I have been in JB for 2 days already - attending Industrial Court's hearing (as the Company's witness) in a retrenchment case which I handled way back in 2004. Tomorrow another session of discussion with 2 Company's witnesses in a dismissal case which I also handled way back in 2006.
Come to think of it after years - more than 15 years - in this job, I believe many an ex employees had been dismissed due to various misconduct where I had a hand in them. It's a difficult job but I always ensure that I would be impartial & fair in my recommendation to the management in dismissing them ... However, as a mortal I have to accept the fact that being "fair" is very subjective and the ultimate fairness & impartiality are only for ALLAH the almighty... I could only pray that I have discharged my duty well & could go back home & sleep well ...
Nothing eventful happened during the trial yesterday except being "grilled" in the cross examination by the ex workers' concerned for half a day... Alhamdulillah, I managed to fend off the "attack" by the opponent's lawyer - firmly & not easily rattled even though with "perut kosong" during Ramadhan ... Well, Ramadhan should not be an excuse for not giving your best in everything you do!!!!
If during Ramadhan, the army of 313 Muslims led by Prophet Muhammad SAW could defeated 1000 Mushrikeen army in the 1st war in the Islamic history @ Badar War, what is there if compared to being "grilled" in a trial ....
I was however a bit "shaken" before the trial as I was saddened by the fact that the other Company's witness could not make it to the trial as he is being taken ill - heart failure ... Sad because I have known him quite close. I have known him as a person who is very committed to the Company & always doing it above all else - even his own health!!!!
There were a number of occasions where he was being admitted to SJMC but he still giving "commands"/instructions to his subordinates in the estates under his charge. There was 1 occasion where I called him about employment issues at a particular estate - not knowing that he was in hospital - but still he attempted to brief me... Upon realising that he's not well & his own admission that he was admitted, I just stopped the conversation. He might be mad at me but to me he needed rest not an added burden at that material time ....
The last time I saw him was a day before I travelled to JB - to collect his MC for the Court - he was wheelchair bound ... That made me so sad ...
I just could not understand why I was so "melancholic" before the trial as my mind "travelled" further to another close friend of mine who passed away 2 years ago. Allahyarham Michael Chai - he converted to Islam in 2002 - was another committed Company man ... a person who always put more than 100% in his works above all else ....
To Allahyarham Michael, al Fatihah & to the other friend [I take the liberty here of not mentioning his name] hope you would be back in good health soonest possible, insyaALLAH ....
At the same time, I pray for good health to my wife Aishah, my 3 kids & myself and to all my friends out there!!! May ALLAH bless us all.
Till we meet again ....
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
For A Better Malaysia
I could only say Alhamdulillah as for 2 consecutive weeks, we had a full quorum as the whole family members were able to break fast together - Aishah, Adil, Nadia, Afiq & myself...
And for these 2 consecutive weeks, at the request of the kids I "masak nasi goreng"!!! Well, it may not be as delicious as what you may have had at the restaurants but for my kids - it's "heaven"!!!
Reading the New Sunday Times (22 August 2010) made me feeling so sad. The front page shown a picture of 7 kids from Kuala Krai, Kelantan holding up a self made "Hari Raya" Card with a caption ' Selamat Hari Raya Mama & Papa". Apparently, these siblings of 7 had been left by their parents several years back.
I was even more sad & felt as if my throat was choked when I turned to page 13. There they were the 7 kids were in the midst of writing & decorating their self made giant "Hari Raya" Card. What struck me most was the picture of the kid at the fore front looking attentively at his brothers & sisters writing & drawing the card while holding a "Magic Colour".
By reading the news beside the picture, I assumed the kid must be the youngest of the lot - 3 years old. 3 years old!!! And I was just wondering what did he know about life? What wrong had he done for him to be faced with this sad facts of life?
However all is not lost when at page 37 @ Ramadhan Snapshots, there was a picture of 5 young Malaysian multi racial teenagers ( 2 Malays, 2 Chinese & 1 Indian) had their break fast at the Municipal "Padang" right in front of the Sultan Ahmad Shah Mosque, Kuantan, Pahang. It was so genuine & inspiring at the same time!!!
It's an interesting picture which tells a thousand stories with a thousand hopes for a better Malaysia... Let's hope our younger generations are not being "corrupted" or "being swayed" by those parochial/communal politicians in this beloved country of ours!!!
Till we meet again ....
And for these 2 consecutive weeks, at the request of the kids I "masak nasi goreng"!!! Well, it may not be as delicious as what you may have had at the restaurants but for my kids - it's "heaven"!!!
Reading the New Sunday Times (22 August 2010) made me feeling so sad. The front page shown a picture of 7 kids from Kuala Krai, Kelantan holding up a self made "Hari Raya" Card with a caption ' Selamat Hari Raya Mama & Papa". Apparently, these siblings of 7 had been left by their parents several years back.
I was even more sad & felt as if my throat was choked when I turned to page 13. There they were the 7 kids were in the midst of writing & decorating their self made giant "Hari Raya" Card. What struck me most was the picture of the kid at the fore front looking attentively at his brothers & sisters writing & drawing the card while holding a "Magic Colour".
By reading the news beside the picture, I assumed the kid must be the youngest of the lot - 3 years old. 3 years old!!! And I was just wondering what did he know about life? What wrong had he done for him to be faced with this sad facts of life?
However all is not lost when at page 37 @ Ramadhan Snapshots, there was a picture of 5 young Malaysian multi racial teenagers ( 2 Malays, 2 Chinese & 1 Indian) had their break fast at the Municipal "Padang" right in front of the Sultan Ahmad Shah Mosque, Kuantan, Pahang. It was so genuine & inspiring at the same time!!!
It's an interesting picture which tells a thousand stories with a thousand hopes for a better Malaysia... Let's hope our younger generations are not being "corrupted" or "being swayed" by those parochial/communal politicians in this beloved country of ours!!!
Till we meet again ....
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Merdeka Celebration @ Kota Bahru, Gopeng
The month of August was a month of full of activities in my 'kampung' Kota Bharu, Gopeng, Perak in those days - in the 70s. I wonder whether it's still being celebrated like those old days ....
There would be an inter-football games among the "hastily formed" football clubs coming August such as Kg Teja FC, Sanglop Estate FC, Kg Changkat Lenggong FC and so on. It's multi racial indeed & normally it's a 1 day affair. The dominant teams were Sanglop Estate FC, Kg Teja FG & Kota Bahru FC with Sanglop Estate usually emerged as the champion most of the times.
My elder brother - I called him "Abang" (Bakhtiar) played as a striker in Kg Bahru FC and ended up being tackled time & again to the dismay of the supporters including myself. I was in my lower primary then ... I could still remember the goal keeper of Kg Bahru FC, Dollah Sham. He's a good keeper actually but his antics at the goal post always amused the supporters.
The thing about him is this. He's a good keeper with good agility & reflexes but most of the time over acting especially in saving any strike from the opponents. Though he had safely caught the ball, he would somehow or rather did his "over acrobatic" dive - but luckily still within the penalty box as he rolled over & over with the ball safely tuck close to his chest!!! These acrobatic antics of him would normally occurred especially when there were female supporters - "anak-anak dara Kg Kota Bahru" cheering him at the edge of the goal post area.... He's no longer active the last I heard as he is now the Penghulu of KG Kota Bahru.
The most eagerly waited event of the Merdeka month in Kota Bharu was at the end of the month of August - it's carnival time with the "Malam Kugiran"... There would be a stage built at the "kawasan lapang" in front of the "Dewan Orang Ramai" near the school ....
It's really was a carnival atmosphere with the whole population of Kg Bahru & nearby "kampungs" - Kg Changkat Lenggong, Kg Lalang, Kg Sg Batu & of course the champ - Sanglop Estate would be there...
I could not remember whether it was a "kugiran" from one of the "kampungs" but definitely it was not from Kg Kota Bahru. The event of the night was normally broke up into several segments with the first being a segment by the students of Kg Bahru Primary School. I remember my other elder brother - Asri & gang performed a short drama on stage...
Then, it was time for the "local talents" to perform & there he was - my "Abang" sang a Bee Gees songs - I think it was " Words" & "1st of May"...
Every year in this 'Merdeka Month" during this night, everybody would be waiting for a particular persona. He called himself on stage as " Uda Dara Manja" & hailed from Kg Changkat Lenggong.
So you might be asking what so special about this guy eh? Well the way he dressed - it's awesome in that era of time. Tight pants & three piece jackets - green & with black shirt & red muffler around his his neck - of course "bling - bling"!!!
If you are still not convince on why "Uda Dara Manja" was the "star" of the night, read this ... The way he dressed, his hair style and even his voice were a mirror image of the 60s singer A Ramli. Of course he would only sing A ramli's songs!!!! It was said that he did performed together with A Ramli in a fun fare held in Gopeng in the 70s. It was said that even A Ramli was impressed with his vocal prowess & I think A Ramli might even be confused for a while seeing "himself" that night in Gopeng!!!!
The event would ended at the stroke of midnight with the cry of "Merdeka" by those present .....
I really missed those days of Merdeka celebration in my "kampung" as I feel it was very genuine & multi racial - the "kampung" folks were simple people but with a big heart & full of "Merdeka" spirit!!!
Till the next post ....
There would be an inter-football games among the "hastily formed" football clubs coming August such as Kg Teja FC, Sanglop Estate FC, Kg Changkat Lenggong FC and so on. It's multi racial indeed & normally it's a 1 day affair. The dominant teams were Sanglop Estate FC, Kg Teja FG & Kota Bahru FC with Sanglop Estate usually emerged as the champion most of the times.
My elder brother - I called him "Abang" (Bakhtiar) played as a striker in Kg Bahru FC and ended up being tackled time & again to the dismay of the supporters including myself. I was in my lower primary then ... I could still remember the goal keeper of Kg Bahru FC, Dollah Sham. He's a good keeper actually but his antics at the goal post always amused the supporters.
The thing about him is this. He's a good keeper with good agility & reflexes but most of the time over acting especially in saving any strike from the opponents. Though he had safely caught the ball, he would somehow or rather did his "over acrobatic" dive - but luckily still within the penalty box as he rolled over & over with the ball safely tuck close to his chest!!! These acrobatic antics of him would normally occurred especially when there were female supporters - "anak-anak dara Kg Kota Bahru" cheering him at the edge of the goal post area.... He's no longer active the last I heard as he is now the Penghulu of KG Kota Bahru.
The most eagerly waited event of the Merdeka month in Kota Bharu was at the end of the month of August - it's carnival time with the "Malam Kugiran"... There would be a stage built at the "kawasan lapang" in front of the "Dewan Orang Ramai" near the school ....
It's really was a carnival atmosphere with the whole population of Kg Bahru & nearby "kampungs" - Kg Changkat Lenggong, Kg Lalang, Kg Sg Batu & of course the champ - Sanglop Estate would be there...
I could not remember whether it was a "kugiran" from one of the "kampungs" but definitely it was not from Kg Kota Bahru. The event of the night was normally broke up into several segments with the first being a segment by the students of Kg Bahru Primary School. I remember my other elder brother - Asri & gang performed a short drama on stage...
Then, it was time for the "local talents" to perform & there he was - my "Abang" sang a Bee Gees songs - I think it was " Words" & "1st of May"...
Every year in this 'Merdeka Month" during this night, everybody would be waiting for a particular persona. He called himself on stage as " Uda Dara Manja" & hailed from Kg Changkat Lenggong.
So you might be asking what so special about this guy eh? Well the way he dressed - it's awesome in that era of time. Tight pants & three piece jackets - green & with black shirt & red muffler around his his neck - of course "bling - bling"!!!
If you are still not convince on why "Uda Dara Manja" was the "star" of the night, read this ... The way he dressed, his hair style and even his voice were a mirror image of the 60s singer A Ramli. Of course he would only sing A ramli's songs!!!! It was said that he did performed together with A Ramli in a fun fare held in Gopeng in the 70s. It was said that even A Ramli was impressed with his vocal prowess & I think A Ramli might even be confused for a while seeing "himself" that night in Gopeng!!!!
The event would ended at the stroke of midnight with the cry of "Merdeka" by those present .....
I really missed those days of Merdeka celebration in my "kampung" as I feel it was very genuine & multi racial - the "kampung" folks were simple people but with a big heart & full of "Merdeka" spirit!!!
Till the next post ....
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Heroes of "Merdeka"
Coming 31 August, we will be celebrating our 53 years of independence ...
Independence/Merdeka would not be achieved without the blood & sweat of the yesteryear heroes of the then Malaya - as Malaysia was once known...
The magnificent figures posted in this entry had a hand in the fighting for independence in one way or the other and they were - I would say - the "forgotten" heroes - to most of us ....
I am proud to note here that Allahyarham Burhanuddin Al Helmy was actually hailed from the Mukim of Kota Bharu - my "kampung" where I was raised, same as Lat.. He was born in 1911 at Kg Changkat Tualang, Kota Bharu, Gopeng, Perak. Had an early education at Madrasah Al Mahsyur before pursuing his study in Homeopathy in India.
In 1950, he was arrested by the British for his alleged role in the Natrah demo in Singapore and was the YD Pertua PAS in 1956. In 1959, he won the general election for the Besut Parliament. Again arrested under the ISA from 1964 - 1966 and passed away on 10 October 1969.
In Tanjung Malim, way back in 1922 Sir R O Winstedt the then Deputy of Malay Schools mooted the setting up of a Teachers' Training College known as the Sultan Idris Training College (SITC). It was named after the 28th Sultan of Perak.
SITC was the "factory" of Malay Nationalists such as Hassan Manan (Kesatuan Rakyat Indonesia Semenanjung) and of course the illustrious and charismatic Ibrahim Yaacob (Kesatuan Melayu Muda). Though Ibrahim Yaacob left SITC midway of his study, it was there he had the first hand experience mingling with the other Malay Nationalists.
Another nationalist was educated at Anderson School, Ipoh (my Alma Matter - 6th Form)i.e. Abdullah Thani Bin Rja Kecil a.k.a. Ahmad Boestamam. Born in Behrang, Tanjung Malim, Perak on 30 November 1920 and passed away on 19 January 1983. He was active in the Socialist Front/Parti Buruh amongst others and was a Member of Parliament of Setapak in 1959. He was also had been detained under the ISA.
As a note of record, Anderson School was established on 6 February 1909 to cater for the Malay students then who had no opportunity to further their studies at MCKK, Kuala Kangsar.
Pak Sako was a product of MCKK which was established in 1905. He was born in Temerloh, Pahang in 1931. A "true blue" Nationalist till his passing on 7 November 1991. It would be complete if the name of A Samad Ismail (18 April 1924 - 4 September 2008) is not mentioned in this post as somehow or rather Pak Samad was an influential figure in the 1950s amongst the independence fighters in Malaya, Singapore & Indonesia - through Utusan Melayu where he was the journalist there at the barely age of 16!!!
Reading these heroes of independence biographies would pointing to several common features/characteristics among them ....
Most of them - if not all - were products from the institutions set up by the Colonial power then. They were bonded by the common goal of getting rid of the colonial power - mostly through journalism/literature. They were also inclined to the then Leftist/Islamic movement then in Malaya ......
Pak Sako had written the satirical novels entitled "Anak Mat Lela Gila" & "Putera Gunung Tahan" so as Ahmad Boestamam - a journalist. Burhanuddin Al Helmy wrote "Melihat Tanah Air" where he recorded his observation on the then Malay/Muslim society in the 1940s.
It was also "rumoured" that during the 1940s - 1950s era especially during the Japanese Occupation that the Nationalists networking were so wide and comprehensive in the Nusantara - Malaya, Singapore & Indonesia to the extent of the engaging of the cabaret dancers as their informants!!!!
As fated had it, the independence movement by these heroes - there were others which I did not mention here such as Lim Chee Siong @ Singapore - were "disrupted" & faded away by the crushing of the Leftist movement especially during the Emergency Period
(1946 - 1960) ... Ibrahim Yaacob somehow or rather just "faded away" in exile in Indonesia.
Their contributions in the independence movement were great & could not be disregarded by generations to come ....
To them Al Fatihah & may their contributions remain in the Malaysia independence Annals .....
Independence/Merdeka would not be achieved without the blood & sweat of the yesteryear heroes of the then Malaya - as Malaysia was once known...
The magnificent figures posted in this entry had a hand in the fighting for independence in one way or the other and they were - I would say - the "forgotten" heroes - to most of us ....
I am proud to note here that Allahyarham Burhanuddin Al Helmy was actually hailed from the Mukim of Kota Bharu - my "kampung" where I was raised, same as Lat.. He was born in 1911 at Kg Changkat Tualang, Kota Bharu, Gopeng, Perak. Had an early education at Madrasah Al Mahsyur before pursuing his study in Homeopathy in India.
In 1950, he was arrested by the British for his alleged role in the Natrah demo in Singapore and was the YD Pertua PAS in 1956. In 1959, he won the general election for the Besut Parliament. Again arrested under the ISA from 1964 - 1966 and passed away on 10 October 1969.
In Tanjung Malim, way back in 1922 Sir R O Winstedt the then Deputy of Malay Schools mooted the setting up of a Teachers' Training College known as the Sultan Idris Training College (SITC). It was named after the 28th Sultan of Perak.
SITC was the "factory" of Malay Nationalists such as Hassan Manan (Kesatuan Rakyat Indonesia Semenanjung) and of course the illustrious and charismatic Ibrahim Yaacob (Kesatuan Melayu Muda). Though Ibrahim Yaacob left SITC midway of his study, it was there he had the first hand experience mingling with the other Malay Nationalists.
Another nationalist was educated at Anderson School, Ipoh (my Alma Matter - 6th Form)i.e. Abdullah Thani Bin Rja Kecil a.k.a. Ahmad Boestamam. Born in Behrang, Tanjung Malim, Perak on 30 November 1920 and passed away on 19 January 1983. He was active in the Socialist Front/Parti Buruh amongst others and was a Member of Parliament of Setapak in 1959. He was also had been detained under the ISA.
As a note of record, Anderson School was established on 6 February 1909 to cater for the Malay students then who had no opportunity to further their studies at MCKK, Kuala Kangsar.
Pak Sako was a product of MCKK which was established in 1905. He was born in Temerloh, Pahang in 1931. A "true blue" Nationalist till his passing on 7 November 1991. It would be complete if the name of A Samad Ismail (18 April 1924 - 4 September 2008) is not mentioned in this post as somehow or rather Pak Samad was an influential figure in the 1950s amongst the independence fighters in Malaya, Singapore & Indonesia - through Utusan Melayu where he was the journalist there at the barely age of 16!!!
Reading these heroes of independence biographies would pointing to several common features/characteristics among them ....
Most of them - if not all - were products from the institutions set up by the Colonial power then. They were bonded by the common goal of getting rid of the colonial power - mostly through journalism/literature. They were also inclined to the then Leftist/Islamic movement then in Malaya ......
Pak Sako had written the satirical novels entitled "Anak Mat Lela Gila" & "Putera Gunung Tahan" so as Ahmad Boestamam - a journalist. Burhanuddin Al Helmy wrote "Melihat Tanah Air" where he recorded his observation on the then Malay/Muslim society in the 1940s.
It was also "rumoured" that during the 1940s - 1950s era especially during the Japanese Occupation that the Nationalists networking were so wide and comprehensive in the Nusantara - Malaya, Singapore & Indonesia to the extent of the engaging of the cabaret dancers as their informants!!!!
As fated had it, the independence movement by these heroes - there were others which I did not mention here such as Lim Chee Siong @ Singapore - were "disrupted" & faded away by the crushing of the Leftist movement especially during the Emergency Period
(1946 - 1960) ... Ibrahim Yaacob somehow or rather just "faded away" in exile in Indonesia.
Their contributions in the independence movement were great & could not be disregarded by generations to come ....
To them Al Fatihah & may their contributions remain in the Malaysia independence Annals .....
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
August @ "Merdeka Month"
Fasting month it is but I wish to post this entry though ... The month of August signifies the "merdeka" month for several Asia countries - thanks to the Imperial Japan's invasion of Asia & later the A-Bombs of Hiroshima & Nagasaki which hastened the surrender of Japan.
Indonesia took a brave & early front by unilaterally declaring her independence this August @ 17 August 1945 almost immediately after Japan surrendered. Fighting with blood & sweat against the incoming Allied Forces who came after years before being shamed & humbled by an Asian Japan.
While Malaysia somehow or rather missed the boat/"Bahtera Merdeka" for certain reasons - perhaps the "Bahtera Merdeka" sailed to the "right" rather then to the "left" instead"!!! Be that as it may, Malaysia finally gained her independence on 31 August 1957 - also in the month of August. So as India on 15 August 1947 & Pakistan - all in August ...
The Indonesian poet, Chairil Anwar wrote these "independence theme" poems:
PERSETUJUAN DENGAN BUNG KARNO
" Ayo! Bung Karno kasi tangan mari kita bikin janji
Aku sudah cukup lama dengar bicaramu
dipanggang atas apimu, digarami oleh lautmu
Dari mulai tanggal 17 Agustus 1945
Aku melangkah ke depan berada rapat di sisimu
Aku sekarang api aku sekarang laut
Bung Karno! Kau dan aku satu zat satu urat
Di zatmu di zatku kapal-kapal kita belayar
Di uratmu di uratku kapal-kapal kita bertolak & berlabuh."
[1948]
DIPONEGORO
" Di masa pembangunan ini
tuan hidup kembali
Dan bara kagum menjadi api
Di depan sekali tuan menanti
Tak gentar. Lawan banyaknya seratus kali.
Pedang di kanan, keris di kiri
Berselempang semangat yang tak bisa mati.
MAJU.
Ini barisan tak bergenderang-berpalu
Kepercayaan tanda menyerbu.
Sekali berarti
Sudah itu mati.
MAJU.
Bagimu Negeri
Menyediakan api.
Punah di atas menghamba
Binasa di atas ditinda
Sungguhpun dalam ajal baru tercapai
Jika hidup harus merasai.
Maju.
Serbu.
Serang.
Terjang."
[1943]
This year's independence month coincides with the fasting month ... so the cry of "Merdeka" should be more meaningful - spiritually apart from the yearly routine of "kibarkan jalur gemilang"!!!!
Till the next posting ......
Indonesia took a brave & early front by unilaterally declaring her independence this August @ 17 August 1945 almost immediately after Japan surrendered. Fighting with blood & sweat against the incoming Allied Forces who came after years before being shamed & humbled by an Asian Japan.
While Malaysia somehow or rather missed the boat/"Bahtera Merdeka" for certain reasons - perhaps the "Bahtera Merdeka" sailed to the "right" rather then to the "left" instead"!!! Be that as it may, Malaysia finally gained her independence on 31 August 1957 - also in the month of August. So as India on 15 August 1947 & Pakistan - all in August ...
The Indonesian poet, Chairil Anwar wrote these "independence theme" poems:
PERSETUJUAN DENGAN BUNG KARNO
" Ayo! Bung Karno kasi tangan mari kita bikin janji
Aku sudah cukup lama dengar bicaramu
dipanggang atas apimu, digarami oleh lautmu
Dari mulai tanggal 17 Agustus 1945
Aku melangkah ke depan berada rapat di sisimu
Aku sekarang api aku sekarang laut
Bung Karno! Kau dan aku satu zat satu urat
Di zatmu di zatku kapal-kapal kita belayar
Di uratmu di uratku kapal-kapal kita bertolak & berlabuh."
[1948]
DIPONEGORO
" Di masa pembangunan ini
tuan hidup kembali
Dan bara kagum menjadi api
Di depan sekali tuan menanti
Tak gentar. Lawan banyaknya seratus kali.
Pedang di kanan, keris di kiri
Berselempang semangat yang tak bisa mati.
MAJU.
Ini barisan tak bergenderang-berpalu
Kepercayaan tanda menyerbu.
Sekali berarti
Sudah itu mati.
MAJU.
Bagimu Negeri
Menyediakan api.
Punah di atas menghamba
Binasa di atas ditinda
Sungguhpun dalam ajal baru tercapai
Jika hidup harus merasai.
Maju.
Serbu.
Serang.
Terjang."
[1943]
This year's independence month coincides with the fasting month ... so the cry of "Merdeka" should be more meaningful - spiritually apart from the yearly routine of "kibarkan jalur gemilang"!!!!
Till the next posting ......
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
6th Day of Ramadhan @ Free Flow Posting
A personal note - this posting is a free flow entry with no specific topic.
The 6th day of Ramadhan had been "served" & insyaALLAH another 24 days to go ... Last weekend, I had a full quorum of my family breaking fast together - Aishah, myself, Adil, Nadia & Afiq.
It's a splendid Saturday though I could not fulfilled my promise to break fast together on that Friday - due to certain official work that I had to attend to at the office... But I made it up on that Saturday & we had a good feast together... That Saturday night, we had our "sahur" together at Kg Baru - the "Nasi Lemak" outlet @ Kelab Sultan Sulaiman....
Apart from that, nationwide - we are still being fed with news of babies being abandoned, the tragic incident @ Langkap, Teluk Intan & the two "twisters" incidents @ Jasin & Kg Medan... Not to mention the mud flood @ Sik ...
On the political/"social" aspect, HRH the Sultan of Perak reminded the young generation to always be mindful of the history of this nation .... Way back in 1988, HRH did touched on somewhat similar topic i.e. on "Social Contract" of this nation of us ....
When I browsed through the Internet on the topic, it's too heavy a topic for me to touched on - might as well I keep on listening to the Heavy Rock!!!! I will leave it to the politicians/political commentators & those who are "expert" on this ...
I just wish to note that looking at history is like looking at 2 sides of a coin - it depends on which side you want to look at - you know what I meant, I believe .... No wonder "Two Faces" in those Batman series could not make up his mind most of the time even when he tossed his coin up in the air!!!!
On the world front, it is reported that the Muslim League of America cautioned the Muslim community there to be on guard & exercise restraint as this Eidl Fitri would be coincide with 9/11 ... At least, a certain California Church had intimated that they would burn the Holy Quran on that day ...
It's really is a chaotic world outside there ... It's a never ending story!!! However, I still believe there are still rationale people out there - no matter what race or religion they might be ....
At the end of the day, the following Surah Al Kafirun:109 would be our main thrust:
" Say: O unbelievers! I worship not that whom you worship, nor
will you worship that whom I worship. I shall never worship
those deities whom you worship, nor will you ever worship Allah,
whom I worship, to you be your religion, and to me mine."
[109:(1-6)]
The 6th day of Ramadhan had been "served" & insyaALLAH another 24 days to go ... Last weekend, I had a full quorum of my family breaking fast together - Aishah, myself, Adil, Nadia & Afiq.
It's a splendid Saturday though I could not fulfilled my promise to break fast together on that Friday - due to certain official work that I had to attend to at the office... But I made it up on that Saturday & we had a good feast together... That Saturday night, we had our "sahur" together at Kg Baru - the "Nasi Lemak" outlet @ Kelab Sultan Sulaiman....
Apart from that, nationwide - we are still being fed with news of babies being abandoned, the tragic incident @ Langkap, Teluk Intan & the two "twisters" incidents @ Jasin & Kg Medan... Not to mention the mud flood @ Sik ...
On the political/"social" aspect, HRH the Sultan of Perak reminded the young generation to always be mindful of the history of this nation .... Way back in 1988, HRH did touched on somewhat similar topic i.e. on "Social Contract" of this nation of us ....
When I browsed through the Internet on the topic, it's too heavy a topic for me to touched on - might as well I keep on listening to the Heavy Rock!!!! I will leave it to the politicians/political commentators & those who are "expert" on this ...
I just wish to note that looking at history is like looking at 2 sides of a coin - it depends on which side you want to look at - you know what I meant, I believe .... No wonder "Two Faces" in those Batman series could not make up his mind most of the time even when he tossed his coin up in the air!!!!
On the world front, it is reported that the Muslim League of America cautioned the Muslim community there to be on guard & exercise restraint as this Eidl Fitri would be coincide with 9/11 ... At least, a certain California Church had intimated that they would burn the Holy Quran on that day ...
It's really is a chaotic world outside there ... It's a never ending story!!! However, I still believe there are still rationale people out there - no matter what race or religion they might be ....
At the end of the day, the following Surah Al Kafirun:109 would be our main thrust:
" Say: O unbelievers! I worship not that whom you worship, nor
will you worship that whom I worship. I shall never worship
those deities whom you worship, nor will you ever worship Allah,
whom I worship, to you be your religion, and to me mine."
[109:(1-6)]
Friday, August 13, 2010
Ramadhan @ 2nd Day
Alhamdulillah ... Despite the "busy schedule/works" at the office - "masaalah dunia", I managed "berbuka puasa" with Aishah & the kids - Adil & Nadia ... InsyaALLAH, that would be the case for the whole of this holy month of Ramadhan.
One thing that strikes me most was when I received - I bet most of you had also received the same - note that "Somebody is leaving ( for 1 month )... He he... That "guy" might be leaving for 1 month but I bet "he" is strategising his next move!!! Well, he would seek "revenge" sooner than we expected - just to make up for the lost 1 month ... The "guy" had made a promise to ALLAH to let us astray from the right path. It's his KPI anyway.
Despite the 1 month leave during this Holy Month, we do still read in the news -babies being abandoned, people got murdered and so on .... So where do we go from here? "Cuti" or "no cuti", the situation is still the same as if the "guy" were still around .... Is it in us? - with or without that "guy" around?
As a mortal, I pray that I will be led to the right path and ALLAH forgives me for my past sins/mistakes or error in judgement... and for that particular "guy" to be in "absentia" forever .... My pray also for my family - Aishah & the kids and all Muslims worldwide... InsyaALLAH ....
Till we meet again ....
One thing that strikes me most was when I received - I bet most of you had also received the same - note that "Somebody is leaving ( for 1 month )... He he... That "guy" might be leaving for 1 month but I bet "he" is strategising his next move!!! Well, he would seek "revenge" sooner than we expected - just to make up for the lost 1 month ... The "guy" had made a promise to ALLAH to let us astray from the right path. It's his KPI anyway.
Despite the 1 month leave during this Holy Month, we do still read in the news -babies being abandoned, people got murdered and so on .... So where do we go from here? "Cuti" or "no cuti", the situation is still the same as if the "guy" were still around .... Is it in us? - with or without that "guy" around?
As a mortal, I pray that I will be led to the right path and ALLAH forgives me for my past sins/mistakes or error in judgement... and for that particular "guy" to be in "absentia" forever .... My pray also for my family - Aishah & the kids and all Muslims worldwide... InsyaALLAH ....
Till we meet again ....
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
It's Ramadhan @ "Puasa" Again
Now the clock is at 2.44 AM & I just could not sleep. Tomorrow from the sunrise to the sunset we will start our fasting ....
The 1st day is always the tough one as some say. especially for kids. I remember when I was a kid - I started fasting at the age of 4, of course with the regime of " setengah hari puasa" then slowly fasting for the full day - it was as if that 1st day would not ended.
There was one ocassion where I was literally lying down right in front of the "juadah puasa" at 6.00 PM waiting to break fast at about 7.26 PM!!!! Talking about "juadah puasa", it's not like what it is now. There was no "ayam percik", "murtabak", "ikan bakar" etc.
For me & my family during those days, "buka puasa" means a simple dish of "nasi putih" with "telur masin" & "ikan rebus goreng" or " gulai pisang muda" plus of course "kicap" - it's heaven!!!! Not to be missed, Mak would also prepare "pengat pisang"...
Those were the wonderful years and I would post further entries re: fasting month during my kid's days @ my kampung - I believe some of you may have had the same experience especially the RK Boys!!!!!
Selamat Berpuasa .....
The 1st day is always the tough one as some say. especially for kids. I remember when I was a kid - I started fasting at the age of 4, of course with the regime of " setengah hari puasa" then slowly fasting for the full day - it was as if that 1st day would not ended.
There was one ocassion where I was literally lying down right in front of the "juadah puasa" at 6.00 PM waiting to break fast at about 7.26 PM!!!! Talking about "juadah puasa", it's not like what it is now. There was no "ayam percik", "murtabak", "ikan bakar" etc.
For me & my family during those days, "buka puasa" means a simple dish of "nasi putih" with "telur masin" & "ikan rebus goreng" or " gulai pisang muda" plus of course "kicap" - it's heaven!!!! Not to be missed, Mak would also prepare "pengat pisang"...
Those were the wonderful years and I would post further entries re: fasting month during my kid's days @ my kampung - I believe some of you may have had the same experience especially the RK Boys!!!!!
Selamat Berpuasa .....
Monday, August 9, 2010
Ramadhan Is Coming ... InsyaALLAH
In 2 days' time insyaALLAH Ramadhan - the fasting month - would commence. This posting is a short note on fasting month actually, just to serve as a "reminder" to me on the importance & "hikmah" of Ramadhan. I am just a mere mortal anyway ....
Perusing through the translation of the Holy Quran, I found the following verses:
Surah Al Baqarah [2:183-185]:
" O Believers! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may learn self restraint. Fast the prescribed number of days; except if any of you is ill or on a journey, then fast a similar number of days later. For those who cannot endure it for medical reasons, there is a ransom: the feeding of one poor person for each missed day. Whoever does more good than this voluntarily, it is better for him. However, if you truly understand the rationale of fasting, it is better for you to fast." [2:183-184]
" It is the month of Ramadhan in which Quran was revealed, a guidance for mankind with clear teachings showing the Right way and a criterion of truth and falsehood. Therefore, anyone of you who witnesses that month should fast therein, and whoever is ill or on a journey shall fast a similar number of days later on. Allah intends your well being and does not want to put you to hardship. He wants you to complete the prescribed period so that you should glorify His Greatness and render thanks to Him for giving you guidance" [2: 185].
Amongst the "hikmah" of Ramadhan is "Al Qadr":
" Surely, We have revealed this (Quran) in the night of Qadr. And what will make you understand what night of Qadr is? The night of Qadr is better than one thousand months. The angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) come down, by the leave of their Rabb, with all Decrees. That night is the night of Peace, till the break of dawn." [Surah Al - Qadr 97:(1-5)].
Let us welcome Ramadhan with humility and full submission to Allah .... InsyaALLAH.
Perusing through the translation of the Holy Quran, I found the following verses:
Surah Al Baqarah [2:183-185]:
" O Believers! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may learn self restraint. Fast the prescribed number of days; except if any of you is ill or on a journey, then fast a similar number of days later. For those who cannot endure it for medical reasons, there is a ransom: the feeding of one poor person for each missed day. Whoever does more good than this voluntarily, it is better for him. However, if you truly understand the rationale of fasting, it is better for you to fast." [2:183-184]
" It is the month of Ramadhan in which Quran was revealed, a guidance for mankind with clear teachings showing the Right way and a criterion of truth and falsehood. Therefore, anyone of you who witnesses that month should fast therein, and whoever is ill or on a journey shall fast a similar number of days later on. Allah intends your well being and does not want to put you to hardship. He wants you to complete the prescribed period so that you should glorify His Greatness and render thanks to Him for giving you guidance" [2: 185].
Amongst the "hikmah" of Ramadhan is "Al Qadr":
" Surely, We have revealed this (Quran) in the night of Qadr. And what will make you understand what night of Qadr is? The night of Qadr is better than one thousand months. The angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) come down, by the leave of their Rabb, with all Decrees. That night is the night of Peace, till the break of dawn." [Surah Al - Qadr 97:(1-5)].
Let us welcome Ramadhan with humility and full submission to Allah .... InsyaALLAH.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Bob Marley - The Great Son Of Jamaica
Before I proceed, let me reproduced Bob Marley's 3 songs - my favourite songs actually - amongst the many celebrated songs by him:
Redemption Song [Note: Not the full version]
" Old pirates, yes, they rob I
Sold I to the merchant ships
Minutes after they took I
From the bottomless pit.
....
emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our mind
Have no fear for atomic energy
...."
Three Little Birds
" Don't worry about a thing
cause every little thing is gonna be alright
don't worry about a thing
every little thing is gonna be alright.
Rise up this morning
smiled with the rising sun
three little birds
pitch by my door step
singing sweet songs
of melodies pure and true
saying this is my message to you:
don't worry about a thing."
Buffalo Soldier [Note: Not the full version]
" ....
I am just a Buffalo Soldier
In the heart of America
Stolen from Africa, brought to America
Said he was fighting on arrival
Fighting for survival
Said he was a Buffalo Soldier
Win the war for America.
.... "
Bob Marley's songs always have kind of mystic effect on those who listen to them - me included... The lyrics are about freedom, emancipation, peace and humanity...
Born as Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley from a mixed parentage (his father was white & a black mother) on 6 February 1945 @ Nine Mile, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica. Due to this mixed ancestry, he was always being subjected to humiliation. His response to this was:
" ... Me don't dip on no body's side. Me don't dip on black
man's side nor the white man's side. Me dip on God's side..."
His genre of music was reggae, ska and rock steady with streams of hit songs such as "I shot the Sheriff", "No Woman No Cry" & "Could You Be Loved". Most of the songs were a hit during his heydays with his band "The Wailers" (1964-1974).
I am not going to delve on his Rastafarian belief - some say it's not a religion anyway et al. - but more on his positive influence to the music world, the political climate in Jamaica & the peaceful movement world wide.
Bob Marley died after he succumbed to cancer in Miami on 11 May 1981. He was 36 years and was given a state funeral in Jamaica on 21 May 1981 - again with both the leaders of the Government and the Opposition present [Note: Please see below].
But he died not before performing a "One Love Peace Concert" in April 1978 at the Kingston's National Arena with both leaders from the Government and Opposition present - to ease the tense political situation at that time.
As a mark of respect to her great son, Jamaica declared every 6 February as a National Holiday and Bob Marley was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in January 1994 by none other than the "rebel" Irish singer Bono of U2...
I ended this posting with 2 quotes by Bob Marley:
" Every man gotta right to decide his own destiny" and
" In the abundance of water, the fool is thirsty."
Food for thought eh .....
Redemption Song [Note: Not the full version]
" Old pirates, yes, they rob I
Sold I to the merchant ships
Minutes after they took I
From the bottomless pit.
....
emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our mind
Have no fear for atomic energy
...."
Three Little Birds
" Don't worry about a thing
cause every little thing is gonna be alright
don't worry about a thing
every little thing is gonna be alright.
Rise up this morning
smiled with the rising sun
three little birds
pitch by my door step
singing sweet songs
of melodies pure and true
saying this is my message to you:
don't worry about a thing."
Buffalo Soldier [Note: Not the full version]
" ....
I am just a Buffalo Soldier
In the heart of America
Stolen from Africa, brought to America
Said he was fighting on arrival
Fighting for survival
Said he was a Buffalo Soldier
Win the war for America.
.... "
Bob Marley's songs always have kind of mystic effect on those who listen to them - me included... The lyrics are about freedom, emancipation, peace and humanity...
Born as Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley from a mixed parentage (his father was white & a black mother) on 6 February 1945 @ Nine Mile, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica. Due to this mixed ancestry, he was always being subjected to humiliation. His response to this was:
" ... Me don't dip on no body's side. Me don't dip on black
man's side nor the white man's side. Me dip on God's side..."
His genre of music was reggae, ska and rock steady with streams of hit songs such as "I shot the Sheriff", "No Woman No Cry" & "Could You Be Loved". Most of the songs were a hit during his heydays with his band "The Wailers" (1964-1974).
I am not going to delve on his Rastafarian belief - some say it's not a religion anyway et al. - but more on his positive influence to the music world, the political climate in Jamaica & the peaceful movement world wide.
Bob Marley died after he succumbed to cancer in Miami on 11 May 1981. He was 36 years and was given a state funeral in Jamaica on 21 May 1981 - again with both the leaders of the Government and the Opposition present [Note: Please see below].
But he died not before performing a "One Love Peace Concert" in April 1978 at the Kingston's National Arena with both leaders from the Government and Opposition present - to ease the tense political situation at that time.
As a mark of respect to her great son, Jamaica declared every 6 February as a National Holiday and Bob Marley was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in January 1994 by none other than the "rebel" Irish singer Bono of U2...
I ended this posting with 2 quotes by Bob Marley:
" Every man gotta right to decide his own destiny" and
" In the abundance of water, the fool is thirsty."
Food for thought eh .....
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Cut Nyak Dhien & Christine Hakim
I came across an article the other day re: Female Warriors in South East Asia & 1 name struck me the most... For here perseverance and committed to Jihad.
She was an Acheh very religious female warrior known as Cut Nyak Dhien @ Tjoet Nja' Dhien who was born in 1850 in Lampadang & died on 6 November 1908 in Sumandang. He led the guerrilla war against the Dutch for a good 25 years. She married twice and when her first husband died in the cause of war against the Dutch she married Teuku Umar in 1888.
Fate was pre written as her second husband, Teuku Umar also died while fighting the Dutch in 1899. It was said that when the news of the death of Teuku Umar was made known, their daughter Tjoet Ganggam cried. She was slapped by Cut Nyak Dhien who hugged her daughter and said:
"As Achenese woman, we must not shed tears for anyone who becomes Shaheed"
Such a committed mother/warrior reminds me of a Mother during Prophet Muhammad (Q: Is it Ummu Mashitah or is it Ummu Maishiah? Please correct me if I am wrong) who cried when all her son died as a Shaheed during the war against the Musrikeen Mekah. Reason being she had no other son to offer in the war against the kafir Mushrikeen.
From then on, Cut Nyak Dhien fought and led a band guerrilla fighting the Dutch till she was old & fragile with sight impediment. She was caught by the Dutch and was exiled to Sumandang where she died and laid to rest there.
She was also known as "Ibu Perbu" (The Queen) by the locals in Sumandang for her deep knowledge in religion and her view on the issue of Jihad. To honour her role in the war against the Dutch, she was conferred with a title "National Hero of Indonesia" by Sukarno on 2 May 1964.
Cut Nykk Dhien's life was translated into film in 1988 in a self entitled film starred by none other than the beautiful & regal Christine Hakim. Itwas said that Christine Hakim was very "Cut Nyak Dhien" herself in her acting.
A little notes on Christine Hakim. Her name is Herlina Christine Natalie Hakim and was born on 25 December 1956 in Kuala Tungkal, Jambi. Christine Hakim is a great Indonesian actress who starred in so many successful film, most of them directed by Eros Djarot. This film won the Best International Film at the Cannes Film Festival in 1989 with Christine Hakim voted as the Best Actress.
Talking about Cristine Hakim, I first Saw her movie - her 1st actually which shot her to fame - entitled "Cinta Pertama" ( 1973/74 - I was in Standard 5 then). Since then, I "fell" in love with Christine Hakim (her acting & her beauty) and watched her other movies such as "Pengemis & Tukang Bechak" (1978).
The only sad thing is that the film "Tjoet Nja' Dhien" never made it to our shore or rather to our cinemas for reason only known to the authorities .... what a waste and unfair deprivation to us Malaysians ......
Be that as it may, I hope the film would reached our shore - to depict the perseverance and the Jihad spirit of this Acheh female warrior....
P/S. Other Achehnese female warriors which worth mentioning here are Tjoet Meusiah, Tjoet Gambang (Kambang) and Keumala Malahajati. Keumala Malahajati was the admiral who fought the Portuguese in Melaka ...
May they rest in peace & al Fatihah .....
She was an Acheh very religious female warrior known as Cut Nyak Dhien @ Tjoet Nja' Dhien who was born in 1850 in Lampadang & died on 6 November 1908 in Sumandang. He led the guerrilla war against the Dutch for a good 25 years. She married twice and when her first husband died in the cause of war against the Dutch she married Teuku Umar in 1888.
Fate was pre written as her second husband, Teuku Umar also died while fighting the Dutch in 1899. It was said that when the news of the death of Teuku Umar was made known, their daughter Tjoet Ganggam cried. She was slapped by Cut Nyak Dhien who hugged her daughter and said:
"As Achenese woman, we must not shed tears for anyone who becomes Shaheed"
Such a committed mother/warrior reminds me of a Mother during Prophet Muhammad (Q: Is it Ummu Mashitah or is it Ummu Maishiah? Please correct me if I am wrong) who cried when all her son died as a Shaheed during the war against the Musrikeen Mekah. Reason being she had no other son to offer in the war against the kafir Mushrikeen.
From then on, Cut Nyak Dhien fought and led a band guerrilla fighting the Dutch till she was old & fragile with sight impediment. She was caught by the Dutch and was exiled to Sumandang where she died and laid to rest there.
She was also known as "Ibu Perbu" (The Queen) by the locals in Sumandang for her deep knowledge in religion and her view on the issue of Jihad. To honour her role in the war against the Dutch, she was conferred with a title "National Hero of Indonesia" by Sukarno on 2 May 1964.
