Goodbye 2008, Welcome 2009!

Alhamdulillah, tahun 2008 banyak mengandungi episod manis buat hidupku. Kemuncaknya ialah dengan kejayaan aku menggenggam segulung ijazah lanjutan daripada University of Manchester. Biarpun aku tidak berpeluang menerima skrol Master in Development Finance with Merit di atas pentas Whitworth Hall pada 18 Disember yang lalu, namun aku bersyukur kerana segala usaha dan penat lelah berbaloi jua akhirnya. Alhamdulillah...

Tahun 2008 juga menyaksikan kelibat aku di beberapa buah negara di Eropah Barat dan Asia. Alhamdulillah, di sebalik sibuk membaca, membaca, membaca dan menulis kertas-kertas kerja, aku sempat ke (besides London, which was my second "home" when I was in UK) York, Dublin, Frankfurt, Belfast, Londonderry, Oxford, Singapore, Colombo, Liverpool, Madrid, Toledo, Cordoba, Granada, Barcelona, Brussels, Bruge, Glasgow, Edinburg, Cambridge, Venice, Pisa, Rome, Bremen, Hamburg, Berlin, Loughborough dan Nottingham. Seperti mana yang aku telah maklumkan sebelum ini, Berlin adalah my favourite city in Europe! It is clean, safe and has almost everything, from nightlife to cultural and historical thingy.

Antara yang aku pelajari daripada episod berkelana di tempat orang ialah sistem pengangkutan awam yang cekap serta keunikan setempat adalah kunci kepada kejayaan pelancongan sesebuah negara. Malaysia mempunyai ingredients yang mencukupi untuk menjadi tourism hub di rantau sini, dengan syarat, perbaiki sistem pengangkutan awam, pergiatkan usaha menonjolkan keunikan kita yang tulen (salah satu kekurangan produk pelancongan Singapura!) serta utamakan kebersihan. Insya-Allah, pelancongan bisa menjadi salah satu sumber inflow yang utama.

Selain kejayaan peribadi, tahun 2008 juga memperlihatkan hubungan aku dengan ahli keluarga semakin erat dan lebih matang. Aku mulai bisa berbicara dengan Abah. I've learned my lesson! Now, anything which might not to my liking, I take it as an alternative view from a man who might have encountered the same or similar situation, 20 years plus ago.

Dan kami sekeluarga sempat bercuti bersama-sama. The last time we had a family (including siblings) trip was in 2006, to Kuala Terengganu. The latest one, in fact very recently, we went to Langkawi during the Christmas holidays. Too bad that Fizul, Mira and her husband can't join us.


Talking about Mus, we've just received a new member to our family. Sekali lagi syukur buat Ilahi kerana majlis perkahwinan Mira dan Mus berjalan dengan lancar dan baik. Biarpun aku sedikit kecewa dengan ketidakpulangan Auntie Midah dan Tok Din (bagaimana pun, anaknya iaitu one of my closest cousins, Nurul dapat pulang menghadiri majlis tersebut), kehadiran adik beradik Abah dan Mak serta sanak saudara yang lain benar-benar memberi erti kepada kami sekeluarga. Terima kasih kepada yang membantu menerusi kudrat dan wang dan yang mendoakan kelancaran majlis tersebut. Hanya Allah yang bisa membalas jasa baik mereka semua. Syukur juga, majlis tersebut tidak berakhir dengan hutang piutang.

Tahun 2008 juga adalah tahun di mana aku bebas daripada hutang kad kredit. Biarpun hutang tersebut adalah "angkara" kawan baik aku, tetapi memandangkan aku yang telah memberikan persetujuan untuk dia gunakan kad kredit tersebut, terpaksalah aku bayar sedikit demi sedikit. Alhamdulillah, puji pujian buat Allah.

Tetapi kami sekeluarga juga kehilangan dua anggota keluarga. Pertamanya, Nek Sokyah yang menghembuskan nafas pada minggu kedua Ramadhan. Keduanya, Atok Mustapha yang telah pergi buat selama-lamanya pada minggu ketiga Disember. Semoga Allah mencucuri rahmat ke atas roh-roh arwah dan tempatkan mereka dalam golongan yang diredhai. Aamin.

Selain itu, kami sekeluarga diduga dengan satu ujian, yang alhamdulillah, merapatkan lagi hubungan kami sekeluarga. Semoga Allah memakburkan nazarku.

Aku juga disampaikan dengan berita kurang menyenangkan tentang dua kawan baik aku. Salah seorangnya telah mendapat kerumitan di tempat kerja sementara yang lagi satu telah diduga Allah taala dengan penyakit. Aku doakan agar Allah meringankan bebanan yang dipikul oleh mereka, dan dikeluarkan daripada permasalahan itu. Aamin. Insya-Allah, aku akan memasukkan doa buat mereka, usaha yang termampu daripada aku yang kerdil ini.

Tahun 2008 secara amnya adalah satu tahun yang manis buat aku. Semoga tahun 2009 juga dianugerahi Allah dengan lebih banyak rahmat, berkat dan kegembiraan. Aamin.

Grow Up!!!

Allow me to borrow that phrase by Norish Karman which I 'accidentally' heard (percaya tak?) in Spa Q II. And allow me to throw that phrase to the Censorship Unit of RTM for their puzzling decision to GAM a new song by Kopratasa, titled Aku Bukan Musuh Harta. Reason given is that its lyric, which was penned by Dr. Asri Zainul Abidin, is too KASAR. My vocabulary might not as CANGGIH as those who sit on that censorhip board, kasar to me is harsh. Mus... Zetty... please correct me if I'm wrong.

