to Australia was part of Factory and Site visit requirement for TM Touch Digital Microwave Tender exercise. Prior to that, we visited NEC Japan.It was strange that TM Touch demanded all  Bidders to bear the travel expenses. Otherwise, bidders would be disqualified. Without much choice, we proceed with the trip as other competitors did the same things. Consequently, it gave me an opportunity to visit Australia for the first time and Japan again.  I and En Dzulkifly represented Pernec. TM Touch team included late Khalil and Arimi. Arwah Khalil was with Pernec before joining Renong and  Emartel. The latter changed to TM Touch after TM took over the company. 

The trip started with Japan factory visit from 23rd Feb to 26th Feb 1997. Then, the group took flight to Sydney via Qantas. At Sydney, we had to go through Immgration check. Then, we took a connecting flight to Melbourne. The flight was delayed. Upon arrival, we checked in at Hotel Shoan Height.

Later, we visited NEC Australia. We were briefed by Dr Harry Susanto and Miss Wang who later demonstrated of Spinifex. The Radio equipment was assembled here.  

The next day, 28th Feb, we took flight to Tasmania. NEC representatives, Mark Chadwick and Gerard conducted demo of actual NEC system. The site was located at Hydro Electric Compant at Moonah.The site visit was conducted in Tasmania island. The focus was more Network Management System. The island was beautiful and peaceful. But there was sad story. There were lack of employment. Many youth left the island to find job elsewhere.

Once completed, we had lunch at fisherman, quite a nice restaurant near the sea.

Later, we took flight back to MElbourne. We had dinner at Satay Inn belong to Mr Lim, a Malaysian. Here, we ate nasi lemak and teh tarik.

On Sunday, 1st Mar, we took chances to do sightseeing. During week days, the city went dead by 5.30pm when the office worker left for home. The shops were also closed before 6pm. Only bar remain open till night.

One of the popular attraction was Victoria market. A lot of souveniers were sold at reason. I enjoyed buying a lof souvenier. Really spent a lot of money hereLater in the evening, we went to airport. Unfortunately, flight was delayed. Suprisingly, I met Alfred Sim. He was our Contractor in Sarawak that erect towers for Pernec. He was a smart guy when come to business.

We finally took flight to KL and arrived 11am on Sunday 2nd MArch 1997.

siri lawatan 1992 - 1999

LAWATAN KE SWEDEN OGOS 1997



Radisson Hotel Solna



Lanjutan dari "negotiation" di Republik Guinea antara pihak PERNEC/NEC dan Sotelgui/TM pada bulan May 1997, sesi kedua "negotiation" diadakan di Stockholm. Sweden dipilih kerana ianya lebih dekat dari Guinea dan ada tapak projek NEC Radio Microwave system di sana.

Saya dan En Hartono mewakili Pernec bersama team NEC tiba di Stockholm pada 5ptg 19hb Ogos 1997. Saya bertolak dari Subang Airport dan transit di London. Kami mengambil teksi pergi ke Hotel Radisson SAS Royal park yang berada di Solna, 40 minit dari Stockholm airport. Lokasi adalah jauh dari bandar Stockholm lebih kepada suasana resort, agak sunyi tetapi sesuai untuk sessi negotiation.



Keesokan, saya terkejut bila mendapati notebook saya hilang dari beg bagasi. Laporan dibuat untuk urusan claim.* - dapat claim selepas 2 tahun.Tidak lama selepas itu, polis menangkap beberapa pekerja Subang Airport yang mencuri barangan bagasi.

Negotiation diadakan di hotel Radisson selama 3 hari dari 21hb hingga 23hb. Negotiation diadakan dari pagi hingga petang. Team TM/Sotelgui diwakili Hj Fadzil, En Omar Sahid dan Mohamad Sylla. Team NEC/Pernec diwakili oleh Utsumi san dari NEC Amsterdam, Mohamed Chatti dari NEC Morocco, De Silva (NEC Japan, NMS expert).

Lawatan tapak diadakan pada hari pertama di Teracom, salah satu Operator di Sweden, Mr Jotgen Bjork, Pengurus projek memberikan penerangan dan demonstrasi. Malangnya berlaku masalah teknikal semasa demonstrasi NMS.

Pihak kami mengalami masalah untuk meyakinkan pihak TM. NEC memanggil beberapa teknikal; Tanaka san dan Akashi san  dari NEC Benelux, Rodney King dari NEC menyertai negotiation. Malahan seorang lagi, Ishida san turut serta negotiation.

Negotiation dihentikan sebentar pada tengahari Jumaat untuk kami mengerjakan solat Jumaat. Kami bersolat di Pusat Islam Stockholm. Ianya cumanya ruang pejabat di ruang ground floor yang dijadikan masjid. Agak sempit dengan jumlah jemaah yang ramai. Kami beruntung kerana solat Jumaat diimamkan oleh Imam dari Mekah.

Negotiation ditamatkan pada hari Sabtu. Mesyuarat lebih tertumpu pada jumlah proposal. Agak sukar untuk menurunkan harga seperti yang diminta. Pihak TM memberi peluang sebaiknya kepada kami. Ternyata kehadiran Pernec memberikan soft spot untuk membantu kami memberikan counter proposal yang competitive. Kami menamatkan negotiation dengan penuh yakin.

Selepas tamat negotiation, barulah kami dapat melawat Bandaraya Stockholm. Saya, Utsumi san dan De Silva sempat bersiar-siar dan melawat stockholm.

Selepas pulang, saya membuat follow-up dengan pihak Sotelgui. Malangnya, bila keputusan keluar, kami kalah kepada pihak lain. Memang mengecewakan kami tapi ketentuan semuanya dari Allah.