The Four Heavenly Kings in Malaysia

The four Heavenly Kings are four Buddhist gods, each of whom watches over one cardinal direction of the world.  From left to right: Kuang Mu, To Wen, Ch'i Kuo and Ch'ng Chang.

The statues on the above postcard are found at the Kek Lok Si Temple, or the Temple of Supreme Bliss, in Air Itam, Penang Island, northwest Malaysia.  Opened in 1891, it is the largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia

The stamps illustrate the Spotted Dove or Tekukur (Streptopelia chinensis - 20sen) and the Lotus or Bunga Teratai (Nelumbium nelumbo - 30sen), from the 2005 'Birds' and the 2010 'Garden Flowers' definitive sets respectively.  The 20sen Spotted Dove stamp has been reprinted so many times that I don't think this one is from the original issue... well, I'm pretty sure of it.

Mailing date: 04 Jan 2012

Delivery date: 25 Jan 2012

Orangutan and Tigers from Malaysia

Orangutans are native to Indonesia and Malaysia and are currently found only in rainforests on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra.  The word orangutan means "man of the forest" in Malay.  They are among the most intelligent primates and use a variety of sophisticated tools, also making sleeping nests each night from branches and foliage.  Their hair is typically reddish-brown, instead of the brown or black hair typical of other great apes.  Habitat destruction due to logging, mining, forest fires and oil palm cultivation and illegal pet trade have caused these apes to become endangered.

SL franked his postcard with 2 superb stamps issued jointly by Malaysia and Korea on February 23, 2010.  The Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) is an endangered species of tiger found in the southern and central parts of the Malay Peninsula.  The Korean Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) is also an endangered subspecies and is most commonly known as the Siberian Tiger.  Its population is scattered all over South East Russia, China and South Korea.  Thank you very much SL. 

Nose Flute from Malaysia

Malaysia consists of numerous ethnic groups and minorities, including the Orang Asli (Original People), indigenous groups found in Peninsular Malaysia.  They comprise only 0,5% of Malaysia's total population and their population is about 148,000.  They play a unique musical instrument: the nose flute, shown on this postcard.

Thank you SL for your nice card!  =)

The First Malaysian Submarine

Thanks to Khor for this very nice cover sent from the City of Ipoh on March 7 last.  The envelope features the First Malaysian Submarine stamps released on September 3, 2009.

In 2002, the Royal Malaysian Navy ordered two Scorpène class submarines.  The first of the two submarines, named KD Tunku Abdul Rahman after the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, arrived at a Port Klang naval base on September 3, 2009 after a 54-day voyage from France.  The second submarine has not been delivered yet due to defects and problems.

AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 Champion from Malaysia

Malaysia won the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010, which was held from 1 to 29 December 2010, after defeating Indonesia on goal aggregate.  In the first leg of the final, Malaysia defeated the visitors by 3 goals to 0 and in the second leg lost by 2 goals to 1, but due to the 3 goals advantage in the 1st leg played in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia won the Cup.  It was the first time after 14 years that Malaysia won this Cup.  To celebrate this victory, POS Malaysia released 2 stamps.  The first one features the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 trophy and the second one depicts the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 medal.
 

Khor also affixed Malaysian birds definitive stamps on the back of the envelope:

20sen - Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis)

30sen - Ochraceous Bulbul (Alophoixus ochraceus)

Thank you very much Khor for this nice FDC!  -_-

Cover from Malaysia

I received this colourful cover on November 16th which was sent from Ipoh, Perak on November 1st.  The yellow stamp on the far right depicts the Sultan of Pahang and was issued on 24 October 2010 with 2 other stamps on the same theme 'Royal Heritage'.

The other stamp illustrates soldiers in action and was issued on 31 July 2010 along with 2 other stamps too on the theme 'Grand Knight of Valour'.  Thank you very much Khor!  :)

Malaysian Aerograms

 

Thank you Khor for this aerogram sent from Ipoh on September 22.  The above one is about the numerous types of dances in Malaysia:  Malay dance, Chinese dance, Indian dance, Ngajat dance (Sarawak) and Sumazau dance (Sabah).

The performing arts is a colourful way in which Malaysians of various races and cultures preserve their rich heritage.  The richness and unity prevailing in multi racial Malaysia is portrayed to the world with touches of Malay, Chinese and Indian culture as well as the varied cultures evident among the ethnic groups of Sabah and Sarawak.  Culture is an essential component in fashioning our nation for the future.

Khor also sent me this second aerogram  on the same day.  It portrays students expressing their patriotism to Malaysia, with one of them cheerfully holding the Malaysian flag.  Thank you again Khor!