Let us go through the said lyric to find out how kasar is KASAR.

AKU BUKAN MUSUH HARTA

mereka kata:
mengapa kita tidak kaya raya?
tengoklah si fulan itu, bermewahan saja..
aku bertanya:
apakah caranya untuk aku kaya?
tapi.. secara mulia dan tanpa berdusta

bukan kita tidak tahu
jalan, denai dan liku
agar harta ditemu dan disapu
tapi semuanya cara palsu dan tipu..
bukan kita tidak mahu
tapi kita tidak mampu
takut dan terkedu
mengenangkan Yang Maha Satu
Yang Tiada BagiNya sekutu

ya, telah kaya para pengkhianat
dengan harta yang sarat
tapi mereka lupa akhirat
balasan yang berat
di dunia, jiwa bertukar menjadi keparat

ya, telah kaya para pendusta
syarat mereka: lupakan Yang Esa
harta rakyat semua disebat
harta awam semua dibekam
hukum syaitan mereka bertuhan

kita pun ingin kaya
ada harta, ada kereta yang istimewa
ada rumah mewah yang melimpah
ada hidangan yang bukan sebarangan
ada duit yang bukan sedikit

tapi jalannya hendaklah suci
bukan seperti seorang pencuri
jika ada jalan yang mulia
di hujungnya ada harta
tunjukkan kita di mana saja
kita bukan musuh harta
kita cuma musuh pengkhianat bangsa dan negara
apatah lagi pengkhianat agama..

Again, my vocab might not as good as them, but I only managed to identify two words which might fall under their classification as KASAR, namely, PENGKHIANAT and KEPARAT.

If these are harsh words, I guess they may want to GAM quite a long list of SAJAKs, including by Datuk Usman Awang and Keris Mas, which had featured these words countless times.

Or maybe I got the wrong word. Maybe phrases like "harta rakyat semua disebat" or "telah kaya para pendusta" are indeed harsher than Datuk Shahnon Ahmad's SHIT or Hasmi Haron's Perempuan-Perempuan Celaka Itu"?

Come on, SAJAKs or movies are just products of creative writing. Don't they know what creative writing means?

I'm sure this immature decision was never went through our open-minded Menteri Penerangan. To me, this is just another 'classic' act from those apple polishers. And I don't think those millionaires really care of this song.

By the way, "telah kaya para pendusta" doesn't mean all rich people are liars. And the same goes to "telah kaya para pengkhianat".

Alahai...


p/s: It's official, Mualaf has been banned by the Censorship Board!

Battle of the Two Families

Jangan sangka yang bukan-bukan.

Ini bukannya post pasal pergaduhan atau permusuhan antara dua keluarga. Ini adalah tentang pertandingan bowling sulung, di antara keluarga arwah Cikgu Jaafar dan keluarga arwah Hajah Senah.

Pertandingan persahabatan ini berlangsung pada 7 Disember 2008, di salah sebuah pusat membeli belah di World Heritage Site, Melaka Bandaraya Bersejarah!

Pemain-pemain dari famili arwah Cikgu Jaafar

Pemain-pemain dari famili arwah Hajah Senah
Setiap keluarga menghantar 2 pasukan yang masing-masing mengandungi 4 pemain setiap pasukan. Kumpulan keluarga Hajah Senah diuruskan oleh cucu sulungnya iaitu Ojot manakala kumpulan keluarga Cikgu Jaafar diketuai oleh Along.

Pertandingan ini turut diserikan dengan kehadiran Busu Mizan, yang mewakili keluarga Hajah Munah. Disebabkan masalah yang tidak dapat dielakkan, keluarga Hajah Munah tidak dapat menyertaikan pertandingan ini.


Keputusan pertandingan bowling ini adalah seperti berikut:
Peserta terbaik: Fizul (Kumpulan Cikgu Jaafar A)
Kumpulan terbaik: Kumpulan Hajah Senah B

Juara - Kumpulan Hajah Senah B (Wan, Thaqib, Aiman & Aizat)

Naib Juara - Kumpulan Cikgu Jaafar A (Nurul, Fizul [Pemain terbaik], Nadia & Lia)

Ketiga - Kumpulan Hajah Senah A (Haziq, Ojot, Aman & Shukor)

Keempat - Kumpulan Cikgu Jaafar B (Lan, Niza, Mus & Mira)

p/s: Selamat Pengantin Baru kepada Khairul Husni dan Merry Christmas to all my Christian friends.

Bersalah... Ops... tidak bersalah!

Selepas episod pemecatan Tun Salleh Abbas sebagai Ketua Hakim Negara dan skandal "correct, correct, correct!", ramai yang makin sangsi dengan ketelusan sistem perundangan Malaysia.

Betulkah sistemnya sudah bobrok?

Sebelum pagi hari ini, aku pun hampir-hampir tergolong dalam kumpulan yang was-was ini. Tetapi, apabila aku baca berita di muka surat 2 akhbar The Sun, mula terdetik keraguan tentang ketidakyakinan aku kepada sistem perundangan di negara kita.

Terpampang tajuknya, "Porn VCD case - Court acquits ex-air steward"!

Hakim P. Nallini berpendapat hukuman 18 bulan penjara ke atas Mohd Rizal Mat Yusuf untuk pertuduhan membuat dan mengedarkan VCD yang mengandungi adegan-adegan seks melampau di No. 12, Jalan Sri Banang, Taman Sri Andalas, Klang di antara tahun 1999 dan Mei 2003, adalah "a failure of justice".

