The Odyssey journey

Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia, has always been the centre of trade and commerce for Malaysians for as long as I can remember (ofcourse this is not withstanding the days of Malacca in the 1400s and 1500s and the Straits Settlements). It's strategic location being at the mid point of the Malaysian Peninsular, it's proximity to the Straits of Malacca, having Klang as a feeder port, KLIA, the North-South highway, have all helped solidify Kuala Lumpur's status as the nation's key business hub.

The highways and byways that connect KL to cities like Ipoh, George Town, Alor Star and Kangar in the North, Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu and Kota Baharu in the East and Seremban, Malacca, Johor Bahru and even Singapore in the South have all eased and facilitated business transactions between these cities.

It is with this thought in mind that we have embarked on this journey to launch Odyssey, the First Truly Business Class Coach between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

We say that our service is the First Truly Business Class Coach service because we not only provide spacious seating area, we also offer video-on-demand services on each seat. We are the first bus to offer wifi services on board.

Luxury

There's always plenty of room to stretch out and lie back in the tranquillity of an Odyssey coach. Our leather recliner is the perfect place to catch a refreshing power nap or even curl up to watch your favourite movie. In fact the luxury treatment begins even before you step on board, as you get to relax in the plush waiting lounge specially designed for your comfort.

Meals

Enjoy our special gourmet meals that are served by our specially trained attendants who are always at your service to make your journey as pleasant as possible.

Please note that all meals served will be non-vegetarian unless specified otherwise during booking. All meals served are Halal.

Connectivity

All Odyssey coaches are WiFi enabled with speed up to 3.6Mbps so you can carry on your business uninterrupted while on board*. This service is provided free. Moreover, we have sturdy tables that can support your laptop and also power points to recharge them with.

*To use the service you will need a wireless enabled laptop or hand held device and the speed of service is on a best-effort basis.

Entertainment

Spend quality leisure time on the Odyssey while you watch movies of your choice or the news on your personal TV screen. Or even surf the net on the move. And while our trained attendants serve you gourmet meals right as you relax in your leather recliner, there's a good chance you'll feel you have been thoroughly spoilt by the end of the trip.

The Waiting Lounge

The luxury treatment begins even before you step on board. Relax in the plush waiting lounge we have specially designed for your comfort.

KL - Mont Kiara

SINGAPORE

KLCC - avenue K

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Inspections and Servicing

Being a Business Class coach service is not just about the comfort and luxury of leather recliners and gourmet meals. Safety is of prime importance to us. And you can be sure we will take care of your safety while on board any of our coaches.

All our coaches are regularly serviced to ensure the comfort and safety of our passengers, captains and onboard attendants.

Human Factors Integration

Our captains are well trained individuals and have been armed with all the features to aid them in driving safely. All our coaches offer better visibility, improved handling and braking with enhancements like EBS, Scania Retarder and Scania Opticruise.

Our onboard crew is also trained for emergency situations and first-aid. You can be sure you are in very good hands when you are traveling with us.

Mechanical Integrity

Apart from the basic safety measures like seatbelts, safety hammers and fire prevention and protection, all Odyssey coaches are equipped for balance and safety in every way.

Our coaches have a robust chassis that ensures a safe and comfortable passenger car-like feel. The independent front suspension provides safe and predictable handling on the open highway.

Whilst even the driving station is ergonomically designed. It is integrally a safe and steady machine.

Speed Regulation

Our coaches are equipped with an Opticruise function that automates shifting to settings like Drive, Hill and Reverse. While the Retarder controls progress on steep descents handled with fingertip control from the steering wheel. The Clutch Monitoring System, the powerful disc brakes which provide shorter braking distances and the ESP ensure full control over power delivery, particularly in slippery conditions and during manoeuvring - for the safety of the passengers.

Do check us out at www.odysseynow.com.my or www.odysseynow.com.sg

20% toll rebate scheme

The 20% toll rebate scheme is a brilliant scheme implemented by the Ministry of Works. This is especially so, for big cities like Kuala Lumpur whereby there are lots and lots of cars and the traffic conditions can be horrendous at times. Hence, this is a good scheme to encourage road users to use the many toll roads that have been constructed in and around the capital city.
The participating highways are:
1. Jambatan Pulau Pinang
2. Lebuhraya Utara Selatan
3. Lebuhraya Shah Alam
4. Lebuhraya Seremban-Port Dickson
5. Lebuhraya Laluan Kedua Malaysia-Singapura
6. Lebuhraya Kuala Lumpur-Karak
7. Lebuhraya Butterworth-Kulim
8. Lebuhraya Cheras-Kajang
9. Lebuhraya Kajang SILK
10. Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong
11. Lebuhraya Pintas Selat Kelang Utara Baru
12. Lebuhraya Bertingkat Ampang
13. Lebuhraya Sungai Besi
14. Lebuhraya Lingkaran Luar Butterworth
15. Lebuhraya Skim Penyuraian Trafik KL-Barat
16. Lebuhraya Baru Pantai
17. Lebuhraya Koridor Guthrie
18. Lebuhraya Pantai Timur
19. Lebuhraya Hubungan Timur Barat
20. Terowong SMART
21. Lebuhraya KL-Putrajaya
22. Lebuhraya Duta Ulu Kelang
23. Lebuhraya Kajang – Seremban

Ten of the 23 participating highways relate to Kuala Lumpur. Numerous efforts and amount of investments have been put in to ensure that the traffic conditions in the capital city improve. This latest incentive scheme has been the best of all, enabling the road users not only to save money on toll payments but to also save time by taking faster routes which can also help to reduce maintenance costs of their vehicles.

