Thursday, December 31, 2009

Beijing Family Vacation.

Alhamdulillah, I managed to fulfill my promise to my children, to take them holiday to Beijing. It was an event they have been looking forward to. So, on the 14th December, we departed KUL to BJS via SIN on SQ119/800.
(The happiness I would trade my life for)

We arrive in BJS early morning, our guide, Mr. Liu was already there waiting for us. It was winter with temperature at -5C, we already prepared for it. With some borrowed jacket from Pak Da and Mak Da, some we bought anew, it was a totally new experience for us, especially to Anek since she was the only one who never experience winter before. On arrival, we were taken to our hotel to refresh ourself. I designed this holiday myself, my own choice of hotel. I made quiet an extensive research before deciding on Crowne Plaza Hotel at Wangfujing and it turn out to be the perfect choice for my family. They love every inch of the hotel.
(Unique Omni Door at Crowne Plaza)

It was a leisure holiday, we do not plan to hurry. We want to enjoy the Beijing's offerings. The fact that the children are now grown ups and understand the meaning of a vacation makes the trip more enjoyable and fun.
(Frozen lake at The Summer Palace)

(From outside The Forbidden City)

(The Great Wall of China)

(One whole day skiing at Nanshan Ski Village)

(Ladies of my life)


(The happiest father on earth!)

The vacation was a very memorable one. New experience, new exposure. Beijing, a very clean city, friendly people, exotic places to visit and relatively affordable for a very nice vacation. As for us, I can see the satisfaction in my children faces - Bang Long, Bang Ngah, Bang Teh, Kakak, Kak Uda and Anek. And especially to my other half, she deserves this holiday. Mission accomplished - Skiing experience is awesome and The Great Wall of China is now already in my collection of 100 Places To Visit Before I Die.

Rome is next!

More pic in my FB, here.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Coretan Hari Natal

Merry Christmas to all, especially to Benny, Daniel, Michael, Arthur, Dr. David, Alex, Andrew, Geoff, Mark and especially to my dearest friend, Richard. In Bahasa Malaysia, Christmas disebut sebagai Hari Natal. Tak tahu dari mana asalnya.

It is already the end of the year. Many things happened since the last time I updated this journal, mostly happened to challenge my sincerity and thankfulness to the life I am leading. I realized something was not right on 21 September, that was on the first Hari Raya. However, I just chided them away as ‘it’ never happened to me before. Mak kata, penyakit kalau nak datang, kejap aja. Kalau nak pergi bukan main susah. Memang betul. I was ‘disabled’ for 10 days starting from 5 November, a day before Maxis IPO closing date. On that day, memang dah maximum. Balik aja terus rebah tak boleh bangun. But I couldn’t sleep for the next 3 days. I cannot switch off my mind, it kept spinning and rolling. Sepanjang 10 hari terlantar atas katil, sokongan keluarga sangat mengharukan. Mak datang dari kampong. Adik beradik sentiasa datang menziarahi. Anak-anak sangat memahami. Paling mengharukan is that, Bang Long will start his SPM on the 8th. I tried to calm myself, not to show the pain in front of him. Tak nak bagi dia risau sangat. I know he is very worried and sedikit sebanyak mengganggu ketenangan yang dia perlukan untuk menghadapi SPM. Dalam waktu demikian, bukan setakat keluarga yang memberi sokongan, kawan-kawan juga turut bimbang. Bob dan Jaidi sering menghubungi, bertanya khabar. Warga kerja Amir-Husin turut sama bimbang. Berkat doa semua, ubat yang diberi oleh Abang Shaik dan Mat Tarzan, penyakit beransur sembuh. Eventhough I still feel the pain until now but it is not as painful as before. Kena jaga makan.

So, Bang Long menghadapi SPM nya dengan tabah. Papa harap Long boleh jawab peperiksaan dengan baik dan berharap Long akan mendapat kejayaan yang cemerlang.

I came back for work on 17 November. Biasalah, after 10 days being grounded, kerja bertimbun-timbun. Tambahan pulak my Head of Support Service, Sarimah, pergi perform the Haj. Dan paling mengerikan, I came to know that no payment is anticipated until the end of the year! This is disaster! How to fund our projects? How about those commitments that I have already made earlier? What about our overhead? What if new project coming in? Jawapannya – terpaksa korek from here and there. All the savings is now back into the business. We are back at square-one. Aduuuuhhhh… Ingat nak enjoy sikit bila hujung tahun. Dah janji pulak dengan anak-anak, nak bawak pergi holiday masa year end nanti.

Gitu gini gitu gini, we managed! Dalam keadaan yang sangat daif, all projects was well-funded. New jobs was also undertaken well. Cuma projek holiday to Beijing aja yang semput-semput sikit. Cuma until the last minute, baru confirm to Beijing. I will blog separately about our holiday to Beijing.

(Skiing at Beijing)

Result PMR Bang Ngah was announced on 24 December, 2 days after we came back from Beijing. Alhamdulillah, Bang Ngah berjaya dengan cemerlang. Thank you Bang Ngah for giving me this hadiah yang sangat bermakna. Memang Papa dah agak Ngah akan dapat 7A, that is your standard. Tapi I thought the B will come from Sejarah. Rupa-rupanya, BM. Anyway, syukur pada Allah. Kita hanya boleh merancang, perancangan Allah yang akan prevailed. You have done your very best. Cuma ingatlah, kejayaan dunia hanyalah untuk sementara. Boleh dirai tapi jangan diriakkan. Sehebat-hebat kita, masih ada ramai lagi orang yang lebih hebat dari kita. Selemah-lemah kita, masih banyak lagi peluang untuk kita perbaiki diri. Move forward!

(Extract from Papa's Diary)

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Penjual air tebu dituduh bunuh pembantu rumah.

Buat tatapan anak-anak papa,
Baru beberapa hari lepas papa mencoretkan di dalam FB papa tentang "Perbuatan racial/religion/nation profiling adalah sangat tidak adil. Semua perkara, samada baik atau buruk boleh berlaku kepada sesiapa sahaja, tidak mengira dia orang Malaysia atau orang Indonesia atau orang Jerman atau orang Melayu atau orang Inggeris atau orang Cina atau orang Arab atau orang Kristian atau orang Islam. Melalui tourism, kita boleh menjadikan manusia saling memahami antara satu dengan yang lain." Mungkin secara lateral, papa mempromosikan keamanan melalui tourism. Tetapi secara intrinsiknya, papa mahu anak-anak papa supaya sentiasa menerima apa sahaja perbezaan sebagai keunikan. Keunikan sesuatu bangsa dan agama. Tidak ada dua orang manusia di dunia ini yang sama, malah telinga kanan dan telinga kiri kita sendiri pun berbeza bentuk dan saiznya. Dan hendaklah kita jadikan perbezaan-perbezaan itu sebagai asas kepada kekuatan kita. Apa yang kurang kepada kita ditambah-baikan oleh kelebihan orang lain. Begitu juga sebaliknya.

Hari ini, awal pagi papa membaca berita di akhbar tentang "Penjual air tebu dituduh bunuh pembantu rumah". Dalam fikiran papa "Ah, jadi kecoh lagi kalau pembantu rumah itu orang Indonesia". Ternyata telahan papa betul. Malah, Menteri Kounselor , Informasi, Sosial dan Budaya Kedutaan Besar Indonesia, Widyarka Ryananta, telah pun memberi komen bahawa langkah mempercepatkan siasatan dan pendakwaan mampu meredakan kemarahan rakyat republik berkenaan. Ini, papa nak pesan pada anak-anak papa, jangan berkelakuan seperti ini. Yang pertama sekali, mati itu pasti akan kita temui bila sampai saat dan waktunya. Allah telah tuliskan bila dan bagaimana cara kematian kita. Menyesali waktu dan cara kematian adalah menyesali takdir Allah. Apa hukumnya menyesali takdir Allah? Kan papa dah ajarkan ilmu-ilmu agama yang elok-elok pada anak-anak papa? Yang keduanya, kenapa mesti marah? Marah pada kematian? Masyaallah. Yang ketiganya, cuba lihat nasib pembantu rumah itu (yang kebetulan orang Indonesia). Tentu dia tidak berpendidikan tinggi, kalau tidak, dia tidak akan jadi pembantu rumah. Begitulah jadinya kalau kita tidak memperkasakan diri kita dengan ilmu pengetahuan. Papa tak mahu anak-anak papa merempat sehingga terpaksa menagih pekerjaan jauh dari tanah air kita. Jadi, bila anak-anak papa dah besar nanti, papa mahu anak-anak papa bukan sahaja bekerja kuat untuk diri dan keluarga anak-anak papa, tapi cubalah berjimat cermat dan membantu keluarga kita yang lain. Jangan pentingkan diri sendiri.

