Actually there are so many snippets on Apak throughout my years with him ... He's quite a funny guy despite him being a teacher. Below are some of the snippets regarding Apak, I might have mentioned some of them in my earlier postings but it is worth repeating ...
Once, somewhere in the mid of 70s, our area was inundated with flood - Pengkalan Pegoh, Changkat Larang and small part of Pasir Puteh, Ipoh - for weeks. Apak as I told you had this penchant/hobby of "menjaring ikan" using "jaring" (fishing net) at the "lombong". He normally went to check the 'jaring" early in the morning after "dipasang di lombong" a day before in the evening. That day, he managed to catch"anak tongsan" and was on his way back to sell it at the "pasar'. Coincidentally, there were reporters covering the flooding area ... they took some pictures of the kids swimming & playing in the flood et al. Upon seeing Apak with his old motorcycle passing by ( actually the flood was about to recede and it was at about knee length), one of the reporter asked Apak to post with his "big catch" of the day and he obliged... Voila!!! The next day, there it was - a picture in black and white of Apak appeared at the front page of NST holding up his "anak tongsan" with a caption " Bounty of flood" , something to that effect. The funny part was the "news" was presented as if the "anak tongsan" was caught due to flood whereas Apak caught it by "menjaring" at a mining pool somewhere in Batu Gajah approximately about 10 km from the flood area. The whole "kampung" was talking about Apak being an instant celebrity for almost a month... I think my brother still keep that photo somewhere ....
Talking about Apak's old motorcycle, I remember it was a Honda with registration number A ... 3058 and it was the only "asset" as a mean of transport for Apak. One day, Apak wanted to go to Pengkalan Pegoh - a small idle town not far from our house for an evening "teh tarik" with me tagging along. On our way there, we were stopped by police in a road block, apparently the police were checking driving license ... Apak confidently stopped athe road side upon being asked to do so by the police. The police asked Apak to produce his license ... Then the "waiting game" began ... The "problem" is this ... Apak kept his license in his wallet and it aws not your "ordinary" wallet. Apak being Apak, he kept almost everything in the wallet, you name it receipts, some notes/addresses, money ( not that he has alot of it anyway!!!), duit shiling and even his old "red card" ( I think it's his teacher's certification or something) and there you are, the wallet ended up about an inch or almost to two inches thick!!!! so you could imagine how Apak diligently standing beside his motorcycle with me still on it 'digging" through the thick wallet trying to find his license!!! I can still remember while waiting for Apak, the police managed to check about 5 to 6 motorcycles and several cars but Apak still at the road side with his thick wallet. After a few minutes, the police said to Apak ' Tak apa la Pak Cik, Pak Cik bole jalan, tak payah la lesen tu!!". Upon hearing this, Pak thanked the police and apologised. At the coffee shop, without being asked Apak told me that actually his "lesen dah mati" the week before and he forgot to renew it!!!
In my earlier posting, I wrote about Apak's old car - yes he always have old things, old motorcycle and old car!! - "jatuh masuk lombong" when he forgot to hand braked the car. After that incident, my brother Asri bought him a "new" second hand car to the chagrin of Mak. The reason being after having that "new" car which was in better shape than the first one, Apak ventured into his "menjaring activities' even further away than the area which he used to go and obviously this worried Mak so much. Thank God nothing untoward happened to Apak ...
This last piece which I wanted to share was an incident told by Apak when he was a 9primary) teacher at Sekolah Kebangsaan Jlan Connolly, Ipoh. This school was a mixed school with Malays (from the nearby Kampung Sg. Pari and its vicinity), a handful of Chinese and quite a number of Indians (from the Indian settlement Buntong). In the class, Apak notice a group of Indian boys sitting close with each other and always making noises in the class room. Apak tried to be "innovative" by separating them, rearranging their seats far apart from each other. Guess what? The result was disastrous ... Being far apart, they became even noisier as they have to "verbally communicated" with each other at the top of their lungs!!! After only 2 days, Apak learnt his lesson and put them closely together gain to "lower down: the noise volume in the class....
There were other interesting anecdotes on Apak but I will reserve them in my later postings ... Good night and till we meet again!!!
