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Kannan Murugesan – Ironman

June 23rd, 2007
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From an Ironman to an Ultraman

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By STUART MICHAEL
metro@thestar.com.my
Photos by S.S KANESAN 

FITNESS buff Kannan Murugasan is one man who is determined to reach for the stars as far as fitness is concerned. 

Cruise control: Kannan embarks on weekly rides of 100km to 180km to get himself ready for the Ultraman.

The 33-year-old, who has taken part in seven Ironman Triathlon competitions, now wants to do the Ultraman in Canada from Sept 1-3 and will use his own money to compete there. 

Unlike the Ironman that has a 3.8km swim, 180.2km cycling and a 42.2km run, the Ultraman is a gruelling 10km swim, 418km cycling and 84.3km run in 36 hours, that is more than double a triathlon event. 

Ultraman is twice to three times harder than Ironman. 

If Kannan completes the Ultraman, he will be the first Malaysian to finish this race and it would be a feat that only a handful of Malaysians dare to take. 

Kannan said that he has always looked forward to doing things that people rarely venture into and it was more timely since Malaysia is celebrating its 50th year of independence. 

“Obesity and health problems are on the rise and by doing this, I want to send a message to all Malaysians to start somewhere, be it walking for 15 minutes, and you can be doing the impossible someday, like me. 

“Given a lot determination and persistence, anyone can accomplish the impossible,” said Kannan, who had his best finish in the 2005 Hawaii Ironman World Championship with a time of 13 hours and 29 minutes.  

The Penangite is living proof as he does not come from an athletic background. 

Kannan obtained an Electromechanical Engineering diploma at the Federal Institute of Technology in 1996 and became an engineer but that is not his desire but his father’s wish. 

“Then, I joined Fitness First four years ago and now have my own mobile fitness concept called Mission Fit,” he said. 

Chong Huey Yin, 30, who has been training under Kannan for the last three years, hoped that he does well in the upcoming Ultraman, and makes Malaysia proud. 

As regular face in Ironman events, Kannan has been training for a month. 

His training regimen includes attending seven cycling classes a week and weekend ride that covers 100 to 180km in Cameron Highlands, Hulu Langat and Putrajaya. 

He also swims about one-and-a-half hours each day on weekdays and runs on the treadmill at least 80km a week with some weight training. 

“The next 60 days will be the toughest training that I will endure. In fact, my metabolic rate is so high that I feel hungry every two hours and sweat very easily. 

“My hope is just to finish the race in 36 hours and prove to foreigners abroad that Malaysia Boleh!” hesaid. 

Those interested in having a personal trainer or sponsoring him for Ultraman, can contact at 019-383 0447 or missionfit@gmail.com. 

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Former sawmill worker needs aid

June 22nd, 2007
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UPDATE: i managed to talk to MCA Service Center and was introduced to Ms Ivy Choong of the Ipoh Love and Care Society, a well-known NGO in Ipoh.

According to her, the application for SOCSO is under progress, but the amount won’t be much. The society is in process of getting Ipoh GH to fund the operation. Since after introducing this problem to MCA, MCA has pledged to pay for the childrens education up to graduates, the only concern is living expenses. Mrs Bahlan is in advanced stage of breast cancer and needs to undergo operation and rounds of chemotheraphy. While the parents are at hospital, the children will be temporarily homed at a care center, under the watchful eyes of the society. According to Ms Ivy, the kids are well mannered and well brought up. The eldest girl is sitting for PMR, and all of them are studying well.

The family is currently living in a house (occupying one of the rooms). In such dilapitated conditions, the family still strive to live and take care of themselves well. They also don’t have proper meals, only eating once a day. I was sad after hearing this.

It is hoped that after surgery, Mr Bahlan is able to join back the workforce, however, as with all kinds of operations involving spine, there is always an element of risk.

The society has also got Bersamamu TV3 to come and visit the family. Expected to air in August. So far, the society had got 6 families highlighted in Bersamamu TV3.

A trust fund is planned to help the family with living expenses, since education is taken care of MCA. For those interested to contribute: Can do the following:

Cheque can be addressed to Ipoh Love and Care Society. Address is 43A, 1st Floor, Jalan Tokong, 31650 Ipoh. Phone: 05-2559933 (Ms Ivy Choong). Please write “Bahlan Packiry Fund” at the back of the cheque.

Or can send crossed cheques made payable to the “Perak MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau”, with Bahlan’s name written on the back. Cheques should be sent to the Perak MCA headquarters at 90-92 Tingkat Satu, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, 30000 Ipoh.

Former sawmill worker needs aid
 

IPOH: When it rains, it pours. The adage rings true for former sawmill worker P. Bahlan. 

Besides being diagnosed with a prolapsed disc and a pinched nerve which cause numbness and weakness in his limbs, Bahlan’s 48-year-old wife P. Meerah also suffers from advanced stage breast cancer. 

Bahlan’s problem started in 2004 after an industrial accident at his Menglembu workplace.  

A plank fell on him and hit his back, resulting in the spinal injury. 

“My condition was confirmed by the Ipoh Hospital in 2005 after an X-ray.  

“However, I have to delay the operation costing some RM7,000 to correct my condition because I have no money,” said the father of three schoolgirls. 

He added that he stopped working in December 2005 when his condition worsened. 

The family has been depending on the goodwill of family members and friends for their monthly expenses, which amount to some RM800. 

Bahlan said he collected recyclable materials whenever he could, although he had difficulties in walking. 

“I can get about RM100 a month from selling them,” he added. 

Perak MCA chairman Datuk Ong Ka Chuan, who visited the family on Wednesday with other party leaders, pledged to adopt the couple’s three children and pay for their educational needs.  

Perak MCA also donated RM5,000 to the family. 

Those who wish to donate can send crossed cheques made payable to the “Perak MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau”, with Bahlan’s name written on the back. 

Cheques should be sent to the Perak MCA headquarters at 90-92 Tingkat Satu, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, 30000 Ipoh.  

For enquiries, call 05-253 6981 or 05-253 8455

Bahlan.jpg

Ong (seated right) and other MCA leaders visiting Bahlan (seated centre) and his wife Meerah at their home in Menglembu on Wednesday.

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Single mum with a heart of gold

June 22nd, 2007
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Single mum with a heart of gold

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By WANI MUTHIAH

She uses EPF savings to set up a home for underprivileged children

HER experiences as a single mother has shown A. Peria-nayagi, 51, how vulnerable children from broken homes are.

The mother of three, however, was lucky as she had a reasonably well paying job to fend for herself and her children.

“I always wondered what it would be like for unemployed single mothers and realised that their children must be going through rough lives,” said Perianayagi who had worked for a multinational company for 20 years before quitting in 1999.
  
Following her resignation, Perianayagi used more than half of her EPF savings to set up a home for underprivileged and destitute children in Klang in 2005.

Persatuan Kebajikan Rumah Jee-van currently has 15 children and Perianayagi aims to give them the best possible in education and care.

One of her plans involve moving the children to a bigger house as more space would allow them room to play and move about.

“We are planning to move out from our current premises in Lorong Nam Nam to a double-storey corner unit in Taman Gembira. It will be more conducive for the children,” she said.

Perianayagi said that if everything went according to plan, the home would be relocated within a few weeks.

However, she said the home was in dire need of necessities such as electrical appliances and furniture.

“We need things like beds, tables, chairs, mattresses, pillows, refrigerator, a washing machine, computers and cupboards as well as other household things,” said Perianayagi.

She hoped generous well-wishers would come forward to help her by providing the necessary items.

“We are not asking for money but would be grateful if people provided us with these things,” she said.

Those interested in helping Per-satuan Kebajikan Rumah Jeevan can do so by calling 03-3372 2714 or 016-343 5359 or by visiting the home at No 3, Lorong Nam Nam, Taman Dato Amar, Klang.  
 

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‘Old horse’ Thanabalasingam touched by award from King

June 21st, 2007
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'Old horse' Thanabalasingam touched by award from King

By : Adrian David

 
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KUALA LUMPUR: At 72, little did Rear-Admiral (R) Tan Sri K. Thanabalasingam realise that he would still be honoured by the government.

Thus, it was a pleasant surprise for the country’s first local Royal Malaysian Navy chief, who served from 1967 to 1976, to be bestowed with the Panglima Setia Mahkota award by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin earlier this month.

"It was totally unexpected. I thought they had forgotten ‘old horses’ like me," said a jovial Thana, as he is fondly known.

"Since receiving my award from the King, I have been deluged with congratulatory messages from friends, politicians and navy personnel, past and present.

"I was overcome with emotion when some of the messages read the title conferment as ‘long overdue, about time and high time’.
"I owe it all to the navy which is like family to me, being a bachelor," said Thana, at a reception hosted by the Brittania Royal Naval College (BRNC) alumni at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club in Bukit Kiara on Tuesday.

About 100 of the 300 BRNC alumni members, who graduated from the prestigious instituition at Dartmouth, England, attended the reception held to honour their patrons Thana and current RMN chief Admiral Tan Sri Ramlan Mohamed Ali for being bestowed the Tan Sri title.

Thana said the investiture ceremony was not only memorable but also historical as two navy chiefs of different generations were awarded the PSM simultaneously.

Thana reminisced how during his days as RMN chief, he often punished officers "who could not hold their drinks".

"I was harsh, more so to discipline and make them credible sailors. I even thought of myself almost insane to lead the navy at the young age of 31 and then retire at 40," said Thana, who left the navy prematurely but went on to serve as a director of several corporate organisations and manage his marine consultancy firm.