Akhabar juga memetik Menteri itu sebagai berkata "ia juga langkah terbaik mengelak sentimen negatif terhadap Malaysia yang disebabkan beberapa isu sebelum ini". Sekali lagi papa nak pesan pada anak-anak papa, jangan memandang sesuatu perkara cuma dari sudut negatif. Cuba kita positifkan pemikiran kita baru kita boleh maju. Anak-anak papa cuba fikir, kalau tak ada orang yang baik, yang membawa pembantu rumah ini keluar dari tempat kurungan, masakan dia ditemui? Tidak kah kita perlu ucapkan terima kasih kepada orang ini (dia mungkin orang Malaysia, mungkin orang Vietnam, mungkin orang Indonesia, mungkin beragama Hindu, mungkin beragama Islam) yang membantu ini? Pembantu rumah ini (yang namanya Mantik) telah di selamatkan oleh pasukan polis yang membawa beliau ke hospital. Tidakkah kita harus berterima kasih kepada pasukan polis Malaysia ini? Tapi lapuran akhbar tidak ada menyebut Menteri ini berterimakasih. Bukan semua orang jahat dan bukan semua orang baik. Inilah yang papa nak pesan. Mungkin akhbar tidak menyebut tetapi Menteri ini mungkin telah berterima kasih. Anak-anak papa mesti ada sifat berterimakasuh dan bersyukur. Terimakasih kepada orang yang membantu walau sekecil mana sekalipun bantuan yang diberi (walau sekadar mengembalikan senyuman ke wajah kita) . Malangnya (sebenarnya dengan kehendak Allah), Mantik telah kembali ke rahmatullah, dipanggil Illahi beberapa hari kemudian. Kita boleh merancang, sesiapa pun boleh buat planning. Plan untuk bekerja di mana-mana, plan untuk menambah baik taraf hidup dan sebagainya. Tetapi papa nak pesan pada anak-anak papa, perancangan Allah mengatasi segala-galanya. Kita wajib berusaha tetapi jangan kita menyesali takdir.

In the nutshell (papa dah nak pergi office ni), sekali lagi papa nak pesan pada anak-anak papa, jangan memandang sesuatu perkara yang terjadi itu berdasarkan racial/nation/religion profiling. Semua perkara (baik dan buruk) boleh terjadi kepada sesiapa sahaja dan di mana sahaja. Jangan menyalahkan takdir jika sesuatu buruk terjadi kepada kita dan wajib kita bersyukur jika kita mendapat sesuatu yang menyenangkan. Harap-harap, apa yang terjadi kepada Mantik, akan sama-sama kita mengambil iktibarnya. Kenang betapa pengorbanan Mantik sanggup meninggalkan keluarga demi mencari rezeki, kenang betapa ada manusia yang berhatikan binatang sanggup melakukan sesuatu pada tahap binatang, kenang betapa ada manusia yang berjiwa suci sanggup membantu Mantik yang dalam kesusahan. Yang bersalah tetap harus dihukum.

Papa sayang anak-anak papa.

p/s walaupun begitu, sebagai rakyat Malaysia, anak-anak papa wajib berkelakuan baik. Jagalah nama baik keluarga, bangsa dan negara. Ingat, bukan semua orang sama. Walaupun kita boleh berfikiran positif, ada orang lain yang tidak dapat berbuat demikian disebabkan banyak faktor seperti kemarahan, tahap pendidikan dan latarbelakang keluarga. Kita perlu punya perasaan ehsan. (Ehsan is empathy)

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

60 days without cigarette.

(21 August 2009 - 21 October 2009)

Thursday, October 15, 2009

The good son always returns home.

That is how a saying in Dominican goes. I wanted to write something about this but I do not know where and how to start. I just know how it feels. I'll leave it this way, leaving it unexpressed.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Misi Bantuan ke Padang bersama ASPPI

Saya sampai ke Padang pada hari Sabtu dengan beberapa objektif:
1. Untuk memberi sokongan moral kepada kawan-kawan di sana
2. Untuk melihat dengan mata kepala sendiri kesan bencana kekuasaan Allah
3. Untuk menjernihkan fikiran saya tentang berita-berita sensasi mainan media
4. Untuk menghulurkan sedikit bantuan tenaga dan barangan lain
5. Untuk menguji sejauh mana kekuatan mental saya 'mengembara tanpa rokok'

Sesampai saya di Airport Minangkabau, sahabat saya Pak Joni sudah menunggu bersama dengan Pak Rudolf. Kami berpelukan, gembira bercampur sedih. Suasana di bandara sangat sibuk, menurut kawan-kawan travel agent di sana, lebih sibuk dari mana-mana peak season termasuk hari raya. Tujuan kami ialah ke Pariaman, bersama dengan ASPPI (Asosiasi Professional Pariwisata Indonesia). Kedatangan para sukarelawan dari seluruh dunia, disambut dengan kata-kata semangat oleh masyarakat Padang. Pegawai imigresen juga menyambut kami dengan penuh mesra dan semangat sambil mengucapkan terimakasih tidak terhingga atas kesudian kami bersimpati dengan nasib mereka. Semua pemberian dan bantuan diterima dengan hati terbuka. Keadaan di airport memang betul-betul mencerminkan kebesaran hati mereka menerima tetamu, terasa keikhlasan dan rasa terimakasih mereka, walau tidak diucapkan.

(Semangat warga Padang)

Perjalanan kami ke Pariaman diiringi dengan kereta polis, mempercepatkan perjalanan. Pak Romi menerangkan, kami akan terus membawa bantuan sendiri ke kawasan bencana kerana terdapat bantuan yang tidak sampai, malah ada juga bantuan yang berakhir dikedai-kedai sebagai stok untuk jualan. Ini adalah lumrah manusia, ada segelintir yang mengambil kesempatan atas kesusahan orang lain. Sepanjang perjalanan, kami melalui runtuhan-runtuhan rumah dan bangunan di kiri dan kanan jalan. Gabungan ASPPI terdiri dari mereka-mereka yang terlibat secara langsung dan tidak langsung dalam parawisata Indonesia. Turut bersama kami adalah wartawan TV dari Metro TV Indonesia.

(Bersama sebahagian dari pasukan Tourism Soldier ASPPI)

Setiba kami di sebuah kampong pedalaman di Pariaman, kami bergabung bersama pasukan sukarelawan dari Malaysia, iaitu Yayasan Amal Malaysia dan wakil sukarelawan dari IMI iaitu Dr. Maria (dari Brazil) dan Pedro (a male nurse dari Portugal). Saya terkejut kerana berjumpa dengan YB Dr. Mohd Hayati bersama dengan sukarelawan Amal di sana.

(Pasukan Bantuan Perubatan Amal Malaysia)

Penduduk kampong seramai 900 orang mendapat bantuan dari para sukarelawan. Sedih melihat suasana di perkampongan, dengan runtuhan rumah di mana-mana. Lebih menyedihkan lagi apabila mendengan cerita dari Pak Joni, pada hari kejadian gempa itu, setelah rumah mereka hancur, malam itu pula hujan turun dengan lebatnya. Saya tidak dapat bayangkan bagaimana seksanya mereka, dengan anak-anak menangis kesejukan dan kelaparan, pakaian basah kuyup sehelai sepinggang sambil menahan kesakitan akibat kecederaan.


