Malacca to build tallest telco tower in Asean

The Malacca government plans to build the tallest telecommunications tower in Southeast Asia.

Chief Minister Datuk Idris Haron said Melaka ICT Holdings (MITCH) will be asked to prepare the feasibility studies on the 186-metre tower in two weeks’ time.

"It will be another landmark for Malacca apart from providing better telecommunications services for the people," he told reporters yesterday. – Bernama, April 3, 2015.

Malacca High School to stay put

JASON GERALD JOHN AND KELLY KOH news@nstp.com.my

ALOR GAJAH: THE oldest school in the state, Malacca High School, will not be relocated as it is part of Malacca’s heritage, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron. He said the school would be given a facelift.

When Malacca was listed as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008, the school was included as part of the state’s heritage.

“As the school is located in the buffer zone of the Unesco World Heritage Site, there are no plans to develop the area, but only to upgrade and maintain it.”

Idris said the proposed relocation was made a long time ago, prior to it being recognised as a World Heritage Site.

“Under my administration, we have no plans to develop the area, other than to upgrade all buildings in the heritage zone.”

He said this at the Hari Raya open house of Umno executive secretary, Datuk Ab Rauf Yusoh, in Kampung Pulau in Alor Gajah here yesterday.

Yesterday, the New Straits Times reported that state Education, Higher Education, Science, Technology, Green Technology and Innovations Committee chairman Datuk Md Yunos Husin had said there was a need to relocate Malacca High School to ease traffic congestion in the state. He said the state government was identifying alternative sites.

Various parties, especially students and teachers, had objected to the proposal, based on a letter dated June 30 from the Education Ministry’s Planning and Policy Research Division.

This is the second time in 20 years that the state government had proposed the relocation of the country’s second oldest school.

The school, established in 1826, was known as Malacca Free School and changed to its present name in 1878.

The first attempt, in 1993, to move the school out of Bandar Hilir, together with two schools — St Francis Institution and the Sacred Heart Convent — failed after meeting strong opposition from students and the schools’ alumni.

Outcry over bid to relocate school

KELLY KOH kelly.koh@nst.com.my

MALACCA: A STORM is brewing in the state following a plan by the state administration to relocate the historical city’s oldest school, the Malacca High School or SMK Tinggi Melaka.

This is the second time in over 20 years that the state government had proposed for the relocation of the country’s second oldest school, established in 1826.

The first attempt in 1993 to move the school out of Bandar Hilir, together with two other schools — St Francis Institution and the Sacred Heart Convent — failed after strong opposition from the students and the schools’ alumni.

State Education, Higher Education, Science, Technology, Green Technology, and Innovations Committee chairman, Datuk Md Yunos Husin said there was a need to relocate Malacca High School to ease the traffic congestion in the state.

“This is to provide a better traffic flow. The school, located in the city centre, is densely packed with people and vehicles, causing major traffic crawls.”

He said the state government was in the midst of identifying suitable alternative sites.

“What is certain is that we will find a site suitable for the students and motorists,” he said.

The state government, however, must first get feedback from the school’s management, alumni and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) before the plan can proceed.

On July 17, the Education Ministry’s Planning and Policy Research Division had urged the State Education Department to seek the consent of the school’s management, alumni and PTA on the proposed relocation plan.

Various parties, especially students and teachers, had objected.

The school’s chemistry teacher, Lim Ming Hui who has been
attached to the school for 24 years said, she was confident that
the relocation would not materialise.

The school, she said, was a part of the state’s history and was in the Unesco World Heritage site buffer zone.

“The school is something very precious to us. There is no way we will allow the school to be relocated elsewhere.

“We also have several powerful figures from the Malacca High School Old Boys Association who strongly oppose this,” she said.

A member of the school’s alumni, Joeal Lim Guan Chin, 24, expressed his disappointment at the idea of a relocation.

“This is not good because the school itself is part of the state’s history; it should not simply be moved for the sake of development.”

MHS, the second oldest Government English school in the country, was first known as Malacca Free School, and changed to its present name in 1878.

Melaka tram project to cover whole state

The article was first published on Free Malaysia Today.