Aku tak mahu mengulas panjang kerana berita ini boleh dibaca di dada-dada akhbar, tapi tidakkah ini satu lagi bukti bahawa masih ada lagi keadilan di mahkamah-mahkamah kita? Hehehe...

Apa-apa pun, tahniah untukmu, pramugara terlampau!

To build a nation, first build a school

Believe it or not, I tend to agree with those voices for an integrated national school. To me, a single system school is crucial to develop Bangsa Malaysia - a united Malaysians with the same learning path (not necessarily means the same learning tools!).

While celebrating our diversity, we should all work towards the convergence of our vernacular education systems, which I believe would enable us to optimise the use of scarce resources (both financial and non-financial) to improve the standard of living of all Malaysians. And this would also enable us to nurture the spirit of kekitaan among the young generation.

When I first read the appended article which was first published on The Sun, I know I should share this with my fellow friends.

Lets us put aside our emotions, and read the article with an open mind.

And I personally think the Government should stop providing financial support to vernacular schools and at the same time, enhance the attractiveness and effectiveness of national schools.


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

Prof. Khoo Kay Kim
Via email


MANY years ago, Tagore said: "To build a nation, first build a school." He was talking about the need to integrate and socialise the young people who form the citizens of a country. In Malaysia, concern was raised even before World War II, not long after the British had experimented with preserving separatism and found the situation difficult to control. Sir Shenton Thomas (governor and high commissioner), in about 1940, actually thought seriously of adopting a policy to Anglicise the Chinese. But war broke out before he could act.

It is not at all well known that, in the early years of British administration, there was no consciousness of the need to build walls between the ethnic groups. For instance, those appointed to official bodies (such as sanitary boards or state councils) represented industries or commerce. It was only after World War I that the decision was made to appoint ethnic representatives.

The British treated non-Malays as aliens and therefore provided facilities for them to continue to live as citizens of their countries of origin. Hence also, hardened non-Malay criminals were banished, meaning they were sent back to their original countries and could not return.

Malays (as distinct from those of more recent Netherlands East Indies origin) were deemed to be subjects of the Rulers. Those committing serious crimes were exiled, meaning they could return because this was their land of origin. It was to protect their interests, after the first rubber boom of 1910, that the Malay Land Reservation Act was passed in 1913 which also defined, for the first time, who a Malay was. This same definition is preserved in the Federal Constitution.

When plans were laid for the establishment of a nation-state in the course of World War II, the British began to plan seriously the best way to integrate the ethnic groups. The Communities Liaison Committee was formed at the beginning of 1949, chaired by E.E.C.Thuraisingham.

The Barnes Committee, a year later, recommended the integration of the education system. All government schools, as distinct from private schools, would use Malay and English as the main media of instruction but pupils could learn their own ethnic languages. Later, the Razak Report of 1956 stated categorically that "the main objective of Malaya’s educational policy is national unity." Its recommendations were substantially similar to that of the Barnes Report.

But throughout the late "forties" and "fifties", various efforts made to integrate the people proved futile. They preferred to remain separate. Hence, ethnic political parties were formed. Socialism and communism tried to use ideology to break down communalism; both failed. I remember a question set for my final year examination (in 1959) by Prof. K.G.Tregonning (an Australian): "Communalism not communism is the real threat in Malaya." Most of the students who answered that question agreed with the statement.

Singapore is very well aware of that and has adopted, from the beginning, an integrative approach towards education. But its requirement that a pupil must study his/her own ethnic language is too hard. If an Indian pupil wants to study Mandarin instead of Tamil, he/she is not allowed to do so.

Our political leaders also could not solve the problem on the eve of independence. They left many issues unresolved hoping that, after independence, reason and not emotion would prevail. But even now there is no sign of it. When I told the reporter of the Chinese paper that the time had come to adopt a "one-system national school" approach, I specifically mentioned Singapore as an example. But she could not understand what I was saying and reported that I had said non-Malays must forget their mother tongues.

"Mother tongue" is another misunderstood term. It should be the language used by members of a particular family, not the language used by a nation. Therefore, Tamil is not the "mother tongue" of every Indian. The Bengalis, Punjabis, Malayalis and Telegus have their own "mother tongues". In Sarawak and Sabah, the indigenous people have numerous "mother tongues".

Like it or not, young Malaysians must make it a point to acquire three languages at least: the national language, an international language (English is the most useful) and each person’s own ethnic language. The schools can provide for the learning of a few of the major ethnic languages: Mandarin, Tamil and Arabic; but it would not be practicable to try to provide more.

When discussing national problems, why must leaders of the nation allow themselves to be overcome by strong ethnic feelings? Their main responsibility is to integrate the nation not separate it. And, by the way, the nation rejected assimilation a long time ago but acknowledged that integration is the right approach. There are still educated Malaysians who do not know this.

I have lived through two serious ethnic riots – one in 1945 and one in 1969. When I plead for a rational approach why should I be accused of not knowing my own people? My research into the history of the Chinese in Malaysia takes into account minute details. But the simple question is, if I choose to be an ethnic champion would I be able to contribute to national unity? Am I to understand that confrontation is the wiser approach? Have we not seen the calamities that have taken place in some countries even in recent times because of ethnic confrontation?

The preservation and practice of ancestral culture is not wrong but when one lives in a complex society, social relations cannot be taken for granted. Certainly accommodation is more likely to lead to greater happiness than stubborn confrontation.

Al-fatihah...

Sekitar jam 4 pagi, aku mendapat SMS daripada Niza dan panggilan telefon daripada Mira, yang memaklumkan bahawa Atok Mustapha telah kembali ke rahmatullah.

