Asian Tiger

It’s a frustrating day for me. The first university which I contacted have kept mum about my “application” progress. They are probably still celebrating Hari Raya. This university did not allow me contact the potential supervisor or dean but had me working with their admission officer. Not too much of a help, if you ask me. I wonder how long till they revert to me. Anyone wants to take a guess?

So, while awaiting for this Hari Raya university to finish their celebration, I went about to contact a few other universities.  As usual, all emails fell into the omnipresent blackhole save for one.  That email was promptly replied along with no-information-whatsoever except to request me to browse their website.  Well, I replied and mentioned again that I have already been to their less informative website and would like to speak to a human being.  Lo and behold, my email was answered in a matter of minutes; took me by surprise.  This time around, it came with a telephone number and contact person.

I gathered up my courage and dialled the number, all the while hoping that no one will answer.  Within 2 rings, someone on the other end picked up the phone and it was the faculty dean.  We struck off to an academic conversation and I proceeded to plead my case.  After a good 15 minutes conversation, it was revealed that my research proposal had all the ingredients for a PhD research but lack the model or framework.  The dean strongly advised me to re-look into my proposal again and add in more substance before officially applying.

I never knew applying to PhD can be this tough!

Or else, you may end up like me during my recent trip to Kota Kinabalu, last week.  I ended up with almost no place to sleep or wash up.

I had an extremely busy schedule last week which included an overnighter business trip to Kota Kinabalu.  My secretary had tried booking all my favourite hotels but it seems like the hotels had a vengeance on me.  Radius International was fully booked; which I can relate to because its a boutique hotel tagging a normal hotel rate. I would recommend you this hotel if you ever make a trip there.  Promenade Hotel on the other hand, did not offer me the normal rate I pay but handed my secretary a RM208++ price tag; I, of course, rejected and got her to look for other hotels.

The resourceful lady called my counterparts in Kota Kinabalu and they suggested a number of hotels but they all carried price tags to which I would consider unreasonable.  In the end, my secretary booked me into Tang Dynasty Hotel located within Plaza Wawasan for a price of RM150++.  The hotel requested for my credit card number to confirm the booking but since I was engaged in meetings right up to the night, my secretary could not catch hold of me.  In the end, she wrote me a note with all relevant information including the credit card payment.

It was late at night and I was about to catch my flight to Kota Kinabalu, so, I thought, what the heck, I’ll just forget about paying and do that when I check into the hotel.  I arrived in Kota Kinabalu just past midnight and proceeded to the hotel in an airport taxi.

After an uneventful 15 minutes, I was at the hotel reception and provided the front desk officer with my booking number.  The booking was there alright but to my horror, she said the booking was canceled at 4pm because there was not payment made.  I said it was alright and just check me into their hotel room just like a walk-in guest.  She said “I’m sorry, Sir.  All rooms are fully occupied.  I only have the Business Suite with King Size bed.”.

I protested, I lamented, I showed her my colours, I was on the verge of screaming my heads off, I didn’t believe if what she said was true or was it a business tactic to sell these exorbitant rooms.  Here I was, at 1am, tired, unclean and look like wounded prey.  An easy meal for them to sell me their expensive room.

No way am I going to be slaughtered in the middle of the night.  I told the front desk to recheck her computer and give me a cheaper room or else I will walk out of the hotel and head over to Promenade Hotel which is a stone’s throw away.  She checked her computer, then acted up a surprised look and said that there was a family deluxe room which is significantly cheaper.  Feeling really tired, I accepted.

If only I had confirmed my room early, this kind of hassle would not happen but what I hated was the questionable upselling of hotel room to me.  So, if you are going on a trip, confirm your hotel early or else….

For many of us in Malaysia, Genting Highlands remains out top holiday destination; thanks to the cool air, the many attractions for children and not forgetting that we are able to wager a ringgit or two in its casino.  We really have to thank a visionary man; Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong, for his courage to build a resort up the hill near Kuala Lumpur.

Today, it is with deep sadness that I received news of Tan Sri Lim’s passing away. He is 90 and a well liked man.  I read his book “My Dream” which is an inspiration with lots of insights to the businesses he conducted.  The book was written in conjunction with Genting’s 35th anniversary and if you have not read it, you can download the PDF from this link and have a go.  The book is short, straight to the point and easily read.

To the family of Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong, my sincere and I’m sure my fellow Malaysian’s condolences.  Rest in Peace.