 

Eddie Beck | August 22, 2013 

 

Tram expansion project in Malacca will cover the whole state and serve 11 tourist destinations.

MALACCA: The Economic Planning Unit (EPU) has identified five additional corridors for the tram expansion project in Malacca.

In November 2010, Perunding Zaaba has been commissioned by EPU to undertake feasibility study in Alor Gajah, Merlimau, Jasin, Durian Tunggal and Masjid Tanah.

Given the ridership figures and sustainability, the study indicates that the tram network could be extended to cover these areas.

If the EPU gives the go-ahead for the extension project, effectively the tram will cover whole state.
“We will be happy to carry out the tram extension if granted the concession,” a director of MRails International Sdn Bhd, Charles James told FMT.

MRails Tram (Malacca) Sdn Bhd, a subsdiary of MRails International, has been given a 25-year concession in collaboration with Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI) to design, build and manage the RM272mil Malacca tram project running from Air Keroh to Bandar Melaka, covering a distance 40km with 52 stops.
It serves 11 of 14 major tourist destinations. MRails Tram (Malacca) holds 65% equity while CMI holds the rest.

“We have also been invited by the Johor, Kedah and Penang state governments as they have shown keen interest in tram as the mode of choice for public transport. We have conducted a feasibility study in Langkawi.

“Since public transport in Langkawi is inefficient and fares for taxis and pirate taxis are expensive, tram is a viable option.” said James.

Currently, the tram project in Malacca, the first of its kind in the country is awaiting approvals from the relevant authorities before work can commence.

“We are waiting approvals from SPAD’s legal department, AG Chambers, Public Works Department, Majlis Perbandaran Hang Tuah Jaya and Majlis Bandaraya Melaka Bersejarah,” he added.

“We want to ensure that there are no hiccups when the project in implemented. A major concern is the safety aspects of road users.” Once the approvals are in place, it takes only 12-15 months for the tram to be operational.

The speed of construction, as compared with LRT or MRT, is due to their tracks are partly or wholly laid on roads which they share to a greater or lesser extent with other road traffic. A tram car is a rail-borne vehicle, lighter than a conventional train.

The tram enables virtually complete integration with other forms of transport. The company is working with CNR Tangshan Railway Vehicles Co Ltd, a China-based locomotive manufacturer for the building of coaches.

Run on liquefied natural gas to keep operational costs low and being environmentally-friendly, the tram is expected to ferry 24,000 passengers a day, chugging along at 40km per hour. The two-car tram’s maximum capacity is 120 passengers.

While schoolchildren in uniform and handicapped people ride for free, each hop-in and hop-off passenger pays RM2 fare. For those who opt for unlimited ride per day pay RM5.

Melaka Moving To Draw More Investments To Spur Economic Growth

Melaka Moving To Draw More Investments To Spur Economic Growth

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

MELAKA, Aug 15 - Melaka, fondly called "The Venice of the East" by the Westerners, is working on ambitious investment plants to continue receiving investments from local and foreign investors, particularly in the automotive, pharmaceuticals and green technology sectors.

Chief Minister Datuk Idris Haron said the plan by the Honda company in Japan to increase its investments by three fold will have a huge impact on Melaka.

"When I visited the Honda plant in Japan, I was told that the plant will increase its production capacity. Honda's plan will directly or indirectly have a positive impact on its assembling plant in Alor Gajah," he told Bernama.

Idris said Melaka also has the potential to emerge as a "park" for the pharmaceutical industry for the southern region when Malaysian Biotechnology Corp Sdn Bhd developed a pharmaceutical park in Alor Gajah next year.

He said this project will gradually bring in RM1 billion investment.

"We've received a request from a Microsoft company which is looking for a piece of land to build a factory that produces main frames.

"A local businessman is also planning to invest RM100 million to produce diesel from used tyres using green technology," he said.

Idris said the company will collect used tyres in Melaka, estimated at 10 tonnes a day, to be processed using the technology from South Korea and China.

He said the plant is expected to start operations soon.

"I've identified all these as investments with very viable potential and have placed them on Melaka's investment radar.

"These projects do not include other companies expanding their businesses at a rapid pace in and around Melaka," he said.