Aku bergegas balik ke Melaka. Memandangkan aku sudah tiada cuti tahunan, aku tidak boleh lama kerana kursus yang sedang aku hadiri bermula pada 9.15 pagi.

Aku cuma sempat membacakan surah Yaasin sekali sahaja. Tidak sempat untuk tunggu mayat dimandi dan dikafankan.

Takziah buat Nek Kamayah sekeluarga. Sesungguh arwah adalah seorang muslim yang baik dan moga Allah mencucuri rahmat ke atas rohnya, dan ditempatkan di kalangan orang-orang yang beriman.

Al-fatihah...


p/s: Have a safe journey, Nurul. So sorry because I was unable to send you off due to work commitments.

Atok Mustapha

Ketika aku makan malam bersama Mus dan Din di Pandan Jaya, aku sempat menelefon Niza, untuk bertanyakan tentang rancangan bagi bercuti di Pulau Langkawi. Niza kata dia bersiap-siap untuk ke hospital.

"Cakap dengan Abah," ujarnya.

Aku diberitahu Abah bahawa suami kepada mak tiri Abah sedang tenat di Hospital Melaka. Atok Mustapha mengidap penyakit buah pinggang. Kali terakhir aku tengok dia, di majlis perkahwinan Mira. Dia tampak sihat dan sempat membacakan doa selamat buat kami sekeluarga.

Semoga Allah melimpahi rahmat dan meringankan beban sakit yang dihadapinya. Aamin.

Aku rasa aku ada buat salah kepada Atok Mustapha. Biarpun kesalahan itu tidak dizahirkan dengan kata-kata ataupun perbuatan, tetapi hati aku berdetik. Dan aku rasa detik hati pada ketika itu, adalah sesuatu yang tidak baik.

Ya Allah... berilah kesempatan untuk aku minta maaf daripadanya.


p/s: Aku sekarang sedang berkursus di Petaling Jaya. Ingin ambil kesempatan untuk mengucapkan Selamat Hari Ulang Tahun Kelahiran kepada Juita dan Noris pada 16 Disember dan Kak Liza pada 17 Disember. All the best in your undertakings. May Allah bless you with more rahmat, berkat and joy. Aamin.

Bagai melepaskan anjing tersepit

Tiada ungkapan yang lebih sesuai buat sebilangan mangsa tanah runtuh Bukit Antarabangsa, yang bongkak dan tidak percaya kepada qada' dan qadar.

Aku tidak ambil pusing tentang cakap-cakap tentang perangai buruk mereka yang dijaja dari satu mulut ke satu mulut. Tetapi apabila aku baca tentang dua perkara di dada-dada akhbar, ya Allah... ampuni hamba-Mu ini, simpati bertukar MELUAT!

Pertamanya, artikel tentang kerajaan sedia menimbangkan usaha menempatkan mangsa-mangsa yang menghuni 14 banglo (baca: rumah mewah bernilai jutaan ringgit) yang terbabit di hotel-hotel.

Keduanya, suami salah seorang mangsa merancang untuk menyaman pasukan penyelamat kerana LAMBAT menyelamatkan isterinya yang terkorban.

Aku pelik mengapa kerajaan perlu menempatkan mereka di hotel. Apakah ini dasar terbaru untuk semua mangsa bencana alam yang berlaku di Malaysia ataupun one-off ehsan? Kenapa mangsa-mangsa tanah runtuh ini yang dipilih sebagai perintis? Tidakkah orang kaya ini punyai sanak saudara yang boleh mengikut jejak Datuk Siti Nurhaliza yang menumpangkan saudaranya di rumah beliau sehingga segalanya selesai?

Aku sejak kecil sudah diajar oleh mak dan abah, serta guru-guru agama tentang qada' dan qadar. Buat yang tak mengerti maksudnya, kurang lebih sama erti dengan takdir. Aku percaya sudah takdir wanita tersebut pergi selama-lamanya dan tanah runtuh itu hanyalah sebab musabab. Semasa aku di Tingkatan 3, aku pernah diberitahui oleh kawan baik, Soh Lian Hai (di manakah kau sekarang?) bahawa dia pun dididik tentang perkara yang sama. Mungkin teman-teman Tionghua boleh berkongsi sama...

Laporan Buletin TV3 tentang makanan dan minuman yang dibuang oleh mangsa-mangsa tanah runtuh Bukit Antarabangsa sangat menyedihkan. Hina sangatkah makan nasi bungkus? Bobrok sangatkan menumpang tidur di balai raya?

Teringat aku tentang ketertiban dan kesantunan isteri Hanif Basree menghadapi dugaan besar dalam hidupnya. Mungkin mereka (termasuk juga isteri Razak Baginda) boleh belajar sesuatu daripada beliau.

Alahai...


p/s: Well done, Pak Lah!

Antara alhamdulillah dan al-fatihah

Syukur banyak-banyak ke hadrat Allah taala kerana segalanya berjalan dengan lancarnya. Alhamdulillah, Mira telah selamat diijabkabulkan pada petang Jumaat, upacara malam berinai pada malamnya dan hari langsung pada keesokan harinya. Syukur alhamdulillah kerana tidak hujan sepanjang upacara berlangsung [Biarpun mak tiri abah bersungguh-sungguh menyuruh Mira balingkan baju basahannya ke atas bumbung, aku dan Lia tetap anggap itu adalah perbuatan yang tak perlu].

Mungkin kerana pertama kali mak dan abah menerima menantu, jadi orang datang tak putus-putus. Santak terpaksa beratur untuk mengambil makanan. Kasihan juga tengokkan Ju dan Udin dengan tiga orang anaknya dalam barisan panjang tersebut...

