AAR Team Building at Mount Kinabalu, Sabah (21-24 April 2009)

In House Training for new Graduate Assistants and Agronomists in Tawau & Lahad Datu, Sabah (1-4 December 2008)

The Agronomy and Statistics training, led by Mdm. Gan, H.H., was held to familiarize our new graduate assistant (GA) and agronomists with oil palm agronomy and statistics. At each stop, the new GA and agronomists described the soil pit at the trial site, identified the major soil limitations, suggested relevant oil palm management to overcome/alleviate the growth and yield constraints, and presented the trial results with discussion. This was followed by a Question and Answer session. The Senior Agronomists also chipped in where appropriate to guide the new GA and agronomists on the essential and practical aspects of agronomy and statistics. It was emphasized that all recommended practices and informed decisions must be scientifically sound, evidence-based and properly tested or evaluated before implementation.

The participants for the Agronomy and Statistics training were Dr. Kee, Mr. Goh, TCB, PN, Asraf, GHH, Bayu, Khairol, SCC, Sita, Agung, Lyssa, and Totok.

Agenda for the training:

1. Trial visit and discussion of FR1-89 in Sri Kunak Estate by Bayu Meta Anggoro
2. Trial visit and discussion of MF5-01 in Sri Kunak Estate by Khirol Haslan Hamzah
3. Trial visit and discussion of NB11-05 in Sri Kunak Estate by SCC
4. Trial visit and discussion of FR4-94 in Tungku Estate by Sita Astari
5. Trial visit and discussion of FR3-94 in Rimmer Estate GKJ/GHH
6. Trial visit and discussion of FR5-95 in Rimmer Estate by Agung Pribadi Kiswara

Some pictures taken during the training:

BMA describing a soil pit during the training.	SCC presenting results on run-off and erosion (NB11-05).

GA, agronomists, and senior agronomists chitchatting during lunch break.

The ladies led the way in soil pit description.	Everyone… attention please! Trying to “bury” TCB

And the discussions continued into the dinner table…	Here we go… photo session with Sri Kunak staff

AAR Sports Club Annual Dinner 2008

Kicking off the Annual dinner… President of Sports Club, Dr. Tasren and our Director of Research, Dr. Kee welcoming the staff from Semenanjung, East Malaysia (Sabah & Sarawak) and Indonesia. A hosts of beauties and gentlemen, keeping the theme “Malam Tradisi ” alive and kicking Sitting down to a 10-course sumptuous dinner , while awaiting the results of the Best Dressed participants. And the Winner goes to…

AAR Substation Paloh Netball Tournament

Sabah Substation Sports Club Trip to Orang Utan Rehabitation Centre

AARSC members from East Malaysia, Sabah Substation (including Sri Kunak, Rimmer, Tungku & Nak estate) were more adventurous than their counterparts from Semenanjung Malaysia. They braved the ‘wild jungle’ and ‘crossed rivers’ to visit the Pusat Pemulihan orangutan (Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre) and the Taman Buaya (Crocodile farm) in Sandakan from 2-3/8/2008. an all guys team? ladies, where are you or you chicken-out? handsome ain’t he or is it a she? don’t be too happy, crocs waiting ………. leisure boat rides or crossing the river????

AAR Sports Club Family Day (2 August 2008)

This year the Organizers did something different for the Sports Club family day held on 2-8-08. We played host to more than 50 children and their caretakers from PDK Selayang orphanage at our office field. There were many interesting programs both for the young and old. It was all smiles and screams as each cheered on their team. Red team emerged the overall winner. Children from orphanage enjoying their nasi lemak for breakfast r  e  a  d  y… get-set  GO!!!!! the darling of the crowd kids enthralled with the gimmicks of the clown Its fun time…. kids and oops, our  CHEERLEADERS ? …one for the road

Lost World of Tambun, Ipoh and Cameron Highlands (12-13 July 2008)

Five bus loads of AAR Sports Club members including those from substations had a time of their life during their trip to Lost World of Tambun, Ipoh en-route to Cameron Highlands. The Lost World of Tambun in Ipoh, Perak, with a host of wet and dry activities to indulge in or just sit under one of those attap huts and enjoy the view A Tudor-styled hotel cum apartment in Brinchang, Cameron Highlands The Cactus farm just next to the apartment/hotel with its range of cactus, plants, leafy vegetables and neat rows & rows of succulent strawberries, ripe for the plucking Sipping tea and walking the tea bush trail at Tanah Rata, en-route home

AAR Durian Fest (4 July 2008)

The thorny or “King of the fruits” or the “smelly” fruit (according to the mat salleh) season is back. You can smell them miles away, and if you are on the road, you will be tailing behind lorries and cars returning home from their kampungs or holidays, fully laden with these thorny fruits. AAR sports club members also did not want to miss out. A durian fest was held in the office compound and members had a great time sitting under shady trees sampling different species of the durians. There are many ways one can enjoy the durians:   Just hang around while waiting for someone to prize open the thorny fruit…   Around the marble table Squatting… mmmm Yummmmmmmy Or just finger licking good!!!!!!!