Idris said the construction of Guardian Industries Malaysia Sdn Bhd's glass production plant in Lipat Kajang, costing RM800 million, will start after several issues, including land matter, are resolved.

The glass manufacturing plant, pharmaceutical park and Honda's expansion programme are expected to create 3,000 jobs, he said.

In a move to bolster economic activities in existing industrial areas, Idris said their managements would adopt a dual-pronged approach -- value add and increase production capacity of existing plants, upgrade quality of their products and services as well as increase utilisation of the land area like in Lipat Kajang, Teluk Gong and several other industrial areas around Alor Gajah and Jasin districts.

"I'm confident Melaka will re-emerge as a bustling economic hub as it used to be before (during the Melaka Sultanate). (We can realise this vision and mission) with the cooperation of all the administrators in the state.

"All of us should work as one united team to bring back Melaka's glorious era.

"I've reminded the state executive councillors and the workforce in Melaka to become the best "salesman" to the extent of selling sand to the Arabs and refrigerators to the Eskimos.

"If we have such a mentality to promote Melaka, I believe investors will have the trust and confidence to come to Melaka," he added.

Source: BERNAMA

Apakah itu?

Ole-ole dari Melaka. Cuba teka, apakah dia?

Ulang Terbit: Utusan Buat Adik

Sementara menanti minda ini bangkit untuk menukilkan sajak-sajak terbaru, izinkan aku menyiarkan kembali koleksi sajak peribadiku di Aku dan Sajak untuk segmen Ulang Terbit, pada setiap hari Khamis.

Adik-adik di Pantai Klebang, Melaka

Utusan Buat Adik

Adik-adikku
ku mohon seketika
untuk menceritakan
isi hati yang ini.

Adik-adikku
tiada galang gantinya
sinar matamu yang menyejukkan
buah tuturmu yang menenangkan
tingkah lakumu yang menggembirakan
sungguh dekat di hati ini.

Adik-adikku
ku sedar beban di bahumu.....
kerna aku pernah lalui lorong itu
untuk sampai ke sini.

Adik-adik
kujanganlah disalah bonda
janganlah disalah ayahanda
kerna menaruh harapan, menggantung cita-cita.

Adik-adikku
mereka bukannya hartawan
tapi mereka ibu bapa yang sedar and pintar
ilmu adalah pusaka yang terbaik
buat bekalan dunia dan akhirat.

Adik-adikku
satu hari nanti
kau temui jua cahaya yang dikata mereka
dan kuharap ku temuinya
semasa kita semua masih bersama-sama. 


Hasmi Haron
Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA
23 September 2002

Melaka Imposes RM2 Heritage Charge

This makes more sense than the 5% heritage charge imposed earlier. Anyhow, the collection and utilisation of this fund MUST be made transparent.

Melawat Melaka Bererti Melawat Malaysia :)

Melaka abolishes 5 percent heritage charge, replaces it with RM2 charge

MELAKA, Jan 16 (Bernama) -- The state government has abolished the five percent heritage charge imposed on hotels, lodging houses and homestays and replaced it with a RM2 charge.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the charge was abolished because of objections by hotel, lodging house and homestay operators who felt it had a negative impact on their businesses.

"Discussions were held today with their representatives whereby they have agreed to the new charge," he told reporters after a dialogue on the heritage charge, here today.

Mohd Ali said based on the RM2 charge, guests would only have to add RM2 to their room rates.

He said the RM2 charge which would involve 12,000 hotel rooms, lodging houses and homestays throughout Melaka was expected to be enforced in April.

"The state expects to collect at least RM4 million each year from the charge, which would be utilised for developing the tourism sector.

"Operators must duly settle the charge monthly with the local authorities such as the Melaka Historical City Council, Hang Tuah Jaya municipal council, Alor Gajah municipal council and Jasin municipal council," he said.

He added that a heritage charge implementing committee would be formed to facilitate the process.

Night at A Farmosa

My friends came down to Melaka to attend my sister's wedding. They stayed at Mahkota Hotel. There are five of them, namely, Mus, Sham, Eijam, AJ and Shah.

Since I was very occupied during daytime, I could only joined them at night.