Terima kasih daun keladi kepada semua, termasuk kawan-kawan dan rakan-rakan sepejabat yang sudi datang. Kepada yang sesat dek peta yang serba serbi kurang itu, maaf banyak-banyak dari kami.

Terima kasih juga kepada ahli keluarga, sanak saudara dan sahabat handai yang datang menolong, terutamanya teruna-teruna yang membasuh pinggan mangkuk dan dara-dara yang menyelenggarakan balai makan.

Potrait Keluarga

"Kau menangis ke?" tanya salah seorang kawan baik aku yang datang dari jauh.
"Rahsia!"

Dalam ghairah menyambut kehadiran ahli baru, Mus, kami diingatkan tentang ulangtahun pemergian nenda tercinta, arwah Puan Jariah Abdul Samad pada 6 Disember 1959. Semoga Allah terus mencucuri rahmat ke atas roh beliau. Al-fatihah...


p/s: Alhamdulillah, makanan mencukupi, cuma tak dapat nak dibekal-bekalkan. Seperti yang diduga, ayam golek dan serunding Melaka laku betul!

Selamat Pengantin Baru, Pakcik Mamat!

Post ini sudah lama tertangguh. Kurang lebih sebulan setengah. Ini adalah majlis pernikahan sepupu kepada Abah aku, kira pangkat bapa saudara. Tapi, memandangkan kami sebaya, dan membesar sama-sama, aku cuma memanggilnya, Mamat dan dia (serta seluruh warga kampung Pasir Puteh) panggil aku... Has (baca: As). Mus... kalau kau ketawa, jaga kau! hehehe.

Masa kecil dulu, kami bertiga - aku, Mamat dan Jali, seorang lagi sepupu Abah aku, ke sana ke sini bersama-sama. Bergusti di serambi rumah Nek Kotak (aku pun tak tahu bagaimana adik Nenek aku ini boleh dapat gelaran sedemikian, sedangkan namanya ialah Jamaliah), bermain rounders di kawasan lapang sebelah Masjid As-Syakirin, berkubang di benteng (baca: tali air) ataupun membuntuti jentera yang membajak sawah milik Dr. Zaleha, sambil meraba-raba serkap dengan harapan meluap-luap untuk mencekak ikan haruan ataupun keli.

"Bila korang nak kawin ni? Sementara aku masih hidup ni, nak tengok kamu naik atas pelamin," tutur Nek Angah, yang juga mak Pakcik Jali.

"Tunggu dak As kawin dulu. Dia dah ada serba serbi," jawab Mamat.

"Eh, mana boleh anak buah melangkah bendul. Betul tak, Nek?" Nek Angah cuma menggeleng. Dan kami menerbitkan tawa kecil.

"Kau balik tau!" pesan Mamat bersungguh-sungguh, ketika aku berjumpa dengannya pada pagi Aidilfitri yang lalu. Riak mukanya ceria dan manis, bagai sudah terbayang-bayang nikmat berumahtangga.

"Insya-Allah, aku akan balik."

Ketika majlis pernikahan Mamat di Masjid Limbongan, Jali sedang ditahan di wad Hospital Besar Melaka. Dia dilanggar lori ketika hendak ke tempat kerja. Seperti aku, Pakcik Jali juga tumpang gembira dengan berita baik ini. Riak mukanya disaksikan aku ketika melawatnya, sesudah aku menghadiri majlis akad nikah Mamat.

"Lah... adik kau rupanya, Faizal?" ujar aku sambil bersalaman dengan Faizal, rakan sekolah aku ketika di Sekolah Tinggi Melaka.

"Sorang je?" tanya Faizal, dengan dua orang anak di kiri kanannya. Sambil tersenyum, aku mengangguk.

Selamat Pengantin Baru, Pakcik Mamat. Semoga berbahagia santak ke akhir hayat.

"Manalah Tok Kadi ni?"

"Awak setuju untuk dinikahkan?"

"Sejuknya tangan kau ni!"

"Nak baca semua ni ke, Tok Kadi?"

"Ini adalah mas kahwinnya"

"Sarungkan perlahan-lahan, nak. Makcik nak ambil gambar ni!"

"Terima kasih, kanda!"

"Sayang, dinda!"

Duit Untuk Budak Hitam

Aku masih ingat lagi wajah budak itu. Wajah itu betul-betul melekat dalam ingatan. Begitu juga lalat-lalat yang bertenggek, mengelilingi kelopak mata dan bibirnya kering. Budak itu dipangku oleh ibunya yang turut lemah kudratnya.

Ketika itu, aku baru berusia 10 tahun.

Sejak daripada hari itu, aku bahagikan wang saku kepada tiga bahagian. 30 sen untuk sepiring mee goreng ataupun nasi goreng dan segelas air sirap. 10 sen untuk disimpan dalam tabung gajah yang aku dapat ketika bertikam di funfair di Bandar Melaka dan 10 sen lagi untuk disimpan dalam kendi.

Kalau tak silap ingatan aku, ketika penghujung tahun, aku berjaya menyimpan kurang 30 sen, RM8. Aku terus mendapatkan Mak.

"Along nak bagi kepada budak hitam tu, Mak. Kasihan dia, tak ada makanan, tak ada pakaian."
"Budak hitam mana?", tanya Mak bersungguh-sungguh.

"Yang dalam TV hari tu," jawab aku sambil menunjukkan TV warna yang baru dibeli oleh Abah awal tahun 1987. Itu pun setelah didesak oleh aku dan Mira, selepas menonton Juara Muzik-Muzik 1986 di rumah jiran.

