UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH LANCE CORPORAL (COBC) KENN (FOO SZE KEN)

 Lance Corporal (COBC) Kenn or his real name Foo Sze Ken holds a Diploma in Business Studies and Sports Science Level 1 and have a special interest in sports having participated in SUKMA from 2008 to 2011 in Karate. The Aries gentlemen was a Silver medalist in MAKAF Junior competition in 2005 and Bronze for Senior Championship. LC Kenn is a 3rd Dann Black Belt in Goshin-Ryu Karate.

LC (COBC) Kenn @ Foo Sze Ken at the centre before a karate Competition

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH RYAN WONG

I first knew Ryan Wong at KL Charlie 3 years ago shortly before the inaugural platoon challenge. Those were the days when my blog was all about the bootcamp. For 2 years, I blogged about my experience at every bootcamp session. In choosing inspiring recruit to blog, I cant help but to choose Ryan whom was our pioneer member and one of the most consistent recruit that had never missed any session...

Ryan first heard of the Chief's Original Bootcamp from Arhnue (Shamil's sister). He fell in love at first sight and had his longest relationship (with COBC) until now. By Ryan standard.. I think that is the longest he has been in a relationship. The single most available bachelor at COBC first trained at BU Alpha because of convenience and location but Ryan found more than what he bargained for!! At the bootcamp, the only child with a single mother found a home, friends, and finally a family. From living with only a mother and a dog, Ryan now has an extended family of more than 60 members from DH Zulu. Ryan lost his father last year due to liver failure. Ryan shifted from Bandar Utama to Damansara Heights Zulu platoon when he found his chemistry was strongest with DH Zulu Platoon Commander and recruits.

SEPTEMBER 2012 COBC TRAINING SESSION IS OPEN FOR REGISTRATION

The month of Ramadhan is nearing the end and COBC will be on a 2 weeks break for an in-house training cum refresher and for us to attend the Global Bootcamp convention in Australia before commencing again for September intake on 3 September (or 4th, depending on location). Yes, at COBC, training and re-training is very important to ensure the best of our deliverables. How else can we become the best and the oldest in the industry. Usually, we will come back with more toys and improved technique for you to play and climax!

On behalf of all COBC, Malaysia community, we wish Gunny Brabon the co-Founder of Original Bootcamp Australia the best on her Birthday today. Gunny Brabon is Australia OBC Managing Director and is the first and oldest female military-inspired bootcamp instructor and global master trainer. Among an endless list of tasks, the iron lady is in charge of all group marketing, promotion, sponsorships and our online system management but her look can deceive her experience and credentials. That is a default outcome of Gunny's lifetime training at the bootcamp- She grew younger on her every birthday (just like me us heh..)! Today too is Corporal Suresh and Corporal Ridz's first day at their new workplace which we are also very excited and wish them well. They have been with COBC for a year and we are very proud of their career advancement. COBC's door is always open for them both whenever they are available. If you think you miss them, trust me, they miss you even more. Such is the camaraderie built between and amongst the instructors and recruit. COBC is all about our recruits, instructors and an established result-guarantee program.  

Registration for September is now open with the following schedule. Unfortunately, Shah Alam battalion is still not open for September but we are undergoing some major planning to cater for our loyalist in that region. We regretted all inconveniences.

(Click on picture to enlarge)

September session began on 

3rd and 4th September 2012 (depending on location)

COBC TRAINING SCHEDULE FOR AUGUST 2012

After 3 weeks of being overdosed with work schedules, this morning before leaving to Johor, we managed to draw-up a training schedule for August given some changes in training schedule for the fasting month. The schedule was inspired by Jerry Chong whom had created twice but without the full information.

Please take note that the schedule for September may not be as above. This schedule is valid only for the month of August. The management of COBC is still deliberating to re-open Shah Alam battalion and will be making the announcement soon.

NEW BANK COVER NOTE VERSUS PARKING

I first saw the new Bank Notes on Facebook and had the first touch of it a few weeks back. Bearing the theme 'Distinctively Malaysia', the new bank notes were impressive and beautifully designed incorporating Malaysia culture and heritage. The transition to the new notes does attract some inconveniences to the public when various parking machines do not recognize both the new bank notes and coins.