At first, I was planning to bring them to Jonker Street. Later, I found out that the area was packed with participants and fans of body building competition. If I'm not mistaken, they held the 3rd World Body Building Championship here in Melaka. I'm puzzled why they chose Jonker Walk as the venue.

In fact, the boys already strolled the infamous street themselves in the afternoon.

Instead, I met them at Mc Donalds! Nazrol was later joined us after meeting Geng Bebudak Melaka. They cannot stayed long because Fendy and Ed need to go to bed early because they will be going to Jempol for another make-up job. Similarly, Nazri need to attend a state function on the next morning.

As usual, we started our gathering with latest updates on what happened in Kuala Lumpur for the last one week plus that I'd left the city. Some are juicy indeed, some are boring. Then, the bashing part. As always, it was all about "negeri maju" vs. "metropolis kulaijaya".

If AJ didn't remind us how late it was, we could have continue talking until subuh! Before we dismiss, we promised to meet again for brunch at Restoran Ayam Golek Bachang.

Makan2 in Melaka: Roti Terbang Kg. 6

Aku baru saja tahu tentang Roti Terbang Kampung Enam, itupun diperkenalkan oleh Nazri dan Nazrol apabila aku balik ke Melaka baru-baru ini. The interesting fact is, it's not that far from my parents' place!

Aku tak cuba pun roti canai ataupun roti telur di situ sebab malas nak menunggu lama-lama. Instead, I ordered a plate of fried noodles, tak nak pedas katanya!

Tempatnya biasa-biasa saja, gerai di tepi jalan. Makanannya boleh tahan. Boleh datang lagi lah.

Oh, satu lagi fakta - penebar ratinya adalah naib johan Pertandingan Menebar Roti Canai, yang telah diadakan beberapa tahun yang lalu. Dapat wang tunai RM15 ribu, kalau tak silap.

Jadi, kalau datang ke negeri Hang Tuah ini, jangan lupa datang ke Kampung Enam (bersebelahan Kampung Lapan) untuk pekena roti terbang. Ada domenstrasi lagu!

Photolog: Roti Terbang Kg. 6

Medan Ikan Bakar Alai

Medan Ikan Bakar Alai II

Medan Ikan Bakar Alai III

Nazrol dan Kereta

Nak dijadikan cerita, masuk sahaja ke lebuhraya PLUS, Nazrol perasan yang mana suhu keretanya naik dan tinggi.

Bertambah sensasi apabila trafik jadi sesak dan perlahan mulai kawasan Pedas/Linggi. Yang peliknya, lagi perlahan lagi tinggi suhu kereta.

Sampai sahaja ke susur keluar Senawang, kami ambil keputusan untuk berhenti dan periksa apa yang patut.

Tapi aku cuma duduk di bahu jalan, menikmati buah dokong sambil perhatikan sepupu aku periksa radiator. Setelah diisi air dan dibiarkan suhu kereta suhu turun selama 20 minit, kami pun sambung perjalanan dengan menggunakan LEKAS.

Aku tiba di Graha Residen kira-kira jam 11.00 malam. Sempat juga tonton keputusan Mentor 5. Tahniah Salma, tahniah Erra Fazira!

Obes, Gemuk & Melaka

Aku tak pasti sama ada hendak berbangga ataupun tidak dengan berita ini. Sebelum ini, nama Melaka gah dengan gelaran yang diberi sendiri iaitu Melaka Maju 20.10.2010.

Dan hari ini, tercanang ke seluruh negara yang majoriti Ahli Undangan Negeri Melaka adalah gemuk. Untuk menyedapkan hati, berita yang sama mencanangkan Melaka kedua obes.

Jadi, kepada Geng Bebudak Melaka... ada apa-apa komentar tentang hal ini?

Diterbitkan semula berita yang dipetik daripada Malaysiakini.

******************************************************************

Majoriti ADUN Melaka gemuk
Elissa Helmy May 9, 11 1:52pm
Sebahagian besar ADUN Melaka yang menjalani ujian kesihatan hari ini didapati mengalami masalah obesiti atau lebih berat badan.



Pemeriksaan kesihatan yang dikendalikan kira-kira 20 pegawai kesihatan daripada Jabatan Kesihatan Negeri mempunyai bacaan Indeks Jisim Tubuh (BMI) yang tidak sesuai.

