UIA Matricution Centre, Subang Jaya: A Forgotten History

This Inti Campus in SS15 Subang was where the UIA Matric Centre used to be in the 80s. So it was rather surreal when I visited it some years ago. I still remember my taaruf week here (in 1989) and the culture shock I experienced going to qiamulail and listening to the rules and regulations (no dating, no shorts and NO going to the Subang Cinema which was right across the road). We stayed at the shophouses which were also across the road. But that lasted only one semester for me.

At the end of the other block was the hostel for PPP students, and it so happened that I had school friends who were there. So I squatted in their room instead. And oh man, those guys were, um, shall I say, so nakal? You know who you are, dudes! 

But living in Subang was pretty cool. You had to take the Sri Jaya bus to get to KL. But most of the time we lepaked at the stalls near the pasar or Subang Parade. Ah, the good ol days... (The Matric Centre was then moved to Lembah Pantai in 1990.)

Anyway, I titled this post “A Forgotten History” because when I shared this piece of anecdote on Threads, a few UIA alumni replied saying they never even knew the uni once had a campus here. Like, seriously lah? 

English College JB And Its "Sister Schools"

 

Here’s a fact I didn’t know. I was watching some history videos on YouTube when Kuala Pilah English School popped up. Out of curiosity, I did some googling and to my surprise, it turns out that the school is actually a "sister school" to my own alma mater, English College Johor Bahru. And not just that, we’re also connected to Batu Pahat High School! Suddenly, this old Johor boy felt part of a much bigger family tree.

Kuala Pilah English School

Kuala Pilah English School, founded in 1914, carried the weight of bringing modern English-medium education to Negeri Sembilan. In 1970, it was renamed Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tuanku Muhammad (SMK Tuanku Muhammad), in honour of the state’s royal lineage. The spirit of the old school lives on in its traditions: discipline, community, and producing generations of leaders.

Batu Pahat High School

Batu Pahat High School, or Sekolah Tinggi Batu Pahat, began in 1914 and is one of Johor’s oldest schools. Through the years, it evolved but kept its iconic name, a reminder of its stature in the town. For its alumni, STBP has always been more than just classrooms: it was where future athletes, prefects, and community figures were shaped. The name “High School Batu Pahat” still carries serious weight whenever old boys gather.

English College Johor Bahru

And of course, there’s English College Johor Bahru, established in 1914 -- my alma mater. Known far and wide simply as “EC,” it was renamed in the 60s as Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar (MSAB) to reflect its royal ties. But ask any old boy and they’ll still tell you: once EC, always EC. For me, it was the place of friendships, lessons, and memories that shaped who I am today. The badge, the colours, the pride; they stay with you for life.

Sometimes, you discover these connections later in life, and they make you smile. Three schools born in the same year. Different towns, different students, but the same mission: to prepare young Malaysians for the future. The names may have changed over the years, but the heritage and spirit remain. A shared history that quietly links us across places and generations. And that, to me, is pretty cool.

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Jalan-Jalan Kluang

 

Confession: Growing up in JB,  Kluang was just a name I’d heard -- one of those small Johor towns that people said had good food and a relaxed vibe. (And lots of keluang [bats] flying everywhere!) I never made it there back then, but now, every time I drive back to JB, it’s almost an automatic stop.

And the first order of business usually? The original Kluang Station, of course. Started as a humble canteen in the railway station in 1938, it has moved with the times and evolved into the well-known “Kluang RailCoffee”, now boasting four modern outlets around town. But the original? That’s where the magic is. It’s kept its rustic charm so well that stepping inside feels like travelling back in time. 

Unlike the newer outlets with their expanded menus, the original outlet keeps things simple: a glorious range of breads — roti bun bakar, roti bun gandum, roti keping bakar -- plus steamed buns, Malaysian classics, and a long list of beverages. 

The laksa warms the soul, the bun bakar is crispy outside and soft inside, and the coffee? Strong enough to fuel your road trip for hours. If you’re with friends and family, don’t bother choosing, just order everything and share.

From there, wander over to Laman Kreatif Kluang, a lane splashed with colourful murals that’s perfect for your next OOTD shot. It’s the kind of place where you can spend half an hour taking “just one more” photo. 

But Kluang isn’t just about food and photo ops. It’s got stories in its streets. Founded in 1915 as a railway town, its name comes from keluang, the fruit bats that once filled the skies here. The railway turned it into a bustling hub for rubber and agriculture, and by the 1930s, coffee culture was firmly rooted in its kopitiams. Even wartime didn’t erase its charm; Kluang picked itself up and grew, blending old-world warmth with small-town buzz.