At the Tropics, Perdana Shopping Centre, Damansara Perdana,  Godell.com.my the parking management company that manages the parking at the Mall, did not calibrate their parking machine yet but their machine also do not give out any change and this has been on going for many months if not years.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERTANDING SIGNING CEREMONY - STRATEGIC COLLABORATION

Bangi, 1 August 2012. I was invited to represent the automotive industry at the exchange of Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Malaysia and various players from the automotive sector. With the exchange of MOU, the industry had also issued an offer to almost all the graduates and future graduates of those automotive students from Community College. The event was graced by the Secretary General, Ministry of Higher Education Yg Bhg Datuk Ab Rahim Bin Md Noor.
   
The function that was held at the Equatorial Hotel, Bangi was co-hosted by the Department of Community College and University Malaysia Pahang and attended by approximately 1,000 guests. The Department of Community College was also recently tasked to provide highly skilled manpower to 5 corridors namely, IRDA Economic Development, NCER, ECER, SDC and SCORE to spur related industrial development in line with the Government Transformation Plan.

After the welcoming speech by Professor Dato' Dr Daing Nasir bin Ibrahim, Vice Chancellor University Malaysia Pahang, I was asked to address the audience as a representative from the industry. Below was the text prepared just in the nick of time..

Bismillah hirahmanir rahim

 Y. Bhg. Datuk Ab. Rahim Bin Md. Noor

Ketua Setiausaha, Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi

COBC's BIGGEST PLATOON WITH 105 REGISTERED RECRUIT

(This was blogged and picture taken on iPhone Blogger application)

COBC broke history when the number of participants exceeded the 100 recruit threshhold at BU DUSK 8:30pm to 9:30pm platoon during the fasting month. I arrived at 8:20pm to see for myself the COBC's biggest platoon but I did not plan to workout. COBC's first Ramadhan buffet ala workout as much as your body can take, proved to be a hit!! The platoon was headed by Asia's most senior military-Inspired specialist Staff Sergeant (COBC) Dann and assisted by three (3) of COBC's most senior and experienced team of instructors namely Sarge Nawal, Sarge Chun and Corporal Wan. Today is my 15th day without any COBC training and listening to Staff Sarge's command as well as the orchestra of the Oohs and Aahs...... I am in an almost unbearable cravings!!!

Spotted at site!!! COBC Otai John Chuah (Banker from BU Alpha platoon) and otai Alice Thien (BU Bravo platoon) and Malaysian Modelling in Italy- Eileen (on a 1 month holiday back home).... I don't know what they were doing but listening to their scream and cries... *yiiiii bite teeth.

Feel like jumping into the field now!! But doing just that with an overdosed meal after breaking fast would be suicidal.

Next Friday!! I'm in!! See ya!!

ZAINAB PAHAMIN BIRTHDAY ESCAPADE AT AMAN RIMBA

What would you do for your mother on her birthday?

Alike all the years in the past, mom's birthday has always been special but this year was abit different, it was a surprised get-away! For a mother of 67 years old, she has everything that you can imagine from a beautiful house, big cars to a whole wardrobe of shoes and handbags as well as cabinets full of jewels yada yada.. on top of 6 beautiful children that is not just healthy and clever but are all so handsome/pretty and fun (aiiiks.. self marketing!). Well at least that is how she always sees us (though in real life, some of us err.. maybe abit broader and fluffier) but really, she is not wrong. Infact, she would trade everything she has for everyone to be together especially now during her old age. She think she is old but we think she is as young as us all. We wanted to even bring mom to go jogging with us. There is no better pleasure for her than that moment with her husband and all her children. Have it her way, she would want to 'paused' that every moment we are together so it can be everlasting but in reality, damn Nawal Aini, Rose Emini and me were gone as early as 5am for bootcamp then to showrooms and other sisters have to attend to court hearing, go to err.. everywhere which I too dont know where they always go.