(Seorang ibu sayu di tengah runtuhan rumahnya)

Ada juga suara-suara sinis dari masyarakat setempat mengatakan bahawa kalau tidak kerana gempa, mungkin mereka tidak pernah berjumpa dengan doktor seumur hidup mereka. Ya, Allah mencipta sesuatu kejadian bagi mereka-mereka yang ingin berfikir. Namun, memang mereka bersyukur dengan bantuan yang diberikan kepada mereka. Saya sempat berborak-borak dengan penduduk setempat bertanyakan perasaan dan pendapat mereka sebagai orang biasa (yang sudah semestinya tidak dipengaruhi oleh provokasi media dan internet). Sangat memeranjatkan kerana mereka langsung tidak tahu tentang isu 'hubungan dingin' antara Malaysia dan Indonesia. Isu seperti bekalan yang ditolak, isu pasukan bantuan dari Malaysia yang dilempar batu, isu pasukan Malaysia dipanggil maling, semuanya tidak pernah mereka dengari. Malah wartawan Metro TV yang bersama saya juga tidak tahu isu-isu tersebut! Mereka ada mendengar isu tentang bahan makanan yang dihantar tamat tempoh tetapi mereka tidak melihat itu sebagai isu yang perlu dilihat walau dengan sebelah mata, sehingga mampu menutup fakta bahawa mereka sangat berterima kasih dengan bantuan dari Malaysia. Nampaknya, isu-isu tersebut sangat nyata mainan pihak yang berniat jahat - di Indonesia dan di Malaysia!

(Mengagihkan bantuan makanan dan pakaian)

Seharian kami di Pariaman. Baju yang dipakai sudah basah kuyup dek peluh. Cuaca amat panas. Kami dijamu dengan air kelapa muda. Best! Setelah seharian di Pariaman, kami pulang ke Padang. Hari kami rasanya tidak cukup lengkap kalau tak pekena teh tarik di Restoran Malabar. He he. Saya berharap, tidak ada sesiapa yang akan claim teh tarik sebagai budaya mereka. Nanti saya kempunan.

(Teh Tarik - tetap sedap walau dibuat di Indonesia)

Malam itu, saya bermalam di rumah Pak Joni. Alhamdulillah, terasa kemesraan sesama saudara serumpun. Sepanjang bersama Pak Joni dan Pak Rudolf, banyak ilmu-ilmu dapat kami kongsi bersama. Topik-topik perbincangan meliputi hal-hal perniagaan, pengurusan, sosialogi, agama, budaya dan sikap. Kami bersepakat untuk sama-sama menolak propaganda-propaganda jahat yang sengaja mahu melihat persaudaraan antara dua negara menjadi berantakan.

Sehari bersama pasukan bantuan memberi kepuasan kepada saya. Puas kerana dapat memberikan walau sedikit senyuman pada wajah mereka. Puas kerana banyak persoalan sudah terjawab. Puas kerana melihat kawan-kawan berganding bahu bertungkus lumus membantu sedaya mungkin. Puas melihat kemesraan antara yang membantu dan yang dibantu. Dan puas kerana berjaya membuktikan kepada diri saya sendiri bahawa saya semakin kuat mengharungi hari-hari tanpa rokok.

Thursday, October 08, 2009

Bantuan makanan ke Padang

I've got news from friends in Padang that a lot of bantuan makanan yang Malaysia hantar ke Padang dah expired. Kenapa jadi macam ni? Just ask ourself, are we sincere in giving our help? Ingatlah, hari ini hari mereka dalam kesusahan. Esok lusa siapa yang tahu. I am leaving for Padang on Saturday. Some of the things that I am bringing are Mee Segera, Milo, chocolate and biscuits. Anybody wants to join me?

Who cares?

On one hand:
In collaboration with the Indonesian Embassy Kuala Lumpur, together with many other organisations in Malaysia, an account have been set up to properly channel aid to our friends in Padang. Those who wish to contribute, please bank in to the following account;

Bank: CIMB Bank
A/C Number: 1453 0001 5180 51
A/C Name: The Embassy of The Republic of Indonesia

The above is for those who cares.

And on the other hand:
Today, 8 October 2009, a new breed of terrorist in Indonesia, called Bendera is ' leaving for Malaysia by air, land and sea' to 'invade Malaysia and wage war and to kill Malaysians'. Ironically, the movement was established during this year's Indonesia presidential election.

And for the above, who cares?

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Human Development Report 2009

Malaysia stands at number 66 (out of 182) in the United Nation's latest Human Development Index (HDI) released yesterday. The HDI is a regular feature of the UN Human Development Report which is published annually. The HDI is a composit index covering education, health and income aspects of well being in a country. It is a measurement of a country's ability to offer its people opportunities to improve their lives based on economic opportunities, and access to healthcare and education. To determine a country's HDI, the study takes into consideration its per capita GDP, illiteracy, school enrollment rates and life expectancy indicator. The 2009 HDR explores how better policies towards human mobility can enhance human developement, hence the theme for 2009 is Overcoming Barriers: Human Mobility and Development.

It is interesting to note Malaysia's position which obtained an HDI value of 0.829 , made it to the High Human Development Bracket. Regionally, Singapore is leading at 23rd position, followed by Brunei (30), Malaysia (66) and Thailand (87). Trailing way behind are Philippines (105), Indonesia (111), Vietnam (116), Laos (133), Cambodia (137) and Myanmar (138). Reading the report expand the understanding of the effect of immigrant workers (legal and illegal) in Malaysia, and the cost and benefit to both home country and the migrants' countries of origin. While there is broad consensus about the value of skilled migration to destination countries, low skilled migrant workers generate much controversies, in Malaysia as a case. Other concerns include heightened risk of crime, added burdens on local services and the fear of losing social and cultural cohesion. Eventhough these concerns are often exaggerated, but superior-inferior perception between the two parties are often manipulated by politicians and media.

Moving forward, the report lays out a core package of reforms. Eventhough it sounded very idealistic - thats what reports are for :-) - they are all have important and complimentary contributions to make to human development. For origin countries, more systematic consideration of the profile of migration and its benefits, costs and risks would provide a better basis for integrating movement into national development strategies. For destination countries, the how and when of reforms will depends on a realistic look at economic and social conditions, taking into account public opinion and politcal constraints.

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

PMR Exam tomorrow

Good luck to Bang Ngah for your PMR which starts tomorrow. Whatever the results will be, itu adalah yang terbaik untuk Ngah yang Tuhan telah tetapkan. Papa dan Mama nampak dan tahu kesungguhan Ngah untuk berjaya dalam peperiksaan ini. Walau apa sekalipun, kita harus ingat bahawa kita hanya merancang, sedang Allah juga memiliki perancangan-Nya, tapi perancangan Allah adalah yang terbaik. Papa dan Mama doakan Ngah mendapat yang terbaik. Restu Papa dan Mama mengiringi Ngah ke dewan peperiksaan.

Saturday, October 03, 2009

Majlis Graduasi SMKTTDI

Added 5 Oct:
The Sunday after Graduation Day, ramai Bang Long's friends datang beraya kat rumah sambil main Rockband 2. To anak-anak semua Uncle nak pesan, SPM tingal about 40 days aja lagi, so stay focus and concentrate. It is your choice. Nak susah sekarang (while you get full support from people around you) or nak susah kemudian (while you have to support other people around you). 40 days to determine YOUR FUTURE!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Stage backdrop)

Last night we attended Graduation Day for SMKTTDI, specially arranged for SPM and STPM classes. Imran was the Ketua Jawatankuasa dan Penyelaras and Bang Long was in the committee. Congratulations, it was a good and well organised event. Imran and the gang did a very well job. There are a few things that might be considered for improvements, I have conveyed to Long. I spent quiet a lot to bring the whole family to the event, to show our support to Bang Long. It's a family affair and we had good times.

(The Graduations)

(Imran the Ketua Jawatankuasa dan Penyelaras did a very good job)

(Photographers at work!)

(Bang Long and Luqman as MC)

(Friends Forever)

Entry by Ateh dalam blog Keluarga Kita here

Thursday, October 01, 2009

Padang Earthquake

How is Hadi and family? Pak Alex and family? Pak Herman and family? Febby and family? Joni and family? My smses were to no avail. I managed to talk to Ivan yesterday and he is safe. Awal was also safe. I am looking for any NGO going to Padang, to be a volunteer. Maybe we can be of some assistance.

(Emmmm... forget about their Ganyang Malaysia, Sweep Malaysia. Those are from the gobloks, the stupids, people with chronic inferiority complex, low IQ, frogs under the coconut shell. I am concern about my friends)

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Eid 2009 - The Raya

(My family with Mak during raya morning)

Pepagi lagi dah sibuk kejutkan anak-anak, nak pegi semayang raya. Last-last, Long was left behind. Lambat sangat bangun. I took the rest - Ngah, Teh, Kakak, DeDe and Anek. Mama dia tak boleh pegi. Best betul dapat jalan dengan anak-anak aja. He he. Sampai kat surau, I arrange the girls place and help them to put their telekong on. I proceed to the male prayer hall with the boys. Dah lama tak masuk surau ni. Abang Sani (the imam) is finalising the Takbir before leading the Eid Prayer. Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Walillah Ilhamd. Masa dengar khutbah, teringat masa arwah Apak jadi imam dulu. He will practice reading the khutbah the day before raya. I will usually coach him with his pronunciation. At least he wont pronounce 'cyber' wrongly.

