Times they are a changing

I recently had a conversation with my friend at a hostel in KL.
Whilst supposedly promoting my pet project in Malaysia, I
stayed at RED PALM a lovely hostel in downtown Kuala Lumpur.
I became more than a guest during this time, and mucked in as and when required!

Here I am painting the toilet/shower room

Tilo, a partner in the hostel being highly artistic

The painting team: Naim, John, Herry, Sofie, Siti, Tilo, Fahan
Life is about the journey. You meet some interesting people along the way. I can honestly say this was the case with my REDPALM experience.
I wish them all the very best.
Talking of KL I read today that Tengku Djan and his Proton R3 team won the Sepang 1000km race today (Sunday).
When I’m not painting hostels, Tengku Djan is one of the people I try to get on board for my MUM proposal.

This Djan driving round Sepang in his R3 Proton earlier this year.
Certainly more glamorous than painting and decorating!

He would definitely be a good ally should he ever decide to support the initiative.

Picture Post. CSR Book and educational project latest.

My project has a CSR charity book.
All royalty payments go directly to ROKPA

The initial draft of the book was written in Red Palm hostel. Sofie (originally from Alor Star) and Tilo (Leipzig) were both associated with Red Palm. Here we are in the Pavillion, KL.

Tilo's dad Claus did the illustrations for the book.
Here we are celebrating Tilos wedding to Curtney (in Leipzig).

 

To read the story behind the story please click Here.

My most recent attempt to get the project off the ground was a letter to the new Chairman of Proton.

Here I am shaking his hand at ASLI Automotive conference in 2010. Tun Mahathir was the Keynote speaker.
I presented my project on stage with his Son, and Tengku Mahaleel.

I am happy to say, I have lost some weight since this photo!

I'm off later, to attend a spin class. My local GYM4ALL gave me a free membership, they were so impressed with my efforts.

I still have the upmost confidence that the MUM project will kick off sooner rather than later.

In addition to Datuk Lukman resigning Lotus are hiring!

A few days ago the deputy CEO of Proton Datuk Lukman resigned. DRB Hicom are I assume looking for a replacement.
Lotus meanwhile are apparently hiring.
Lotus are operating without a CEO. So it would seem two high level positions are to be filled.
Plus Lotus are looking to increase their staff by about 100.
http://paultan.org/2013/08/02/lotus-gets-100-mil-investment-to-create-100-new-jobs/#comments

Obviously, I have been annoying DRB Hicom for a position for some time.

Maybe, the time has come? Time will tell.

Here is a video of a new 'Backpackers' Hotel concept in Kuala Lumpur.
I think the concept of using containers as accommodation interesting.

Incidentally, should you be backpacking through Malaysia, I can personally recommend Red Palm in Bukit Bintang.

Red Palm, my second home in KL

I borrowed this picture from the Red Palm hostel website.
Sofie the manager is in blue, Siti heads the table, she is a lovely girl. Tilo the webpage man is sucking on a coke in the front.
The old grey guy is me!

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Red Palm. It's a great place.

I phoned them this weekend. The hostel is not being filled. The economic downturn is hurting everyone.

Should you be in KL backpacking, or just looking for a good clean cheap place to stay I highly recommend them!

I wrote the original script for Innocence lost in the ice ream forest here. Tilo ended up helping with the graphics along with his dad Claus.

Tilo is soon to set up in Leipzig. Sophie and Siti are still there. I hope to see them soon!

Thanks Tilo. No endorsement for MUM. DRB-Hicom sign technology agreement.

I received a very nice letter from Sir Jackie Stewart.

 

 

Sir Jackie was heavily involved with Cranfield when I first made this proposal to Lotus as part of my 5 year plan for training.
He wished me luck. However, no endorsement was forthcoming.
You may or may not know that Sir Jackie is an Ambassador for the Lotus F1 team.
The Lotus F1 team is owned GENII and is seperate from Group Lotus/Proton/DRB-Hicom.

Many of the Malaysian papers ran stories on the Petronas DRB-Hicom signing ceremony.
DRB-Hicom/Proton bought the engine technology and intellectual rights to all Petronas developed powertrains.
This picture was run by the Malay Mail.

There are 3 people in this picture whom I have contacted about MUM.
The central figure, Dr Mahathir is adviser to both Petronas and Proton. I have met him personally, albeit only for a moment.

I wrote to him 2 days ago asking him to advise both Petronas and DRB-Hicom to support me in making MUM a reality.
Sadly, no reply as yet.

I'm looking forward to having my old Proton friend Jimmy and his wife visit me in the UK over Christmas. Then a quick trip to Leipzig to wish my Friend Tilo and his new Wife Curtney all the best at their Hochzeit.

Curtney and Tilo are on the left. The hostel Red Palm gave them an unofficial Hochzeit shortly after they got wed.
Very nice people.
I get to wear my shiny green turquoise suit. Turquoise, black and white are to be the theme colours.
Tilo, who once played in Leipzigs top punk band 50/50 (thats what his Mum told me...) is working on an acoustic piece for the occasion. I look forward to hearing it!
Currently, 50/50 have a record company. This I assume will be run from the lead singer's (Sash) home.
I'm only in Leipzig for two days. So I'm not sure if I'll get to see it. Good luck in the venture in any event.
I must say Tilo has been very helpful with my webpage, and any IT problems I have had, and continue to have!
Tilo and his Dad did the cover and graphics for my Charity book.

Tilo has a link to the book on his Media webpage SAMASAMA. All royalty payments go directly to charity. Tilo and his father worked totally for free on this project.
Many thanks to Tilo and Claus for all their help.