So this year, Dr Teratai Edithy who is now back in Malaysia for good after a good 14 year in London took that responsibility to organise mother's surprise birthday get-away and she came out with this wicked idea to get all family members (with in-laws and children) to gather somewhere (but not at home) and father would secretly drive mother to that destination. After endless of research done, the destination picked was at Aman Rimba (or "peaceful Forest)!!

MISTER & MISSUS COBC!! THE ACERS AND SOBS FOR MAY AND JUNE 2012

After finishing rolls and rolls of negatives while camwhoring, we also indulges ourselves in a delicious COBC packed chocolate from Tokyo specially brought, sponsored and compliment from BUA recruit Aida Zainin. It was very sweet and thoughtful of her to special order the chocolate and within seconds, the chocolate were distributed to all that attended. Thank you Aida for the lovely chocolate.

150 people gathered to celebrate yet another month of consistent and discipline training at the Chief's Original Bootcamp. Yes, we must always recognize our little effort to take care of our health and this became the basis to our monthly party. At the party, the same as every other month, everyone dressed to kill!!

Beside food, makan, meet other recruit and get up-close-and-personal-with-the-instructors, a fix agenda at every month's party was (1) the certificate presentation for the 100% Attendance, Commitment and Effort and (2) the announcement for Mister(s) or Missus(s) COBC Spirit of Bootcamp for the month.

To qualify for the ACE certificate, a recruit need to attend all the 12 sessions that they pay for. Trust me, it takes a lot of commitment and dedication to achieve the ACE Certificate!! Evidently, from the 733 recruits registered in June, only 28 recruits actually attended 100% That was why, we award to them the ACE certificate because it does take a personality to be called an ACER!!! The List of ACE recipients for both May and June are as follows:

COBC 24th CUM 2nd ANNIVERSARY, UNIFORM PARTY!!

COBC is famous for many things and of course the most prominent being our COBC very close community that we always pride ourselves with. At COBC, we bypass the normal hierarchy of friendship and immediately became BFF ala extended family members. Adam Heng from Subang Jaya said we are all friends-in-law akin of everyone being married to each other hah!! Ok no such thing but again, at COBC we regularly come out with our own vocabulary too, that only people at COBC would understand. Second after our strong community is our consistent discipline in our health and fitness!!! Of course, after almost sweating blood giving our best during each and every training, every month we dress to kill to flaunt our hard earn body!! That is over and above the confidence that we have slowly developed in consistent with a stronger and fitter self. To flaunt that hard earn, heart-throbbing, blood sweating effort, we get together on a monthly basis and we party!! big time party!!! and we have thusfar, organised 23 parties with various party theme bearing only one objective in mind.... Flaunt it!! I mean, for every recruit from more than 40 platoons at 7 locations to meet and get to know each other. There is no better platform to meet and share your experience and achievements with other fellow recruit. This experience is valuable and is an aspiration for many others.

1) June 2010 - World Cup Fever - The Ecoba, Damansara Perdana
2) July 2010 - White & Denim (The Duke, Taman Tun Dr Ismail
3 & 4) August & September 2010 - Aidil Fitri  (Bustanu Pahamin, Sungai Penchala
5) October 2010 - Nerd and Geek - The Library, e-Curve
6) November 2010 - Hats Off - TGI Fridays, Curve
7) December 2010 - Ho Ho Ho # OBC International 20th Anniversary Celebration - The Modestos, Curve
8) January 2011 - Balik Kampung - Raja Affandi Jamaludin's Residence, Kampung Penchala
9) February 2011 - Pajamas - Viki Lim's Residence
10) March 2011 - Stripey Dotty - The Ecoba, Damansara Perdana
11) April 2012 -  Cowboy and Cowgirl - Chef & Brew, Damansara Heights
12 & 13) May & June 2011 - Superheroes - The Soul'ed Out, Desa Sri Hartamas
14) July 2011 - Green and Yellow - Bustanu Pahamin, Sungai Penchala
15 & 16) September 2011 - Halloween - Tony Romas, Mt Kiara 
17) October 2011 - Wear your Old Cloth before COBC - Bustanu Pahamin, Sungai Penchala
18) November 2011 - Luau Hawaian Hotbods party - Bustanu Pahamin, Sungai Penchala
19) December 2011 - Smoking Jazzy Roaring Twenties - The Taps, Jalan Tanglin
20) January 2012 - Gennaio Italian Bootcamp Festo - The Italianes, The Empire, Subang Jaya
21) February 2012 - Ay Yariba yariba MExicano - Las Caritas, Damansara Heights
22) March 2012 - Checkered and Funky Glass High Tea - The Library, First Subang.
23) April 2012 - Rubic Cube Colour - Chef & Brew, Damansara Heights

