Both Canon 1100D and Nikon D3100 will do excellent photography. Recently I saw shops selling RM1599 but normally RM1699 so it shouldn't be a problem for your budget. But if you could slightly top up your budget, Getting a Sony a35 will be the best in entry-level. In fact, if you always do HD movie recording, Canon and Nikon will have their limitations on Video especially AF and liveview. In the price range, only Sony allows you to shoot video in AF.

Olympus E510 and E420 are also good camera for lightweight. They are tough and produce good pictures as well. I especially like the blue colour produced by Olympuc Zuiko Lenses. Pentax k-r is a trendy model which has lots of colour to be chosen. If you used film Pentax lenses, you will know how good their lenses is. If my recall correctly, Pentax's kit lens is even weatherproof.

Anyway just go for any model you are interested in, as you can always later when you feel you need higher performance and are also interested in certain specific lenses in certain brands. Try to google into all models I recommended in above or you can personally pm me for details, I shall answer you if I have the knowledge you want. =)