Satu petang di awalan bulan Disember, Mak mengajak aku dan Mira ke Kampung Jawa. Hendak beli baju dan kasut sekolah baru. Mak suruh aku bawa sekali duit untuk budak hitam.

"Kita nak pergi rumah budak hitam tu ke, Mak? Dia tinggal di Melaka ni ke?"

Mak cuma mendiamkan diri. Sampai sahaja di Stesen Bas Bandar Melaka, kami pun menaiki beca ke Kampung Jawa. Aku dan Mira gembira sakan kerana masing-masing dapat dua pasang pakaian sekolah dan sepasung kasut baru. Dan juga beg sekolah dan botol air baru.
Untuk perjalanan pulang, Mak membawa aku dan Mira berjalan kaki.

"Apa kata Along sedekah duit tu kepada Atok tu?" ujar Mak sewaktu kami menaiki Jambatan Hang Tuah, 400 meter daripada stesen bas.

"Tapi duit ni untuk budak hitam, Mak!"

"Budak hitam tu tinggal jauh di benua Afrika. Macam mana Along nak pergi dan bagi? Kena naik kapal terbang baru boleh sampai."

Aku menarik muka.

"Okey lah, Along simpan saja duit tu. Lepas ni simpan pula duit untuk beli tiket kapal terbang," ujar Mak sambil menarik tangan sebagai signal untuk meneruskan perjalanan. Ketika melewati lelaki tua itu, aku sempat menangkap wajah sedihnya. Apabila terpandang sahaja kaki kirinya yang kudung, aku cepat-cepat mengalihkan pandangan. Dan aku mempercepatkan langkahku.

"Kalau Along kena kejar penjahat ke, anjing ke, Along boleh lari menyelamatkan diri kan? Along rasa Atok tu boleh lari tak?" tutur Mak sejurus kami menuruni jambatan tersebut.

"Duit ni Along simpan untuk budak hitam, Mak."

Mak cuma mengangguk. Mira mengejekku bila aku memandangnya. Beberapa langkah kemudian, aku menarik-narik tangan Mak.

"Mak tunggu ya. Along nak beri duit ni kepada Atok tu. Mak tunggu tau," ujarku sebelum berlari mendapatkan lelaki tua itu.

Nanti aku simpan lagi untuk kau ya, budak hitam. Nanti aku simpan lagi, getusku dalam hati.


Note: This post was first published on BNM Volunteers Community Blog.

Berkelah di pantai yang indah...

Tajuk post ini aku ambil dari bait lagu yang aku pelajari di Tabika Kemas.

Tiba-tiba, mereka yang berada di sekeliling aku pasang hajat untuk berkelah. Termasuk teman serumah aku, yang bersama-sama tiga empat kawannya, pergi berkelah di Sungai Tekala (ke Sungai Berkala?) hari Sabtu yang baru berlalu.

Memandangkan aku sudah buat janji dengan bapa dan ibu saudara aku, aku terpaksa menolak pelawaan tersebut.

"Jomlah kita pergi Sabtu depan," ujar Mak Lang aku, semasa aku bangkit tentang gambar-gambar perkelahan mereka di Ulu Yam, yang aku lihat dalam akaun myspace sepupu aku, Aman.

"Ni bukan yang di luar tu. Masuk dalam lagi, betul-betul tak jauh dari kebun Achik kau!" tutur Mak Lang lagi.

Sejak Achik Malek beli kebun dan berkebun di situ, acapkali keluarga besar kami ke sana untuk beristirehat. Dan acapkali juga aku ketinggalan lantaran kerja dan komitmen yang tak sudah-sudah.

"I cadangkan awak pergi Sungai Sedim. Kak Sharifah dah pergi, memang best!" tutur Kak Sharifah kepada aku dan adiknya, yang dari tadi memicit-micit kepalanya. Mereka baru balik dari Kuala Gandah, selepas sehari berpanas menonton gajah-gajah di Taman Pemuliharaan Gajah, Pahang.

"Mentang-mentanglah percuma, kemudahan pun ala-ala saja!" getus Kak Anna.

"Jomlah kita berkelah minggu depan, di Bukit Belachan!" cadang aku kepada Sham, Mus, abang Jamal dan Nizam. Masing-masing memandang antara satu sama lain dengan senyum-senyum yang tak berapa menjadi.

"Bukit Tinjau ke, sambil makan sandwich sardin." Masing-masing diam seketika, sebelum topik perbualan tukar kepada Camelia membeli belah di Petaling Street dan pose Nasha Aziz ketika trauma diintip!

Hujung minggu ini, selain menonton Selamat Pagi Cinta bersama dengan Kak Sha, Azzril dan Farid, aku juga belajar tentang sungai, air terjun dan perkelahan.

Sekejap... bukan ke Sungai Sedim tu di Kedah. Salah satu lokasi menarik untuk white water rafting.

Hehehe... Kak Sharifah... Kak Sharifah... Ke aku yang salah dengar?


p/s: Happy birthday to my former boss, Alison Ang Ing Ing, my cousin Fauzi in London, my classmate (we still are until our graduation next month), Mohammed Elamin, who's currently doing his intern in New York and one of my Manchester buddies, Sharil. All the best in your undertakings.

Battle of the Divas

Kelmarin, aku dan Ajoy borak-borak pasal penyanyi kegemaran masing-masing. Hanya satu nama sahaja keluar daripada mulut rakan serumah aku itu. Sementara aku, menuturkan beberapa nama.

"Kalau kau nak anjurkan konsert, siapa yang kau nak beraksi di atas pentas?", tanya Ajoy.