Lepas sembahyang raya, kami adik beradik berkumpul sambil makan-makan. This is the bestest part kalau raya. Hiruk pikuk dengan deraian tawa sambil bergurau senda. Last night after Isyak, we had our normal tradition of family takbir. Bang Ngah Zainol never fail to lead the takbir since apak passed away. So, this morning, everybody is fresh and clean. And the giving of duit raya is the most awaited event, especially by the kids. The general rule is those who hasn't work will entitle for the duit raya. So, beraturlah masing-masing nak dapatkan dut raya. It is not the money that matter most, especially to the bigger kids (like those final year degree students yang gedik terlebih beratur nak duit raya jugak-jugak). Buat heboh tu yang best. Lagi lah pulak bila Elli, Shazwan dan Baby (yang dah nak graduate with their degree) tersangatlah sportingnya. Itu yang buat lagi best! Anyway, kalau nak kira in average, the children is getting RM180 per person. Itu belum termasuk duit upah puasa.

(My Mother during Hari Raya)


Check out at KeluargaKita for more happennings!

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Eid 2009 - The Balik Kampong

(The Balik Kampong Luggage)

I thought it will be a jam-giler trip to balik kampong on Saturday, the eve of Hari Raya. But quite surprisingly, even my children noticed it, the journey was very smooth. Nothing held us back for the 2 1/2 hours journey.

The highway was boring, very monotonous. Only palm oil trees on the left and right of the road. Added with the puasa punya pukulan, the mengantuk was almost unbearable. Only after Seremban, passing through Bukit Putus, we felt rejuvenated, thanks to the virgin tropical reserved we were passing through. The smell of country leaves and cool breeze is so refreshing.



We arrived Kuala Pilah earlier than expected. The usually crazy traffic during festival and holiday was nowhere to be seen. Betul ke nak raya esok?

(Kalau bulih nak jadi cikgu sekolah, kek Kolo Pilah!)

5 kilometres away from the Kuala Pilah town is my kampong, Kampong Pulau Pandan. Located alongside Sungai Muar, the population is only about 30 people during normal days and swells into about 300 during festivals and long holidays. Greeting us on entrance is a surau where the village people will gather for prayer. The surau is very sentimental to me. Here is where I learn and grow a Muslim. Apak was the Imam for almost 13 years here before he passed away in 1998. This is the place where I learn to read Quran when I was kid, together with other kampong buddies - E'cha, Chunai, Apit, Abg Apa (arwah), Awang, Padey, Eidir, Alim (arwah) and Azam. We will prepare coconut-leaves torch to light our walk back after mengaji session, usually will finish at about 9pm. I will always be the favourite student for Tok Achik who tought us the Quran. Sometimes he will take me with him on his bicycle home. He influenced my life. On this surau also I practised my azan reciting. Ateh Kadir will usually corrected me whenever I went wrong. And on this surau also, Arwah Abang Udin thought me some basic Tarekat. But the old surau was not as 'modern' as this one. It only gets this look with the help of Abang Zainol (Tan Sri).

(Surau Kampong Pulau Pandan)

On approaching Mak's house, we can already see kepulan asap showing that Lemang and Rendang is cooking. Mak's house is the first house in the kampong located on the left side of the road. Prevously, the current 'front' of the house was actually the 'back' portion of the house. The original 'front' is facing Sungai Muar.

(Rumah Mak on the left of the road)

Apak and Mak save their money to build the house, little by little. Now the house has 5 sections. The original 'front' has 3 bedrooms (me and my 2 younger brothers, Chu and Hisham, share this area) and a living where the boys and anak bujang will sleep. Then the original 'rumah ibu' has 2 bedrooms (for Kak Cik and Dik Nor) and a bathroom. The extended 'rumah ibu' was built somewhere in 1971, when I started schooling, has 3 bedrooms (for Along, Ngah and Ateh) and a store room. Together, both old 'rumah ibu' and the new 'rumah ibu' share a big hall where usually the girls and anak-anak dara will sleep during gathering. So all 8 siblings are having our room there, a flight higher than the next section which is on ground level. This section is relatively new, renovated around 20 years ago. Here located Mak and Apak's room, and a small surau where Apak will spend most of his time reading and praying if he is alone. Normally, when I come back from boarding school or university, he will pray at the 'front' section so that Apak and I can pray together and he will teach me to read Quran (and understand it) - Soomm moomm book moomm umm yoummm fahoummm laa yar ji'oun.... he he he. I can still hear very clearly his dengung while teaching me that phrase! Together with this section is a big living area where we will gather around watching tv (and gossipping). But not very long ago, err.. like few weeks ago... Mak extended the house further, Section No 5. Hmmm... this area, according to her, is to be left empty. It is a lepak area, unwalled, open system. I just say, ok Mak, do whatever you wish, no question ask, we will obliged, as long as you are happy.

Whenever balik kampong, the memories of the past will surely linger in my head.

(to be continued with Eid 2009 - The Raya)

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Eid Mubarak

I received a very special Hari Raya card today from Amir-Husiners. Thank you. It touches my heart. Selamat Hari Raya to my dearest business partner, Tuan Haji Husin. We've been through thick and thin together not without disagreements and ill-feelings. To Sarimah the Support Service Head ,Chu the Event and Promotion Head , Khairul the Card Services Head , Along the Fleet Operations Head , Hasrin the Tour Marketing Head, Mat Tarzan the Tour Operation Head and the whole Amir-Husiners - Ish, Farah, Aznor, Hasni, Shahril, Hadi, Jai, Pok Nik, Epen, Duan, Bahi, Sagat, Kenit, Awal, Marzuhaimi, Nurul, Azhar, Mus, Firdaus, Ari, Pak Amir, Azlan and Shah. Not to forget ex-Amir-Husiners wherever you are now - some that I can remember - Zul, Faizal, Amin, Nasha, Nita, Azizi, Ija, Azwan, Anas, Yaton, Waheeda, Ujang, Khai, Wan. Maaf Zahir Batin.



I will be celebrating Raya at my mother's house at Kuala Pilah. The office will be closed from Saturday 19 Sept and to open back on Wednesday 23 Sept.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

In approaching Aidil Fitri

Today is 26 Ramadhan. The Ramadhan of this year brings a lot of personal meaning to me. A month full of challenges and yet full of Allah's bounty. Alhamdulillah, at Amir-Husin, we share some of the fruits we planted by distributing an interim bonus to all qualified staff. Yes, praise to Allah, despite some glitches in general world economy, we relished. All this is happening because of hard work and perseverance performance by all Amir-Husiners. We also enjoy RM500 Duit Raya, each and everyone of us. It comes from the bottom of my heart. It is satisfying to see smiles and happiness on faces of people that you love. I love all my people. It breaks my heart when I see their struggles and difficulties in fulfilling their tasks. And the satisfaction to be able to give something back to them is indescribable, only God knows.

26 Ramadhan - 25 days without cigarette. This is the best so far. I am determined to push further. For me and for my children.

But, Ramadhan is not without sorrow. It reminds me of some friends that used to share some part of my life. Wherever you are, peace be upon you.

Well, Aidil Fitri is around the corner. I am taking this opportunity to wish all Amir-Husiners and fellow friends a very happy Eid. Maaf Zahir dan Batin. Drive carefully, see you again after Raya with new semangat. God Bless!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Iklan Raya Petronas 2003

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

09.09.09

Taking the opportunity on this 'nice date' to sign S&P for my Apartment at B1-1-11, Banjaria Court.

Monday, September 07, 2009

16 Days.

16 days and counting! Bakar has done 97 days. Jealous. Approach through The Power of Play angle. Last night was most challenging. Friends from Indonesia, Thailand and home country Malaysia sat together and cigeretting! Lemas dalam gumpalan asap, sambil menguatkan semangat untuk tidak menyertai mereka. Alhamdulillah, few hours yang sangat meyakinkan.