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Monday, September 22, 2014
Constitutional Monarchy - The 4th Branch of the Malaysian Constitution
This is just a free flow posting regarding our monarchy system in Malaysia. We have been made known - most of the time - of the 3 branches of the Federal Constitution which are the main pillars of our beloved nation, Malaysia. These are the Executive, Judiciary and Legislative branches of the Government[I am using a capital "G" for the 'government" as it represent "Government" of the Rakyat/people].
Most of the time, Malaysians tend to overlook that there is another branch of the Government of Malaysia that is our monarchy .... On this note, I am not going to trace back the alleged "asal usul hikayat" Raja-Raja Melayu who are said to be the descendants of Raja Suran and came down to earth from the "heaven" to Bukit Seguntang and so on .... Those are bed time time stories!!
In Malaysia, our monarchy system is basically based on the Westminster system but with a slight :modification" as we have 9 hereditary States Malay Rulers who would be alternately appointed as the Yang Di Pertuan Agung at the Federal level .... But this is not the focus of this posting, what I am going to touch is on the historical events of the "clash" between the Monarch and the Executive in Malaysia with the backdrop of the currently impasse in the Selangor MB crisis ....
Due to ours is a system of constitutional monarchy, the Malay Rulers have and are bound to act within the parameters of the Constitution be it the Federal Constitution or the State Constitution or what is commonly known as "Undang-Undang Tubuh Negeri". Despite this, there were instances where the Monarch had "flexed" its muscle especially when it comes to the appointment of the MB...
Most recent was the impasse in the appointment of MB of Terengganu in 2008 where UMNO (read as "the Executive") wanted to appoint Idris Jusoh as the MB however the Sultan of Terengganu more keen on Ahmad Said as the MB who later prevailed . In 2008 another "impasse" was also occurred when immediately after the PR swept into power in Perak, the then Royal Highness of Sultan of Perak summoned all parties of PR for a "meeting" in order to determine from which party the MB should be appointed from ... At the end of the day, a Malay MB in the name of YB Nizar from PAS was appointed as the Perak MB.
In both the Terengganu & Perak cases, the Monarch are said to exercise its "powers" within the constitution or at least within the permissible convention "reserved" for the Malay Rulers ... No issue to this as the matter was sort of "amicably settled" among the parties concerned.
The next two cases way back in early 1970s and 1980s which happened in Perak (ooh ooh again my home state!!!) and Pahang respectively nearly caused a real constitutional crisis ...
In 1974, the then Royal Highness of Perak wanted to "change" the MB of Perak, Ghazali Jawi after he was in office approximately for 2 years .... However, the Perak Sultan was advised that this could not be done as under the Constitution once appointed as MB and the said MB commanded the majority support of the ADUNs then he would remain as MB until the term is over. His Royal Highness had openly displayed his "displeasure" and vowed that he would not shave his "misai & jambang" until Ghazali Jawi did not step down as Perak MB. The matter was settled when Ghazali Jawi stepped down at the advise of the then UMNO President ...
In the 80s, there was one outspoken MB by the name of Rahim Bakar. Again for certain reason, HRH the Sultan of Pahang had a "cold war" and "tense" relationship with Rahim Bakar who was then replaced by an interim MB Rashid before the current PM, Najib Razak was appointed as Pahang MB ....
The currently impasse of the appointment of Selangor MB (at the time of this posting it is almost confirmed that Azmin Ali would be appointed as the MB to replace Khalid Ibrahim), again this 4th branch of the Constitution "flexed" its muscle. Despite the "clear support of the ADUNs majority" in Dr Wan Azizah as the MB, the palace had chosen Azmin Ali. This is very peculiar as the state constitution is quite clear on this issue unless all parties managed to mend their "differences" ...
It is peculiar as almost similar precedent had been set in Perak in 2009 (what? Perak again?) where HRH the Sultan of Perak then "exercised his constitutional power" in appointing Zambri as the new MB in replaced of Nizar on the ground that Zambri had the majority support of the ADUNs. HRH Sultan of Perak's royal decree was decided as "constitutionally right" by the apex of Malaysian Federal Court ... There you are two similar cases but with two different outcomes!!!!