"Tanpa ragu-ragu, semestinya Liza Aziz, Adibah Noor dan Dina!"

"Dina? Macam mana dengan penyanyi kegemaran kau iaitu Ning Baizura, Nora dan Ramlah Ram?"

"Nope, not in my list" jawab aku pendek.



Setelah seketika, aku pun memperincikan jawapan aku. Ketiga-tiga penyanyi ini hanya perlu mempersembahkan vokal masing-masing untuk menghiburkan semua. Tak perlu nak buat silap mata ataupun bergantung kepada penari-penari latar. Nyanyian mereka berkarektor.

"Ning Baizura?"

"Mungkin sebagai artis jemputan," jawab aku pendek sebelum menanyakan pilihannya.

"Ziana Zain, Ning Baizura, Aishah, Misha Omar dan Nora."

Dalam diam aku berfikir, mengapa nama Siti Nurhaliza tiada dalam ingatan kami?


p/s: Aku sekarang sudah menjadi warga "Anda tentukan!"

Ole-ole dari kampung

Dalam perjalanan ke Nilai pagi semalam, tiba-tiba Mak bercerita tentang tingkah laku kami adik beradik. Majlis khatan dan khatam Quran itu sepatutnya dilangsungkan pada hari Sabtu, tetapi terpaksa ditangguhkan sebab ada hal keluarga. Tergendala juga hasrat aku untuk ke Bandar Baru Bangi bagi menghadiri satu jemputan majlis perkahwinan adik kepada rakan sepejabat aku.

Mak mengimbau kenangan aku kepada episod "kehilangan" aku di Melaka Shopping Centre, pusat membeli belah yang terbesar di Melaka sekitar tahun 70an dan awal 80an. Kemudiannya diambil alih oleh The Store, sebelum tutup kedai ekoran perpindahan stesen bas negeri ke Melaka Sentral.

"Nakal Along lain daripada nakal si Fizul ataupun si Lan," ujar Mak, sambil disambut senyuman-senyuman nakal daripada Mira dan Lia. Abah cuma diam mendengar.

"Dia lari ke sana, lari ke sini, suruh kita cari. Akhirnya dia sergah kita!"

"Macam tu, lain ke Mak?" soal Lia, seolah-olah mencucuk Mak agar terus cerita lagi.

"Kalau si Fizul ataupun si Lan nak sesuatu benda tu, dia akan menangis sehingga dapat benda tu. Along kau tidak, dia pandang saja benda tu. Membatu, membisu. Kalau Mak cakap, kita beli lain kali saja, dia menurut. Tak macam si Fizul, lagi kuat dia merengek!"

Mira yang ketawa paling kuat!

"Kau ingat lagi, Long?"

"Ingat, Mak. Along menangis sebab tak dapat jumpa Mak. Kemudian ada seorang kakak ni, bawa Along pergi ke 'jaga', dan terus dia bawa ke pejabat".

Ya, aku masih lagi ingat episod itu. Melekat kukuh di ingatan ini. Dan aku juga ingat bait-bait pengumumannya.

"Kepada ibu bapa yang kehilangan seorang kanak-kanak lelaki, berbangsa Melayu, sila ke pejabat pengurusan di Tingkat 3. Terima kasih!"

Mak cuma tersenyum. Sekali lagi, Mira dan Lia menguntumkan senyuman-senyuman nakal. Abah? Hanyut di dalam dunianya, aku rasa.


p/s: Congratulations, Tan Sri Dato' Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz and Dr. Jomo Kwame Sundaram on their appointment to a UN high-level task force to examine global financial reform.

Balik Kampung

Kalau ikutkan perancangan awal, aku sepatutnya ke majlis pra-tonton filem Los Dan Faun, karya terbaru Afdlin Shauki di Cathay Cineleisure Damansara. Acara tersebut dijadualkan hari ini, jam 15.00.

Tetapi macam malas pula nak pergi, sebabnya (1) aku bukannya penggemar filem-filem Afdlin Shauki, dan (2) rasa jauh pula hendak ke Damansara Mutiara. Nanti, sudah memandu jauh-jauh (tak ambil kira tentang kecenderungan aku untuk sesat, lebih-lebih lagi kawasan-kawasan yang aku tidak familiar!), tup tap, filemnya mendukacitakan perasaan aku. Biarpun filem-filem Afdlin Shauki lebih baik daripada filem-filem Datuk Yusof Haslam dan Prof. Razak, tetapi aku masih kurang gemar. Satu yang boleh dipelajari daripada filem-filem komedi, hasil karya Tan Sri P. Ramlee, ialah komedinya tidak memperlekehkan orang. Bagi aku tiada kelakarnya dengan mengutuk kelemahan atau kekurangan orang lain.

Lagipun, hari ini aku akan pulang ke kampung. Hendak menziarahi ibu bapa aku di samping untuk menghadiri beberapa majlis kelolaan ahli-ahli keluarga. Daripada mesyuarat keluarga untuk membincangkan persiapan majlis perkahwinan pada 6, 13 dan 14 Disember 2008 santak ke majlis berkhatan anak-anak buah. Insya-Allah, kalau sempat hendak ke majlis perkahwinan yang dilangsungkan oleh Zul dan Malisa untuk adik perempuan mereka.

Selain itu, aku juga kena sediakan cenderahati untuk anak-anak buah dan adik-adik sepupu yang mendapat kejayaan cemerlang dalam UPSR, yang baru saja diumumkan semalam. Kementerian Pelajaran mendakwa dasar mengajar mata pelajaran Sains dan Matematik TIDAK GAGAL, biarpun keputusan subjek Matematik merosot. Namun, keputusan subjek Bahasa Melayu, English dan Sains menunjukkan peningkatan.

