Salam Eid Mubarak

Today is the 1st day of Hari Raya Aidil Fitri ... A day of celebration after the one month of fasting. Nowadays, we Malaysians sort of like certain of when Hari Raya Aidil Fitri will be celebrated. The whole of Malaysia without exception celebrating the day together in unity despite the diversity in belief or political leanings. I still remember in the early 80s, Perak, my home state, celebrated Hari Raya Aidil Fitri a day earlier than the rest of the states in Malaysia. I think the only state which followed the Silver State then was Johor. The whole "ceruk rantau" of Perak was besieged with "van Kementerian Penerangan" announcing the fall of Hari Raya Aidil Fitri. It is also great to note that 13 ISA detainees were released a day before Hari Raya Aidil Fitri. Whatever the motive is as some would say, it does not matter so long as these 13 were freed and could celebrate the Hari Raya with their families and friends. I believe there are still score of detainees still being held at the Kamunting Camp for various "reasons" ... They should be freed soonest without any conditions attached. I read in Mingguan Malaysia today quoting the Perkasa head, Ibrahim Ali as criticising those who said the release was politically motivated as bankrupt of idea. He was saying that these detainees were released due to ISA had been abolished and the Government will release the remaining detainees in stages. As for me one thing for sure Ibrahim Ali is not the Malaysian Home Minister unless he has the privilege of knowing the intention of the Government to release the detainees in stages. However, one thing which I am sure of those ISA detainees should not be persecuted under the said Act in the first place and should be freed without any condition immediately. "Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri" .....

The Price of Freedom of Expression

By nature, human being likes to express himself without any restraints... Every sane person should be allowed to express himself without fear or favour. However as time evolves, there are rules, laws which to a certain extent curtailed freedom of expression. Below are two recent examples ... The founder of Wikileaks, Julian Assange had been granted an asylum by the Ecuador government as he sought refuge at the Ecuador embassy in London for months. He sought refuge there to avoid being extradited to Norway for an alleged sexual assault... It was reported earlier that the UK government might resort to avail herself to "a seldom used legislation" to declare the Ecuador embassy as an "illegal entity" thus making it not immune and could not use the "diplomatic immunity". In short, the UK government/apparatus could enter the embassy and arrest Julian Assange. This has drawn criticisms world wide. It was reported by the BBC just now that the UK government has placed police personnel outside the embassy with a crystal clear order that Julian Assange is to be arrested if were to leave the Ecuador embassy. This practically means Julian Assange is held up imprisoned at the said embassy. As we all know, Julian Assange was responsible for the leakage of thousands of sensitive and ultra confidential information including diplomatic cables of the western governments especially the States. This incurred the wrath of the States especially and the perception of the common people is that the sexual assault allegation is just a tool to keep his mouth shut!!! At the other end of the world, three members of the Russian Punk Band Pussy Riot had been convicted to two years of jail each. The three, Yekaterina Samutbvich, Nadezhda Tolonnikova and Maria Alyokhina were convicted on the charge of hooliganism after being arrested for their performance a cathedral. Obviously, their action caused an outrage from the Russian Orthodox church. The Pussy Riot saga had turned into an issue of freedom of expression in the Putinist Russia. They had even been declared as prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International and had also become the darling of anti Putin's repression in Russia. The conviction as reported by BBC just now had drawn world wide crisscrossing from outside the Court in Moscow itself right up to Paris, UK and even Israel... What a hefty price to pay in expressing oneself against the "imperfect" system.... Here in Malaysia the long arm of the law had even stretch to the cyber world by the recent amendment of the Evidence Act by the insertion of Section 114A after the various restrictive legislation such as the Printing and Press Act, the OSA and the likes .... Till we meet again ....

Lagu Mak

Below is Mak's favourite song ... She sang this song when I was a kid during bed time. Kartina Dahari Sayang Di Sayang : "Angin menderu Dahan jatuh menimpa batu Kuburan ( 2X ) Murai terkejut berkicau-kicauan langit mendung di liputi awan Alamat bumi di sirami hujan Sayang di sayang Hati ku rindu Orang jauh tak lupa dari Kenangan ( 2X ) Fikiran kusut berisau-risauan Sakit untung di tinggalkan abang Ibarat kapal tidak berhaluan Sayang di sayang" Till we meet again ... Selamat Hari Raya Eidl Fitri.

Ernesto "Che" Guevara - "Che Vive!!" (Che lives!!)

