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The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

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The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

Juan Martin Del Potro overpowers Bernard Tomic in Sydney final

Posted: 11 Jan 2014 05:18 AM PST

January 11, 2014

Juan Martin del Potro (pic) bludgeoned Bernard Tomic with his powerful forehand to win a lopsided Sydney International final on Saturday.

The Argentine world number five took just 53 minutes to master the Australian defending champion 6-3, 6-1.

It was del Potro's 18th career title and he became the first Argentine to win in Sydney since David Nalbandian in 2009.

It was the ideal lead in to Monday's Australian Open for del Potro, who plays a qualifier in the first round and is seeded to face world number one Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals.

"Finals are never easy, but I was surprised at my level of play tonight. I think I played great," del Potro said.

"My forehand was perfect. I made a lot of winners, many aces, good slices."

The big Argentine served eight aces and broke Tomic's serve four times for a comprehensive win.

"To start the year in this way it's very positive looking forward for the rest of the season. I need to keep working in the same conditions and the same way.

"Now it's the hardest tournament for us, and I will see if I can go further than last year (third round) in Melbourne.

"After two or three matches I started to play much better. My movement was faster than in the first rounds here."

It was del Potro's second win over the 52nd-ranked Tomic, who was defending his title after beating South African Kevin Anderson in last year's final.

"I think Bernard was a little frustrated after seeing me very focused on the match and hitting the ball so well," the Argentine said.

"He is still young, but he has everything to win titles, and he will reach more finals very soon."

Tomic has only a few days to recover mentally for his daunting first round encounter with Nadal at the Australian Open on Tuesday.

"It's a good opportunity. I'm playing a legend, probably one of the best players we have around now. He's a champion, won that many Grand Slams," Tomic said.

"It's not easy. He's one of the most difficult players to play. Unfortunately I have to play him first round. I'm going to bring it to him. I'm going to prepare as best I can to play him."

Del Potro dominated the final, breaking the 21-year-old Australian in the seventh and ninth games of the first set.

He dictated the play from the baseline and his booming forehands gave Tomic no chance as he broke the Australian twice more in the fourth and sixth games of the second set.

He sealed his victory with an ace.

"Tonight Juan showed why he's such a quality player," Tomic said.

"So there was nothing I could have done. I tried to keep up, but he kept playing the way he was playing. I haven't seen a guy play a second set like that. It was too good." - AFP, January 11, 2014.

Penang to host World Women’s Squash Championship for the first time

Posted: 11 Jan 2014 04:03 AM PST

By YISWAREE PALANSAMY
January 11, 2014

Lim (centre) is flanked by Chong Eng (2nd left) and David (2nd right) at the press conference to announce the state's hosting of the world class squash tourney in two months. - The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, January 11, 2014.Penang will be hosting the World Women's Squash Championship for the first time in March.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state will organise the world-class event after both Egypt and Hong Kong rejected proposals to organise the tournament last year, forcing the cancellation of the event.

"The cancellation last year meant world number 1 Datuk Nicol David keeps her world crown for an extended period.

"The Penang government felt it is a shame that Penang's own world squash queen will not be able to add to her already impressive collection of seven world titles earned in 2005, 2006 and from 2008 to 2012," Lim said during a press conference at The Garden Hotel in George Town today.

He said that for this reason, the state government decided to step in to host the "2013 championship" as well as give Penangites a unique opportunity to see the state's "golden girl" in action.

Also present at the event was David and Penang state exco member Chong Eng.

The tournament is scheduled to be held from March 14 to 21 at the Penang International Sports Arena (Pisa). - January 11, 2014.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Features

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The Malaysian Insider :: Features

Hello, bonus!

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 04:36 PM PST

January 11, 2014

Bonuses are expected to increase this year although the quantum may not be much. If this is true, Malaysians can heave a sigh of relief as more money makes its way into their accounts in the first quarter of 2014, says iMoney. – January 11, 2014. What will your answer be if asked how you would like to be rewarded for your efforts and performance, in addition to your fixed salary? Most will say a cash reward in the form of a raise or bonus, which they can then spend on themselves.