I will part this posting by mentioning the "mother of all clashes" between the Executive and the Monarchy in Malaysia during the constitutional crisis in 1983 then the climax of it in 1993 led by Tun M pertaining to the Malay Rulers' power and their royal immunities .... The 4th branch of the constitution in my view had been "literally bulldozed" and its pillar 'cracked" when the then Executives headed by Tun M. The printed and electronic media was used to the optimum to attack the Malay Rulers to the extent that nationwide rally in the name of "Semarak" campaign was carried out nation wide spearheaded by the then "Kementerian Penerangan" ....... There was no holds barred then and there was no enforcement of the Sedition Act 1948 then .... It is quite sad and unfortunate as this 4th branch of the constitution had been 'trampled" by the very own Malays which is not surprising as way back in 1946 the Malays had "practically blocked" the Malay Rulers at the Istana Kelantan in Kota Bahru preventing the Malay Rulers from endorsing the Malayan Union!!!!
Well, there you are, history will be the judge and till we meet again .....
Most of the time, Malaysians tend to overlook that there is another branch of the Government of Malaysia that is our monarchy .... On this note, I am not going to trace back the alleged "asal usul hikayat" Raja-Raja Melayu who are said to be the descendants of Raja Suran and came down to earth from the "heaven" to Bukit Seguntang and so on .... Those are bed time time stories!!
In Malaysia, our monarchy system is basically based on the Westminster system but with a slight :modification" as we have 9 hereditary States Malay Rulers who would be alternately appointed as the Yang Di Pertuan Agung at the Federal level .... But this is not the focus of this posting, what I am going to touch is on the historical events of the "clash" between the Monarch and the Executive in Malaysia with the backdrop of the currently impasse in the Selangor MB crisis ....
Due to ours is a system of constitutional monarchy, the Malay Rulers have and are bound to act within the parameters of the Constitution be it the Federal Constitution or the State Constitution or what is commonly known as "Undang-Undang Tubuh Negeri". Despite this, there were instances where the Monarch had "flexed" its muscle especially when it comes to the appointment of the MB...
Most recent was the impasse in the appointment of MB of Terengganu in 2008 where UMNO (read as "the Executive") wanted to appoint Idris Jusoh as the MB however the Sultan of Terengganu more keen on Ahmad Said as the MB who later prevailed . In 2008 another "impasse" was also occurred when immediately after the PR swept into power in Perak, the then Royal Highness of Sultan of Perak summoned all parties of PR for a "meeting" in order to determine from which party the MB should be appointed from ... At the end of the day, a Malay MB in the name of YB Nizar from PAS was appointed as the Perak MB.
In both the Terengganu & Perak cases, the Monarch are said to exercise its "powers" within the constitution or at least within the permissible convention "reserved" for the Malay Rulers ... No issue to this as the matter was sort of "amicably settled" among the parties concerned.
The next two cases way back in early 1970s and 1980s which happened in Perak (ooh ooh again my home state!!!) and Pahang respectively nearly caused a real constitutional crisis ...
In 1974, the then Royal Highness of Perak wanted to "change" the MB of Perak, Ghazali Jawi after he was in office approximately for 2 years .... However, the Perak Sultan was advised that this could not be done as under the Constitution once appointed as MB and the said MB commanded the majority support of the ADUNs then he would remain as MB until the term is over. His Royal Highness had openly displayed his "displeasure" and vowed that he would not shave his "misai & jambang" until Ghazali Jawi did not step down as Perak MB. The matter was settled when Ghazali Jawi stepped down at the advise of the then UMNO President ...
In the 80s, there was one outspoken MB by the name of Rahim Bakar. Again for certain reason, HRH the Sultan of Pahang had a "cold war" and "tense" relationship with Rahim Bakar who was then replaced by an interim MB Rashid before the current PM, Najib Razak was appointed as Pahang MB ....
The currently impasse of the appointment of Selangor MB (at the time of this posting it is almost confirmed that Azmin Ali would be appointed as the MB to replace Khalid Ibrahim), again this 4th branch of the Constitution "flexed" its muscle. Despite the "clear support of the ADUNs majority" in Dr Wan Azizah as the MB, the palace had chosen Azmin Ali. This is very peculiar as the state constitution is quite clear on this issue unless all parties managed to mend their "differences" ...