Thursday, September 03, 2009

I was looking at Referrer Report to my Traffic Counter. It shows some keyword used by visitor to arrive at my blog. Interestingly, the same keyword brings my blog and my niece's blog together. Hmmm... geniuses think alike.

In reading and doing some research about what is the real situation in regards to 'the cow-head march', I came across the following statement by a reader.

"It does not matter if the temple is next to a drain, iwk or whatever. The greatest temple in hinduism is the parents heart & the steps to heaven are the parents feet."

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Motivation to Quit No 1.

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

11 Ramadhan - 11 Non Smoking Days

Yay! Not as difficult as before. I can feel my chest is light and empty. I think I can do this but I am looking for a real motivation as I started all this just 'for the sake of doing it!' No real intention.

Hubungan Malaysia - Indonesia.

Saya sangat kecewa dengan telatah teman-teman dari negara seberang, Indonesia, dalam respond beberapa isu kecil antara Malaysia dan Indonesia kebelakangan ini. Pada saya, isu-isu tersebut hanyalah isu kecil. Mungkin besar skalanya jika saya berada di tahap pemerintah (sudah semestinya untuk kepentingan politik, sama seperti di Malaysia). Berikut adalah nota yang di spam ke dalam email saya semalam.

"Today, August 31, 2009, an uncreative country, a country who likes to steal Indonesian culture, a country whose citizen is the mastermind of bombings in Indonesia, a country who has tortured many of our sisters — the migrant workers who worked there, a country who abused our national anthem, a country who harassed Indonesia on the Internet, a country that has stolen Sipadan and Ligitan islands, a country which has trespassed our water illegally, a country which received their independence from Britain, is celebrating its anniversary"

Jawaban saya cukup mudah:
1. Asal usul Malaysia dan Indonesia adalah serumpun. Pada waktu itu tidak ada Malaysia dan Indonesia, kedua-dua negara cuma terbentuk pada tahun 1965 apabila Malaysia ditubuhkan. 'Mencuri kebudayaan Indonesia' adalah fakta yang silap. Pada pandangan saya, ia lebih kepada penerusan kebudayaan turun temurun. Orang-orang berbangsa Jawa berhak meneruskan budaya mereka walau di mana mereka berada. Orang-orang berbangsa Cina, India, Arab, Minang dan lain-lain juga berhak meneruskan budaya mereka. Inilah yang uniknya tentang Malaysia. Pelbagai budaya dari pelbagai kaum diteruskan, mesra, tergabung dan terpelihara. Cuma disebabkan orang Melayu adalah majoriti dan menyerlah, maka budaya merekalah menjadi teras dan tunjang kepada kebudayaan Malaysia. Tidak pernah saya ketahui atau dengar, Malaysia mendakwa budaya Cina sebagai budaya Malaysia melainkan diperkenalkan sebagai budaya Cina yang dipelihara dan dipraktikkan oleh ORANG-ORANG CINA di Malaysia. Orang-orang Jawa, Bugis, Minang dan lain-lain bukan hanya tinggal di Indonesia. Mereka juga menetap di New York, Paris dan Kuala Lumpur. Kecuali Jawa, Minang dan Bugis Indonesia tidak mengiktiraf Jawa, Minang dan Bugis New York sebagai sebangsa dengan mereka.

2. Berkenaan dengan Nordin Mat Top yang dikatakan mastermind kepada peristiwa pengebomana di Jakarta. Saya tidak percaya Nordin bertindak berseorangan, tentu ada orang-orang beliau dari kalangan orang-orang Indonesia yang menderhaka kepada negara mereka sendiri. Orang Malaysia menjadi ketua dan orang Indonesia menjadi pencacai. Salah orang Malaysia?

3. Mendera tenaga kerja warga Indonesia? Apa kata kita banci berapa ramai tenaga kerja warga Indonesia yang mendatangkan masalah kepada Malaysia? Mari kita mudahkan cerita. Kerajaan Indonesia jangan benarkan rakyat Indonesia bekerja di Malaysia dan Kerajaan Malaysia tidak benarkan warga Indonesia bekerja di sini. Biar kedua-dua pihak susah. Jangan kita kaji siapa yang lebih susah dari siapa. Baru-baru ini kerajaan Indonesia menghentikan penghantaran pembantu rumah Indonesia ke Malaysia, disertai dengan kata-kata bersemangat dari pemimpin politik mereka membakar perasaan amarah kepada Malaysia. Tetapi apakah itu yang dimahukan oleh rakyatnya yang merempat? Pembatu rumah saya yang baru, Mia Agustina dari Tenggerang, Jawa baru mula bekerja 30 August yang lalu. 4 orang pembantu rumah saya yang lepas juga orang Indonesia. Mereka peduli? Saya juga tidak peduli!

4. Lagu Negaraku dikatakan berasal dari lagu Terang Bulan, dari Indonesia. Nasihat saya kepada Kerajaan Malaysia, kita tukar aja lagu kebangsaan kita. Walaupun telah terbukti Terang Bulan juga merupakan lagu saduran dari Perancis (atau mungkin dari Kepulauan Seycelles)

5. Isu lain kebanyakannya adalah isu persempadanan yang bukan tercapai oleh rakyat biasa seperti saya (dan kebanyakan orang Indonesia yang menjerit-jerit di dalam internet).

6. Tindakan menggodam laman web dari Malaysia sempena sambutan kemerdekaan Malaysia semalam juga menjadi bahan tawa dan lawak rakyat Malaysia. Soalannya, itu sahaja yang anda mampu? Tindakan anak kecil hingusan yang lapar susu. Ya, mungkin anda hebat tetapi apa faedahnya? Anda hanya menyusahkan orang lain. Dan anda mahu orang Malaysia menghormati orang Indonesia dengan cara bertindak begini?

Banyak lagi isu-isu remeh yang menjadi igauan kepada orang Indonesia. Kenapa ya? Saya pernah ditanya oleh teman dari Palembang soalan itu. Jawaban ikhlas saya kepada beliau ialah, semuanya kerana perbezaan jurang ekonomi yang ternampak terlalu besar. Satu pihak merasakan lebih superior dari pihak yang lain, digandakan dengan perasaan inferior pihak yang satu lagi. Apabila perasaan superior-inferior ini meresap kedalam hati masing-masing, sikap-sikap positif seperti melihat kehadapan, berdaya saing, terbuka, berpengetahuan, maju dan semua sifat-sifat positif lain akan diterjemahkan dan dilihat sebagai sombong, bongkak, angkuh, menekan dan menghina oleh pihak yang berperasaan inferior. Sedangkan jurang ekonomi yang dikatakan besar itu, secara relatifnya tidak wujud. Mungkin taraf ekonomi di Malaysia lebih baik dari Indonesia, tetapi kos sara hidup lebih tinggi (ingat, saya terpaksa membayar pembantu rumah dari Indonesia?)

Kita buang jauh-jauh tanda aras dunia dan materialistik. Jadikan nilai budi dan ehsan hati sebagai tanda aras baru dalam mencari kesatuan dan kemurnian hidup.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

5 Ramadhan 1430

5 hari dalam bulan Ramadhan, I am approaching my 120th hour of my "Katakan Tak Nak" campaign. Tapi yang peliknya, I don't feel anything! I am still coughing. People say "Within 12 hours after you have your last cigarette, your body will begin to heal itself. The levels of carbon monoxide and nicotine in your system will decline rapidly, and your heart and lungs will begin to repair the damage caused by cigarette smoke." Oh yeah? Tak rasa apa-apa pun?

"Within a few days, you'll probably begin to notice some remarkable changes in your body. Your sense of smell and taste may improve. You'll breathe easier, and your smoker's hack will begin to disappear, although you may notice that you still cough for a while. And you'll be free from the mess, smell, inconvenience, expense, and dependence of cigarette smoking." Ooooo......

Tak pa lah... what ever... Just do it.

Air Asia flight makes emergency landing in Macao

Is this the start of the beginning?

False Alarm: Air Asia flight makes emergency landing in Macao
Wednesday, 26 August 2009


An Air Asia plane carrying 148 passengers was forced to make an emergency landing Monday morning at Macau International Airport (MIA).

Flight No. AK50 began smoothly when it set off from Kuala Lumpur early Monday morning, it was only when the Airbus A320 aircraft was flying into Macao at 10:00am local time (GMT 0200) that a warning light was set off, signalling the aircraft’s emergency door was open.

The pilot immediately informed MIA of the aircrafts situation and proceeded to make a safe emergency landing.

