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Jared Leto was in KL town with manager Jonathan Kalter, having just co-hosted the MTV Asia Awards in Genting Highlands. We (Julia, Rose, my brother Emmanuel & myself) met them at Hilton Sentral at about 3.30pm, Sunday, 3 August 2008. We sat at the lobby, & took some time to explain to them the Malaysian need & what HFH Malaysia desires to do. Then, we brought them to Kampung Padang Balang, Sentul, to visit a potential Habitat build.

The family we visited consists of a single mother, Puan Noridah & her two children. The 50 year old house bears a lot of the traditional Malay house's elements - built with wood, raised on stilts, plenty of windows - something that was refreshing to Jared & Jonathan. Unfortunately, the structure of the house has been badly affected by termites, especially the pillars. & with the years of deterioration, the house wasn't safe anymore. Personally I was worried that the house would not be able to hold the weight of the many people who were visiting the house.

"I can tell that she has a lot of perseverance & tenacity. She has held this house literally by her commitment, " said Jared, after examining the situation of the house, " Certainly something needs to happen. She's in dire need."

He further commented, "There's something very charming about the house. It's small & decaying. but it's really nice.... and it's funny because you'll see other houses that are bigger and nicer, & they don't include any of those elements (that this house has), and they don't have a feeling of warmth."

After the house visit, the villagers treated us with rambutan & mangosteen. They were about to offer durian, but Jared hasn't acquired a taste of that yet. Later, we also were invited to visit a house that has just hosted a kenduri. We missed the ceremony, but overall I think that Jared & Jonathan had quite an experience of the Malay culture. The newly weds & their families were very excited to have a superstar come to the 'after-party' too. As the villagers of Kampung Padang Balang sent Jared Leto away with a bag of fruits & the buah tangan from the wedding, one of them shouted, "Jared, don't forget my kampung. Kampung Padang Balang!!".

Overall I thought it was a great experience for everyone involved. Personally I am so grateful to get to know a famous someone who presented himself with humility & concern for a fellow human being. Hopefully, through Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity, more celebrities will come to Malaysia