It is peculiar as almost similar precedent had been set in Perak in 2009 (what? Perak again?) where HRH the Sultan of Perak then "exercised his constitutional power" in appointing Zambri as the new MB in replaced of Nizar on the ground that Zambri had the majority support of the ADUNs. HRH Sultan of Perak's royal decree was decided as "constitutionally right" by the apex of Malaysian Federal Court ... There you are two similar cases but with two different outcomes!!!!
I will part this posting by mentioning the "mother of all clashes" between the Executive and the Monarchy in Malaysia during the constitutional crisis in 1983 then the climax of it in 1993 led by Tun M pertaining to the Malay Rulers' power and their royal immunities .... The 4th branch of the constitution in my view had been "literally bulldozed" and its pillar 'cracked" when the then Executives headed by Tun M. The printed and electronic media was used to the optimum to attack the Malay Rulers to the extent that nationwide rally in the name of "Semarak" campaign was carried out nation wide spearheaded by the then "Kementerian Penerangan" ....... There was no holds barred then and there was no enforcement of the Sedition Act 1948 then .... It is quite sad and unfortunate as this 4th branch of the constitution had been 'trampled" by the very own Malays which is not surprising as way back in 1946 the Malays had "practically blocked" the Malay Rulers at the Istana Kelantan in Kota Bahru preventing the Malay Rulers from endorsing the Malayan Union!!!!
Well, there you are, history will be the judge and till we meet again .....
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Tribute to ex TI 79/80
It was about a month ago, after parking my car I stepped wearily into Zam Zam Cafe & Satay Club, Bandar Utama ... Here I was with my round neck T Shirt, faded jeans and my ever loyal worn out "selipar jepun merah"!!! Weary due to the word "Club" and its location in Damansara Utama. To be frank, I always consider that part of the town is sophisticated and urbane ... My being just an ordinary mortal in the street always weary of the urbane environment .....
As I stepped in, I saw Nan with his guitar and his three pieces band. He waved at me with his natural generous smile from inside an air conditioned section of the Cafe ... Apparently, our reunion - the batch of 79/80 of Sekolah Teknik, Persiaran Brash, Ipoh had been booked just for us. I noticed quite a few had arrived and gathered having a lively chat with each other ....
Haaa ... there they were Jamil Padukang, Azhar @ Barry, Shaharuddin, Roslina @ Maria ( I guess), Shima, Hilmi, Harith (I last met him when we were sending our kids to MRSM Langkawi years ago) & his wife Zaiton, Faizah (the 1/3 or is it 1/4 of the other Faezah @ Pes, Zihan & Julita), Zihan, Zaim, Nazri Tapi (through to his "Tapi" dia datang Tapi sekejap jerrr), Salleh, Hj Yusri, Duan, Mat Arif, Amin YB, Ali Pek, Lokman, Ismail and few other whom I could not recall their names and of course Raja Abdul Rahman....
We had a good time remembering good old time ... At that function, I became aware of Harith is happily married to Zaiton!!! Another interesting twist apart from my ex class mate Nizam who married to Harifah .. I think this is not the case of " asam di darat ikan di laut bertemu dalam belanga"!!!! Harith as ussual was always in his cool and "serene" state of mind ...
I noticed that Duan had become a bit "wise" and "sobre" ... he he may be age is catching up but not Hj Yusri who was still at his best with his wits and all "ridiculing" YB Amin which happily reciprocated towards him ... I am glad and happy to note that each and everyone of my batch is successful in his/her own life ...
Who would have guess Amin who is a bit stutter ( sorry YB!!!) is an ADUN in Perak ... I came to know about this when Hj Yusri posted about him contesting in Perak DUN (Ulu Kinta) in the FB and when my sister & brother in law mentioned about "this young chap who is very hard working and well liked by the local folks, them included, I proudly declared Amin was my batch at TI Ipoh!!!
Dear Friends, I have to apologise as I could not recall all of you as I only spent barely few hours during those 2 years at TI busying myself with playing truants especially the "high end" Commerce Class ladies!!! Zihan Ibrahim ... hmmm quite a surprise to see the transformation of the old days "cubby" Zihan ... I have not been seeing her since after SPM in 1980 ...
All in all, it was a good reunion ... I noticed the close knit among this batch and I have to give credit to their high sense of togetherness and closeness to eaach other. I wish to put on record my tribute to each and everyone of them and a very special tribute to Raja Abdul Rahman who had been tirelessly organising this reunion so as the past reunions .... To Nan keep on jamming and I really enjoyed the song played during the reunion especially the "haunted" M Nasir's "Cinta Listrik mu"...