Namun begitu, pemeriksaan lain seperti tahap glukosa dalam air kencing dan darah berada di paras normal. Begitu juga tekanan darah.

Kira-kira 20 ADUN, termasuk daripada pembangkang, terlibat dalam program itu.

Daripada jumlah itu, 2/3 daripadanya didapati obes.

Exco negeri yang bertanggungjawab dalam urusan kesihatan, pemulihan projek, pembangunan pekan kecil dan NGO Datuk Seet Har Cheow ketika dihubungi mengesahkan perkara berkenaan.



Dengan keputusan pemeriksaan kesihatan tersebut, Seet juga menasihatkan ADUN negeri itu mengawal berat badan melalui pemakanan yang seimbang.

"Saya nasihatkan mereka supaya mengawal gula, makanan berkarbohidrat serta makanan berlemak mulai saat ini terutama ketika menghadiri pelbagai majlis ketika menjalankan tugas mereka.

"Biarpun sibuk dengan pelbagai aktiviti kerja, mereka tidak harus mengabaikan waktu tidur dan banyak minum air kosong menggantikan air bergula.

"Begitu juga makanan bersantan yang banyak menyumbang ke arah pertambahan berat badan," katanya yang juga mengalami masalah serupa.

Melaka kedua obes
Mengulas keadaan dirinya sendiri, ADUN Klebang itu berkata, dia juga tidak menyangka turut dikelaskan sebagai obes kerana ia tidak boleh dinilai berdasarkan keadaan fizikal.

Katanya, kelihatan kurus tidak semestinya tidak obes.

"Bukan hanya ADUN, tetapi seluruh warga Melaka juga perlu menjaga pemakanan kerana negeri Melaka jatuh tempat kedua warganya paling ramai obes di Malaysia.

"Oleh yang demikian tindakan segera perlu diambil oleh semua rakyat Melaka khususnya Adun bagi melahirkan warga sihat juga wakil rakyat yang sihat agar kerja-kerja mereka sebagai wakil kerajaan tidak terjejas," katanya.

Dalam pemeriksaan hari ini, selain melakukan pemeriksaan glukosa, tekanan darah, dan timbangan berat badan, darah mereka juga diambil untuk dihantar ke makmal bagi mengesan penyakit serius yang lain.

Bagi pemeriksaan x-Ray mereka perlu ke Poliklinik Ayer Keroh berhampiran dengan tarikh yang ditetapkan.

Selain itu ADUN turut mengisi satu borang untuk mengetahui sejarah penyakit mereka.

Antara ADUN yang mengambil bahagian ialah Adun Sungai Udang, Datuk Yaakub Md Amin, Adun Tanjung Bidara, Datuk Ab Karim Ab Sulaiman, Adun Machap, Datuk Lai Mei Chong termasuk Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri, Datuk Wira Omar Kaseh.

Ceritera tentang Geng

Lama juga tak lepak-lepak dengan geng lama. Bercakap tentang geng (bukan Geng: Pengembaraan Bermula okey!), aku ada banyak circles of friends.

Salah satunya, kawan-kawan Bridge. Kebetulan, petang kelmarin hujan turun dengan lebatnya tika aku sedang bersiap-siap untuk pulang. Sementara menanti hujan teduh, aku mengatur langkah ke cafeteria untuk menikmati segelas teh tarik panas.

Pucuk dicita, ulam mendatang. Kawan-kawan Bridge sedang asyik bermain (baca: berlatih). Aku pun ambil kesempatan untuk menempel, menyaksikan Maya, Ali, Sharil dan Jocko berlatih permainan yang kalau orang tak tahu, mereka akan panggil, makan pakau!



Semalam, aku ke perpustakaan untuk menyaksikan Perdana Menteri baru mengumumkan barisan kabinet baru.

Terjumpa pula dengan seorang lagi geng lama, iaitu Geng Sport's Meet. Aizuddin adalah antara yang berjaya memujuk aku untuk menyertai temasya sukan anjuran syarikat aku. Dia, yang dahulunya langsing, merupakan salah seorang pelari untuk pasukan aku. Tetapi, setelah berumah tangga ini, aku tak rasa dia boleh lari selaju dulu.