Cut Nykk Dhien's life was translated into film in 1988 in a self entitled film starred by none other than the beautiful & regal Christine Hakim. Itwas said that Christine Hakim was very "Cut Nyak Dhien" herself in her acting.
A little notes on Christine Hakim. Her name is Herlina Christine Natalie Hakim and was born on 25 December 1956 in Kuala Tungkal, Jambi. Christine Hakim is a great Indonesian actress who starred in so many successful film, most of them directed by Eros Djarot. This film won the Best International Film at the Cannes Film Festival in 1989 with Christine Hakim voted as the Best Actress.
Talking about Cristine Hakim, I first Saw her movie - her 1st actually which shot her to fame - entitled "Cinta Pertama" ( 1973/74 - I was in Standard 5 then). Since then, I "fell" in love with Christine Hakim (her acting & her beauty) and watched her other movies such as "Pengemis & Tukang Bechak" (1978).
The only sad thing is that the film "Tjoet Nja' Dhien" never made it to our shore or rather to our cinemas for reason only known to the authorities .... what a waste and unfair deprivation to us Malaysians ......
Be that as it may, I hope the film would reached our shore - to depict the perseverance and the Jihad spirit of this Acheh female warrior....
P/S. Other Achehnese female warriors which worth mentioning here are Tjoet Meusiah, Tjoet Gambang (Kambang) and Keumala Malahajati. Keumala Malahajati was the admiral who fought the Portuguese in Melaka ...
May they rest in peace & al Fatihah .....
A Tribute to Latip & Usop @ The T Birds Lads
It was in 1978 & I was in Form 3 @ Anglo Chinese School, Ipoh. Things went according to its routine as it should be. Going to school, "lepak" at the Ipoh Central Bus Station and observing people and so on.
However, things changed towards the middle of 1978 when Ipoh was suddenly being "invaded" by teens - boys & girls - who dressed either in tight pants (black) with a tight brownish T Shirts for the boys and the girls were wearing tight pants with pink T Shirts. Even during our co curriculum activities after school, I noticed the same trend among some of the ACS boys - and obviously Latif (Latip) & Yusof (Usop) were not spared from the contagious trend of the day. The fashion craze was almost everywhere - in Ipoh town, at the Ipoh Central Bus Station & even at the shopping complexes.
Yup ... year 1978 was known for the "Grease" fever - the movie which was a hit worldwide. Starred by John Travolta as Danny Zuko (the grease boys) of the T-Birds and the beautiful Olivia Newton John as Sandy Ollson (the innocent/naive girl next door).
Back to Latip & Usop.... Latip is slightly taller than me I guess (5' 3'' or so) but Usop was at about 5' 7''. They were like Siamese Twin - inseparable. For that whole 1month or so both of them dressed as a "greaser" and walked like a "greaser". Somehow or rather they had their own charm as on Saturdays, my group of friends & I could saw both of them strolling "greasily" in Ipoh town together with the "Pink Ladies"!!!!
I could still remember when our school organised "Drama Week" - we normally had this programme once in about 2 months - Latip & Usop together with their class mates came up with a remake of a segment from "Grease" i.e. the "Grease Ligthning" segment.
There they were up on the stage with Latip at the one end of the stage & Usop at the other end waiting ..... Once the "Grease Lightning" song started both of them did the slide towards each other and there were 2 "Danny Zukos" dancing frantically on stage with a goup of T-Birds boys while combing their greasy hair on stage .... Complete with the mock "grease Lightning" car on stage and the costumes were superb.... It was really hilarious!!!!
The after effect of that show? Well, the next Saturday, we saw Latip & Usop strolling at Ipoh Town with even more "Pink Ladies" accompanying them!!!! I supposed their "shares" had gone up...
I am just wondering if years back, the producer in Hollywood approached both John Travolta & Olivia Newton John to do a remake of "Grease", why not my Alma Matter ACS do the same and ask Latip & Usop to do the same?
My hats off to both of them for their creativity & for creating havoc in Ipoh for that 1 month in the middle of year 1978....
You might be wondering did my friends & I become "Danny Zuko"/T-Birds Boys during that period? The answer is a BIG "NO NO" as we were still loyal to our black T Shirt/Pagoda T Shirt and our faded jeans - "lepaking" & observing people including Latip & Usop ....
Those were the days ......
However, things changed towards the middle of 1978 when Ipoh was suddenly being "invaded" by teens - boys & girls - who dressed either in tight pants (black) with a tight brownish T Shirts for the boys and the girls were wearing tight pants with pink T Shirts. Even during our co curriculum activities after school, I noticed the same trend among some of the ACS boys - and obviously Latif (Latip) & Yusof (Usop) were not spared from the contagious trend of the day. The fashion craze was almost everywhere - in Ipoh town, at the Ipoh Central Bus Station & even at the shopping complexes.
Yup ... year 1978 was known for the "Grease" fever - the movie which was a hit worldwide. Starred by John Travolta as Danny Zuko (the grease boys) of the T-Birds and the beautiful Olivia Newton John as Sandy Ollson (the innocent/naive girl next door).
Back to Latip & Usop.... Latip is slightly taller than me I guess (5' 3'' or so) but Usop was at about 5' 7''. They were like Siamese Twin - inseparable. For that whole 1month or so both of them dressed as a "greaser" and walked like a "greaser". Somehow or rather they had their own charm as on Saturdays, my group of friends & I could saw both of them strolling "greasily" in Ipoh town together with the "Pink Ladies"!!!!
I could still remember when our school organised "Drama Week" - we normally had this programme once in about 2 months - Latip & Usop together with their class mates came up with a remake of a segment from "Grease" i.e. the "Grease Ligthning" segment.
There they were up on the stage with Latip at the one end of the stage & Usop at the other end waiting ..... Once the "Grease Lightning" song started both of them did the slide towards each other and there were 2 "Danny Zukos" dancing frantically on stage with a goup of T-Birds boys while combing their greasy hair on stage .... Complete with the mock "grease Lightning" car on stage and the costumes were superb.... It was really hilarious!!!!
The after effect of that show? Well, the next Saturday, we saw Latip & Usop strolling at Ipoh Town with even more "Pink Ladies" accompanying them!!!! I supposed their "shares" had gone up...
I am just wondering if years back, the producer in Hollywood approached both John Travolta & Olivia Newton John to do a remake of "Grease", why not my Alma Matter ACS do the same and ask Latip & Usop to do the same?
My hats off to both of them for their creativity & for creating havoc in Ipoh for that 1 month in the middle of year 1978....
You might be wondering did my friends & I become "Danny Zuko"/T-Birds Boys during that period? The answer is a BIG "NO NO" as we were still loyal to our black T Shirt/Pagoda T Shirt and our faded jeans - "lepaking" & observing people including Latip & Usop ....
Those were the days ......
Friday, August 6, 2010
The A-Bomb - 65 years Later
Try to imagine this ....
It was 8.15 AM (local time @ Japan) on 6 August 1945, the 1st A-Bomb was dropped from a B 29 plane known as Enola Gay. The target was Hiroshima, a city with a population of about 300,000 to 400,000 people.
The "Little Boy" as the A-Bomb was called created a fireball of 15 meter radius fumed in 0.1 millisecond with a temperature of 300,000 degrees centigrade. The top of the A-Bomb (it's like a giant white mushroom) reached an altitude of 17,000 meters.
One of the immediate effect of the A-Bomb was Thermal Hear i.e. intense thermal heat which caused severe burn & loss of eyesight. It caused death to anybody who was exposed to the radiation within 1 km radius from the ground zero. An estimated of 140,000 death was recorded by end of December 1945.
As if it was not enough, another A-Bomb - this time know as the "Fat Man" was dropped from B 29 @ Bockscar on 9 August 1945 with Nagasaki, Japan as the target. The estimated death was 70,000 people.
The A-Bomb was first tested and detonated on 16 July 1945 by the US in the desert area called "Jornado del Muerto" (Journey of the Dead), Mexico in what was called "the Manhattan Project" - what an irony!!!!
The immediate effect of the 2 bombings - apart from the immediate deaths caused by severe burns & radiation - was that it hasten the surrender of Japan on that August month itself.
The world with representatives from 76 countries -including the US - marked the 65 years anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing at Ground Zero on 6 August 2010. It was the 1st time, the US attended the annual ceremony...
The bombings themselves created controversies with polemic for and against the bombings. Was it really necessary and et al. Looking back, it was at a time when Japanese Army was at the brink of defeat almost everywhere from the South East Asia right up to the Pacific. The cities of Japan - except Hiroshima & Nagasaki - were bombed almost everyday by the allied forces... Some historians said that Hiroshima & Nagasaki were purposely left out to ascertain the scale of damaged caused by the impending A-Bomb on that 2 days in August 1945.
As for me, the war itself should not be created in the first place. Not under whatever circumstances as it only caused deaths & sufferings.
However, the violent cycle still goes on & on ... As in Vietnam, the US was using "Agent Orange" which caused severe illnesses such as cancer & abnormal births. In the process, the arms dealers/weapon makers @ companies make tons of money over tons of deaths!!!!
To the victims of the A-Bomb, may their souls rest in peace with the hope of peace prevailing on this earth of ours - including the late Tsutomu Yamaguchi the "double victim" of the A-Bomb. He was reported to be within 3 km radius from the ground zero, Hiroshima and was again exposed to the radiation when the "Fat Man" was dropped at Nagasaki. Tsutomi Yamaguchi survived the bombings but died recently on 4 January 2010 due to stomach cancer.
May there be an ever lasting peace ......
It was 8.15 AM (local time @ Japan) on 6 August 1945, the 1st A-Bomb was dropped from a B 29 plane known as Enola Gay. The target was Hiroshima, a city with a population of about 300,000 to 400,000 people.
The "Little Boy" as the A-Bomb was called created a fireball of 15 meter radius fumed in 0.1 millisecond with a temperature of 300,000 degrees centigrade. The top of the A-Bomb (it's like a giant white mushroom) reached an altitude of 17,000 meters.
One of the immediate effect of the A-Bomb was Thermal Hear i.e. intense thermal heat which caused severe burn & loss of eyesight. It caused death to anybody who was exposed to the radiation within 1 km radius from the ground zero. An estimated of 140,000 death was recorded by end of December 1945.
As if it was not enough, another A-Bomb - this time know as the "Fat Man" was dropped from B 29 @ Bockscar on 9 August 1945 with Nagasaki, Japan as the target. The estimated death was 70,000 people.
The A-Bomb was first tested and detonated on 16 July 1945 by the US in the desert area called "Jornado del Muerto" (Journey of the Dead), Mexico in what was called "the Manhattan Project" - what an irony!!!!
The immediate effect of the 2 bombings - apart from the immediate deaths caused by severe burns & radiation - was that it hasten the surrender of Japan on that August month itself.
The world with representatives from 76 countries -including the US - marked the 65 years anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing at Ground Zero on 6 August 2010. It was the 1st time, the US attended the annual ceremony...
The bombings themselves created controversies with polemic for and against the bombings. Was it really necessary and et al. Looking back, it was at a time when Japanese Army was at the brink of defeat almost everywhere from the South East Asia right up to the Pacific. The cities of Japan - except Hiroshima & Nagasaki - were bombed almost everyday by the allied forces... Some historians said that Hiroshima & Nagasaki were purposely left out to ascertain the scale of damaged caused by the impending A-Bomb on that 2 days in August 1945.
As for me, the war itself should not be created in the first place. Not under whatever circumstances as it only caused deaths & sufferings.
However, the violent cycle still goes on & on ... As in Vietnam, the US was using "Agent Orange" which caused severe illnesses such as cancer & abnormal births. In the process, the arms dealers/weapon makers @ companies make tons of money over tons of deaths!!!!
To the victims of the A-Bomb, may their souls rest in peace with the hope of peace prevailing on this earth of ours - including the late Tsutomu Yamaguchi the "double victim" of the A-Bomb. He was reported to be within 3 km radius from the ground zero, Hiroshima and was again exposed to the radiation when the "Fat Man" was dropped at Nagasaki. Tsutomi Yamaguchi survived the bombings but died recently on 4 January 2010 due to stomach cancer.
May there be an ever lasting peace ......
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Salmah - The Urban Settler (Jakarta)
NST (4 August 2010) @ page 31 (World News)... There was a picture of Salmah who buried herself up to the shoulder being dragged out of her "self made" captivity, She was accompanied by her 5 other comrades who also buried themselves up to the shoulder.
Reason being Salmah & her compatriots at a settlement in Jakarta were evicted as the land where they had lived for decades is being earmarked for development. These urban settlers apparently had been living there illegally for years ...
I have no comments to make except to say that the picture tells it all - Salmah is literally "deeply rooted" to the earth where she & her compatriots urban settlers had been settling ...
I think it is only appropriate if I could reproduced a poem by the great Indonesian Poet, W S Rendra entitled " Orang-Orang Miskin" [Yogya @ 4 February 1978]:
" Orang-orang miskin di jalan
Yang tinggal di dalam selokan.
Yang kalah dalam pergulatan
Yang diledek oleh impian.
Janganlah meeka ditinggalkan.
Angin membawa bau baju mereka
Rambut mereka melekat di bulan purnama
Wanita-wanita bunting berbaris di cakerawala
Mengandung buah jalan raya.
Orang-orang miskin, orang-orang berdosa
Bayi gelap dalam batin, rumput dan lumut jalan raya
Tak bisa kamu abaikan.
Bila kamu remehkan mereka
di jalan kamu akan diburu bayangan
Tidurmu akan penuh igauan.
dan bahasa anak-anakmu sukar kamu terka.
Jangan kamu bilang negara ini kaya
karena orang-orang miskin berkembang di kota dan
di desa.
Jangan kamu bilang dirimu kaya
kalau tetanggamu memakan bangkai kucingnya.
Lambang negara ini mestilah terompah dan belacu
Dan perlu disuslkan
agar ketemu presiden tak perlu berdasi seperti Belanda
Dan tentera di jalan jangan bebas memukul mahasiswa.
Orang-orang miskin di jalan
masuk ke dalam tidur malammu.
Perempuan-perempuan bunga raya
menuapi putera-puteramu.
Tangan-tangan kotor dari jalanan
meraba-raba kaca jendelamu
Mereka tak bisa kamu hindarkan.
Jumlah mereka tak bisa kamu mistik jadi nol.
Mereka akan menjadi pertanyaan
yang mencegat ideologimu.
Gigi mereka yang kuning
akan meringis di muka agamamu.
Kuman-kuman sifilis dan tbc dari gang-gang gelap
akan hinggap di garden presidenan
dan buku program gedung kesenian.
Orang-orang miskin berbaris sepanjang sejarah
bagai udara panas yang selalu ada
bagai gerimis yang selalu membayang.
Orang-orang miskin mengangkat pisau-pisau
tertuju ke dada kita
atau ke dada mereka sendiri.
O, kenangkanlah.
Orang-orang miskin
juga berasal dari khemah Ibrahim."
As I am posting this entry, I am just wondering where Salmah & her urban settlers are right now after they were being "uprooted" from the earth .... As Rendra said, they just could not be ignored - be it in Jakarta, Delhi or even here in Malaysia ....
Till we meet again .....
Reason being Salmah & her compatriots at a settlement in Jakarta were evicted as the land where they had lived for decades is being earmarked for development. These urban settlers apparently had been living there illegally for years ...
I have no comments to make except to say that the picture tells it all - Salmah is literally "deeply rooted" to the earth where she & her compatriots urban settlers had been settling ...
I think it is only appropriate if I could reproduced a poem by the great Indonesian Poet, W S Rendra entitled " Orang-Orang Miskin" [Yogya @ 4 February 1978]:
" Orang-orang miskin di jalan
Yang tinggal di dalam selokan.
Yang kalah dalam pergulatan
Yang diledek oleh impian.
Janganlah meeka ditinggalkan.
Angin membawa bau baju mereka
Rambut mereka melekat di bulan purnama
Wanita-wanita bunting berbaris di cakerawala
Mengandung buah jalan raya.
Orang-orang miskin, orang-orang berdosa
Bayi gelap dalam batin, rumput dan lumut jalan raya
Tak bisa kamu abaikan.
Bila kamu remehkan mereka
di jalan kamu akan diburu bayangan
Tidurmu akan penuh igauan.
dan bahasa anak-anakmu sukar kamu terka.
Jangan kamu bilang negara ini kaya
karena orang-orang miskin berkembang di kota dan
di desa.
Jangan kamu bilang dirimu kaya
kalau tetanggamu memakan bangkai kucingnya.
Lambang negara ini mestilah terompah dan belacu
Dan perlu disuslkan
agar ketemu presiden tak perlu berdasi seperti Belanda
Dan tentera di jalan jangan bebas memukul mahasiswa.
Orang-orang miskin di jalan
masuk ke dalam tidur malammu.
Perempuan-perempuan bunga raya
menuapi putera-puteramu.
Tangan-tangan kotor dari jalanan
meraba-raba kaca jendelamu
Mereka tak bisa kamu hindarkan.
Jumlah mereka tak bisa kamu mistik jadi nol.
Mereka akan menjadi pertanyaan
yang mencegat ideologimu.
Gigi mereka yang kuning
akan meringis di muka agamamu.
Kuman-kuman sifilis dan tbc dari gang-gang gelap
akan hinggap di garden presidenan
dan buku program gedung kesenian.
Orang-orang miskin berbaris sepanjang sejarah
bagai udara panas yang selalu ada
bagai gerimis yang selalu membayang.
Orang-orang miskin mengangkat pisau-pisau
tertuju ke dada kita
atau ke dada mereka sendiri.
O, kenangkanlah.
Orang-orang miskin
juga berasal dari khemah Ibrahim."
As I am posting this entry, I am just wondering where Salmah & her urban settlers are right now after they were being "uprooted" from the earth .... As Rendra said, they just could not be ignored - be it in Jakarta, Delhi or even here in Malaysia ....