A posting on the colourful and tragic life of Ernesto Che Guevara, the Argentine famous guerrilla revolutionary .... Che was born - officially documented that is - on 14 June 1928 but her mother, Celia Guevara de la Serna had confided secretly that her famous son was actually born on 14 May 1928 in the city of Rosario. As if destined to grow up as a freedom fighter, Che was born amid the fracas caused by a strike staged by the Rosario's dockworkers in May 1928. He was born on the same day as a twenty eight year old stevedorE named Ramon Romero died in the Grenaderos a Caballo Hospital about twenty kilometers north of Rosario. Romero also known as "Diente de Oro (Gold Teeth) was shot in the head during the strike on 13 May 1928. Che entered the Medical Faculty of Buenos Aires University in 1947 and graduated as a medical doctor but ended up as a guerrilla fighter together with Fidel Castro in freeing Cuba from the US puppet dictator of General Fulgencio Batista. After the victory parade from Santa Clara towards Havana in January 1959, Che became "restless" and was involved in several guerrilla war in Congo where he tried to imitate the Cuban liberation but failed miserably. He then was engaged in the same cause in Bolivia where he was killed. Che was thirty nine years old when he was executed on 9 October 1967 by a sergeant named Mario Teran. It was narrated by Felix Rodriguez, a CIA operative who captured Che that when asked by him if Che had any messages for his family, Che said " tell Fidel that he will soon see a triumphant revolution in America.... And tell my wife to remarry and to try to be happy". On hearing this, Rodriguez stepped forward and embraced Che. He wrote "It was a tremendously emotional moment for me. I no longer hated him. His moment of truth had come, and he was conducting himself like a man. He was facing his death with courage and grace." Rodriguez then left the room and asked Mario Teran " not to shoot Che on the face, but from the neck down" for Che's wounds had to appear as though had been inflicted in battle. Rodriguez noted further that " I walked up the hill and began making notes. When I heard the shots I checked my watch. It was 1:10 P.M." It was narrated that Che's last words before he was shot were " I know you've come to kill me. Shoot, coward, you are only going to kill a man." Months before he was executed, Che wrote a letter, only to be read after his death, to his five children: " If one day you must read this letter, it will be because I am no longer among you. You will almost not remember me and the little ones will remember nothing at all. Your father has been a man who acted according to his beliefs and certainly has been faithful to his convictions. Grow up as good revolutionaries. Study hard to be able to dominate the techniques that permit the domination of nature. Remember that the Revolution is what is important and that each of us, on our own, is worthless. Above all, try always to be able to feel deeply any injustice committed against any person in any part of the world. It is the most beautiful quality of a revolutionary. Until always, little children. I still hope to see you again. A really big kiss and a hug from Papa." Che vive!!! .....

What is your favourite "Lagu Raya"?

As we are coming towards the tail end of Ramadhan, the radio stations is now slowly but steadily being flooded with abundance of "Lagu Raya" ... from the evergreen classic sung by P.Ramlee right up to the contemporary by the like of Hattan or M. Nasir... Pardon me as I could not really recall the titles of all the 'Lagu Raya" ... Of course you could not but knowing the following songs ... The vergreen classic by P. Ramlee "Dendang Perantau" and that particular song beginning with "Bila beduk berbunyi ,,," - this song actually has two versions. One which was recorded earlier - I think in the 50s - before it was sung again by P. Ramlee in a "moden" new music arrangement. And who could not sing the "Dam Dim Dumm ... Bunyi mercun" sung by Saloma, it's a pity that these lyrics was "snapped" and banned because of the "mercun" element!!! Ahmad Jais has his own classic "Lagu Raya" simply entitled "Selamat Hari Raya" so as Sanisah Huri with a few songs, one of which is quite popular - it's a sad Raya song actually, if I am not mistaken "Bersabarlah Sayang". [Note: By the way is there a Raya song sung by the sultry voice of Fazidah Joned? I think there is one called "Selamat Hari Raya"] Later years, we were fed with the more contemporary "Lagu Raya". Just to name a few ... Siti Nurhaliza with "Nazam Lebaran" & "Airmata Syawal". Uji Rashid & Hail Amir with "Seloka Hari Raya" and D.J. Dave with "Seloka Hari Raya"... Hattan came up with a song called "Selamat Datang Sayang" and of course M. Nasir with "Satu Hari Di Hari Raya" .... I save this for the last as it is my all time favourite "Lagu Raya" and I wonder why this song is seldom played by the radio stations ... It's a beautiful "Lagu Raya" sung by Khairil Johari Johar called "Baju kurung biru" .... Before I end this posting, do we notice that "Balik Kampung" by Sudirman has nothing to do _ the lyrics - with Raya but it is so popular every time Raya comes .... "Selamat Hari Raya ..."