Apa khabar agaknya, Geng Sport's Meet yang lain seperti Rujhan, Shahrul dan Zalmi. Tapi Zalmi ada juga aku temui ketika bersandai dengan Geng Bridge kelmarin. Cuma, gambarnya lupa aku tangkap!

Bercakap tentang barisan baru kabinet, aku rasa pelantikan Dato' Seri Mustapha Mohamed sebagai Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri adalah sangat tepat. Cuma, ketiadaan KJ dalam kabinet Dato' Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak, mungkin kurang umph kerana aku berpendapat perlu ada seorang Menteri yang berkarakter "pendesak" untuk mewakili kaum muda belia.

Mungkin juga PM ada rencana lain buat KJ yang memerlukan komitmen yang jitu tanpa beban tugasan-tugasan di kementerian.



Semalam juga, aku ambil kesempatan ke Sogo dengan dua orang lagi kawan baik daripada Geng Pejabat - Rina dan JJ dengan hajat untuk membeli belah. Memang menaruh hati untuk membeli sepasang dua baju kemeja. Tapi orang lain yang pasang hajat, orang lain yang bocor dompetnya. Hehehe... Sorry, girls... kadang-kadang, bila datang angin kus-kus, memang susah sikit nak buka dompet. Belik sana, belik sini, semuanya tak berkenan di hati. Janganlah serik nak ikut aku pergi shopping lagi ya...

And thanks, JJ for the lovely dinner at a Thai restaurant. Yum... yum... yummy! Terima kasih daun keladi, belanja-belanja lah lagi. Dan moga murah rezeki...


Insya-Allah, esok aku dan beberapa orang kawan akan berkelah di Pantai Klebang, Melaka. Pada mulanya, kami rancang untuk buat BBQ Party@Beach. Tapi, lepas seorang demi seorang tarik diri, keinginan nak panggang ikan ataupun makanan laut pun lesap. Sekarang ini, yang betul-betul ingin pergi ialah Maya (yeap, from Geng Bridge), Fina and two male friends of Fina.

Malamnya, kami bercadang untuk ronda-ronda, mengenali kecantikan dan keindahan Bandaraya Warisan Dunia, tak lain tak bukan... Melaka! Aku ingat nak ajak mereka menyusuri Sungai Melaka, selepas ke Jonker Walk. Ke, nak bawa mereka ke Zoo Melaka kerana dengar khabar the night zoo is worth visiting! Or lepaking @Dataran Pahlawan.

Wait a minute, didn't my sister and her husband invite me to their housewarming kenduri, did they?

Kwang, kwang, kwang...

BBQ Party in Melaka

Memandangkan hujung minggu ini tiada kelas tuisyen percuma untuk anak-anak yatim di Klang, aku ambil kesempatan yang ada untuk pulang ke Melaka. Menziarahi ibu bapa aku, dan adik-beradik yang lain.

Kebetulan juga, adik aku yang mengajar di Subang Jaya dan seorang lagi adik aku yang belajar di Kuantan turut balik. Jadi aku mengambil peluang yang ada ini untuk "makan besar".

Pada mulanya, aku rancang untuk ke Serkam Pantai, untuk makan ikan bakar ramai-ramai. Tetapi salah seorang adik aku, mencadangkan agar kami buat BBQ di rumah sahaja. Lebih puas makan.

Tanpa lengah, ibu bapa aku menyediakan bahan-bahan mentah - membeli ayam, ikan, udang, sotong dan ketam di Pasar Borong Melaka. Kecuali ayam. Itu dibeli daripada kedai kepunyaan sepupu aku.

Mira dan suaminya datang dengan beberapa juadah tambahan. My all... aku suka betul jambu air tu. Haruslah beli lagi!

Majlis kami diriuhkan lagi dengan kehadiran Ika dan Stongkol (aku pun tak tahu nama betul adik sepupu aku ini!). Kami ajak juga ibu bapa Nazrol dan adik perempuan dia, tapi mereka ada tetamu daripada Singapura. Cuma mewakili Ika dan Stongkol.



"Alah... lain kali tak boleh ajak Along dan Lia pergi makan ikan bakar. Buat rugi saja. Baru makan sikit dah kenyang!" rungut adik perempuan bongsu aku.

Mana tidaknya, juadah makan malam penuh satu meja. Itu pun masih ada berbaki lagi, nasib baik mak aku tak marinate semuanya.

Ke nasi lemak kosong tu banyak sangat portionnya? Ke sebab aku minum air tebu banyak sangat? Ke... banyak sangat telan asap?

"Setakat nyalakan bara pun, dah bising ke Along? Itupun tak hidup-hidup apinya!" rungut adik aku lagi.

Anyhow, it was an enjoyable weekend. And a satisfied one!


p/s: Tomorrow is my housemate's birthday. Happy Birthday, Ajoy. All the best in your undertakings. May Allah bless you with more rahmat, berkat and joy. Aamin.

Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical

Majikan aku menghadiahkan para pekerjanya tiket-tiket untuk persembahan teater muzikal Puteri Gunung Ledang (PGL) Musin ke-3. Dan aku telah memilih untuk menonton persembahan mereka pertama.

Biarpun ramai yang cuba pengaruhi aku agar tidak pergi ke persembahan malam pertama kerana (1) mungkin para pelakon agak gugup ataupun (2) ketidaklancaran sistem, baik audio, lampu, PA dan sebagainya; namun semua itu aku tolak ke tepi. Aku lebih teruja untuk saksikan keVIRGINan mereka. Kalau silap, silaplah. Kalau bagus, alhamdulillah.

Aku tiba ke Istana Budaya kurang lebih jam 7.30 malam. Kawasan letak kereta di perkarangan Istana Budaya sudah penuh, jadi aku parkir kereta aku di perkarangan Balai Seni Lukis Negara. Dalam perjalanan masuk, aku terserempak dengan Adlin Rahman Ramlie yang sedang membunuh masa dengan menghisap rokok.

Persembahan yang sepatutnya bermula jam 8.30 malam seperti yang tertera di atas tiket, bermula kira-kira jam 9.00 malam.

Biarpun sudah tonton persembahan yang sama di musim pertama, aku tetap siapkan diri agar rasa debar dan teruja bisa ada.

Secara umumnya, PGL III tiada rombakan besar terhadap jalan ceritanya. Masih serupa. Cuma apa yang aku perasan, beberapa babak telah diperhalusi bagi menjelaskan lagi pemikiran dan falsafah Puteri Majapahit tersebut terhadap manusia, kehidupan dan cinta. Dan kali ini, rentetan percintaan Puteri Jawa dan Laksamana Melaka juga ditekankan untuk membina aura sebuah percintaan yang agung.

Sayang sekali, ucapan dialog dan gerak tubuh Hang Tuah yang kurang keMELAYUan, merencatkan keberahian cinta yang ingin dibina. Selain pengucapan Stephen Rahman-Hughes yang kurang penghayatan, gerak tubuh beliau terlampau "West End" (baca: fleksibel atau melentur). Lantas keJANTANan lelaki MELAYU tidak timbul. Mungkin beliau boleh memerhatikan bahasa tubuh Adlin Rahman Ramlie, biar menari seligat mana pun, "kekakuan lelaki MELAYU"nya tidak hilang.

Selain itu, lakonan para pelakon yang lain agak memberangsangkan terutamanya watak Sultan Mahmud.

Memandangkan ini adalah teater muzikal, tidak boleh tidak aspek nyanyian perlu diulas.

Di sinilah terserlah kekurangan vokal Tiara Jacquelina. Biarpun nyanyian beliau penuh emosi, namun jurang di antara nyanyian beliau dan nyanyian Stephen Rahman-Hughes, sedikit sebanyak mengurangkan "chemistry" di antara mereka berdua.

Di sinilah terserlah kredibiliti Hang Tuah, terutama nyanyian monolognya yang berkongsi dengan para penonton dilema yang dihadapi untuk meminang kekasih hati buat Sultan yang sangat ditaati.

Untuk sekian kali, teater terbitan Enfiniti Production memukau para penonton dengan kesan khas bunyi dan visual yang berkesan dan baik. Produksi ini digahkan lagi dengan rekaan set dan props yang tinggi standardnya oleh Raja Malek. Begitu juga seni tari yang dipersembahan, agak menarik dan kontemporari.

