MRR2 Cracks Up Again

The Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) in the Kepong has reared its ugly head again. Cracks have appeared one of the pillars. This stretch of the flyover starts from the nearby Taman Daya all the way to Taman Bukit Maluri. It cuts down waiting time at a number of traffic lights which are below the flyover.

Time and again, cracks have appeared and the government has spent approximately RM70 million for such repairs. This new crack will bring many smiles on the faces of many (you know who I'm referring to).

Consultants have cited before that it was design deficiencies and improper anchoring at the crossbeams. What now? Bar heavy vehicles indefinitely? Limit usage of flyover?

The construction of the flyover in the first place was due to its importance for that area as traffic is sooooooooooooooooo heavy. With the closure, many could imagine the chaos it will bring on Monday morning, the first day of work. For those of you living in Kepong, Selayang, Sri Damansara and Sungai Buloh - be prepared for the worst. Pump in more fuel, just in case you get stuck in traffic longer than what you had expected.

There is this detailed blog posting of Middle Ring Road 2 - Repair to begin? by Risk, Safety & Health. It has listed the first incident since year 2004. Hopefully the following consultants, who were involved from the beginning, in between and thereafter, would be able to highlight the real happenings:-

* Maunsell, Sharma and Zakaria
* Minconsult Sdn Bhd
* Flint & Neill Partnership
* Kohler & Seitz Engineering Services
* Halcrow Consultancy Ltd

Even the Anti-Corruption Agency got involved in the later stage when they sent their Enigineering Forensic Unit. In fact, I'm sure no one will be held accountable because unless the warranty period is still effective. If there's a crack, just approve the money allocation and pay to whoever that will be appointed to do surface touch up lah. Simple as that. No?

Reading: Cracks confirmed on MRR2 - Star
Reading: DAP Dares Samy To Bare ALL in MR2 Fiasco; Shocking Disclosures: Contractors awarded lack expertise; Incompetent; Ready For a Quick Buck - Present Power Point

Tags: Middle Ring Road 2, MRR2, Kepong, Flyover, Anti-Corruption Agency, Engineering Forensic Unit, Maunsell, Sharma and Zakaria, Minconsult Sdn Bhd, Flint & Neill Partnership, Kohler & Seitz Engineering Services, Halcrow Consultancy Ltd

Little Party in Khartoum

A local Sudanese friend came to our house to bring us to a little party hosted by his partner. On our way to Omdurman, another part of the capital city, we drove pass by this magnificent building.

The construction of this hotel is at its tail end and should be opening for business in Sept 08. There will be a mall at the hotel's lower ground too. Ownership of the hotel was said to be linked to the Libyan President's family.






The party was held for the naming of the partner's daughter. We finished the meal at the centre. Don't know how to tell what kind of food was it but we almost finished all of it.

Was it nice? Ahhhhhhhhh, can I choose not to answer in case my Sudanese friend reads my blog.
Our Sudanese friends that shared the same food.

My two colleagues, Peter and Nazril.
We were there around 11am plus and was quite surprised that the colourful cloth was very effective in providing protection from the sun ray.
The tent area where the tables and chairs were set up was on a road lane in between two houses. All the ladies were inside this two houses. Only the men were outside.
That was it, we were in that tent.
On our way back, we noticed that the Nile river has burst its bank near the bridge connecting Khartoum and Omdurman. It seems that the rainy season down south Sudan was quite heavy lately.
Tags: Sudan, Omdurman, Khartoum, Nile River

Police at This Bangolow House

Police is definitely not far from this bangolow house. Once you disturb the peace at this Sitiawan area located at the state of Perak, besides being arrested you'll be hated as well. Keep far far away!

Tags: Bungalow, Police, Sitiawan, Perak

Where Is The Police Speed Trap?

A friend who was on her way back to Sabak Bernam in Selangor, her hometown, stopped by a fruit stall to get some fruits. Just as her other family members were buying the fruits, she this policeman sitting inside the fruit stall which was by the roadside.

If were caught speeding in Sabak Bernam, I'm sure it was this policeman who was smart in camouflaging himself. My friend initially thought it was another stall worker sitting down there attending to some menial work ........... hahaTags: Police Speed Trap, Sabak Bernam, Selangor, Fruit Stall

Dinner Cooked by Colleagues

Home made belacan with whatever we could get our hands on in Khartoum.

Fried brinjals with chilli paste. This was fantastic.

The best of all, the curry lamb. Wow!!! Great food there by Feri.

Our dinner. Everyone went for their second helping because of the fantastic curry lamb. What a feeling.

Hungry time right in front of the the TV.

Later in the night, both Feri and Fairuz prepared the inner fillings for curry puffs. Potatoes and some meat.

Just look at the hard work.












This was our supper. The best in Sudan.
Tags: Dinner, Curry Lamb, Curry Puff

Having Drinks at Barista

Ahhhhhhhhh ........ some better quality cafe has mushroomed in Khartoum city since Jan or Feb 08. This one is called Barista.

They have a nice menu booklet with all their drinks being listed therein. Not so much on food.










Arabic lessons for you.

More arabic lessons for you.

Some pricing for you to compare (2 Sudanese Pound = US$1.00).

The inner set-up. We were around 6pm plus so not many customers.

Nazril was trying to snap a picture of me.

We were doing a quick draw with our phone cameras.











Checking the photos taken last 24 hours.
















My drink, the Oreo Shake. Goodness me, the oreo biscuits were in small chunks and thrown above the shake. Seeing those chunky oreos, I thought no oreos were blended together with the drink. Good thing they did it.












One of my colleagues' drink. Forgotten the name.

Barista is located in a bungalow building of two storey. Downstairs is the service counter where you could place your orders.
Tags: Khartoum, Sudan, Barista, Cafe, Oreo Shake

She's A Woman!

A very frustrated student who was fed up with an examination question could provide 'brilliant' answer. I wonder how will the examiner react.
Tags: Examination, Funny, Humour, Jokes, Examiner