There is no doubt that for employees, pay-for-performance is a highlight of every year, where everyone anticipates and waits for the announcement by their employer. Most believe that when an individual performs well, his or her pay must go up, and when he or she performs poorly, the pay must stay the same or even, go down.

It is not easy scoring high bonuses as they are not only based on individual's performance but also the company's overall performance in terms of profit.

According to a JobStreet survey on 4,543 Malaysian employees earlier this year, 56% who received their 2012 bonuses were not happy with the amount they received.

Most industries reported an average bonus of 1.5 times an employee's monthly salary, while sectors with the highest bonus payouts were finance and banking, telecommunications and retail sectors.

In light of the various price hikes in 2014, a bonus is definitely handy but will this year's bonus, which will most probably be paid out next year, be up to our expectation?

iMoney has the scoop on the performance bonus payouts of various companies in Malaysia and since you have been good this year, we will share this exclusive information with you.

Airline (0 – 1.5 months bonus)

There have been rumours about a slash in bonus payouts to AirAsia employees this year; though these rumours were not confirmed, it seems likely to be true. AirAsia posted a net profit of RM198.6 million for the first nine months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to RM3.59 billion for the same period in 2012. Looking at these figures, a slash in bonus payouts will not come as a surprise.

According to the same report by The Malaysian Reserve, the national airline, Malaysia Airlines (MAS) did not award any bonus last year and will not do so this year as it continues to make a loss of RM830.2 million for the first nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Civil servants (0.5 month bonus)

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in his Budget 2014 announcement has revealed a half month bonus or a minimum payment of RM500 to about 1.4 million civil servants. According to iMoney's Budget 2013 infographic, civil servants were awarded with one-and-a-half-months' bonus this year (2012's bonus), a full one month's bonus above what civil servants are entitled to next year (2013's bonus). Will it be sufficient to lessen the financial burden that awaits them in 2014?

Telecommunication (2 – 6 months bonus)

According to a reliable source from Celcom Axiata Berhad, the average bonus payout for employees is a minimum of two months' salary and a maximum bonus of six months' salary for extraordinary performance. However, the payout is based on performance and is not guaranteed. Bonus is usually paid in March or April.

Internet startup (1 month bonus)

An ex-employee of Groupon Malaysia revealed that a one-month bonus has been the usual practice in the e-commerce start-up. Payout is usually at the end of January the following year (i.e. 2013's bonus is paid in 2014). Most start-ups find it tough to compete with larger more established organisations which offer attractive compensation for their employees. However, with a one-month bonus, Groupon is well on its way to attract the best talent in the country.

Hotel & hospitality (2 months bonus)

It pays to be employed by Tune Hotel, a company owned by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes. The high profile company which has made headlines numerous times is said to offer an average of two months' bonus paid at the end of January the following year. However, the quantum is still dependent on the employee's performance and grade.

Legal (1.5 months bonus)

According to a source from a local law firm, the average bonus awarded to its staff is equivalent to approximately one-and-a-half-months' salary. The bonus, which is paid out in December of each year, is just in time for its employees to usher in the New Year in style.

Banks (2 months bonus)

An employee from Standard Chartered Bank revealed that the average bonus per employee for 2012 is approximately RM10,000, a sum equivalent to two months' salary. The bonus is usually scheduled to be paid out in March. Obtaining that fat bonus is not an easy task however, as the bank takes into account key performance indices.

Accounting Firms (1 month bonus)

Deloitte (Malaysia), one of the top accounting firms in Malaysia, offers a minimum of one month's bonus paid out in July. The bonus is based on a mixture of company's performance, respective group's performance and individual performance review. According to our sources, most firms in the same industry have similar bonus structures.

We all know the absence of annual bonuses often results in financial distress. The above estimated bonus payout among Malaysian companies are based on 2012's bonus. However, with higher inflation rate and cost of living, Malaysians will inevitably require a higher bonus to mitigate the financial impact.