Cuma susunan muzik lagu-lagunya kurang tempo keMELAYUan. Mungkin bisa diperbaiki untuk musim akan datang.

Apa-apa pun, PGL III masih lagi satu produksi tempatan yang boleh dibanggakan biarpun boleh dipertingkat mutunya, terutama aspek lakonan Hang Tuah, nyanyian Putri Gusti dan susunan muzik lagu-lagunya.

Satu lagi, penceritaannya boleh diperketatkan agar para penonton boleh menangkap keagungan cinta lagenda ini. Semestinya adalah satu pengorbanan yang besar untuk seorang Puteri Hindu, meninggalkan segala-galanya untuk mendamba cinta seorang hulubalang terbilang yang memang mencintainya setulus hati. Tetapi cintanya itu kalah kepada kesetiaan kekasihnya kepada Sultannya.


Rating: B


Note: Pictures are courtesy of Eijal.

Weekend in Melaka, the World's Heritage Site!

Pada mulanya, aku berhajat hendak pulang ke Melaka, malam tadi selepas balik dari pejabat. Tapi, aku dikejutkan dengan berita tentang rakan sepejabat aku dimasukkan ke Gleneagles Ampang, dan telah menjalani satu pembedahan pada pagi semalam. Aku bergegas pergi melawat bersama-sama Faizal dan Ija Salleh. Alhamdulillah, segalanya selamat. Take a good rest and get well soon...

Aku sampai ke rumah ibu bapa aku pagi tadi, sekitar jam 11 pagi. Mak, Lia dan Niza sedang menyiapkan bahan-bahan masakan untuk kenduri "housewarming" buat Mira dan Mus, yang dijadualkan pada malam ini, selepas solat Maghrib. Menurut Abah, majlis ini dibuat kecil-kecilan dan hanya dihadiri oleh ahli keluarga terdekat.

Sekarang ini, aku di MITC sedang melayari internet. Mak suruh aku carikan kursus MLVK untuk Lan, yang berhajat untuk sambung belajar dalam jurusan otomotif. Tapi, Mak mahukan kolej yang berdekatan dengan rumah. Nampaknya, mak belum bersedia untuk berjauhan dengan buah hati pengarang jantungnya ini!

Aku tertarik dengan kursus MLVK yang dikendalikan oleh Kolej Yayasan Melaka. Alhamdulillah, pilihan ini menepati kriteria yang Mak tetapkan. Semoga perancangan ini berjalan dengan lancar, insya-Allah...

Sebenarnya, aku memang sudah syorkan Lan untuk mengambil kursus ini selepas dia habis menduduki SPM setahun lebih yang lalu. Walaupun dia menunjukkan minat, tetapi minat dia untuk memegang duit sendiri lebih meluap-luap. Itu sebab aku dan adik beradik yang lain, meyakinkan Mak dan Abah agar menerimanya.

"Tak baik paksa-paksa dia. Biarlah dia rasa susah payah mencari duit. Insya-Allah, akan timbul kesedaran untuk memajukan diri agar dalam mencari rezeki lebih dengan kelayakan yang lebih juga."

Aku ingat kata-kata Lia, ketika dia cuba menyokong aku dalam menenangkan Mak dan Abah yang benar-benar terperanjat dengan keputusan Lan.

Alhamdulillah, doa kami dimakbulkan. Semoga, susah payah dia bekerja dengan gaji sebanyak lapan, sembilan ratus Ringgit, bisa menguatkan azamnya untuk mengejar kemahiran yang lebih tinggi.

Esok, aku akan kembali ke KL bersama-sama Lia. Pada hari Isnin ini, Lia akan mendaftarkan diri sebagai seorang guru lepasan ijazah terlatih di Jabatan Pendidikan Selangor. Aku tak tahu kenapa aku begitu excited dan tak sabar-sabar untuk menanti kehadiran Isnin.

Harap-harap aku tidak sesat!


p/s: Happy belated birthday to Rezuan Mat Yasin. All the best in your undertakings. May Allah bless you with more rahmat, berkat and joy. Aamin.