Having organised 23 parties for 23 consecutive months, this month party was abit extra-ordinary!! Primarily because it was the CHIEF'S ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP, Malaysia Second Anniversary party!!

BATTLES OF PLATOON 2012: PART 4: THE CHAMPION

Who is the Champion for 2012?

There are points allocated for each and every event and for some challenges, points were awarded too for every rank (Delta, Seal and Ranger). Having completed the full course, the instructors and Admins are now calculating the points to determine the winner.

The points as at now stands as follows:

The first challenge which was the Blackhawk Mission, Highlander received 3 Points being the First!! Spartans received 2 Points being the 2nd, 3rd placing went to the Legends and 4th placing to the Avengers!! so the summary is as follows:

1) The Blackhawk Mission

Highlanders - 3 Points

Spartans - 2 Points

Legends - 1 Point

Avengers - 1 Point

The second challenge the winner accumulate 1 point each for the strongest Delta, strongest Seal and strongest Ranger at the squat hold torture chamber. For the Delta category, the Spartans won the first placing. The Highlander won the Seal category and the category for the Ranger was again won by the Spartans!! Thus, the summary of points was as follows:

BATTLE OF PLATOONS: THE PRISON BREAK ALA MICHEAL SCOFIELD

The Battle of Platoon has been ongoing as early as 6:30am after a huge gathering since 530am at the Akademi Pengajian Islam's football field, University Malaya. The war between 4 battalions saw a neck to neck fight between the Spartans, the Legends and Highlander while the young Avengers was catching up fast. The mission codenamed: Blackhawk Down began only with a rescue mission to save our intel from being captured by the enemy but it went sour when more soldiers were held captive and tortured to reveal the longest kept secret who is the STALLion. Everyone endured the torture and when the white knights whom were the torturer were busy meeting and discussing, the soldiers escaped by crawling through the killing field for hours days. When they eventually found some rifles, they ran with the rifles to safety and just as they all thought they are safe and had escaped the scary white knights.... they discovered, they were still a few of them that was still held captive!! This is the finale.. the last mission was codenamed: "The Prison Break!!".. and of course, I was Micheal Scofield.

They sit and pondered!

They provoke each other for stronger spirit!!

They stripped!! Err.. I dont know why!!

BATTLE OF PLATOONS 2012: PART 2- THE TORTURE CHAMBER

Unbeknown to many, although the Blackhawk rescue mission was a success but there were many Prisoners of War (POW). These POW were endlessly tortured for them to confessed that I am the only STALLion and spell out who is the Champion!! No one wanted to admit!!  and so there were no mercy!! The torture had breach the Geneva Convention on POW and worst even breached the COBC Durian Convention!! The soldiers were tortured to spill out whatever secret they knew. The white knights in white tee wanted to know who were the best Rangers, who were the strongest Seal and who were the best Delta in the whole Malaysia COBC Regiment but everyone was silent!!! They kept the secret so tight that the White Knight had no other option but to execute them slowly but painfully. One by one were executed in an excruciating torture... and only the strongest will survived.

BATTLE OF PLATOONS 2012: PART 1- BLACK HAWK IS DOWN!!

Caution: The following is merely fictions and a made-up story for COBC Second Battle of Platoons.