Official Opening of AAR Tissue Culture Laboratory

The official opening of AAR Tissue Culture Laboratory was successfully held on 17 January 2008. It was officiated by YB Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui, Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities. About 250 guests attended the opening ceremony. The following are some photos taken during the event.

Dr. Kee (Director of Research, AAR) giving a speech during the opening ceremony. YB Datuk Peter Chin giving a speech during the opening ceremony.

Opening gambit. From left to right: Datuk Azzat Kamaluddin (Director, Boustead Holdings Berhad), Dato’ Seri Lee Oi Hian (KLK Chairman), Mr. Chow Kok Choy (AAR Chairman), Dr. Kee and YB Datuk Peter Chin. Plaque signing. From left to right: Dr. Kee and YB Datuk Peter Chin.

Product Launch – AA Vitroa. From left to right: Dato’ Seri Lee Oi Hian, Datuk Azzat Kamaluddin, YB Datuk Peter Chin, Dr. Kee and Mr. Chow Kok Choy. Ribbon Cutting. From left to right: Mr. Chow Kok Choy, YB Datuk Peter Chin and Datuk Azzat Kamaluddin.

YB Datuk Peter Chin visiting AAR Tissue Culture Laboratory. YB Datuk Peter Chin viewing AAR poster exhibition and briefied by Mr. Tan (Crop Improvement Section Head, AAR).

YB Datuk Peter Chin (third from left) looking at AA Hybrida together with Madam Ho, Head of AAR Tissue Culture Lab. (second from left) and Mr. Tan (fourth from left). YB Datuk Peter Chin looking at the model of AAR proposed new office building.

Press conference. From left to right: Mr. Nagarajan (Secretary, Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities), Dato’ Seri Lee Oi Hian, Dr. Kee, YB Datuk Peter Chin, Mr. Chow and YB Tuan Mohd Daud Haji Tarihep (ADUN Kuala Selangor). Mr. Chow presenting a memento to YB Datuk Peter Chin.

VIP guests sitting in the front row. From right to left: Mr. Tan Seng Yeang (AAR Director), Tn. Haji Sarudin Jaffar (AAR Director), Mr. Goh (Deputy Director of Research, AAR), Mr. Daniel Ebinasen (Boustead Properties Director), Datuk Abdul Rahman Mohd Ali (KLK Director), Mr. Koo Hock Fee (Boustead Trading Director) and R.M. Alias (KLK Director). VIP guests from left to right: Mr. Nagarajan, Mr. Teh Sar Moh Nee (KLK Regional Director), Dato’ Mustafa Ali (Batu Kawan, Director), Mr. Hussin Abdul Jalil (AAR Director) and Mr. Yeoh Eng Khoon (KLK Director) .

Dr Kee welcoming the arrival of YB Datuk Peter Chin to AAR tissue culture laboratory. YB Datuk Peter Chin signing the guest book in the waiting room.

AAR Annual Dinner 2007

AAR sports club recently held its 2007 annual dinner at ‘Kelab Rahman Putra Malaysia‘. Over 300 members as well as their families had an enjoyable dinner during this event. A few groups of talented dancers and singers from AAR presented their best performance on the colourful stage. Awards were presented to the faithful and dedicated employees. Attractive lucky draw prizes were given to the lucky winners.

Dr. Kee (Director of Research) was giving a speech during AAR annual dinner 2007.

Everyone was smiling while enjoying the oriental set dinner. From left to right: Mr. Chen, Dr. Kee (Director of Research), Mrs. Kee, Jennie (President of AAR sports club), Madam Ho (Manager of AAR Tissue Culture Lab.), Mr. Goh (Deputy Director of Research) and En. Mohamad Nadzri (Former Manager of Balau Estate).

A series of interesting Malaysia cultural dances were performed by AAR staff from different sections.

The famous singer from AAR Paloh substation was singing and playing the guitar on the stage.