Tia Sofia The Graduate!

Alhamdulillah. Congratulations on your graduation, my darling daughter Tia Sofia! Watching you reach this milestone fills our hearts with pride and joy.

And here's an amazing coincidence...

A Day At The Viral Library: Pustaka Raja Tun Uda

So, we finally made it to the “viral” library in Shah Alam -- Pustaka Raja Tun Uda. My daughter Tia is a full-on library lover, so this little outing felt like a cosy family field trip lah. Haha.

Pustaka Raja Tun Uda is a six-storey library set in a lush, green enclave near the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Golf Club. With its airy modern spaces and a collection that runs into the hundreds of thousands, it’s no wonder students, families, and knowledge-seekers flock here for a quiet place to read, learn, and just chill.

Beyond books, the library is impressively kitted out: discussion rooms, free WiFi, a Makerspace, recording studios, a bright children’s section, a café, a surau, and OKU-friendly facilities. It really feels like the kind of place where you can spend an entire afternoon without even realising it.

What made my visit extra meaningful, though, was spotting a coffee-table book on my alma mater, English College JB, right at the entrance. The book commemorates the school’s 100th anniversary. I was actually at the celebration back in 2014, but I never managed to get my hands on this special edition -- so finding it here felt like a small, unexpected full-circle moment.

Anyway, if you haven’t been, do drop by! It’s worth the trip.

And here’s a short video for your viewing pleasure 😄

Lando Norris Is F1 World Champion!

Lando Norris is the new F1 World Champion, and McLaren have finally completed their epic comeback after 17 long years! For the longest time, it felt like this moment would never arrive… but on the final day of the season, McLaren didn’t just have one driver in the title fight -- they had two. Both Lando and Aussie sensation Oscar Piastri entered Abu Dhabi with a real shot at the crown.

And just to crank up the drama even further, reigning world champ Max Verstappen had dragged himself back into contention over the last couple of months after a disastrous mid-season dip. Suddenly, it was a three-way showdown.

In the end, Lando sealed the championship by finishing third at the Abu Dhabi GP -- enough to clinch the title by just two points ahead of a charging Verstappen. Absolutely unreal.

What a season. What a fight. And once again -- massive congratulations to Lando Norris, the 2025 Formula One World Champion!

Why Don't I Remember This Stuff?

Just for fun, I spent the past weekend hunting down old Malaysia Hari Ini videos that I once co-hosted and compiling them into a playlist. I must have hosted a couple of hundred episodes of Malaysia’s No. 1 morning show, but the funny thing is -- I don’t actually have any proper archive of them. No hard drive. No personal collection. Nothing “for kenangan sake”.

It was a different time back in the 2010s. Not everything was easily recordable, and although Media Prima had an internal system where we could watch all programmes on demand, I never made it a habit to save even the “big” episodes. And tonton -- the portal I co-launched -- didn’t keep full episodes of MHI back then either.

So here I am today, scrolling through videos uploaded by random people on YouTube. Nostalgic? Definitely. Fun? Absolutely. But also a bit shocking because the videos made me go, “Eh, I interviewed THAT person?” or “I actually did THAT on the show??”

I’ve always credited myself with having a pretty good memory. While I may not be able to list every single person I interviewed throughout my media career (and trust me, it was A LOT), I usually remember the moment when I come across an article or video. But I guess age is catching up (haha), because quite a few memories have slipped through the cracks.

Case in point: I have absolutely no recollection of interviewing our current Deputy Prime Minister II, YAB Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof, back when he was a deputy minister.

I mean, I clearly remember interviewing most of the politicians who came on MHI -- including the other DPM, Zahid Hamidi, as well as KJ, Ahmad Maslan, Mukhriz Mahathir etc -- but this particular interview? Zero memory.

But that’s the beauty of being on MHI. We got to meet and talk to people from all walks of life: politicians, celebrities, trend-setters, business icons, cute kids with big stories, and ordinary Malaysians with extraordinary experiences. It kept us on our toes -- we had to stay updated, stay sharp, and constantly refine our interviewing game because every day brought someone new.

So go ahead and check out some of these interesting interviews that I can hardly remember doing! There are dancers, martial artists, lawyers, bands -- the works!

Food, Glorious Food!: Top Breakfast Spots In Petaling Jaya

Petaling Jaya may not be the first city that comes to mind when you think “breakfast paradise,” but look a little closer and you’ll find more than enough gems to keep both locals and visitors well-fed and happy. Here are some of the best spots to kick-start your morning in PJ:

Village Park is a legit PJ icon -- beloved not just by locals but by tourists from all over. Thanks to vloggers from around the world, this humble spot has become even more famous, popping up in countless food videos. Most recently, comedian Jimmy O. Yang even posted a clip of himself enjoying the nasi lemak here and giving it a glowing review.

The nasi lemak hits all the right notes: rich coconut rice, savoury sambal that’s not too sweet, crispy ikan bilis, fresh cucumber, peanuts, and perfectly fried eggs. The star, of course, is the golden fried chicken -- crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, and showered with those addictive crunchy bits. Come early if you want to eat in peace -- the crowd never stops.

JB’s favourite kacang pool joint, Kacang Pool Haji, has finally made its way to Ara Damansara -- and fans are thrilled. One bite of the thick, savoury kacang pool with toasted bread, and you can almost imagine yourself back in JB. It’s simple, satisfying, and a rare breakfast find in PJ.

For Johoreans in PJ missing a taste of home — or anyone curious about authentic Johor flavours -- Dapur Cik Oli is a worthy stop. Expect hearty southern-style breakfasts, comforting kuah-based dishes, and flavours that bring you straight to Batu Pahat or JB.

Step inside Restoran Al Ehsan and the first thing you’ll notice is the glorious mountain of freshly fried, super-crispy chicken calling your name. And if you check the reviews, you’ll see a clear pattern: everyone raves about the fried chicken. It’s crunchy, savoury, juicy, and absolutely worth waking up early for.

Kopi Surat Cinta (KSC) offers a warm Malaysian breakfast-and-lunch experience with dishes that feel both comforting and inventive. Highlights include buttermilk chicken rice, nasi lemak with KSC fried chicken, patin tempoyak, mi bandung udang galah, daging masak lemak, and their signature toast selections like roti bakar and roti puisi. Pair any of these with their specialty brewed coffees and your morning is made.

Tingkap Cafe serves an appealing array of classic Malay dishes at friendly prices. Ready-packed meals line the counter, making choices easy for those on the go. Their satay is reminiscent of the famous Muo style, complete with juicy cubes of meat and just the right amount of fat for flavour. Don’t miss the roti jala -- rich, fragrant, and paired with a curry that’s far from ordinary. The lontong with nasi impit also carries that unmistakable southern-style kick.

And of course, we can’t skip the legendary Kuey Teow FAM -- better known as Kuey Teow Auntie Gemuk -- at Jamal Mohamed in Kelana Jaya. I’ve been coming here since the ’90s, back when Auntie was still running the wok and the stall was located on the other side, at Subang Ria. Even though she’s no longer with us, the legacy (and that unmistakable flavour) lives on.

Here's the video: