I could not help but grinned widely as I look at a picture of a couple tying the knot at Tahrir Square, Egypt as appeared in NST @ 10 February 2011.
The caption reported that Abdullah Al Qadi and Sonia Al Beali were celebrating with other protesters after tying the knot at the said Square. They apparently met for the first time last week while demonstrating against the regime of Hosni Mubarak and the rest is - as they said - is history. So far, it is reported that four couples have got married at the Square.
This is awesome and quite 'mind boggling" ... This only leads to several inferences, one of which is that the protest is a protest full of love, peace and passion!!!. In fact, the protesters - as reported in the news - are encouraged to bring with them flowers and encourage to "hug a soldier" at every possible opportunity ...
I supposed perhaps Abdullah Al Qadi gave the flower to Sonia on the day they first met and that made it easier for the Cupid to "strike" ....
To those couples: "Selamat Pengantin Baru!!"
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Eh!!! Dah Start Campaigning @ Merlimau?
I just checked into the hotel in Kota Kinabalu this afternoon and immediately turned on the TV ... Buletin 1.30 TV3 had just started and guess what?
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It was reported that a fishing village in Merlimau would be getting a new and said to be the most sophisticated jetty soon. I couldn't get to hear the costs but heard the word "millions" .... This was announced by the Melaka Chief Minister who was shown on TV visiting the old jetty at the fishing village. The CM said this project had been approved by the YAB PM himself.
The CM said the jetty would benefit the local fishermen and would also act as a tourism attraction in the state of Melaka.
Several villagers (local fishermen)were interviewed and expressed their gratitude for the generosity ... In fact, one was heard saying " ... Saya macam tak percaya.." as it was indeed a surprise to him...
Better believe it guys .....
By the way, the actual nomination day for the Merlimau by election is yet taking place yes? This is interesting indeed or is it so predictable and expected as a norm every time by election is held? So, a word of caution to all the "Surau", "Dewan Orang Ramai" and the like as there would be lots of "pembukaan rasmi" - you know "potong riben"!! - in the weeks to come ...
My wish: " Happy campaigning in advance ...."
t
It was reported that a fishing village in Merlimau would be getting a new and said to be the most sophisticated jetty soon. I couldn't get to hear the costs but heard the word "millions" .... This was announced by the Melaka Chief Minister who was shown on TV visiting the old jetty at the fishing village. The CM said this project had been approved by the YAB PM himself.
The CM said the jetty would benefit the local fishermen and would also act as a tourism attraction in the state of Melaka.
Several villagers (local fishermen)were interviewed and expressed their gratitude for the generosity ... In fact, one was heard saying " ... Saya macam tak percaya.." as it was indeed a surprise to him...
Better believe it guys .....
By the way, the actual nomination day for the Merlimau by election is yet taking place yes? This is interesting indeed or is it so predictable and expected as a norm every time by election is held? So, a word of caution to all the "Surau", "Dewan Orang Ramai" and the like as there would be lots of "pembukaan rasmi" - you know "potong riben"!! - in the weeks to come ...
My wish: " Happy campaigning in advance ...."
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Big Gesture by a "Small" Guy With A Big Heart
I have been suffocated with the brutalities of the city folks for the last 20 years or so and this posting really reminds me of the good old days ... during my childhood days as a kampung boy.
Lat week I was on a business trip to an Estate in Layang Layang, Johor for 2 days.... On the 2nd day, before I left for KL I dropped by at the Estate's surau ... As it was late in the evening, nobody was there but a gentleman and his son (about 12years old) I supposed ...
I noticed that this gentleman was busy preparing something - a drink - and was then sitting at the rear end of the surau prayer main hall attentively listening to his son reading the Holy Quran...
As I was about to leave the surau, I over heard him calling for me - "Encik... Encik ...". I then walked back into the Surau and went to him. Apparently, he had poured me a small glass of "teh tarik" and invited me to have a drink with him...
In the course of our conversation, I came to know he aws the Estate Contractor -"Saya ni kontrak potong rumput kat Estet ni..." He is also the Imam of that surau...
"Saya baru lagi jadi Imam - masih belajar lagi!' What a humble statement - at least he is an Imam as opposed to me a mere "Makmum"!!!
After about 45 minutes or so, I told him that I have to leave as my journey was a long affair ... I thank him and almost "unavoidably" said "Alhamdulillah" ... On my journey home, I kept thinking of that "small" guy - an Imam - with a very big gesture and for sure has a very big heart .... And guys, that was the best "teh tarik" that I ever had!!!!
How I missed the old days ......
Lat week I was on a business trip to an Estate in Layang Layang, Johor for 2 days.... On the 2nd day, before I left for KL I dropped by at the Estate's surau ... As it was late in the evening, nobody was there but a gentleman and his son (about 12years old) I supposed ...
I noticed that this gentleman was busy preparing something - a drink - and was then sitting at the rear end of the surau prayer main hall attentively listening to his son reading the Holy Quran...
As I was about to leave the surau, I over heard him calling for me - "Encik... Encik ...". I then walked back into the Surau and went to him. Apparently, he had poured me a small glass of "teh tarik" and invited me to have a drink with him...
In the course of our conversation, I came to know he aws the Estate Contractor -"Saya ni kontrak potong rumput kat Estet ni..." He is also the Imam of that surau...
"Saya baru lagi jadi Imam - masih belajar lagi!' What a humble statement - at least he is an Imam as opposed to me a mere "Makmum"!!!
After about 45 minutes or so, I told him that I have to leave as my journey was a long affair ... I thank him and almost "unavoidably" said "Alhamdulillah" ... On my journey home, I kept thinking of that "small" guy - an Imam - with a very big gesture and for sure has a very big heart .... And guys, that was the best "teh tarik" that I ever had!!!!
How I missed the old days ......
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Filthy Rich ..... A Short Note
I watched Al Jazeera the other day and was in a state of dazed when it was reported that President Hosni Mubarak's wealth is estimated at between USD 10 billion to USD 40 billion.
His youngest son Gamal is estimated to be "valued" at USD 10 billion and the President's wife, Suzanne is a billioner .... It is reported that all these wealth and money are deposited at several Banks - Swiss, US and other European countries.
What about the average "rakyat"? The inflation is high and the unemployment of the young population is at an acute ratio not to mention the low income per capita... Hence, the pro democracy movement for the last 11 days or so which was basically triggered by the youths/young generation of Egyptian people....
Let's look further back during the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) ... He was at the apex of the Islamic State of Medina (then liberated the Holy City of Mecca)... Was he filthy rich? Nope - it was even related that the Prophet only eaten half a date for breaking fast ...
The Prophet's companions - The Amirul Mukminin Caliphs Abu Bakar, Umar al Khatab, Uthman Affan and Ali - they were the great Caliphs of the great Ismaic Empire and yet lived in a modest state of life and leave almost nothing except for what they wore on them ....
Another example is Salman al Farisi who was famous with his quotation " I am the son of Islam from Adam". He was once the Amir of City of Madain ... He died poor with and refused to take any salary for being an Amir not even a Dirham ....
What a contradiction ... The Prophet (SAW), his companions may be poor but filthy rich in their "akhlak" and "iman" ....
Let's ponder and if anybody were to say this balsphemy remark: "Zaman Nabi mana ada Bank nak simpan duit banyak-banyak macam sekarang/zaman moden ni! ... Hmmmm -sounds familiar? Well, I would say to that person " Jangan laaa jadi bodoh sangat!!! Shut your mouth up!!! Those days the banks might not be there but the State's wealth are fully secured at the Baitul Mal" ...
Till we meet again .....
His youngest son Gamal is estimated to be "valued" at USD 10 billion and the President's wife, Suzanne is a billioner .... It is reported that all these wealth and money are deposited at several Banks - Swiss, US and other European countries.
What about the average "rakyat"? The inflation is high and the unemployment of the young population is at an acute ratio not to mention the low income per capita... Hence, the pro democracy movement for the last 11 days or so which was basically triggered by the youths/young generation of Egyptian people....
Let's look further back during the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) ... He was at the apex of the Islamic State of Medina (then liberated the Holy City of Mecca)... Was he filthy rich? Nope - it was even related that the Prophet only eaten half a date for breaking fast ...
The Prophet's companions - The Amirul Mukminin Caliphs Abu Bakar, Umar al Khatab, Uthman Affan and Ali - they were the great Caliphs of the great Ismaic Empire and yet lived in a modest state of life and leave almost nothing except for what they wore on them ....
Another example is Salman al Farisi who was famous with his quotation " I am the son of Islam from Adam". He was once the Amir of City of Madain ... He died poor with and refused to take any salary for being an Amir not even a Dirham ....
What a contradiction ... The Prophet (SAW), his companions may be poor but filthy rich in their "akhlak" and "iman" ....
Let's ponder and if anybody were to say this balsphemy remark: "Zaman Nabi mana ada Bank nak simpan duit banyak-banyak macam sekarang/zaman moden ni! ... Hmmmm -sounds familiar? Well, I would say to that person " Jangan laaa jadi bodoh sangat!!! Shut your mouth up!!! Those days the banks might not be there but the State's wealth are fully secured at the Baitul Mal" ...
Till we meet again .....
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Egypt, Tunisia et al - any surprise?
It started with the 'Jasmine Revolution" in Tunisia then spread through the African/Arab countries - Yemen. Jordan, Algeria, Oman, Sudan, Mauritania and Egypt..
This post will not touch on the "heavy issues" - most of which are not a surprise to any sane people on this earth!!! Examples, it's not a surprise that President Hosni Mubarak "agreed" to step down but only in September - he's a man living on his own island & detached from the reality. It is also not surprising that he made such a decision after chit chatting over the phone with the States' President Barrack Obama..
It is also not surprising that China - almost half of the world apart from Egypt - had blocked the word "Egypt" from microblog searches!!!
In Tunisia, a doctor Souha Naija aptly described the Tunisian Revolution as " a kind of birth" - the doctor said ;" For me this is a birth ... There is blood, there is pain. But after, there is birth" ...
There is also a 21 year old Tunisian rap star, Hamada Ben Amor a.k.a. "El General" took to the stage for the first time after being banned by the Tunisian regime. His crime? He wrote lyrics earlier month of January as the revolution exploded which earned him the ban and a spell in the jail ...
The lyrics go like this: "We live in suffering/Like dogs/Half the population is oppressed and living in misery/President of the country/Your people are dead" ... When he took the stage on Saturday late January, opposition activist Atia Athmouni, 59 broke down in tears and said " He talked about the dictator and about the fallen heroes".
Wither the status quo anyone? ....
This post will not touch on the "heavy issues" - most of which are not a surprise to any sane people on this earth!!! Examples, it's not a surprise that President Hosni Mubarak "agreed" to step down but only in September - he's a man living on his own island & detached from the reality. It is also not surprising that he made such a decision after chit chatting over the phone with the States' President Barrack Obama..
It is also not surprising that China - almost half of the world apart from Egypt - had blocked the word "Egypt" from microblog searches!!!
In Tunisia, a doctor Souha Naija aptly described the Tunisian Revolution as " a kind of birth" - the doctor said ;" For me this is a birth ... There is blood, there is pain. But after, there is birth" ...
There is also a 21 year old Tunisian rap star, Hamada Ben Amor a.k.a. "El General" took to the stage for the first time after being banned by the Tunisian regime. His crime? He wrote lyrics earlier month of January as the revolution exploded which earned him the ban and a spell in the jail ...
The lyrics go like this: "We live in suffering/Like dogs/Half the population is oppressed and living in misery/President of the country/Your people are dead" ... When he took the stage on Saturday late January, opposition activist Atia Athmouni, 59 broke down in tears and said " He talked about the dictator and about the fallen heroes".
Wither the status quo anyone? ....
It's The Lunar Year Again @ Year of Rabbit
This year is the Rabbit Year - the 4th of the 12 animals listed in the Chinese calendar after the rat, ox and tiger.
I was born in 1963 and a Rabbit I am - not too sure though whether I am a Metallic Rabbit or Water Rabbit and wart not - but for sure I am the adorable Rabbit. So as those who were born in 1963 including my Chinese friends ...
So to Eric Cheah, Cheah Fah Thong (wherever you are Fah Thong), Albert, Kevin, Eric Cheah and those I could not recall @ ACS Ipoh - my sincere wish "Gong Xi Fa Chai" ...
Back to the Rabbit, from my readings of so many articles on this creature:
1. Amongst others Johnny Depp is a Rabbit, so is Drew Barrymore, and the best is so is Angelina Jolie (and Brad Pitt) .... So am I !!!!
2. In "Alice Adventure in Wonderland" by Lewis Carrol, it was the white rabbit which lured Alice into the adventure via the rabbit hole. Thus the metaphor - "Down the rabbit hole" which implies the sense of adventure for people.
3. Remember the movie "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" he has a sexy wife Jessica Rabbit
4. Rabbit is also associated with playfulness, not to mention sexual innuendos in modern world. "Playboy" has a rabbit symbol and the Playboy Bunny is to be found almost everywhere in this world [No pun is intended here yea]
5. Rabbit related phrases @ " Breeding Like Rabbits" (producing babies very quickly), "Rabbit Test" (pregnant test), " Like a rabbit caught in the headlight" (too scared to move), " Rabbit on" (talk continuously), "Pull a rabbit out of the hat" (surprising everybody) & "Bunny Boiler" (a woman who is obsessed with a man).
6. Lastly who could forget the playful, cheeky and adventurous "Bugs Bunny" - u really love to hate/adore (whichever way you may wish to judge anyway) this character!!!
A very happy Chinese New Year to all ..... & to Angelina Jolie of course!!!!
I was born in 1963 and a Rabbit I am - not too sure though whether I am a Metallic Rabbit or Water Rabbit and wart not - but for sure I am the adorable Rabbit. So as those who were born in 1963 including my Chinese friends ...
So to Eric Cheah, Cheah Fah Thong (wherever you are Fah Thong), Albert, Kevin, Eric Cheah and those I could not recall @ ACS Ipoh - my sincere wish "Gong Xi Fa Chai" ...
Back to the Rabbit, from my readings of so many articles on this creature:
1. Amongst others Johnny Depp is a Rabbit, so is Drew Barrymore, and the best is so is Angelina Jolie (and Brad Pitt) .... So am I !!!!
2. In "Alice Adventure in Wonderland" by Lewis Carrol, it was the white rabbit which lured Alice into the adventure via the rabbit hole. Thus the metaphor - "Down the rabbit hole" which implies the sense of adventure for people.
3. Remember the movie "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" he has a sexy wife Jessica Rabbit
4. Rabbit is also associated with playfulness, not to mention sexual innuendos in modern world. "Playboy" has a rabbit symbol and the Playboy Bunny is to be found almost everywhere in this world [No pun is intended here yea]
5. Rabbit related phrases @ " Breeding Like Rabbits" (producing babies very quickly), "Rabbit Test" (pregnant test), " Like a rabbit caught in the headlight" (too scared to move), " Rabbit on" (talk continuously), "Pull a rabbit out of the hat" (surprising everybody) & "Bunny Boiler" (a woman who is obsessed with a man).
6. Lastly who could forget the playful, cheeky and adventurous "Bugs Bunny" - u really love to hate/adore (whichever way you may wish to judge anyway) this character!!!
A very happy Chinese New Year to all ..... & to Angelina Jolie of course!!!!
It's ROS not ROC ... My Error
In my posting re: 'Kita Wants To Be The Main Opposition", I inadvertently typing ROC (Registrar of Companies) when I touched on the registration issue of Kita. It should be ROS (Registrar of Societies instead ... It's my inadvertent error & I apologise for that.
Moving on it was reported in NST @ 1/2/2011 at page 31 that Kazakhtan's constitutional council rejected a referendum to extend President Nursultan Nazarbayev's rule until 2020. Reason for the rejection is that it does not comply with the constitution...
Fine but it was reported in the TV3 8 o'clock news @ 2/2/2011 that the Kazakhstan's Parliament had passed a law paving the way for the 70 (Q: How old is Hosni Mubarak anyway?)year old President seeking a re election which would extremely be in his favour!! It's not a surprise as the Kazakhstan's House of Parliament has not even a single opposition seat - this is a truly "1 Kazakhstan" ....
The President had been in power for 20 years and the "rakyat" had only known and became accustomed to the one and only leader/President Nursultan since the independence from the Soviet Union.
Now is the year 2011 and by the 2020, what would happen to the uranium rich plus other industrial metals & oil Kazakhstan? .... What a pity!!!
Reason being
Moving on it was reported in NST @ 1/2/2011 at page 31 that Kazakhtan's constitutional council rejected a referendum to extend President Nursultan Nazarbayev's rule until 2020. Reason for the rejection is that it does not comply with the constitution...
Fine but it was reported in the TV3 8 o'clock news @ 2/2/2011 that the Kazakhstan's Parliament had passed a law paving the way for the 70 (Q: How old is Hosni Mubarak anyway?)year old President seeking a re election which would extremely be in his favour!! It's not a surprise as the Kazakhstan's House of Parliament has not even a single opposition seat - this is a truly "1 Kazakhstan" ....
The President had been in power for 20 years and the "rakyat" had only known and became accustomed to the one and only leader/President Nursultan since the independence from the Soviet Union.
Now is the year 2011 and by the 2020, what would happen to the uranium rich plus other industrial metals & oil Kazakhstan? .... What a pity!!!
Reason being
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Collapsed ceiling ... Oh No Not Again!!!!
It appears that there were so many interesting news reported in the NST @ 31 January 2011 .... One of which was regarding the collapsed ceiling at the main lobby of the Serdang Hospital on 30 January 2011.
The report appeared below the picture in the news said that "several Public Works Department personnel inspecting the collapsed ceiling ... " though the picture showed they were "talking" or is it "discussing" the issue after inspection? I am confused here as the picture showed a different thing altogether!!!
It was also reported that the incident was a first which has occurred since the hospital started operating in December 2005. To this, I could not argue as it might be the case but looking at things "globally" or rather "nation wide", collapsed of ceiling at Serdang hospital is not the first. The Court Complex experienced it on a number of occasions so as the august Parliament building!!!!
Moving forward.... another contractor(s) to be blacklisted? Let's wait - going by the rate of the "collapsed" incidents this country might be out of contractors soon ....
By the way, my eyes caught a large banner at the Main Lobby which actual readings were illegible but something on - "Ke Arah .... 3S. Pelancaran Program Amalan 3S, Jabatan .... Hospital Serdang" ....[Note: Anybody please help me with this "3S". Is it "Selamat, Sejahtera & Sihat"?]
My only hope is that this "Amalan 3S" has nothing - even remotely - connected to the unfortunate incident ....
The report appeared below the picture in the news said that "several Public Works Department personnel inspecting the collapsed ceiling ... " though the picture showed they were "talking" or is it "discussing" the issue after inspection? I am confused here as the picture showed a different thing altogether!!!
It was also reported that the incident was a first which has occurred since the hospital started operating in December 2005. To this, I could not argue as it might be the case but looking at things "globally" or rather "nation wide", collapsed of ceiling at Serdang hospital is not the first. The Court Complex experienced it on a number of occasions so as the august Parliament building!!!!
Moving forward.... another contractor(s) to be blacklisted? Let's wait - going by the rate of the "collapsed" incidents this country might be out of contractors soon ....
By the way, my eyes caught a large banner at the Main Lobby which actual readings were illegible but something on - "Ke Arah .... 3S. Pelancaran Program Amalan 3S, Jabatan .... Hospital Serdang" ....[Note: Anybody please help me with this "3S". Is it "Selamat, Sejahtera & Sihat"?]
My only hope is that this "Amalan 3S" has nothing - even remotely - connected to the unfortunate incident ....
"Kita Wants To Lead Opposition" @ NST 31/1/2011 pg 14
A short note on the above news report in today's NST ...
It was reported from Kuching, Sarawak that Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, the President of Parti Kesejahteraan Insan Tanah Air (Kita)said that the said party's aim is to become the country's main opposition party...
I would not comment on the typical politicians' remarks or snub against another fellow politician in the report as I am not interested in those games of theirs.
What I have to agree is when Datuk Zaid said - " What we want to do is to make the opposition meaningful, effective and active... In the long run, this is what the country needs...."
The above statement by him has my full support as I have always believe in a strong & effective opposition (be it from any side of the political leaning) is good as "check and balance" to the incumbent government of the day .... This is to ensure that no Bills/Acts/Laws are being "bull dozed" at the shortest time of debating at Parliament and the too frequent amendments to the Federal Constitution resulting it being "brain dead" ....
To Datuk Zaid, good luck to you and best wishes ... By the way, has the ROC OK Kita registration and/or matters related thereto?
It was reported from Kuching, Sarawak that Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, the President of Parti Kesejahteraan Insan Tanah Air (Kita)said that the said party's aim is to become the country's main opposition party...
I would not comment on the typical politicians' remarks or snub against another fellow politician in the report as I am not interested in those games of theirs.
What I have to agree is when Datuk Zaid said - " What we want to do is to make the opposition meaningful, effective and active... In the long run, this is what the country needs...."
The above statement by him has my full support as I have always believe in a strong & effective opposition (be it from any side of the political leaning) is good as "check and balance" to the incumbent government of the day .... This is to ensure that no Bills/Acts/Laws are being "bull dozed" at the shortest time of debating at Parliament and the too frequent amendments to the Federal Constitution resulting it being "brain dead" ....
To Datuk Zaid, good luck to you and best wishes ... By the way, has the ROC OK Kita registration and/or matters related thereto?
Poor Tok Bakar Ismail of Kangar, Perlis
It's quite amusing but felt pity for an 85 year old Bakar Ismail who hails from Kampung Sungai Padang, Simpang Empat, Kangar, Perlis when I turned to page 14, NST (31 January 2011).
Judging by the picture of Tok Bakar who stood by his 70cc bike he bought 30 years ago, he could not be "judged" as a "Mat Rempit" or to put it politically correct terms as somebody who could beat the speed limit.
What happened was he was issued with traffic summons for speeding on a 500cc super bike that he does not own!!!! The best part was he was being caught speeding amongst others at Km6.2 of the North-South Expressway between KL and Seremban on 30 July at 1.53 PM - that's far way south mind you!!!!
In his own words, To Bakar used a "Mat Motor" lingo - ' There must be some confusion because the super bike's number plate is PV738, which is the same as the kapchai (Honda 70cc) that I bought from a friend 30 years ago". [Note: This Honda 70cc was also owned by Apak those days and trust me, it just could not speeding!!!!].
In the news report, Tok Bakar had been asked to write an appeal and to state his case to the Bukit Aman Traffic headquarters for the summons to be cancelled.
To Tok Bakar, I wish the matter could be settled soon & how I wish I could be on that Honda 70cc for a ride around the kampung ......
Judging by the picture of Tok Bakar who stood by his 70cc bike he bought 30 years ago, he could not be "judged" as a "Mat Rempit" or to put it politically correct terms as somebody who could beat the speed limit.
What happened was he was issued with traffic summons for speeding on a 500cc super bike that he does not own!!!! The best part was he was being caught speeding amongst others at Km6.2 of the North-South Expressway between KL and Seremban on 30 July at 1.53 PM - that's far way south mind you!!!!
In his own words, To Bakar used a "Mat Motor" lingo - ' There must be some confusion because the super bike's number plate is PV738, which is the same as the kapchai (Honda 70cc) that I bought from a friend 30 years ago". [Note: This Honda 70cc was also owned by Apak those days and trust me, it just could not speeding!!!!].
In the news report, Tok Bakar had been asked to write an appeal and to state his case to the Bukit Aman Traffic headquarters for the summons to be cancelled.
To Tok Bakar, I wish the matter could be settled soon & how I wish I could be on that Honda 70cc for a ride around the kampung ......
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