Based on a poll conducted by HR Business Solutions (HRBS) on a pool of 1,700 employers across 19 Asia Pacific markets including Malaysia, bonuses are expected to increase this year although the quantum may not be much. If this is true, Malaysians can heave a sigh of relief as more money makes its way into their accounts in the first quarter of 2014. – iMoney, January 11, 2014.

Sources:

The Malaysian Reserve

The Malaysian Times

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Showbiz

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The Malaysian Insider :: Showbiz

Kellan Lutz leaves ‘Twilight’ to explore ‘Legend of Hercules’

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 05:53 PM PST

January 11, 2014

Actor Kellan Lutz is shedding the vampire teeth to don the breastplate of Greek demigod Hercules in his newest film, as he leaves the "Twilight" franchise behind to embrace the action genre.

"The Legend of Hercules," in theatres on Friday, will see Lutz exploring the hero's origins. A second film, "Hercules," starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, will focus on the hero later in life, after he completes the legendary 12 labours.

Born to a mortal woman and Zeus, king of the Gods, Lutz's Hercules faces challenges early on in his life from his human father King Amphitryon, who never accepts him as a true son, and his half-brother Iphicles, who is jealous of his super strength. Hercules finds himself torn away from his love, Hebe, and sent to war, only to be sold into slavery.

"It's the hero's journey – you have the wizard, you have the antagonist, that's the king, and you have the different missions he has to go through and the love interest in Princess Hebe. Story-wise, it's all there, that's what drew me to it," Lutz told Reuters.

Not that playing a superhero is unfamiliar territory for 28-year-old Lutz, who played Greek god Poseidon in 2011's mythological action film "Immortals" and has been drawn to the larger-than-life heroes from childhood.

"I knew when I saw the superheroes that I wanted to fight against injustice. So from a young age, I always wanted to make the world a better place like Captain Planet would do, or He-Man, or Tarzan or Hercules," the actor said.

"The Legend of Hercules," showing in both 3D and 2D and distributed by Lions Gate's Summit Entertainment, was made for an estimated budget of $70 million, according to film website IMDB.com. It is expected to earn US$7 million (RM23 million) at the box office this weekend, according to film tracking site Boxoffice.com. – Reuters, January 11, 2013.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Bahasa

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The Malaysian Insider :: Bahasa

Beri peluang Sosma main peranan, kata Shafie Apdal

Posted: 11 Jan 2014 02:41 AM PST

January 11, 2014

Naib Presiden Umno Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (gambar) berkata semua pihak perlu memberi peluang Akta Kesalahan Keselamatan (Langkah-Langkah Khas) 2012 (Sosma) yang menggantikan Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA) memainkan peranan dalam mengawal keselamatan dan ketenteraman awam.

Kata Menteri Kemajuan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah itu, isu keselamatan dan ketenteraman awam serta desakan menguatkuasakan semula ISA tidak akan timbul jika semua pihak mematuhi dan menerima undang-undang yang ada.

"Biarkan undang-undang ini (Sosma) memainkan peranannya dan kita akan lihat keberkesanannya. Jika ada keperluan untuk menguatkuasakan semula ISA, kita akan lihat dari sudut memperkasakannya," katanya kepada pemberita di majlis perasmian projek Penyusunan Semula Kampung (PSK) Bangkong, Paloh Hinai dekat Pekan hari ini.

Beliau diminta mengulas cadangan bekas Perdana Menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yang mahu kerajaan menguatkuasakan semula ISA kerana Sosma dilihat tidak memadai untuk menangani isu membabitkan puak ekstremis.

"Kita harus lihat kehendak masyarakat yang ramai tetapi kerana desakan minoriti yang ada dalam negara walaupun dalam keadaan masyarakat majmuk ia tidak bererti kerajaan mengenepikan desakan itu," kata Mohd Shafie lagi. - Bernama, 11 Januari, 2014.

Elak helang, angin kuat punca pesawat terhempas

Posted: 11 Jan 2014 02:35 AM PST

January 11, 2014

Seorang daripada tiga mangsa yang terselamat dibawa ke hospital untuk rawatan lanjut. Gambar oleh Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat.Pesawat Cessna 172 yang terhempas di kawasan Empangan Batu, Ulu Yam semalam dipercayai ada kaitan dengan percubaan mengelak dua burung helang ketika terbang dalam keadaan angin kencang.