None of the passengers on board the plane was injured, a spokeswoman from the MIA said.

Air Asia later confirmed that the warning light was falsely activated and the emergency door of the aircraft had been securely locked when the plane was airborne.
Air Asia has a fleet of 72 aircraft and operates over 400 flights every day from hubs located in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

Source = e-Travel Blackboard: C.F

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Haji Omar bin Yunus (1928 - 1998)

Hari ini genap 11 tahun arwah apak pergi meninggalkan kami buat selama-lamanya. Terlalu banyak kenangan indah sepanjang 34 tahun membesar dibawah naungan arwah. Masa balik kampong minggu lepas, sempat berbual-bual dengan mak, mengimbau kenangan lalu semasa arwah masih bersama kami, mengenang harapan-harapan arwah yang ditinggalkan kepada kami. Sedikit sebanyak, saya telah berjaya memenuhi impian arwah. Kewujudan blog KELUARGA KITA adalah salah satu dari manifestasi harapan arwah.

Insyaallah Pak. Amir akan terus berusaha memegang amanah Apak.

Al-Fatehah.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Dalam hal Rohaizat Othman

Dalam keadaan biasa, selalunya saya akan bersimpati dengan hal-hal yang melibatkan kesilapan masa lampau. Saya sering melakukan kesilapan dan saya juga sering mengharapkan agar orang lain dapat melihat saya sepertimana saya pada hari ini. Namun, tidak banyak, sedikit, pasti ada terselit di sanubari kepahitan menelan kesakitan akibat perbuatan lampau yang dikenakan ke atas kita. Itu manusia. Simpati itu, samada dizahirkan dalam bentuk kemaafan atau tidak, samada ditaklik kan atau terpendam, hanya empunya badan yang mengetahui.

Rohaizat Othman yang saya kenali, pernah membuat kesilapan. Seperti juga manusia lain. Saya cuba menilai Rohaizat Othman hari ini berdasarkan apa yang saya lihat Rohaizat Othman pada hari ini. Bukan sebagai Rohaizat Othman yang pernah membuat kesilapan pada suatu masa dahulu. Samada beliau layak memimpin penduduk Permatang Pasir sebagai wakil mereka, itu terpulang kepada penduduk Permatang Pasir sendiri. Apabila Rohaizat Othman bersedia menawarkan diri untuk diadili, Rohaizat Othman juga sewajibnya sudah bersedia ditelanjangi. Rohaizat Othman sudah pasti telah melihat diri ke dalam cermin, melihat supaya tidak ada parut yang bakal mengaibkan. Sekarang, beliau bukan lagi milik peribadi, sekurang-kurangnya dalam tempoh waktu berkempen. Selamat berjaya kepada Rohaizat Othman, walaupun saya agak pasti kemenangan itu terlalu jauh untuk dijangkau.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Fed up with DAP!

I tried to stay away from the political scene for the last 10 years or so. My full concentration is on my family and business. Nevertheless, I still keep abreast with colleagues and friends in that circle. And my inclination is still on the left side. However, I became fed up and tired with the selfishness of DAP. Their tolerance level has deteriorating (or have they ever tolerated anything?). I thing, the next GE, Pakatan Rakyat will loose if DAP do not buck up! UMNO is racist, but they are the party for the Malays. They have all the reason to be racist. Same goes to MCA and MIC. But the DAPs are supposed to be democratic and multi-racial, similar to PKR. At least that is what their constitution says. Next GE will depends on how DAP and its supporters behave. If they still behave like gangsters, I say bye bye!

Monday, August 03, 2009

Anek's 7th Birthday

Last Saturday we celebrated Anek's Birthday. Her birthday is actually on the 27th July but she decided to call her friends to party with her on the 1st August. It was a pool party at D'Shire Club.

Anek (adik, but she pronounce it Anek when she was small) is not so quiet as her name should meant - Nurul Najihah Najwa (pronounciation in Arabic should be Nuurun naajihatun najwa). Quite argumentative especially with the elder sisters because she knows the sisters will always give in. Being the youngest of the siblings doesn't mean she is the pet of the family (emmmm Fuzzy is! He he) She was born with G6PD deficiency, sama dengan Ngah - one of the reason why the brothers and sisters are so concern about her. I guess she must be very lucky being the youngest in the family - enjoy the don't-wants of the elders (a nicer term of trashes, comprises of old yellowish suppose-to-be-white dress, loose pyjama bottom that she got to roll at the waist, headless Barbie dolls, torn Barney then hand-stitched by Papa, used story books with missing pages)

So, the party was giler cool! Managed by The Power of Play for Kids team of Bang Long and Friends.

This picture taken on Anek's actual birthday we celebrated at home earlier.

With some of friends during Pool Party.

Special appearance of Cikgu Ganesan and Cikgu Rasul - two of the favourite teachers of my daughters.

And specially flown down from Penang, Marsha and Baby Najwa.

Event was managed by POP Team Bang Long and Friends. Tu yang best bila dah ada anak bujang, he can take over for events like this, and he managed it very well! Thank you to Yusof, Daniel and Fariz too for being very efficient. Nanti boleh kerja dengan Uncle!


And the birthday song (candle tertinggal kat rumah, so Long terpaksa guna lighter aja)


Happy Birthday darling! Papa loves you!

Friday, July 31, 2009

Selalu Mengalah

I may not a sentimental guy who goes around carried away with sentimental songs. Maybe I was, (hehe) during school days. Tapi masa tu terikut ikut dengan kengkawan yang tangkap leleh. However, I am also not a stone hearted guy either. I listen to romantic sad songs, feel it and get influenced by it once in a while, but that doesn't mean I will get carried away with it. I consider myself as more pop and rock rather than ballad melancholic follower. I love this song, by an Indonesian group, Seventeen, titled Selalu Mengalah.

Jelaskan padaku isi hatimu
Seberapa besar kau yakin padaku
Untuk tetap bisa bertahan denganku
Menjaga cinta ini

Pertengkaran yg terjadi
Seperti semua salahku

Mengapa slalu aku yg mengalah
Tak pernahkah kau berfikir
Sedikit tentang hatiku
Mengapa ku yang harus slalu mengalah
Pantaskah hatiku masih bisa bersamamu



I am tired being a captain - Penat menjadi nakhoda.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Back to basic

Location : Kg. Pulau Pandan, Mak’s house.

Quiet night. Cool. Serene. Only sounds of crickets and frogs from the dark. Once in a while, the sounds of cars passing by heard from afar. Sitting alone at the verandah, sweet old memories of old days creeping to my mind. I am looking at once a paddy field. I used to run and play by the bays, enjoying my childhood, no responsibilities.

I am taking time to access my business. Together with my partner, Haji Husin, we have developed this partnership into a quite steady trade. With the committments by the Heads of Business Units and Support Service staffs, we have build quite an unwavering organisation. Suddenly, I realized I have been too ambitious lately. Business books say, in business we should always think big. Aim high. If you get lower, it’s still good. Aim low. If you get lower, it’s really bad. But am I setting too large goals in such short period of times? Am I over-promised myself? Am I being realistic? I think, I have to go back to basic. Focus on consistencies. A consistent stream of successful business transactions will eventually lead closer to the intended goals. It is not just limited in term of profits. It could be how consistent the employees are at work, how consistent the sales have been, how good we run our customer services, how consistent we are on our line of actions, etc.

I have to go back to basic. Concentrate on the target markets. The customers and clients are my profit generators. We need to find out what these people really want from our business. Better product? Better service? Better price? I will look back into their needs – with respect and importance, and that the money they are spending is worth its prices.

I have to go back to basic. Look into ourselves, our organization, our company, our team. We need to work smoothly and in-sync to produce comprehensive and satisfactory results. Broken communication, unfocused staff and motivations issues are some kinks that can bring dooms to our organization.

I have to go back to basic. Look into our products. It can be tangible which people can hold, see, smell and touch, or intangible like well organized services. Introducing a new product is NOT going to improve our profit margin. I do not think we will need a ‘new’ product, I just need to improve on the current one that I already have. Apple iPod never really did add new products to this product until recently. They basically improved on their base model by following industry and customer trends.

I realized, the basics of my business should be the ones to be answered first before jumping into new product or so-called innovative ideas. I don’t want to lose direction!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Nota Hati Seorang Lelaki.

It is my latest read by Pahrol Mohamad Juoi. He claimed that his book is just a 'biasa-biasa' book but he note "carilah sesuatu yang luar biasa di sebalik buku yang biasa-biasa ini". True to his word, it is just a 'biasa -biasa' book. But I found some common characteristic of a lelaki in him and the lelaki in me.

Izinkan lelaki itu pergi
Walau kakinya bagai terpasung luka
Walau hatinya tercalar bisa
Izinkan dia melangkah jua

Tangismu tidak dia lupakan
Bukan dia tega
Bukan dia rela
Tetapi dia terpaksa
Izinkan dia pergi jua

Di hatinya ada wahyu yang merayu
Di situ tidak pernah ada tunggu
Walau terjerat... walau terikat
Dia mesti pergi jua

Ah, genderang itu telah berbunyi
Dia terpaksa pergi
Jangan kau tunggu lagi
Mari pergi bersamanya
Walau terseksa, lelaki itu kan pergi jua!

Lelakis are unstoppable creature. He will do what he wills. Along the way, he will hurt his loved ones but that doesn't mean love is not in his heart. He will cry alone in the dark when nobody is watching, but that doesn't stop him from doing what he wants. Ah, men! Full of eccentricities! (or is it me?)

Rindu kat Mak

Dah dekat 2 bulan I did not visit my mum. The last time (a month ago) was just a short 'drop by' which doesn't count as a visit. A visit must be at least minimum 1 night stay at her house, makan her cook dan sembang-sembang sampai tengah malam bercerita hal adik adik dan adik beradik. I admit, I am not a person who goes back balik kampong and tak tau duduk diam berkemas kawasan sekitar. That will be my younger brother, Chu. (By the way, today is Chu's 41st birthday. Happy birthday Chu!). My balik kampong means lepak-lepak kat rumah mak, baring-baring, tidur, makan, nganja-nganja dengan mak, borak-borak dengan mak, watch TV, lepak-lepak, baring-baring, lepak-lepak lagi, makan lagi, sampailah masa untuk balik KL balik. Eventhough I like that one, mak tetap sayang me one. Nantilah, I will try to balik kampong this weekend. Nak lepas rindu kat mak.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

A very dangerous article by Zainul Arifin of NSTP

A descent point of view at first, but later turn into a very dangerous racist article. How could a very senior journalist write something like this? Shame on you! So, are you suggesting that it is OK if you are a Malay, and later found dead after being interrogated by the authority, because the interrogator are Malays? Brainless. It is not about race, it is about the death of a non-suspect Malaysian who were found dead in a government agency's office after being interrogated for straight 10 hours (from 5pm). Allah has predetermined our death - when, where and how. Zainul Arifin keep that belief all the way, until when he wrote "Kenapa Menteri Besar Selangor, seorang Melayu, meragui kebolehan orang sebangsanya bertindak dengan tulus dan adil?" - he is already playing with racial flame. I don't share the same feel.

Kematian Teoh timbulkan pelbagai spekulasi politik
Oleh Zainul Ariffin
zainul@nstp.com.my
(online version here)

KEMATIAN Teoh dijadikan polemik dan isu politik tanpa mengambil kira kesedihan yang melanda anggota keluarganya.

Oportunisme boleh rampas kesedihan untuk jadi modal siasah

ADAKAH ahli dan penyokong Pakatan Rakyat saja yang berasa sedih ke atas kematian Teoh Beng Hock?

Tentu sekali jika dilihat dari muka-muka sama yang bergegas mengepalai tunjuk perasaan apabila saja ada kejadian seperti ini berlaku, beratur untuk perhatian jurugambar dan pemberita, dan di dalam kepala menghitung laba politik yang mungkin diperoleh.

Oportunisme politik boleh merampas kesedihan untuk dijadikan modal politik. Kematian boleh dijadikan pemangkin untuk naikkan kemarahan, dan juga batu hikmat menarik sokongan.

Terlalu sedikit cubaan untuk menenangkan keadaan. Di dalam kes Teoh setiap kenyataan seakan-akan berbau politik. Jika orang marah, apikan lagi. Jika bersedih, apa lagi, kenangkanlah nasib mereka dan paling penting, cari pihak yang perlu dipertanggungjawabkan.

Sudah tentulah Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) perlu bertanggungjawab kerana mendiang Teoh kali terakhir berada di pejabat berkenaan dan mayat beliau dijumpai berhampiran. SPRM juga menemuduga Teoh hingga awal pagi.

Tanggungjawab SPRM ialah untuk menyiasat sepenuhnya kejadian itu, dan jika ada kesilapan atau kelemahan, atau kecuaian dan salah laku di pihaknya, tindakan perlu diambil. Ia mesti telus dan tegas.

Tetapi ia sepatutnya tidak perlu dipertanggungjawabkan untuk menangkis tuduhan yang tidak berasas, menjawab tohmahan, dan melayan agenda politik orang lain. Segala keraguan dan persoalan mesti dijawab, tetapi mestilah tidak yang bermotifkan politik.

Yang lebih penting, tanggungjawab SPRM ialah supaya ia tertumpu kepada tugasnya. Siasatan yang masih ada, termasuk terhadap ahli politik yang bertempik dan berkumpul di luar pejabatnya, yang cuba menimbulkan syak dan wasangka terhadap integriti agensi itu, mestilah diteruskan.

Kita faham ramai yang marah. Kita juga tahu ramai yang bersedih dengan kematian Teoh. Semua orang ada abang, adik, anak, suami, kawan dan faham serta simpati kepada pemergian orang muda seperti Teoh yang masa hadapannya nampak cerah.

Bukan orang Cina atau penyokong Pakatan Rakyat saja yang tahu marah dan mahukan keadilan.

Namun, elemen perkauman dimasukkan oleh beberapa ahli Dewan Negeri Selangor apabila mereka disiasat sama ada menyalahgunakan peruntukan dan kuasa oleh SPRM, walaupun anggapan ini salah kerana ada Adun Melayu disiasat juga.

Namun keraguan timbul, terutama di kalangan bukan Melayu bahawa SPRM, yang semestinya seperti agensi kerajaan lain banyak pekerja Melayu, secara selektif memilih bukan Melayu untuk disiasat.

Apabila mangsa kemalangan pula orang bukan Melayu, yang sebelumnya disiasat orang Melayu, bertambah hebatlah spekulasinya. Di alam maya internet tidak susah mencari kesimpulan berunsur perkauman.

Adakah ini politik? Peduli apa kesannya kepada negara asalkan popular. Walau dihias dengan kata-kata manis seperti hak asasi ataupun ketelusan atau keadilan, yang jelas, kadang-kadang, agenda perkauman nyata.

Kenapa perlu menanam kebencian, meniup api kemarahan terhadap agensi kerajaan yang banyak juga penyokong mereka bekerja di dalamnya? Dengar sajalah perkataan kesat yang dilemparkan kepada polis dan sebagainya?

Keadilankah yang dituntut atau kebencian digalakkan?

Adakah strategi untuk menggalakkan syak terhadap agensi kerajaan. Dulunya kehakiman kemudian polis, kini SPRM?

Apakah nilai kepemimpinan politik jika apa yang digalakkan ialah membenci dan menghasut? Di manakah fahaman politik atau ideologi mulia?

Apabila saja ada perkara seperti ini, bergegas-gegas muka yang sama mengeluarkan kenyataan yang pada asasnya menanam syak kepada institusi.

Cukuplah dengan membenci pimpinan kerajaan. Mereka orang politik, mereka boleh terima semua ini. Tetapi pegawai kerajaan bukan orang politik; mereka jalankan tugas dan arahan.

Sedarlah jika setiap kali institusi kita dicerca dan dihina, lama-kelamaan akan ada yang terlekat. Makin lama semakin tipis kepercayaan kita.

Pepatah Inggeris berkata: 'You reap what you sow' � jika ada pihak yang mahu popular dengan menabur syak wasangka kepada orang lain, lama kelamaan dia juga akan menerima kesannya.

Katalah ditakdirkan pembangkang memerintah, tidak akan reputasi institusi dan agensi yang dipijak-pijak akan kembali pulih serta merta. Apa yang runtuh sukar dibina semula. Institusi akan terus dipandang serong, kepercayaan rakyat akan tetap menipis.

Adakah kehakiman atau polis yang sentiasa dikutuk akan jadi baik tiba-tiba dan terus diterima rakyat. Hakisan tidak boleh dipatah balik, malah ia selalu membawa kepada keruntuhan.