What a contrast ....

Malay Mail on 9 August 2012 in the World News reported two news with a glaring contrast with each other ... The first news was about the North Korean's First Lady (please read again "North Korean's First Lady) has been pictured what appears to be a Christian Dior handbag. this is in stark contrast to the widespread foot shortages in the impoverished nation. It was said that the hand bag (if genuine) would cost 1.8 million won (RM5,100) in Seoul, South Korea.... At the same page, it was reported from Accra, Ghana that the government of Ghana has no budget for (the State)funeral of the late President John Evans Atta Mills. A senior official of the state was quoted as saying that the annual budget did not normally make provision for such things as funeral so government was not funding the funeral. The said official said this to quash rumours making the rounds that the funeral was going to cost 30 million Ghana cedis, or USD 18.5 million (RM59.2 million) while the casket cost USD 75,000.00 (RM240,000.00). What about in Malaysia then? Anybody fancy having expensive handbag(s) or other accessories ... such as a diamond ring and so on? Well, if "mampu apa salahnya"... Good night ....

Tema Hari Kebangsaan 1970 - 2011

August is the Merdeka Month and this year, 1 Malaysia is perplexed with the 2012 Merdeka Day theme "55 Tahun Janji Di Tepati" ... Wait a minute, let's not make a hasty judgement for it is better for us, Malaysians, to look back at the last Merdeka Day Themes... Here they are as below: 1970 Muhibah dan Perpaduan 1971 Masyarakat Progresif 1972 Masyarakat Adil 1973 Masyarakat Kebudayaan Malaysia 1974 Sains dan Teknologi Alat Perpaduan 1975 Masyarakat Berdikari 1976 Ketahanan Rakyat 1977 20 Tahun Bersatu Maju 1978 Kebudayaan Seni Perpaduan 1979 Bersatu Berdisiplin 1980 Berdisiplin Berbakti 1981 Berdisiplin Berharmoni 1982 Berdisiplin Giat Maju 1983 Bersama ke Arah Kemajuan 1984 Amanah Asas Kejayaan 1985 Nasionalisme Teras Perpaduan 1986 Bangsa Tegas Negara Teguh 1987 Setia Bersatu Berusaha Maju 1988-1989 Bersatu 1990 Berjaya 1991 Wawasan 2020 1992 Wawasan Asas Kejayaan 1993 Bersatu Menuju Wawasan 1994 Nilai Murni Jayakan Wawasan 1995 Jatidiri Penggerak Wawasan 1996 Budaya Penentu Kecapaian 1997 Akhlak Mulia Masyarakat Berjaya 1998 Negara Kita Tanggungjawab Kita 1999 Bersatu Ke Alaf Baru 2000-2006 Keranamu Malaysia 2007 Malaysiaku Gemilang 2008 Perpaduan Teras Kejayaan 2009 1Malaysia – Rakyat Didahulukan, Pencapaian Diutamakan 2010 1Malaysia Menjana Tranformasi 2011 1Malaysia Transformasi Berjaya, Rakyat Sejahtera. Now, I urge you to ponder and make your own judgment on the 2012 Merdeka Day Theme ..... Selamat Menyambut Hari Kemerdekaan with the inclusive theme of "Sebangsa, Senegara, Sejiwa"!!!!! Good night ....

"Dulu - Dulu Pun' The Ladies Went Shopping!!!