Till we meet again .....
Sunday, August 1, 2010
24th Year Wedding Anniversary @ Road Tour - The Final Trip V
This post is late by 1 day actually ...
Our final trip began that morning 30 July 2010 at about 10.00 AM with the odometer recorded at 34861 km & after travelling for about 1103.40 km from Kuala Lumpur on 26 July 2010.
Aishah & I started our journey with a common objective i.e. to go to Memali & visit Allahyarham Ustaz Ibrahim Mahmud's family & his "makam"...
Before that en route to Memali, we stopped at Puat Rejreasi Air Panas Ulu Legong, Siong, Baling... It's a nicely built recreation centre with "kolam air panas" for adults & kids...
After a few enquiries, we finally reached the residence of Allahyarham Ustaz Ibrahim Mahmud a.k.a. Ustaz Ibrahim Libya on Friday @ 11.30 AM. We were warmly greeted by his widow & 3 kids - the eldest Ustaz Islah. Their reception was very warm towards us - the "strangers" from Kuala Lumpur.
Whilst I was in the house's compound, I tried to imagine the incident/situation that night @ 11.45 PM on 19 November 1985... From the report, I tried to visualise about 200 security personnel & armoured vehicles (2) surrounding the house which I was gazing ....
In the aftermath of the operation, 14 villagers (including Allahyarham Ustaz Ibrahim Mahmud died, 4 on the side of the security personnel and 159 were arrested [118 adult males, 29 adult females & 12 children]. 36 were detained under the ISA in January 1985 but was later released in June the same year. The 14 dead are:
1. Ustaz Ibrahim Mahmud (45 years old)
2. Abdullah Yassin (33)
3. Cikgu Shafie Dahaman (30)
4. Mohd Radzi Ahmad (27)
5. Hj. Abdul Rahman Jusoh (69)
6. Abdul Manaf Wadin (58)
7. Idris Abdul Kadir (32)
8. Ahmad Ismail (30)
9. Hj Abdullah Hj Abdul Rahman (72)
10. Mohd Aroff Hashim (36)
11. Ghazali Hj Saman (36)
12. Mohd Daud Abdul Kadir (53)
13. Zamri @ Sobri Mohd Isa (37)
14. Ahmad Hassan (30).
Seeing the house & the small "pondok" where students of Allahyarham Ustaz Ibrahim Mahmud's stayed, I just could not visualise the chaotic situation as I shed my tears... The tears just kept flowing with the visualisation of the incident that night of 19 November 1985.
The pleasant family was very kind enough to accompany us to the "tanah perkuburan" at Parit Panjang where 13 of them (including Allahyarham Ustaz Ibrahim Mahmud) were buried. [Note: 1 of them - I could not recalled the name - were buried in Alor Setar, Kedah]. I asked Ustaz Islah why the burial took place so far a distance from Kg Memali & he said at that point of time Memali was still in curfew ...
After reciting our doa, we left Memali with mixed feeling - sadness, happy (since our "niat" to ziarah was fulfilled) and amazed at the same time at how the family was so calm & "redha" with what had happened 25 years ago...
The journey then was quite uneventful what with rain as we approached Changkat Jering trunk road... Aishah & I stopped at Ibol, Changkat Jering eating durian & we ate the durian at the "Mak Cik's pondok" as it was raining... We passed by Kuala Kangsar & reached Ipoh at exactly 9.00 PM - visiting my sisters.
Aishah & I reached Kuala Lumpur at 1.45 AM (Saturday @ 1 August 2010) after travelling for about 1,677.2 km and the odometer stopped at 35434 km...
Alhamdulillah, we managed to complete our journey together with full of fond memories. The beautiful scenery, the beautiful & warm people with big hearts who we met along the way as well as the support & well wishes from friends via FB/text messages which made our journey even more meaningful & sweet.
To Noh, Fahmy, Sis Haryati & Adik Sally - thanks for the well wishes & keep on "berpantun". Our appreciation also to those who wished us well, to name a few ( I have to apologise if I inadvertently left out your names yea ) i.e. Norm, Hazim Noordin, Rohaizah & Aishah's friends (TIGS gang) ... thanks a lot.
Last but not least of course to my 3 wonderful kids (Addil, Nadia & Afiq) who support us all the way and my special thanks with loads of love to Aishah who agreed to my Road Tour Plan and was very patience/supportive along the tiring but enjoyable journey ....
Till we meet again ...
Note:
Ustaz Islah is currently running an Academy Al Quran At Taqwa with an email address aqwa_010@yahoo.com. or HP 019 2303032 at Kg Kubu Gajah, Sg Buloh Selangor. The Academy is in the midst of seeking donations to build its own building there....
Our final trip began that morning 30 July 2010 at about 10.00 AM with the odometer recorded at 34861 km & after travelling for about 1103.40 km from Kuala Lumpur on 26 July 2010.
Aishah & I started our journey with a common objective i.e. to go to Memali & visit Allahyarham Ustaz Ibrahim Mahmud's family & his "makam"...
Before that en route to Memali, we stopped at Puat Rejreasi Air Panas Ulu Legong, Siong, Baling... It's a nicely built recreation centre with "kolam air panas" for adults & kids...
After a few enquiries, we finally reached the residence of Allahyarham Ustaz Ibrahim Mahmud a.k.a. Ustaz Ibrahim Libya on Friday @ 11.30 AM. We were warmly greeted by his widow & 3 kids - the eldest Ustaz Islah. Their reception was very warm towards us - the "strangers" from Kuala Lumpur.
Whilst I was in the house's compound, I tried to imagine the incident/situation that night @ 11.45 PM on 19 November 1985... From the report, I tried to visualise about 200 security personnel & armoured vehicles (2) surrounding the house which I was gazing ....
In the aftermath of the operation, 14 villagers (including Allahyarham Ustaz Ibrahim Mahmud died, 4 on the side of the security personnel and 159 were arrested [118 adult males, 29 adult females & 12 children]. 36 were detained under the ISA in January 1985 but was later released in June the same year. The 14 dead are:
1. Ustaz Ibrahim Mahmud (45 years old)
2. Abdullah Yassin (33)
3. Cikgu Shafie Dahaman (30)
4. Mohd Radzi Ahmad (27)
5. Hj. Abdul Rahman Jusoh (69)
6. Abdul Manaf Wadin (58)
7. Idris Abdul Kadir (32)
8. Ahmad Ismail (30)
9. Hj Abdullah Hj Abdul Rahman (72)
10. Mohd Aroff Hashim (36)
11. Ghazali Hj Saman (36)
12. Mohd Daud Abdul Kadir (53)
13. Zamri @ Sobri Mohd Isa (37)
14. Ahmad Hassan (30).
Seeing the house & the small "pondok" where students of Allahyarham Ustaz Ibrahim Mahmud's stayed, I just could not visualise the chaotic situation as I shed my tears... The tears just kept flowing with the visualisation of the incident that night of 19 November 1985.
The pleasant family was very kind enough to accompany us to the "tanah perkuburan" at Parit Panjang where 13 of them (including Allahyarham Ustaz Ibrahim Mahmud) were buried. [Note: 1 of them - I could not recalled the name - were buried in Alor Setar, Kedah]. I asked Ustaz Islah why the burial took place so far a distance from Kg Memali & he said at that point of time Memali was still in curfew ...
After reciting our doa, we left Memali with mixed feeling - sadness, happy (since our "niat" to ziarah was fulfilled) and amazed at the same time at how the family was so calm & "redha" with what had happened 25 years ago...
The journey then was quite uneventful what with rain as we approached Changkat Jering trunk road... Aishah & I stopped at Ibol, Changkat Jering eating durian & we ate the durian at the "Mak Cik's pondok" as it was raining... We passed by Kuala Kangsar & reached Ipoh at exactly 9.00 PM - visiting my sisters.
Aishah & I reached Kuala Lumpur at 1.45 AM (Saturday @ 1 August 2010) after travelling for about 1,677.2 km and the odometer stopped at 35434 km...
Alhamdulillah, we managed to complete our journey together with full of fond memories. The beautiful scenery, the beautiful & warm people with big hearts who we met along the way as well as the support & well wishes from friends via FB/text messages which made our journey even more meaningful & sweet.
To Noh, Fahmy, Sis Haryati & Adik Sally - thanks for the well wishes & keep on "berpantun". Our appreciation also to those who wished us well, to name a few ( I have to apologise if I inadvertently left out your names yea ) i.e. Norm, Hazim Noordin, Rohaizah & Aishah's friends (TIGS gang) ... thanks a lot.
Last but not least of course to my 3 wonderful kids (Addil, Nadia & Afiq) who support us all the way and my special thanks with loads of love to Aishah who agreed to my Road Tour Plan and was very patience/supportive along the tiring but enjoyable journey ....
Till we meet again ...
Note:
Ustaz Islah is currently running an Academy Al Quran At Taqwa with an email address aqwa_010@yahoo.com. or HP 019 2303032 at Kg Kubu Gajah, Sg Buloh Selangor. The Academy is in the midst of seeking donations to build its own building there....
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