Perkara itu diceritakan Syed Haidhar Syed Zulkifli, seorang daripada tiga mangsa yang terselamat dalam kejadian itu, kepada ibunya Sharifah Hatun Hanisah Syed Abd Rahman yang menemuinya di Wad Kecemasan Hospital Selayang di Kuala Lumpur hari ini.

"Menurut anak saya, semasa mengelak (burung helang) tiba-tiba datang angin kencang yang membuatkan pesawat hilang imbangan," kata Sharifah Hatun ketika ditemui pemberita di hospital itu.

Tiga mangsa pesawat Cessna 172 dari Kelab Penerbangan Diraja Selangor (KPDS) ditemui selamat hari ini setelah pesawat tersebut terhempas di kawasan Empangan Batu selepas dilaporkan hilang di sekitar Batu Caves kira-kira 5 petang semalam.

Mereka ialah Kapten Saiful Farid Amri Amrizal, 22; Syed Haidhar, 25; dan Shaiful Zafiq Razali, 24.

Sharifah Hatun bersyukur kerana anaknya terselamat dalam insiden itu disebabkan kecekapan juruterbang mengendali pesawat dalam keadaan kritikal.

"Kata anak saya ketika itu juga angin kuat dan pesawat tidak dapat berbuat apa-apa namun pilot amat cekap kerana dapat mendaratkan pesawat itu ke tempat selamat," katanya.

Beliau kesal dengan media tertentu yang menyebarkan berita palsu di internet kononnya anaknya dan dua lagi maut dalam insiden tersebut.

"Sudahlah saya ada penyakit jantung ada pihak tidak bertanggungjawab membuat andaian awal dalam internet mengenai kejadian pesawat terhempas," katanya.

Beliau berkata insiden itu tidak meruntuhkan semangat anak sulungnya daripada empat adik-beradik itu untuk menjadi juruterbang.

Malah anaknya itu yang begitu meminati dunia penerbangan sejak kecil akan tetap mencukupkan kredit jam penerbangan latihannya.

Sementara itu, Pengarah Hospital Selayang Dr Siti Zaleha Mohd Salleh ketika dihubungi berkata seorang daripada tiga mangsa nahas pesawat Cessna berada dalam keadaan kritikal manakala dua lagi berada di dalam keadaan semi-kritikal.

Beliau bagaimanapun tidak mendedahkan identiti mangsa yang kritikal dan semi-kritikal. - Bernama, 11 Januari, 2014.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion

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The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion

Betulkah sasterawan bersama kerajaan BN?

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 11:31 PM PST

January 11, 2014

Shukur mempunyai lebih 30 tahun pengalaman sebagai wartawan dan bekerja dengan pelbagai media. Beliau kini pencen tetapi menjadi pemerhati politik yang tegar.

Kita tidak pasti daripada mana maklumat diperolehi Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, yang kedengarannya seolah-olah amat pasti, apabila menegaskan bahawa golongan sasterawan sentiasa bersama kerajaan, dan tidak pernah bersama pembangkang dalam membangunkan Malaysia.

Menurutnya, jika ada pihak yang mendakwa golongan sasterawan berada di haluan sana, manakala pemimpin negara berada di haluan sini , ia adalah dakwaan tidak benar, dan dipercayai beliau memaksudkan 'haluan sana' sebagai pembangkang, dan 'haluan sini' sebagai kerajaan.

Beliau berkata demikian dalam ucapannya sewaktu majlis penyampaian hadiah Sayembara Penulisan Cerpen-Puisi dan Novel ITBM-Pena-BH di kediaman rasmi beliau, Seri Satria, Putrajaya.