To all my friends ... nice meeting you and hopefully in the next round there would be the rest such as Halim Mondok @ Ritchie Blackmore, Shahri Sujak, Badli (really miss him so much), Mohd Noor, Nizam, Harifah and Razif ....
Epilouge:
Seeing Faizah & Zihan that day remind me of Faezah @ Pes who passed away sometime early this year ... She was my class mate (so as Faizah & Julita) and was a very nice and couteous girl next door ... To Fes, regret did not manage to seeing you and may Allah bless your soul ... Al Fatihah....
Till we meet again!!!
As I stepped in, I saw Nan with his guitar and his three pieces band. He waved at me with his natural generous smile from inside an air conditioned section of the Cafe ... Apparently, our reunion - the batch of 79/80 of Sekolah Teknik, Persiaran Brash, Ipoh had been booked just for us. I noticed quite a few had arrived and gathered having a lively chat with each other ....
Haaa ... there they were Jamil Padukang, Azhar @ Barry, Shaharuddin, Roslina @ Maria ( I guess), Shima, Hilmi, Harith (I last met him when we were sending our kids to MRSM Langkawi years ago) & his wife Zaiton, Faizah (the 1/3 or is it 1/4 of the other Faezah @ Pes, Zihan & Julita), Zihan, Zaim, Nazri Tapi (through to his "Tapi" dia datang Tapi sekejap jerrr), Salleh, Hj Yusri, Duan, Mat Arif, Amin YB, Ali Pek, Lokman, Ismail and few other whom I could not recall their names and of course Raja Abdul Rahman....
We had a good time remembering good old time ... At that function, I became aware of Harith is happily married to Zaiton!!! Another interesting twist apart from my ex class mate Nizam who married to Harifah .. I think this is not the case of " asam di darat ikan di laut bertemu dalam belanga"!!!! Harith as ussual was always in his cool and "serene" state of mind ...
I noticed that Duan had become a bit "wise" and "sobre" ... he he may be age is catching up but not Hj Yusri who was still at his best with his wits and all "ridiculing" YB Amin which happily reciprocated towards him ... I am glad and happy to note that each and everyone of my batch is successful in his/her own life ...
Who would have guess Amin who is a bit stutter ( sorry YB!!!) is an ADUN in Perak ... I came to know about this when Hj Yusri posted about him contesting in Perak DUN (Ulu Kinta) in the FB and when my sister & brother in law mentioned about "this young chap who is very hard working and well liked by the local folks, them included, I proudly declared Amin was my batch at TI Ipoh!!!
Dear Friends, I have to apologise as I could not recall all of you as I only spent barely few hours during those 2 years at TI busying myself with playing truants especially the "high end" Commerce Class ladies!!! Zihan Ibrahim ... hmmm quite a surprise to see the transformation of the old days "cubby" Zihan ... I have not been seeing her since after SPM in 1980 ...
All in all, it was a good reunion ... I noticed the close knit among this batch and I have to give credit to their high sense of togetherness and closeness to eaach other. I wish to put on record my tribute to each and everyone of them and a very special tribute to Raja Abdul Rahman who had been tirelessly organising this reunion so as the past reunions .... To Nan keep on jamming and I really enjoyed the song played during the reunion especially the "haunted" M Nasir's "Cinta Listrik mu"...
To all my friends ... nice meeting you and hopefully in the next round there would be the rest such as Halim Mondok @ Ritchie Blackmore, Shahri Sujak, Badli (really miss him so much), Mohd Noor, Nizam, Harifah and Razif ....
Epilouge:
Seeing Faizah & Zihan that day remind me of Faezah @ Pes who passed away sometime early this year ... She was my class mate (so as Faizah & Julita) and was a very nice and couteous girl next door ... To Fes, regret did not manage to seeing you and may Allah bless your soul ... Al Fatihah....
Till we meet again!!!
Saturday, July 5, 2014
29th Year Wedding Anniversary - A Special Post For A Special Aishah
Today, 5 July is our 29 year wedding anniversary ... Yup 29 years of wonderful life together and blessed with three wonderful kids ...