The COBC administrative on helicopter was earlier attacked and crashed. All food supplies that was transported was destroyed and Admin Rose Emini Pahamin was the only survivor. Rose Emini sent out an SOS alert to Dr Malek whom was attending to Soldiers with toothache. Mayday Mayday!! The Blackhawk is down!! Dr Malek Aziz whom received the SOS quickly alerted  COBC Operative head, Staff Sarge (COBC) Dann. The survivor of the crashed had with her the list of all undercover intelligence that can spark a global political crisis. To ensure their secrets were safe, four battalions were dispersed by different regiments.

A war cry was sent out to ensure there were no diplomatic crisis and 9 white knights were gathered to supervise the four battalions. This broke history when a coalition from Ampang, Cyberjaya, Shah Alam and Penang unite and formed an alliance that was codenamed, the Avengers. The other three battalions were the Spartans, the Highlanders and the Legends.

 The Commander that led the coalition Avengers was Mohd Azmir Zed whom brought along with him an army of 50 soldiers. The Avengers, Spartans, Highlanders and Legends had only one mission, to reach, rescue the survivor first and safekeep the secret from being revealed and exposed to other batallion.

This rescue team became the mission for the Battle of Platoons 2012!!

The white nights secured the parameter as early as 3am for the battle field to avoid any civilians from being dragged into the cold war.

Left: Corporal (COBC) Wan, Lance Corporal (COBC Ridz, Sarge COBC) Boon, Sarge (COBC) Nawal, Staff Sarge (COBC) Dann, Sarge (COBC) Tom, Lance Corporal (COBC) Kenny, Lance Corporal (COBC) Resh, Sarge (COBC) Chun.

COBC BATTLE OF PLATOONS 2012: THE WARLORDS

A war-cry was recently issued in conjunction with COBC's 2nd Year Anniversary for the 2nd Battle of Platoons and this year saw a battle between four battalions as follows:


a) The merger of BU Alpha, BU Bravo and BU Dusk platoons as Bandar Utama Spartans.
b) The merger of DH Zulu and DH Charlie as Damansara Heights Highlanders. 
c) The merger of USJ1 Charlie, USJ1 Echo  USJ1 Dusk as the Subang jaya Legends. 
d) The "United Nation" sort of speak with the coalition of four battalions into one with Ampang, Shah Alam, Cyberjaya and Penang as the Avengers.

The Battle of Platoons is an annual event that was pre-planned to determine which battalion is the strongest in a friendly, enjoyable and slightly competitive way. 

ITS ALL ABOUT BENCHMARK ASSESSMENT

Benchmark assessment!!! Yes.. We would always usually began on the first and the thirteenth session of every month with a Chief's Original Bootcamp (COBC) Benchmark assessment. However, this month we scheduled it on other unknown days for various reason but it will be done. Without the Benchmark assessment of the first session, new recruits were placed into Ranger, Seal or Delta according to how they perform while working out at every session!! Yes.. The Reds are watching us!! Rumor has it, they all got eye behind their back... So much so that when we thought we are on a comfortable safe zone taking a breather, Wham!!! 10 Grunts for stalling... Gulp.. *swallow saliva.. spotted!

Whether you are at COBC in Malaysia or Australia or any other part of the world, you will be doing the same benchmark assessment!! The same form, the same circuit and the same distance. Why? because of various reason but primarily because wherever you are, when you have reach a certain fitness level, you would want to pace yourself against other better recruits within the COBC network worldwide. That is one of the primary characteristics of a Delta. Twice a year, this elite Delta will be given a special invitation to participate in the network's toughest challenge codename: Hell Week!! or Longest day etc. Some Deltas were even invited to try out for the Red Tee... Yes, we encourage and recommend potential Deltas to be in red tee for one main reason.. Instructors that was born from a recruit knew best the needs and wants of a recruit and is able to fulfill that better than someone from outside whom would have to first understand COBC military-inspired's firm, assertive and yet friendly nature as well as COBC recruit's culture and camaraderie.

FIGHTING FIT AND FABULOUS

Guess who made Headline at Life & Times, New Straits Times today?