Today, it’s that mix -- heritage, flavour, and laid-back charm -- that makes Kluang the perfect stopover for anyone with good taste, whether in food, history, or just living well.

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Mo Salah And The 10,000-Hour Rule

 

Why is it that some people still don’t give Liverpool living legend Mo Salah the respect he deserves? 

Maybe it’s because he makes football look too easy.

Last season alone, he recorded over 50 goal involvements – an extraordinary feat – yet there are still corners of the football world that scoff. Why? Because Salah makes it look effortless. But what looks effortless on the pitch is really the product of years of extraordinary effort, sacrifice, and relentless repetition.

Malcolm Gladwell’s famous 10,000-hour rule suggests that true mastery of a skill takes that much dedicated practice. Salah has gone far beyond that. His dazzling runs, his clinical finishing, his ability to torment defenders – they didn’t happen overnight. They were sharpened through countless hours on training grounds, through discipline, and through the mindset of an elite professional who refuses to be satisfied.

People take his numbers for granted now, as though a goal or assist every other game is "normal." It isn’t. Not by a long shot. Salah is 4th on the all-time Premier League goalscoring list, sitting among legends of the game. His record-breaking feats could fill a book, and yet he remains humble, grounded, and committed to his family and his craft.

And just last night, he made history yet again – winning the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award for the third time. Nobody had ever done that before. Not Henry, not Ronaldo, not even De Bruyne. Salah did it.

Mo Salah is not just a Liverpool icon, not just an Egyptian King – he is a footballing great of this era. The numbers don’t lie. The consistency doesn’t lie. The respect of his peers doesn’t lie.

Mabruk, Mohamed Salah! 

* Pics by PFA

Turning Doubters Into Believers: What Klopp Really Did for Liverpool

Some time ago, I read two books back to back -- An Epic Swindle (The Near Death of Liverpool FC) by Brian Reade, and Believe Us by Melissa Reddy. One chronicles a club on the brink of financial and moral collapse, the other celebrates its astonishing rebirth under one man. Reading them in succession was like watching a gripping two-part documentary: the fall… and then the rise.

And what a rise it was.

By the time I closed the second book, my respect for Jürgen Klopp had evolved into full‑blown awe. It became crystal clear that he wasn't just a successful manager, he was a miracle worker. To take a club still reeling from years of boardroom chaos, fan frustration, and false dawns… and turn it into a European and Premier League‑winning machine? That’s not just football. That’s alchemy.

Honestly, the real miracle might be that it only took him a few years to win the Champions League, and then -- finally -- the Premier League title that had eluded Liverpool for three painful decades.

The Cowboys and the Chaos

To truly appreciate what Klopp inherited -- and rebuilt -- we must revisit the darkest chapter of modern Liverpool: the Hicks and Gillett years. This era brought broken promises, legal battles, crippling debt, and an atmosphere so toxic it choked the last breath out of hope.

Though Liverpool still had stars -- Gerrard, Torres, Alonso, Mascherano -- belief was gone. Matches unfolded in a haze of exhaustion; the supporters, weary and fractured. The club’s identity, once a source of immense pride, had been eroded.

A Steady Hand: FSG and Klopp’s Arrival

In 2010, Fenway Sports Group took over and brought stability. Five years later, in October 2015, Jürgen Klopp arrived with a simple but seismic message:

“We have to turn doubters into believers.”

No flamboyant pledges. No heroics. Just a mission.

He reintroduced belief, unity, passion and identity. Players ran harder, staff stood taller, and Anfield roared again. Slowly, something beautiful took shape.

From Belief to Glory: The Road to Triumph

Liverpool reached the 2018 Champions League final, only to fall heartbreakingly short. Klopp’s response? Regroup. Return stronger.

2019 in Madrid: Salah and Origi scored as Liverpool claimed their 6th European crown. A healing moment for fans everywhere.

A personal highlight? Being there, in Liverpool, for the trophy parade. With my family amidst a sea of red, I watched the players pass by, glory in their hands. It was joy and disbelief, combined.

Then in 2020, they finally won the Premier League, a title 30 years in waiting. I cried. Real tears. Release of decades of longing. The wait was over.

Witnessing the Klopp Era Firsthand

As detailed in my getaran.my column Kisah Anak Gen‑X: Selamat Tinggal, Jurgen Klopp! -- I grew up in Liverpool’s golden age. The drought felt endless, déjà vu after near misses cut deeper each time. But Klopp changed the script.