Thana recalled a moment in 1968 when the country’s first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman consulted him over the threat posed by the Philippines over its claim to Sabah.

"I became acting Armed Forces chief when Gen Tunku Osman Jiwa was away attending a meeting in Bangkok.

"Philippines aircraft were buzzing our ships and Tunku told us that the British were withdrawing troops east of the Suez, including Singapore.

"Tunku wanted our navy vessels to be equipped with missiles to counter the Filipino threat.

"We were in a predicament as we were not allowed to store the missiles at the Woodlands base in (newly-sovereign) Singapore.

"So we made provisions to place them in Johor. That’s when we realised the need for our own naval base in Lumut," said Thana.

In his opening address, BRNC president Admiral (R) Tan Sri Abu Bakar Abdul Jamal, who was RMN chief between 1998 and 2002, said the reception was a fitting occasion to honour a "Morris Minor" like Thana and a "Proton Gen 2" like Ramlan.

"Often, we only meet during weddings and funerals. This is one occasion to catch up and collect ‘old debts’.

"You will notice the seating arrangements are based on seniority and senility," he joked.

On the conferment of the Tan Sri title to Thana, Abu Bakar said: "It should have come a long time ago. Apparently, they were waiting for Thana to get married. But it was not to happen."

Abu Bakar poked fun at Thana for over indulgence in golf until the putter became his walking stick.

Thana took over the RMN from Commodore A.N. Dollard of the Royal Australian Navy, who served from 1965.

The first RMN chief was Commodore E.D. Norman (1957-1960) who was succeeded by Captain W.J. Dovers (1960-1962), both from the British Royal Navy.

Except for the late Vice-Admiral (R) Datuk Mohd Zain Mohd Salleh, who replaced Thana and served until 1986, and the late Vice-Admiral (R) Tan Sri Mohd Shariff Ishak, who was RMN chief from 1990 to 1995, the rest of the former chiefs attended the reception.

Present were Vice-Admiral (R) Tan Sri Abdul Wahab Nawi (1986-1990), Vice-Admiral (R) Datuk Seri Ahmad Ramli Mohd Noor (1995-1998), Admiral (R) Datuk Mohd Ramly Abu Bakar (2002-2003), Admiral (R) Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor (2003-2005) and Admiral (R) Tan Sri Ilyas Din (2005-2006).

In 2005, Mohd Anwar broke tradition as the first non-army chief to become Armed Forces chief until his retirement earlier this year.

Coincidentally, Thana, Anwar, 57, and Ilyas, 56, celebrate their birthdays on March 12.

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Dawn of a new trend in local Indian entertainment

June 20th, 2007
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Dawn of a new trend in drama

By M.J. BROHIER
 

THERE is an exciting dramatic change happening in the Indian entertainment scene in the Klang Valley.  

Three women living in Petaling Jaya and Puchong have modernised and enhanced the quality of Indian actors, singers and performances by showcasing a new blend of song, dance and wardrobe that is drawing crowds to the shows and events organised by them. 

Under the banner ThriQuetrra, Deeya Menon, S. Velankanni and Laura A. Yap are making their presence felt by discovering many new talents in music and the performing arts. 

Revolutionary duo: Deeya (left) and Velankanni, two of the three members of ThriQuetrra, a talent and event management company. As a talent company, they have uncovered talents such as DJs Ram and Aanantha of THR fm.

“The Klang Valley is where the action is for the development of new Indian music and dance shows,” said Deeya.  

The entity reflects a synergy of experience, dedication and the united efforts of the three ladies who have singularly and collectively been active in developing music and the performing arts. 

“We're innovative and our business personalities of the power of three women is set to bring the best in amateurs and professionals,” said Deeya. 

Acting as a talent management company, ThriQuetrra has unearthed many talents such as THR fm DJs Ram and Aanantha.  

Over time, they have accumulated a pool of singers, dancers and musicians to cater to the needs of their various levels of audience. 

“Our aim is to deliver a performance complete with punctuality and professionalism, and we never fail to satisfy as people continue to talk about the performances for days,” Deeya said.  

Together they have organised shows for all, from VIPs to teens, politicians to fashion enthusiasts, and more. 

Even though they it has its roots in the world of entertainment, ThriQuetrra has also ventured into many other areas of event management.  

“Our best and proudest achievement was an MBF Cards launch we organised,” said Deeya. “We provided the decoration, entertainment, sound and lighting systems, master of ceremony, launch gambit and the overall management of the event. We managed to pull it off and every one who attended it was impressed.” 

ThriQuetrra is aiming to scale greater heights and is spreading its wings into the business of television production by shooting entertainment shows in the Klang Valley.  

Although relatively new in that side of the world, the three are excited at the future projects they will be undertaking. Still, that does not mean they will be abandoning what they are doing now.  

They are still keen on finding new talents, whether Indian or otherwise – singers, dancers and musicians – so anyone out there who is interested in getting on stage can call them for an audition

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