Bootcamp instructor Nawal Aini Zulkifli tells Tengku Nor Azah she has found the perfect balance between a gruelling job and being a wife and mother

I GOT lost on the way to Nawal Aini Zulkifli’s house and half expected her to say: “Someone is late! Drop and give me 10 grunts!!” At the bootcamp I attended, late arrivals had to do grunts — that’s squat-extend the legs to the back-squat-stand up-jump. It’s not just to punish but also to foster teamwork among participants or recruits. One person’s tardiness results in punishment for all.

(Click on picture to enlarge)

ALLIANZ ANNUAL CONVENTION 2012: THE ROCKER SUPERSTAR AT KOTA KINABALU

Chapter 1: The Departure
Other reading:
2011 Allianz Royale Casino @ Bandung
2010 Allianz Safari Night Kota Kinabalu
2009 (belum ada blog)

After a five days working trip to Bangkok, I came back and had to leave again to Kota Kinabalu for the 2012 Allianz Annual Convention, an event that I simply could not say no to. Allianz No 1, Chief Executive Officer, some Head of Departments to the branch officers were akin of an extended family. Nonetheless, more than half of those delegates were Proton Edar dealers network which of course, I would not want to miss the opportunity to have some engagement with them. Abit exhausted from the lack of sleep and rest, I rushed to KL Sentral at 7:00am having browsed through the itinerary that read: Team E departure at KLIA, to gather at 8am.
At KL Sentral, I tried to check-in my luggage without avail when the ground crew at the Malaysia Airline counter said, my name was not registered?!  It turned out, Allianz gave me an outdated intenary with the wrong information but I managed to reach LCCT on time after paying RM50 for budget taxi from KLIA to LCCT which I felt was exorbitant. Our flight was delayed for almost an hour which was a blessing in disguised. What was even better, Allianz did not just provided us an with an all expenses paid trip with a budget of almost RM1million for a 3 days gatherings but Allianz also gave us the aircraft with dad's iconic frame.... ok that was a make-belief but we have no complain. With many friends around, for the first time, I manage to pose with the aircraft.

(There are almost 1000 pictures in this write-up alone. So it may take awhile to open the blog)

(Click on picture to enlarged)

TAXI AT KOTA KINABALU

I was in Kota Kinabalu twice to climbed up the highest peak in South East Asia Mount Kinabalu, once to run the Borneo International Full Marathon 42.2km and twice with Allianz. The first, we stayed at the Sutera Harbour and this second trip, we stayed and gathered at the Shangri La, Tanjung Rhu. Although Kota Kinabalu is not a stranger to me but the modus Operandi of the taxi there was.

On a 24 random sampling (including my own experience) done on a population of 240 delegates from Allianz that had taken a cab in Kota Kinabalu, I discovered that none of the taxi uses the meter to charge their passenger. Infact, I can safely say that 70% of the taxi in Kota Kinabalu does not even have any meter to use!!

The balance 30% of the taxi in Kota Kinabalu that was actually installed with a meter, the metered taxi starts at a whopping RM10.00!! The taxi driver claimed that it was the Road Transport Department (JPJ)'s directive and did not have any qualm with me taking a picture of it when he saw me in disbelief. However, even those taxi meter never used the taxi and charge on a flat fee basis ala take it or leave it.

WHY DO I LIKE TO FLY AIRASIA? YUP PAK NASSER'S NASI LEMAK!!

Why do I like Airasia?

Oh well..

If I need to confess, then it would be because of Pak Nasser’s Nasi Lemak. So far, even the infamous Nasi Lemak Cikgu at Kelana Jaya and even the legendary Satay Kajang Haji Samuri could not maintain the quality and taste of their food but you can never be disappointed with Airasia Pak Nasser’s Nasi Lemak.

But if there is one thing that can be improve, then it must the size of its Banana Leaves at the bottom. The smell of the Nasi Lemak packed on banana leaves will make it even more irresistible.  At Airasia, size really does matter.. even the Nasi Lemak banana leaves.