Kenapa, contohnya perlu kerajaan Selangor mahukan pakar bedah swasta untuk siasat kematian Teoh? Adakah pakar hospital kerajaan tidak layak? Atau tidak boleh dipercayai?

Kenapa Menteri Besar Selangor, seorang Melayu, meragui kebolehan orang sebangsanya bertindak dengan tulus dan adil?

Bukankah banyak pegawai agensi atau institusi kerajaan orang Melayu? Adakah polis, hakim, guru, penyiasat, doktor, pensyarah Melayu semuanya tidak boleh dipercayai?

Percayalah, inilah yang berlaku apabila kita sama naik menabur syak pada agensi dan institusi kerajaan. Layari sahaja laman internet untuk mengetahui apa yang dikatakan mengenai institusi-institusi yang kebanyakan diketuai dan dipenuhi oleh orang Melayu.

Bukan ahli dan penyokong parti politik saja yang mahukan keadilan. Orang lain pun begitu. Tetapi jangan semua institusi diruntuh. Janganlah termakan kata-kata orang, yang agendanya kadang-kadang hendak mempersoalkan kebolehan orang Melayu.

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Michael Jackson

It was Friday night, March 25, 1983. The place is Pasadena Civic Auditorium, California. And I was at Arau, busy preparing for my final year Diploma study (and enjoying every minute of my super senior status in college). Magic happened that night in Motown 25. Smokey Robinson was reunited with his group, The Miracles. Jackson 5 reunited to stage a show after 8 years for a medley. And the greatest magic was Michael Jackson's brilliant show of Billie Jean, showcasing a new direction in his dancing and debuting the now signature MJ's move - the Moonwalk. I wasn't really care at that time, until I came out from college and was introduced to the 'real world'. Atras, my disco buddy was a da*n good dancer. He impersonated the Moonwalk perfectly (to my standard). I will put on my socks, gliding across and all over my living hall just to get the glide right. But I was, and never a good dancer. I couldn't do it then, and even worse now.






Last night I stayed up late, to witness the Public Memorial Service to the Greatest Entertainer that Ever Lived - Michael Jackson. The ceremony took place at Staples Centre, LA. At the age of 50, his sudden death from cardiac arrest in Los Angeles on June 25 stunned me. I was shocked. I know nothing is permanent but he is just a few days to his come back tour, This Is It. Ok, I have to admit, tears ran down on my cheek listening to the messages offered by the speaker. My mother says, people were remembered most when he died, and last night was an exhibit. However, the word from The Reverend Al Sharpton really struck my mind. He says to MJ's children "There wasn't anything strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with" Nicely put! Very positive!

It was a memorium, yes it was. But if it is for The King of Pop, it wouldn't be complete without performances. Last night, one of the best performances was from a 12 year old Iranian-Welsh boy from Swansea, Shaheen Jafargholi, Britains Got Talent finalist. He sang "Who's Loving You" by The Jackson 5. A very sweet rendition from a cute little boy.

Well MJ. You never fail to mesmerised me with your dance move. I grew up with your songs. Bilie Jean, Beat It, Thriller, Smooth Criminal, I'll Be There, those are some of the songs that brings magic to your fans including me. People says you died as a Moslem. I say From Allah We Hail, To Him We Shall Return.

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Dream Revisit

A revisit to my dream - Palm Kenyir Lodge.


The view is from the Lodge balcony. There are 3 islands across the resort - 1 big and 2 small islands. The big island is for recreational activity - horseback riding, cycling, BBQ Pit, jogging, camping, picnic or just relaxing. Shuttle boat will be provided from the lodge. The smaller islands is for a more adventurous activity. One for Paintball Island. Imagine playing paintball on an island, separated from the main land. Sounds like Falkland? The other one, no plan yet. Open for other ideas.

I am dreaming. Don't wake me up!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Cut and Paste from Malaysian Insider

I find it very difficult to keep up with the work and at the same time doing things I like to do. One of it is updating my journal here. However, today I read a very interesting comment in The Malaysian Insider. Waterlily put it EXACTLY what I felt. Go read the following, uncut from The Malaysian Insider


written by waterlily, June 23, 2009
wkc, excuse me. Many of "us" crossed the racial lines to vote you last GE? Racial stand?

It works both ways. I can still see some elements in DAP that "we" dislike very much. Some elements that show disrespect towards "our" culture and boundaries.

My guess is that you're one of those who say things like "when will Malaysians be like the Americans and accept an 'Obama'". Not realizing that the only 'black' thing about Obama is his skin. His culture, his way of life is all American. Do you think they'd vote for him if he had an African accent, wore African clothes, by the life of me, if he were Muslim... or even had a beard for that matter?

We already have our own versions of 'Obama'. Nizar is half Chinese. DS Wan Azizah has mixed blood too. Dr Mahathir too. But you know what, they all live the way that makes all of us "one".

Can I imagine Karpal wearing a Malaysian traditional attire baju melayu? What's that? Baju Melayu not for non Malays? Oh, and what is the traditional clothes for 'Obama'? Go fly kites wkc. Karpal's group won't even wear a blooming songkok after the GE meet! If you want to be Malaysian, drop all this "us" talk and embrace the "local" way of life like Obama did.

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

It's Cuti Sekolah Again

Has been a week now school is off. And another week to go for my children to enjoy the holiday. I try to take a few days off from my work (and flexi hours on the other days) just to spend time with them. It is crucial years, now and ahead. The children are at their teen age, and every one of them is achieving something, which I worry will make them presumptuous and high-nosed. It is my duty to always keep them on their feet, telling them whatever achievement they make, do not forget that all those are gifts (and tests) from Allah. He tests his loved ones with tests that we couldn't think off - during good times and during bad times.

Last week, my 3 grandchildren from Perlis - Afliayana, Afzal and Afif - came for a visit. So, Tok Wan (thaaaaat's me! :-) brought them to OU, spend time shopping, playing and watch movie. I had good times, and I know they, too.

Mean while, we managed to sneakout for a few movies and outings. Last week (together with my grands) we watched Monster Vs. Alien. Last night, we went again, to watch the most awaited movie Hannah Montana The Movie. I can see the satisfaction in my children's face after the movie. My feeling that moment is indescribable. Its so fulfilling.
Now, back to work!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

After a month

It has been a month since the last time I updated my journal. and it is my birthday month! Things has been going on interestingly crazy since then - new project, new tender, new contract, new ideas, new opinion, and many more that I can hardly breathe. No complaints, in fact I thank God for all this opportunity given to me. At the same time, I acknowledge that these chances and opportunities are actually tests to my team and I, whether we are thankful to all the blessings given to us. To Allah we pray and seek forgiveness! May we pass these tests.

To friends who keep on peeping into my 'private life' in this blog, I will write again ..... errrrrr.... when I write.

I love my mommy!

Monday, April 27, 2009

Back in Malaysia

I am back in Malaysia, last Thursday actually. It was a successful trip. Many things happening since then. Came back with diarrhoea I seldom get whenever I travel. I had to be always in my sarong at home for 2 days, senang kalau melancul (hehe). My Fuzzy got herself all glued with rat glue (now she is almost like a New Zealand sheeps get shaved for their fur). Topsie turvie in the office. But most of all, I am glad to be back, back to my kids I missed so much!.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Fatehpur Sikri and Jaipur

We depart for Jaipur after breakfast. On the way, we stop at Fatehpur Sikri, another world heritage in Agra. Fatehpur Sikri was Akbar's imperial capital, about 40 km from Taj Mahal.

(The ruins of Fatehpur Sikri)

(The entrance to Fatehpur Sikri Palace)

(Lonely!)

I arrive Jaipur, the Pink City at noon. Checked in into Holiday Inn, I am looking forward for my meetings here. I have arranged for a total of 36 meetings to be completed in 2 days.

(Room complimentary from Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerse and Industry)

After some rest, I have to rush to the City Palace for a Gala Dinner, put up by FICCI.

(The City Palace at night)

It was a fantastic dinner with traditional shows and delicious food. I tasted my first Vodka (I don't know they mixed Vodka into the juice until a friend told me). I don't feel good, I called Rajendra to pick me up and send me back to my hotel room before the event finished. They say Vodka doesn't make your head spins but I go back with spinning head, and vommitted! I guess it is a psychological effect,