In 2017, I visited Anfield, sat on Klopp’s seat during the Stadium Tour, and imagined the roar of 60,000 fans on a European night.

 

By June 2019, I stood among 750,000 Scousers, celebrating our heroes returning from Madrid. Hours-long waits turned timeless memories. Football felt transcendent again.

I wrote then:

“Licik, pantas, agresif -- Liverpool milik Klopp bermain setiap nota ‘heavy metal football’ dengan semangat buas.”

His trademark Klopp hugs weren’t just gestures, they were how he wove together a fractured club .

A Legacy Beyond Trophies

Klopp’s departure in 2024 marked the end of an era -- he did it on his terms, walking away with respect, gratitude and seven major trophies. His impact, by the numbers -- win rate, memorable matches, and youth development -- is one for the record books.

But more than stats, his legacy lives in what he restored: belief, pride, emotion, unity. He reminded Kopites -- young and old -- what they were. What they always could be.

Only now, with books read and experiences reflected on, do I fully realise: Klopp didn’t just win football matches. He resurrected a club’s soul. And as he so beautifully promised: he turned doubters into believers.

Video Game Fans, You Gotta See This! Aka: What I Got For My 10th Birthday

It was my 10th birthday, and among the gifts on that table was something truly out of this world…

Any guesses? No?

That year, I received what was arguably the coolest, most futuristic thing I had ever laid my hands on: the Space Chaser electromechanical tabletop game, made by Toy Town.

To anyone born after 1995, it probably looks like a clunky plastic relic from the Stone Age of gaming. But to me, back then? It was nothing short of a NASA-grade space simulator.

Pic: YouTube

The game had a bright, colourful galactic battlefield printed right on its surface, complete with space fighters, laser blasts, and planet Earth looking dangerously vulnerable in the background. There was a big red dial in the middle, which I was convinced was some kind of highly classified navigation system. You twisted it to move your crosshairs, lined it up with the blinking enemy, and then BOOM! -- if you timed it right, you'd hear that glorious “peeeeeet” sound that meant you just saved humanity again.

The graphics? Non-existent by today’s standards -- it was just blinking lights pretending to be spaceships. But back then, with a bit of imagination, it felt like you were dogfighting in deep space, dodging alien lasers, and outsmarting evil empires. George Lucas would've been proud.

I played it until the batteries ran out (which, sadly, was often), and I learned that D-size batteries cost a fortune and always mysteriously disappeared into the back of the family radio. 

Eventually, as all childhood toys do, it disappeared into the abyss, maybe forgotten at the bottom of a gerobok, or maybe it just flew off on its final mission to save another galaxy. But the memories stuck.

These days, when I see kids with tablets and VR headsets, I smile and think, “You’ve never known the pure joy of chasing blinking dots across a plastic galaxy with a red dial and your imagination.”

And that, my peeps, was the day I became a space hero. At least in my head.

And here's a demo of how it's played!

Video: ArcadeUSA YT

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Ah, Holiday Plaza

 

Holiday Plaza in JB was the scene of many firsts for me -- all back in the glorious 80s.

It was where I had my very first taste of KFC. And yes, a friend had to teach me the “proper” way to eat it. Back then, KFC was quite the dining experience -- they served the chicken on proper plates, with metal forks and spoons! None of this paper box and plastic cutlery business. It felt posh, ok?

Apart from KFC, McDonald’s and Pizza Hut were also popular makan spots at Holiday Plaza. And if I’m not mistaken, White Castle even had a brief stint there.

And who could forget the smell of Chinese herbal eggs wafting through the air? It was distinctive, pungent… and totally unforgettable. You either loved it or held your breath walking past.

It was also where I bowled for the first time -- at Holiday Bowl (see pic above). My schoolmates and I became regulars, showing up almost every weekend. Some of the guys came decked out like Miami Vice characters: white blazers, pastel shirts, the whole vibe (and sockless, of course).

We’d spend hours at the video arcade too, even though we were technically underage!

Then there was Kimisawa -- the department store that had everything under one roof. I bought some of my Raya outfits there over the years. But the bulk of my wardrobe? That came from 2nd Chance. Their “diskang” fashion was the look back then. That said, a few of my more stylish (and loaded) friends swore by getting their (carrot cut) pants tailor-made at Ken Follet, which gave them that extra “custom fitted” swagger.

One semester break during uni, I even worked at Sate Ria -- making drinks, washing dishes, smelling like grilled meat by the end of every shift. Not glamorous, but unforgettable.

