The Unexpected Journey: MIHAS 2005

"Sakit badan weh!"

That was the first comment coming out of me upon remembering yesterday's trip to MIHAS 2005.

Malaysian International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) is taking place at Malaysian International Exhibition and Convention Centre, Mines Resort City. It ends today, by the way. Now, let me brief you guys the details of the journey.

We took off from UIA at about 9.40 am. Although there were some incidents, and at first we thought one of us couldn't make it. Alas, at the very last moment all five of us; Isma, Mun, Sitot, Nurul and I, managed to proceed with the original plan. Alhamdulillah.

We had breakfast at McD upon reaching KL Central. While Kak Wi was still on LRT train to catch up on us, we were told to continue our journey without waiting for her and promised to meet at the MIHAS itself. From KL Central we took KTM Komuter to Serdang.

When Sitot told me that we'll only have to walk a little to reach MINES Resort City, I thought the distant was like from HS Cafe to Kuliyyah Engineering. But it was actually more like from Mahallah Maryam to Mahallah Safiyyah. Quite an exhausting walk I might say. Because it was just once in a while we get to do something eventful like this, it didn't matter at all.

After asking few people at MINES shopping complex (although one of the staff at Information Counter was a bit bothersome, typical Malaysian), and very fortunately the exhibition hall was right beside the building, we finally reached the registration area for MIHAS 2005.

However, we were at first stunned when we discovered a sign that MIHAS only opens for public on Sunday, 31st July. But with Sitot courage, the registration people allowed us to get inside provided we fill up the form.

I think the Malay proverb "Malu Bertanya Sesat Jalan" suited us very well here, and indeed we were not 'malu' and we didn't get 'sesat' as a result.

The exhibition and the booths? There were so many we only went to a select few. The first round until Zuhr, and the second round after Zuhr until about 3.50. I'll only write about a few noted booth.

The First Part

1. There was UPM's Institute of Halal Food booth, which was newly established since about four months. We get to see the electric nose, a device that detect the percentage of porcine content in foods. Unfortunately, the person responsible for demonstrating it was not coming. Then there were some papers of Dr. Yaakub, a well known halal food expert mentioned by Mdm Mariam a few times back in Halal & Haram classes, and the hardcover-bounded thesis of Mdm Mariam herself! The sister working at the booth seems to be very surprised to hear that we're her students, because of Mdm Mariam being the Head of Deputy Directors at JAKIM's Bahagian Kajian Makanan dan Gunaan Islam.

And of course, we did our best to mention "Kuliyyah of Science" and "Biotech students from UIA" each time people asked where we were from.

2. At De5 booth, a products of food supplements made of herbs. We met a MARA enterpreuner motivator (I forgot to ask his name). Knowing that we are students, he immediately gave us a short lecture on Malay, mind-setting, businesses, etc. One of his partner is UIA student of Business Management. Nurul and the madam exchanged phone number for any possibilities of purchasing the product or any case. The motivater also gave UIA students a compliment for being 'able to do the work'.

Other booths diplayed various goods. Some were foods, some others were products. Being hungry, we tested all the foods on display (talk about halal exhibition, you don't have to be selective, eat everything!). There was Nasi Ayam's paste, soy product tasted like chicken (and very yummy too!), chocolates, sweets, pegaga juices (tastes a bit like grass), cakes, surimis, salamis, etc.

Since the exhibition was actually only opens for public on Sunday, upon registering we only managed to get "Trade Buyer" tag, which in turn Alhamdulillah made us all being treated nicely by all the exhibitors because they thought we're going to buy their products!

Then it was Zuhr, and we proceeded to the nice small Surau nearby.

The Second Part.

After Zuhr, 60% of booths are yet to be visited. There were clothes booths, mainly from Indonesia and Bangladesh. And carpets booth from Turki and other related countries.

3. We came across the Nestle booths, and we asked about doing practical there. The guy said there is no R&D division in Malaysia, only in Singapore and New Zealand. But they advised us to write personally, and remind us to be a Dean List students jokingly. We immediately answered to them we are indeed the Dean List lots, and one of the guy brought out boxes of Nestle Gold and gave us a box each. Very nice pakciks, they are.

4. There were Ramly booths also. Here we also asked them about practical training because the factory located at Batu Caves. The sister told us to write to the factory, she couldnt do much because she is in marketing division.

Getting hungrier, we got more selective. Knowing that Dr Farouq Gad also opens a booth, we called Kak Wi to get the booth number and decided that will be the final destination.

5. Luckily, Kak Wi was also at the booth. And surprise! We met Mdm Mariam near the booth (thanks to Kak Wi for telling us). Mdm Mariam was very excited to see us and she keeps telling her friends that we're her students (one international guy, which later we found out was an Ex-UIA now working for YADIM, seem to be very facinated at the reunion atmosphere). We were ourselves indeed excited to see Mdm Mariam for she is an excellent teacher to us all.

And more surprise! The friend of Mdm Mariam, standing tall beside her turned out to be The CEO of MIHAS 2005 (Gosh I forgot his name, must find later). We got to meet the CEO in person, to me that was like getting to see the celebrity (and for us being nerdy, the CEO is more than just a celebrity of course!). He asked us from where did we know about MIHAS, when we told him from The Halal Journal. He was like, "how did you find that magazine and why are you reading it?!". Ha ha, once again, talk about being nerds. And it is worth it for me, as we Biotech students of UIA is no ordinary lots!

6. Then we continued to Dr Farouq's booths. As usual, Dr is very excited and full of spirit. And I personally love one of his statements as he gladly introduced us to his friend, "These are my students, eventhough I'm not teaching them." If only all teachers have his attitude.

There were few papers on display, with one of our friend's pic (he is listed in the friends link, go figure) was also on the show. Dr Farouq told us about his country wanting him back and everything. That'll be a big loss to us if it comes true, and I still hope to this day that he'll teach us sometimes in the future.

Finally...

The urge to eat was finally unbearable. We decided to call it a day and we headed to Mines Shopping Complex to get some bite at the food court. And yes, that was not the end.

After filling up the necessary intake, we actually planned another big event. Because it might be our first and the last visit to Mines, we decided to treat ourselves to the water taxi ride around the lake. We chose the 30 minutes special ride around the North lake. And it is very breathtaking! Some of us even fall asleep and some other get to be jiwang-jiwang while on the ride. Ha ha.

Finished at about 5.30, we prayed Asr and while the others went back to UIA after that, I headed off to my friend's house to attend her kenduri.

We took lots of pictures (but not inside the MIHAS because it was strictly prohibited), I think that will be handled by Mun, our photographer!

And to Ann, we are praying for you. Be strong!