I am not being gender biased nor I am being sexist here but generally - and I must stress GENERALLY!!! - the fairer side of us men loves to shop around. This shopping traits could not be separated from the ladies ... and it had been practiced since centuries ago. Let me prove it to you .... In "The Epic of Hang Tuah" (an English translation of the "Hikayat Hang Tuah'), it was narrated that after the wedding ceremony with Radin Emas Ayu was concluded, the King of Melaka sailed back to Melaka. In its journey back, the King entourage stopped at several "negeri" such as Tuban and Jayakatra. At these "negeri", the Royal entourage would stopped for a few days where the King and his nobles would went for hunting. So, what were the women doing then? Read this: " Within a few days they arrived in Tuban. The Adipati of Tuban and nobles arrived with gifts to welcome Hisajesty. His Majesty stopped in Tuban for seven days to seek entertainment and go on hunt; an abundance of game did they catch. After seven days His Majesty sought leave of Sang Agung Tuban and sailed towards Jayakatra. When they arrived in the harbour, Adipati Jayakatra came with his nobles to welcome him, .... His Majesty stopped in Jayakatra for seven days to be entertained and enjoy the festivities, All the women in the vessels disembarked and visited all the markets...." I reckon the women shopped for seven days in Jayakatra!!!! There you have it, the proof that "sejak dari dahulu lagi ada aktiviti: shopping by the women folks ... Happy Raya shopping to all but be thrifty yea .....

The Excitement - Royal Wedding of the Century

Long before the much talked about Britain's Royal Wedding, centuries ago right in the heart of the Malay Archipelago, there was a great and mammoth Royal Wedding of the century... It was the wedding between the Sultan of Melaka and Raden Emas Ayu, the daughter of the Betara Majapahit. It was a royal, extravagant and regal event which narrated as below: " ... The King of Melaka had a ritual bath performed, employing a complete set of toiletries. When it was completed, he dressed in the most magnificent costume, after which he placed the Seguntang Hill crown on his head, and wore the clasp and the cross belt, both decorated with gems and precious stones... When his Majesty had dressing, the royal elephant was decorated, its entire caparison was of gold and inlaid with gemstones, so many were they that its body could not be seen...." As for Raden Emas Ayu, she " ... was adorned with all manner of magnificent costumes, first with a long sarong skirt with triple octagonal pendants, a silver comb and hair pins, studded with rubies, the handiwork of renowned Javanese craftsmen, and inlaid with more rubies ... She wore carved bracelets clustered with full gems, three a piece on each wrist, ... her hair in small buns, her teeth flawlessly white, lips crimson and extremely sweet; she resembled a limitless ocean of honey... She was like the candle in a lantern..." It was narrated that when all preparations were completed, the King of Melaka mounted the royal elephant accompanied by the royal orchestra and " soon all the musical instruments - the drums, flutes, rattles, clarinets, flageolets, lutes, xylophones and trumpets - there were forty kinds in all being played, wonderfully melodious were their sound ...." As the procession of the King of Melaka stepped forward ceremoniously to the Istana Majapahit to wed Raden Emas Ayu, it was narrated that the folks of Majapahit were in a festive and euphoria mood as narrated below: " ... those with children left them anxious to catch a glimpse of His Majesty; all the married women left their husbands; some with hair buns undone; ....; some ran and fell, to stand up and run again; some who had just powdered half their faces, but scurried off anyway to steal a look, some who had just oiled half their hair rushed to take a peek; and many were those who fell and hurt their faces, but covered them and still went to see the King, saying: "When else shall we have another chance to see a King in procession?". Hmmmmm, what an occasion!! To Kate Paddleton and hubby, you were beaten centuries ago .... Till we meet again....

Mak & her radiogram

A short posting on my Mak .... Actually, I could not recall which came first, is it the colour TV or the radiogram. What I am sure is that Apak bought both items for us and the radiogram especially for Mak. I remember Mak would asked me to play her favorite songs such as "Selimut Putih" (Orkes Al Suraya), "Malam Ini Kita Berpisah" (Habibah Yakob) as well as songs from Sanisah Huri, Sharifah Aini, Rafeah Buang and the like .... There was one particular song sung by the duet husband & wife - A. Ramlie and Maria Bachok - entitled "Intanku Liyana". If I am not mistaken the song was composed to celebrate their newly born daughter by the same name. While listening to the songs - I could not escaped anyway due my being my Mak's "DJ" - it amazed me that the album/record cover always had a portrait picture of the singers. The pictures were in various styles ... For the female singers, the pictures would almost always their portrait wearing oversize dark glasses and looking "side ways". For the male singers, they would wear the 70s fashion - "seluar & baju kotak2x" except for Ismail Harun who liked to wear oversize dark glasses. As for me, the album/record cover of Sanisah Huri wearing an Indian Costume - saree and wart not - was the most memorable. One of the song in that album was entitled " Taj Mahal" depicting the love story of Shah Jahan & Mumtaz Jahan. Mak & I was closely bonded via these songs and the radiogram of course and how I missed her so much... May Allah bless her ......