Our ritual usually started at KOMTAR. From there, we’d hop on the Alec or T. Hakkim bus to Holiday Plaza. That weekly trip felt like an adventure, every single time.

These days, while the building still stands, Holiday Plaza is more like a ghost mall. I haven’t been back in ages, but I’ve heard it’s a shadow of its former self.

Still, for us 80s kids, Holiday Plaza will always be the spot where friendships were forged, fashion experiments happened, and weekends were never boring.

Pics: FB

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Adidas Again

It’s happening, people! Liverpool and adidas are finally reuniting today, the 1st of August 2025. 

Naturally, I had to do the only logical thing: raid my wardrobe and dig up the last two adidas Liverpool kits I proudly wore.

📸 Exhibit A: The Torres Jersey!

Ah yes. The unmistakable Number 9. This was me, channelling El Niño (minus the speed, skills, and Spanish accent). I remember buying this (in London) and thought that I'd be wearing it for years and years. 

Of course, that 'love story' ended in tears. The day Torres left for Chelsea, it felt like someone had punched a hole through my footballing soul. No warning. No thank you. Just blue. The betrayal was real—and the entire Kop was stunned. Jerseys like mine suddenly became... complicated.

📸 Exhibit B: At Bukit Jalil, 2011!

This one was no less emotional. I wore this 2010/11 away kit to catch Liverpool vs Malaysia live at Bukit Jalil—the stadium packed, the roar deafening, and my "This Is Anfield" banner held proudly. That adidas kit, with its clean white base and blue accents, remains one of my all-time favourites (feel free to disagree). Simple, classy, and forever tied to that electric night.

Adidas kits always felt like Liverpool. Whether it was the design, the heritage, or just the way it hugged your heartbreak during a tough loss—there was something right about it. Sure, Nike had their moment (and the club made loads of money), but emotionally? It never truly fit the way adidas did.

Now, with the return happening in a matter of hours, I feel like these jerseys are no longer "vintage" — they’re relevant again. It’s like my wardrobe got updated without me spending a single sen (but let’s be honest, I’ll still buy the new one).

Welcome home, adidas. Let’s make more memories.

#YNWA

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Jalan-Jalan Bentong

Yes, Bentong.

And why not? We've never really explored this bit of Pahang before, so it was decided that we'd make a day-trip there a couple of weeks ago. 

Googled a bit before the trip and a couple of things caught my eye. The first was a legendary makan place that serves lemang with rendang every single day of the week. Have also seen it on various makan programs before and thought we should finally give it a shot. 

Gents, here is Lemang To'ki! 

And dudes, the place did not disappoint! The lemang and rendang were divine. Alhamdulillah! And the ayam bakar was awesome too. 

The other stop that I had planned to make was to Bentong Gallery. But before that, here's a short version of the history of Bentong:

"Originally known as Kapong, the town at the confluence of Repas and Perting rivers grew into a mining hub after tin was discovered in those waterways. Locals began calling the ridge “Ban Untung” (“profitable ridge”), which eventually evolved into “Bentong” . In the late 19th century, with the arrival of Chinese tin miners and notably Mr. Loke Yew, Bentong transformed into a thriving economic centre. Loke Yew scaled tin mining into a major industry, spurring broader commercial and agricultural activity that shaped the town’s growth . The district was officially administered separately in 1919 and later elevated to municipal status in 2005 ."

What's interesting at Bentong Gallery? Housed in beautifully restored 100‑year‑old shophouses once owned by Loke Yew, it offers a fascinating, free-to-enter journey through the town’s past . It features three thematic halls: 

Hall 1: Chronicles early development—tin mining’s rise under Loke Yew, historic photographs of economic life, and the origin of Bentong’s name. 

Hall 2: Showcases tourism information, with large maps pinpointing town landmarks and nearby attractions. 

Hall 3: Honours the contributions of prominent figures such as Pahang’s Sultans, former MPs, and local industrialists.

Beyond the exhibits, there’s a cozy café (BG Café) to relax with a drink, and BG Store, offering local souvenirs such as Bentong ginger products, soya sauce, and homemade ice‑cream in flavours like Musang King durian or red bean.

Also, dropped by to visit the main masjid here:

And of course when you're in Bentong and it's durian season, kenalah makan sebiji dua to satisfy the craving! 

Heading home, we made a stop for coffee, up on the hills of Janda Baik. Seeing it was a weekday, we basically had the place all to ourselves!

Will we be back? Oh yes, indeed. Insya Allah.

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