29 years ago at 2.30 PM I took Aishah's hand and took the vow to be by her side for life and we are still going through this wonderful life together. I for my part have my own shortcomings and blessed with Aihah's patience for accepting me for what I am ...
Aishah, I might not be too expressive in pouring out my feeling and emotions but I am very sure you know that I love you as my wife and my soul mate. 29 years' is a long but beautiful journey and let's go beyond together.....
We have gone through the ups and down together ... When I was still studying at UM an you had already had a job at AG's Chamber - how we patiently wade through the hardship together renting a small room in PJ. Then, I became a weekend husband traveling over the weekends to Mentakab where you did your practice. Well, Mentakab is a nice little town and almost every body knows everybody and the people there known us whenever we went for a night walk at the town. The best part was when we went for a movie there - actually there were only two "panggung wayang ' in Mentakab - but the worse part was both the "panggung" screening a same movies.
Remember the days we "makan" the very "sedap" roti canai at Restoran Ali? I wonder whether it is still there and not to mention the sandwich at the restaurant near your office at the town centre. I think we should go there once again and look for our nice neighbour at Taman Pasir, Mentakab. The best part was when we walked together by the riverside - it's a big wide Sungai Pahang - and when we went to the Pasar Malam at Temerloh ....
Those were the days and I am blessed especially when the kids were born which tightened our bond together ...... As a parting note -
" Aishah, happy 29 year anniversary ... I love you so much , I really do and thank you for being with me all these years and insyaallah in the years to come... Love you!!!"
P/S - Today for sahur I will masak nasi goreng for all ... he he ....
29 years ago at 2.30 PM I took Aishah's hand and took the vow to be by her side for life and we are still going through this wonderful life together. I for my part have my own shortcomings and blessed with Aihah's patience for accepting me for what I am ...
Aishah, I might not be too expressive in pouring out my feeling and emotions but I am very sure you know that I love you as my wife and my soul mate. 29 years' is a long but beautiful journey and let's go beyond together.....
We have gone through the ups and down together ... When I was still studying at UM an you had already had a job at AG's Chamber - how we patiently wade through the hardship together renting a small room in PJ. Then, I became a weekend husband traveling over the weekends to Mentakab where you did your practice. Well, Mentakab is a nice little town and almost every body knows everybody and the people there known us whenever we went for a night walk at the town. The best part was when we went for a movie there - actually there were only two "panggung wayang ' in Mentakab - but the worse part was both the "panggung" screening a same movies.
Remember the days we "makan" the very "sedap" roti canai at Restoran Ali? I wonder whether it is still there and not to mention the sandwich at the restaurant near your office at the town centre. I think we should go there once again and look for our nice neighbour at Taman Pasir, Mentakab. The best part was when we walked together by the riverside - it's a big wide Sungai Pahang - and when we went to the Pasar Malam at Temerloh ....
Those were the days and I am blessed especially when the kids were born which tightened our bond together ...... As a parting note -
" Aishah, happy 29 year anniversary ... I love you so much , I really do and thank you for being with me all these years and insyaallah in the years to come... Love you!!!"
P/S - Today for sahur I will masak nasi goreng for all ... he he ....
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
To Sir With Love
This posting is specially dedicated to a special person who changed my looking at history from the normal conservative angle. He is Professor Datuk Dr. Mohammad Redzuan Othman, who was removed from helming the UM's Centre For Democracy and Election (UMcedel) apart from his contract as the Dean of UM Faculty of Arts and Social Science. His controversial sacking was made even ironic when the PM in his Facebook Account commented on the newly introduced PT3 assessment system and said a "holistic education must be a top priority if Malaysia aspires to achieve a developed nation status" ...
In the wake of this controversial episode Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah relinquished his position as a fellow at UM a sign of protest whilst KJ came up with a statement saying that "Putrajaya tidak tergugat dengan kajian UMcedel" in an obvious reference to the Centre's not so favourable reports/survey on the public perceptions towards the government of the day.
I am not going to delve on the sacking of the ex Don but to share my personal "close encounter" with Prof Redzuan ... I first met him when I was a private student at Premier College in Ipoh in the early 80s. I was taking up my STPM examination as a private student and he was teaching history there. Apparently, he took this initiative whenever he was on his semester leave and obviously due to him wanting to share his "ilmu" with youngsters like me. His method of teaching history is not of conventional approach but was very critical as he went out of his way photostating history journals or articles which you could not find in the text books.
Then, I became intrigue with the Professor who was so down to earth - he always came to the class wearing a "reformed" front buttoned baju melayu with black pants and capal!!! Upon queries, I came to know that Prof Redzuan was also instrumental in the setting up of a well known private institution in Ipoh i.e. Institut Sofar. This institute was set up by a group og young graduates and undergraduates of our local varsities to give opportunities to private students to pursue to dream to be enrolled in the local varsities. They also became the teachers/tutors at the said Institute. All these were done during their semester breaks ...
I am very sure that scores of students had benefited from these kind hearted people and Prof Redzuan is one of them. As for me, learning history is never the same anymore and I managed to get distinctions for both my STPM history papers .....
To Prof. Redzuan, history will judge you and your ex students, me included owe so much to you for nurturing us in what we are today. My pray to you and your family, Sir .....
I just wonder whether this is one of the reasons why none of our varsity is being listed in the top 100 varsities in the world ......
In the wake of this controversial episode Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah relinquished his position as a fellow at UM a sign of protest whilst KJ came up with a statement saying that "Putrajaya tidak tergugat dengan kajian UMcedel" in an obvious reference to the Centre's not so favourable reports/survey on the public perceptions towards the government of the day.
I am not going to delve on the sacking of the ex Don but to share my personal "close encounter" with Prof Redzuan ... I first met him when I was a private student at Premier College in Ipoh in the early 80s. I was taking up my STPM examination as a private student and he was teaching history there. Apparently, he took this initiative whenever he was on his semester leave and obviously due to him wanting to share his "ilmu" with youngsters like me. His method of teaching history is not of conventional approach but was very critical as he went out of his way photostating history journals or articles which you could not find in the text books.
Then, I became intrigue with the Professor who was so down to earth - he always came to the class wearing a "reformed" front buttoned baju melayu with black pants and capal!!! Upon queries, I came to know that Prof Redzuan was also instrumental in the setting up of a well known private institution in Ipoh i.e. Institut Sofar. This institute was set up by a group og young graduates and undergraduates of our local varsities to give opportunities to private students to pursue to dream to be enrolled in the local varsities. They also became the teachers/tutors at the said Institute. All these were done during their semester breaks ...
I am very sure that scores of students had benefited from these kind hearted people and Prof Redzuan is one of them. As for me, learning history is never the same anymore and I managed to get distinctions for both my STPM history papers .....
To Prof. Redzuan, history will judge you and your ex students, me included owe so much to you for nurturing us in what we are today. My pray to you and your family, Sir .....
I just wonder whether this is one of the reasons why none of our varsity is being listed in the top 100 varsities in the world ......
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Hang Tuah the diplomat & the "kangkung"....
The media social had been unabated with flood of "kangkung" issue, thanks to the "not so bright" statement by the YAB PM in Kemaman in saying that the "rakyat" had not been fair to the government when criticising about the goods price hike when he was made to know that the price of "kangkung" had actually went down. It was a PR disaster for the YAB PM as he was faced with loads of criticism and cynical responses from the "rakyat" as a result of that statement. One netizen even said "Sedih rasa ada PM macam ni ... "
I wonder whether the YAB PM and/or his advisors had ever heard of how Hang Tuah had shrewdly used "kangkung" as a diplomatic/PR tool when he was appointed as the leader of the Keling mission to China.The narration goes like this:
Hang Tuah was sent by Raja Keling, Kisna Rayan for a diplomatic mission to China. When he arrived in China, despite several times Hang Tuah present himself before the Emperor of China, he aws not able to catch a glimpse of the King's countenance as the Emperor sat on a throne placed in the jaws of a golden dragon. On one occasion, the Emperor invited Hang Tuah for feast at the palace and Hang Tuah informed the China's Four Minister that: " If My Lords wish to prepare us a dinner, our nobles and lords eat neither fish nor meat. All of them, without exception, eat only vegetables, shoots of plant and fruits. These are the ingredients of the curries they cook. The vegetables are left uncut, so that they are long. That is how we eat."
When the dinner was ready, food was served to Hang Tuah. He cleansed his hands and ate,by picking up the long vegetable ("kangkung") with a pair of golden chopsticks and raised it to his forehead. He put the uncut "kangkung" into his mouth, while stealing a look at the Chinese Emperor who was sitting in the jaws of the golden dragon. This was indeed a taboo to the Chinese and upon seeing Hang Tuah's shrewd move, they were ready with drawn swords to execute Hang Tuah. However, the Emperor prevented them and said: Heralds, do not execute him. He is a wise man who wishes to serve his Master; it is difficult to find such a servant and warrior the like of the Laksamana.".
Hang Tuah's diplomatic mission was a success and he returned to Benua Keling with enormous gifts from the Chinese Emperor to Raja Keling, Krisna Rayan.
Talking about diplomatic relationship with China vis a vis how Hang Tuah used a "backyard" tool i.e. "kangkung" as a diplomatic tool, in the early 1970s the US President, Richard Nixon used "ping pong" as a way to pave diplomatic relattionship with China. Ironically, the late father of the current YAB PM, Tuan Razak had also emulate Richard Nixon's move by sending a personal letter to the Chinese leader in 1974 via the Malaysian ping pong team's visit to China. The immediate result of Tuan Razak's brilliant move was that he managed to won the hearts of the Chinese electorates and won a land slide victory in the GE in that year.
The above shows how even simple things such as "kangkung" or "ping ping" could be used to one's advantage if it is used well with a little bit of wisdom. However, if it is used in an unwise manner, it would be disastrous with the whole nation making a mockery out of it.
Let's wait the the damage control when there is a new product called "SK1M", Skim Kangkung 1 Malaysia ..... Oh no!! Please spare me .....
Till we meet again!!!!
I wonder whether the YAB PM and/or his advisors had ever heard of how Hang Tuah had shrewdly used "kangkung" as a diplomatic/PR tool when he was appointed as the leader of the Keling mission to China.The narration goes like this:
Hang Tuah was sent by Raja Keling, Kisna Rayan for a diplomatic mission to China. When he arrived in China, despite several times Hang Tuah present himself before the Emperor of China, he aws not able to catch a glimpse of the King's countenance as the Emperor sat on a throne placed in the jaws of a golden dragon. On one occasion, the Emperor invited Hang Tuah for feast at the palace and Hang Tuah informed the China's Four Minister that: " If My Lords wish to prepare us a dinner, our nobles and lords eat neither fish nor meat. All of them, without exception, eat only vegetables, shoots of plant and fruits. These are the ingredients of the curries they cook. The vegetables are left uncut, so that they are long. That is how we eat."
When the dinner was ready, food was served to Hang Tuah. He cleansed his hands and ate,by picking up the long vegetable ("kangkung") with a pair of golden chopsticks and raised it to his forehead. He put the uncut "kangkung" into his mouth, while stealing a look at the Chinese Emperor who was sitting in the jaws of the golden dragon. This was indeed a taboo to the Chinese and upon seeing Hang Tuah's shrewd move, they were ready with drawn swords to execute Hang Tuah. However, the Emperor prevented them and said: Heralds, do not execute him. He is a wise man who wishes to serve his Master; it is difficult to find such a servant and warrior the like of the Laksamana.".
Hang Tuah's diplomatic mission was a success and he returned to Benua Keling with enormous gifts from the Chinese Emperor to Raja Keling, Krisna Rayan.
Talking about diplomatic relationship with China vis a vis how Hang Tuah used a "backyard" tool i.e. "kangkung" as a diplomatic tool, in the early 1970s the US President, Richard Nixon used "ping pong" as a way to pave diplomatic relattionship with China. Ironically, the late father of the current YAB PM, Tuan Razak had also emulate Richard Nixon's move by sending a personal letter to the Chinese leader in 1974 via the Malaysian ping pong team's visit to China. The immediate result of Tuan Razak's brilliant move was that he managed to won the hearts of the Chinese electorates and won a land slide victory in the GE in that year.
The above shows how even simple things such as "kangkung" or "ping ping" could be used to one's advantage if it is used well with a little bit of wisdom. However, if it is used in an unwise manner, it would be disastrous with the whole nation making a mockery out of it.
Let's wait the the damage control when there is a new product called "SK1M", Skim Kangkung 1 Malaysia ..... Oh no!! Please spare me .....
Till we meet again!!!!
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