Jahil Hukum

Seorang jejaka dari pekan Parit, Perak sedang bergegas hendak ke Johor Bahru. Lalu singgah di Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan yang tersergam indah untuk menunaikan solat Maghrib. Masjidnya yang begitu besar telah menyebabkannya menagmbil sedikit masa untuk mengambil wudhu lalu beransur ke ruang solat. Setibanya di ruang solat, sidang jemaah sudah masuk ke rakaat kedua. Beliau pun menyertai jemaah dan turut serta bersolat. Sesudah Pak Imam memberi salam, beliau pun turut memberi salam di hujung solat. Sesudah selesai berdoa, ahli jemaah yang bersolat di sebelahnya bertanya, “Encik tadi masuk bersolat di rakaat kedua, tapi turut sama memberi salam apabila Pak Imam memberi salam. Kenapa tidak ditambah satu lagi rakaat yang kekurangan itu?” Jejaka dari Utara itu pun menjawab, “satu rakaat pun nak berkira, ke?”

Valuing Independence...

MERDEKA! MERDEKA! MERDEKA!

What runs through your mind when these words are uttered? Freedom? Independance?

What is the meaning of independence? What is the value of independence? What does fulfilling independence mean? Is it just physical? No more wars, we live in peace and harmony? Is it a state of mind? Are our minds truly independent? Or are we still colonialised?

There are many facets to this topic, be it social, economics or politics. We live in a multi racial country (Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban, Kadazan, Murut, Melanau, Bajau, to name a few), with multiple religions and multiple traditions and celebrations.

Just over 52 years ago, our fore fathers Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, Tun Tan Cheng Lock, Tun Sambanthan, came together and negotiated our independence with the British. What does that tell us? We used our common senses and intelligence to obtain independence. We never had to spill a drop of blood in 1957 like the Indonesians and some other nations did, though way before that, there were clashes with the Portuguese, the Dutch, the Japanese, the Communist and to a certain extent, the British. Till this day, even countries like Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not independent of ‘mother’ England. These respective nations are still governed by the Westminster.



Without independence, we would not be so fortunate to be here, in this once tallest building in the world, now the tallest twin buildings in the world and enjoy this nice view of developed Kuala Lumpur.



Without independence, don’t even dream to host the F1 races on our shores! Without independence, we would not have Putrajaya, our own stock market, our trade volumes surpassing the RM1 Trillion mark, these luxuries that we are enjoying now, these comfortable, luxury leather seats, ahhhhh...


Who would have thought, that a nation in the east, a nation other than America would ever the guts, courage and ability to build the tallest buildings in the world? Who would have thought, that this tiny nation in Asia, this tiny nation that is not Japan, will host the F1 races? Who would have thought that this tiny nation, called Malaysia would be free from Britain without shedding a single drop of blood?

How do we value these benefits? How do we value these luxuries? Should we go on harping on our differences or should we learn to appreciate, understand and accommodate our differences? Learn to understand each other better. Learn to work with and help one another to continue to develop this nation, to develop this land that we love, this land that we call Malaysia.

Are we going to use our common senses and intelligence like our fore fathers did, or are we going to follow our heart and thoughtless minds?

We have come a long way. 52 years is not a short period of time. Are we ready to sacrifice these luxuries that we have just to fulfil our greed?
United we stand, divided we fall. MERDEKA!

Hari Raya Open House

Hari Raya and open houses often go hand in hand. Especially in this day and age, businesses also take the opportunity that comes with the festivities to celebrate with and entertain their business partners and clients.





Recently, we were invited to attend the Hari Raya open house of 3F Resources Sdn Bhd at Restoran Bijan, Jalan Ceylon in Bukit Ceylon. The food was marvellous as was the company and the ambience.



As I arrived at the venue a bit earlier than the rest, I took the liberty to take a few snap shots of the colourful variety of food on offer and the Balinese theme decor at the restaurant.

Jalan-jalan di Stesen Keretapi

Pada pagi yang hening, kira-kira jam 10.30 pagi, seorang jejaka dari Kampung Segambut Dalam telah tiba di Stesen Keretapi Kuala Lumpur. Dia membeli tiket platform lalu mundar-mandir ke hulu dan ke hilir. Kemudian kelihatan station master maju ke arahnya, lalu beliau bertanya, “Tuan Station Master, keretapi ke Pulau Pinang akan berlepas pada jam berapa?” Station Master pun menjawab, “jam 11.30 pagi”, jawabnya. Si jejaka mundar-mandir lagi di platform berkenaan, dan bertanya lagi kepada Station Master, “keretapi ke Johor Bahru berlepas pada jam berapa?” “Jam 2.30 petang,” jawab Station Master. “Awak ni sebenarnya hendak ke mana?” tambahnya lagi. “Saya bukan hendak ke mana, Cuma hendak melintas trek keretapi ini sahaja,” jawabnya dengan selamba.