Persoalan yang timbul daripada kenyataannya itu ialah jika tidak ada fakta meyakinkan mengenainya, maka ia termasuk dalam istilah 'isapan jempol', kata orang Indonesia. 'Isapan jempol' ini sama ertinya dengan 'agak-agak' atau kenyataan bohong, tidak ada asas, tidak ada fakta kukuh dan tentunya tidak wajar dipercayai, walaupun datang daripada orang besar.

Kenyataan bahawa 'Golongan sasterawan sentiasa bersama kerajaan dan tidak pernah bersama pembangkang' memberikan gambaran seolah-oleh semua sasterawan menyokong kerajaan. Benarkah begitu? Ini tanda tanya yang sangat besar dan perlu dijawab dengan fakta, bukan dengan kenyataan politik.

Tidak ada lansungkah di negara ini sasterawan yang tidak sehaluan dengan kerajaan? Sejak bila sasterawan sentiasa memihak kepada kerajaan? Tidak adakah sasterawan yang tidak memihak ke mana-mana, berdiri secara bebas mengungkapkan sesuatu yang difikirkannya benar walaupun bertentangan dengan pihak tertentu? Atau tidak adakah sasterawan yang sangat kritikal dengan kerajaan sepanjang sejarah kesusasteraan Melayu, katakanlah sepanjang tempoh sekitar 60 tahun, hingga kini?

Lupakah Muhyiddin akan nama Ishak Haji Muhamad (Pak Sako), Ruhy Hayat (Ahmad Boestamam), Shahnon Ahmad (hingga lahir novel Shit), karya penyair Usman Awang (puisi Teluk Gong, Keranda 152, Pak Uteh) dan A Samad Said, Azizi Abdullah serta beberapa orang lagi sasterwan?

Tidak syak lagi tentu ada di kalangan sasterawan yang rasa sangat terhina dengan kenyataan timbalan perdana menteri ini. Begitu mudah meletakkan jenama sasterawan dalam dua kelompok yang bertentangan.

Inilah pandangan pemimpin politik yang 'buntu fikiran' dalam menghadapi situasi gawat sekarang, di mana mereka sentiasa khuatir akan kehilangan pengaruh dan kuasa, menyebabkan mereka merasakan semua golongan memihak kepadanya.

Semuanya ini mengingatkan saya kepada zaman komunis menguasai pemerintah Indonesia pada tahun 1960-an, hingga sasterawan di negara itu menjadi dua kelompok. Satu kelompok sasterawan berada dalam Lekra (Lembaga Kebudayaan Rakyat) yang dianggotai oleh sasterawan kiri pro-komunis, sementara satu lagi kelompok sasterawan Manifes Kebudayaan (Manifesto Kebudayaan) yang bersikap bebas.

Anggota Lekra yang didukung oleh pemerintah pro-komunis bertarung sengit dengan anggota Manifes Kebudayaan. Dalam pertarungan itu, sasterawan daripada Manifesto Kebudayaan sentiasa dikecam, dihina dan berlaku diskriminasi.

Pertentangan ini menjadi sejarah hitam dunia sastera Indonesia. Sudah tentu kita tidak mahu peristiwa seperti ini berlaku di negara ini. Apa perlunya ada kelompok dalam dunia sastera, maka jika berlaku, ia hanya menggambarkan kemunduran dunia intelektual penulis. Biarkanlah sasterawan menikmati kebebasannya, menulis apa yang difikirkannya benar. Jikapun ada sasterawan yang menyokong kerajaan atas keyakinannya sendiri, biarkanlah kerana itu adalah haknya.

Tetapi untuk mengatakan semua sasterawan menyokong kerajaan, maka itu adalah kenyataan palsu yang merendah-rendahkan daya intelek sang sasterawan.

Sejarah merakamkan bagaimana pada suatu hari Sultan Melaka memanggil Tun Sri Lanang supaya mengadapnya. Pengarang yang bergelar penulis istana itu lalu pergi ke istana dan mengadap. Sultan pun menitahkan Tun Sri Lanang, "Tulislah yang baik-baik saja mengenai negeri Melaka ini, supaya dapat diketahui oleh anak cucu kita kemudian hari."

Ini adalah kehendak dan arahan pihak yang berkuasa ke atas seorang pengarang. Sultan tentu sekali tidak mahu Tun Sri Lanang mengkritik pemerintahan baginda dan ini bermulanya sensorship dan arahan kepada penulis oleh pihak pemerintah di negeri Melayu sejak zaman dahulu.

Sasterawan adalah insan yang tinggi daya intelektualnya, sinsitivitinya, sangat sedar fungsinya sebagai jurubicara rakyat, perakam zamannya, menegakkan keadilan sosial sejak zaman berzaman, menjadi pengkritik yang serius terhadap kelemahan sesebuah pemerintahan di mana-mana pun. Kini sudah ada 12 sasterawan yang dinobatkan sebagai Sasterawan Negara, beberapa orang daripadanya meninggal dunia. Adakah semua sasterawan besar ini dan juga sasterawan yang tidak dinobatkan memihak kepada kerajaan BN?

Sepanjang sejarahnya, kita mulakan dengan zaman Ishak Haji Muhanmad, ramai pengarang yang sangat kritikal terhadap kerajaan. Bagaimana dengan karya A Samad Said, Ruhy Hayat, Shahnon Ahmad dan beberapa penulis lagi yang tidak memihak kepada kerajaan, di samping ramai juga penulis menyokong kerajaan atas sebab tertentu.

Masalahnya di sini ialah ada pemimpin politik yang tidak memahami peranan sasterawan sebagai jurubicara masyarakatnya, malah sangat berjauhan dengan golongan penulis, kecuali pada masa-masa tertentu dan jika ada kepentingan politik mereka terutama apabila hampir pilihan raya.

Muhyiddin yang membuat kenyataan tidak munasabah itu perlu memahami kedudukan dan tugas sasterawan dan jangan sama sekali menganggap sasterawan demikian rendah tahap pemikiran mereka. Demikian juga pemimpin politik jangan merasa diri serba tahu hanya kerana mereka bergelar pemimpin.

Kesimpulannya biar sasterawan bebas berkarya dan menentukan sikapnya, jangan menganggap mereka mudah dikelompok-kelompokkan dan menurut saja apa yang dikatakan oleh pemimpin.

Kata novelis Pramoedya Ananta Toer, "Kesalahan orang-orang pandai ialah menganggap yang lain bodoh, dan kesalahan orang-orang bodoh ialah menganggap orang-orang lain pandai". – 11 Januari, 2014.

* Ini adalah pendapat peribadi penulis dan tidak semestinya mewakili pandangan The Malaysian Insider.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

The Malaysian Insider :: Food

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The Malaysian Insider :: Food

On a high at Marini’s on 57

Posted: 10 Jan 2014 02:55 PM PST

BY EU HOOI KHAW
January 11, 2014

Apart from its beautiful food Marini's come here for the spectacular view of the Kuala Lumpur skyline.We were at the lounge at Marini's on 57 at 4pm and watched the transition from a hazy evening outside to the orange glow of lights embracing the tall buildings as dusk settled into night.

At Level 57, the view is what most people come here for. I have a friend who celebrated her birthday with drinks at the bar, with the Petronas Twin Towers almost within touching distance.

The lounge is plush and lush, and the walls of the bar are imprinted with bottles of single malt whiskey and all the liquor fancied by Marini's clientele.

Insalata or salad is made up of an assortment of vegetables, fruits and nuts.We sipped an Elderflower Smash with mint, lemon, soda and elderflower syrup, and ordered the Pizza Capricciosa, and Orechiette Pasta with Smoked Duck, Rucola and Truffle Oil.

The thin crust pizza with artichokes, tomato, chicken, wild mushrooms and mozzarella was perky with artichokes. I rather liked the al dente orechiette (ear-shaped pasta) with smoked duck and rucola touched with truffle oil.

Dinner at the restaurant started intriguingly with what looked like a bonsai plant with mossy balls hanging on it. They turned out to be mashed Deepfried Kalamata Olives Coated with Parmesan and Basil Crumbs. They were intense and salty.

It was an "ooh-and-ahh" moment with the Insalata which was so pretty. It is a salad with 20 types of vegetables, fruits and nuts, four types of edible soil, a choice of 4 perfumes and 10 dressings.

The large platter rested on sprigs of lavender. The edible soils were charcoal, basil, oat, and oat and basil. In the salad were beetroot, tomato, radicchio, red radish, arugula, almond, leek, spinach, walnuts, orange, grapefruit, mushroom, green and white asparagus, endive, fennel, green apple, baby spinach, lentil, lamb lettuce and baby carrot.

There were mind-boggling choices to be made. We asked for a lemon perfume to be sprayed over it, then put each combination of ingredients on our plate and matched the dressing with them. My top dressing was the raspberry one, followed by the basil pesto and the balsamic reduction.

Sliced Lobster Tail, Burrata Cheese, Crustacean Emulsion and Petaluma Caviar.Like the Insalata, the Thinly Sliced Lobster Tail, Burrata Cheese, Crustacean Emulsion and Petaluma Caviar was art on a plate. You wouldn't think lobster would go with cheese, but this was an exceptional pairing.

The almost transparent slice of lobster danced in my mouth with the light, creamy cheese, with salty lifts from sevruga caviar and Petaluma ocean trout roe. Chef Federico Micheletto looked on approvingly and said: "A cheese like this is easy to combine with seafood." Burrata means "buttered" in Italian, and is a combination of mozzarella and fresh cream.

Chef Federico MichelettoThere was the smell of the ocean in the Cold Capellini with Belon Oysters, Sevruga Caviar, Black Truffle, Squid Ink and Sour Cream. The oysters were luscious and sweet; we asked for more, and we got them, with lemon, shallot and raspberry vinaigrette.

Altogether the pasta and all its deluxe components worked wonderfully well together, the natural saltiness of oysters and caviar flavouring the pasta, the black truffle giving it an aromatic lift.

Panfried Goose liver, port wine reduction dried persimmon and pan brioche.The Panfried Foie Gras with Port Wine Reduction and Dried Persimmon and Pan Brioche was sublime. A small piece of gooseliver on the light, buttery brioche touched with persimmon marmalade was just heavenly, as well as the light crackle of the dried persimmon slice.

The Pappardelle al Tartufo, tossed in clarified butter, with 32-month-old Parmesan and white truffle, was a moment to just breathe in and revel in their textures and aromas. This was amazingly good.

Black and Blue, the Master Kobe Beef with Idaho potato baked in sea salt and olive oil.The black and blue Master Kobe Beef with 9/10 marbling, was accompanied by a baked Idaho potato with sea salt tucked inside and drizzled with olive oil. The Kobe beef was put on a hot grill just a minute on each side, so that you relished its velvety mouthfeel and juiciness.

I had no need of the sauce served with it. I liked the fluffy potato too with its salty burst and flavours brought out with baking in olive oil.

The cheese trolley was wheeled out. Chef Federico recommended the Bagoss cheese and the Barolo cheese with pressed grape skins on top.

The Bagoss, which has a robust, nutty flavour, gets its colour from a pinch of saffron added during the breaking of curd. The Barolo cheese is coated with pressed grapes used to make Barolo wine.

The cheese is creamy, sweet and a little wine-y. I tried the Barolo with Mostarda – sticky sweet fruit compote spiced with mustard seeds and loved the salty and the sweet coming together.

Dessert was the Darquoise of six layers of chocolate with a warm raspberry sauce poured over it. At the bottom was a salty chocolate biscuit. This was divine. The chef does some delicate and delicious canele too. It's a French pastry with a soft custard centre.

Fruitti de Bosco – hazelnut crumble in green tea parfait, strawberry mousse jelly and white chocolate gelato.Fruitti de Bosco, a colourful platter of hazelnut crumble in green tea parfait and ganache, strawberry mousse and jelly with white chocolate gelato.

Marini's is at Level 57, Menara 3 Petronas, 50088 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-2161 2880. Reservation is required at least a week in advance. – January 11, 2014.

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com

Sabtu, 11 Januari 2014