Semalam aku ada baca artikel tentang Tan Sri Gabenor. Makin ramai yang mengiktiraf dasar dan pelaksanaan pengawalan dan penyeliaan yang dijalankan oleh Bank Negara Malaysia dalam memastikan kestabilan sektor kewangan dan kemapanan ekonomi Malaysia. Alhamdulillah dan tahniah, Tan Sri Gabenor dan seluruh warga bank pusat.

Dugaan & Kesukarelaan

Aku sekeluarga diuji lagi dengan satu dugaan yang agak menyedihkan. Moga Allah memudahkan kami berdepan dengan dugaan ini dan janganlah diletakkan kami dalam golongan orang-orang yang kufur ke atas nikmat-Nya. Aamin.

Bercakap tentang nikmat-Nya, syukur banyak-banyak ke hadrat Ilahi kerana tidak putus-putus dilimpah-Nya rahmat ke atas aku, keluarga tercinta dan sahabat handai. Jadi, apabila datang tawaran daripada Uji untuk aku mengepalai usaha-usaha meningkatkan kesedaran tentang kesukarelaan, tanpa berlengah aku terus bersetuju.

Aku sedar tanggungjawabnya besar, oleh itu aku akan cuba sedaya upaya melaksanakannya dengan sehabis baik. Dan ini adalah peluang keemasan untuk memulangkan, biarpun sekumit, "pinjaman-pinjaman" daripada Yang Esa kepada orang-orang sekeliling kita. Insya-Allah...

Antara yang dirancang, termasuk temubual dengan kakitangan yang aktif dalam kerja-kerja amal dan artikel tentang rumah-rumah kebajikan serta idea-idea berkaitan dengan kesukarelaan.

Alhamdulillah, pasukan ini disertai oleh staf yang dedikasi dan komited. Jadi, doakanlah kejayaan kami, ya.

Sebelum aku terlupa, 5 Disember ini adalah International Volunteer Day. Marilah kita sama-sama beramal jariah dan mencari keredhaan Allah taala.

Bak kata Ustaz "dalam" HOT.fm, "...selamat beramal!"


p/s: Kalau mampu bayarlah. Kalau tidak mampu, insya-Allah, aku halalkan.

Caruman oh caruman!

Beberapa orang kawan aku mengomel tentang isu potongan KSWP daripada 11% kepada 8%. Isu yang sama juga muncul di akhbar-akhbar, menyuarakan bantahan kesatuan-kesatuan pekerja serta orang ramai tentang jalan mudah yang diambil oleh KWSP.

TPM mengumumkan di dalam Parlimen baru-baru ini bahawa potongan caruman sebanyak 3% itu bukannya MANDATORI. Satu Malaysia mendengarnya ataupun membaca tentangnya. Kecuali TPM salah baca teks yang telah disediakan oleh Kementerian Kewangan itu. Namun, aku tak rasa TPM salah baca, lebih-lebih lagi ini adalah ucapan penggulungan belanjawan sulung beliau. Seperti kita semua, tentunya apa-apa sahaja yang pertama kali kita lakukan, insya-Allah, akan dilaksanakan dengan penuh iltizam dan kesungguhan.

Aku lebih condong kepada pendapat bahawa KWSP mengambil jalan mudah. Pengalaman berurusan dengan KSWP sebelum ini dan juga beberapa organisasi awam yang tidak cekap seperti PTPTN, tidak bisa memutihkan lagi persepsi aku terhadap KSWP dan PTPTN.

Aku faham betul ada sesetengah orang yang lebih GEMAR menyimpan di kala kesempitan, untuk bekalan di hari muka. Bagi yang perlukan duit lebih di ketika ketegangan hidup dewasa ini, secara logiknya merekalah yang perlu memecahkan(dengan mengisi borang) ruyung untuk mendapatkan sagunya.

Ataupun, suntikan dua tiga bilion ringgit ke dalam pasaran domestik adalah penting untuk turut sama merancakkan ekonomi negara ketika duni di ambang kemelesetan ekonomi. Sekiranya ini benar, Kerajaan tidak perlu untuk berselindung. Atas semangat cintakan Malaysia, rakyat juga perlu bergandingan dalam memperkasakan pembangunan negara. Dalam hal ini, meransangkan pertumbuhan ekonomi domestik dengan kuasa beli mereka.

Jadi, apa akar persoalan ini? Salah bacakah? KSWP ingin mengambil jalan mudah ataupun ekonomi kita perlukan kecairan tambahan?

pusat tayar dan bateri MUTIARA

Usah pening kepala memikirkan tajuk post hari ini, sebab itu adalah salah satu jawapan kepada soalan-soalan Top Gear Treasure Hunt 2008. Acara sulung kelolaan majalah Top Gear, yang mengkehendaki kami berkelana dari USJ 1, Subang Jaya ke Tanjung Bungah, Pulau Pinang.

Kurang lebih tiga tahun aku tidak masuk sebarang treasure hunt competition dengan Saiful, Sharifah Rohana dan Faizal. Dan kali terakhir pun, iaitu pada tahun 2005, juga daripada Lembah Klang ke Pulau Pinang.

Kali ini, kami menginap di Paradise Sandy Beach Resort, bukannya Equatorial Hotel seperti dua pertandingan sebelum ini.

Dan kali ini juga, buat julung-julung kalinya, kami menang. Menurut Faizal, ini merupakan kemenangan sulung mereka bertiga. Bagi aku, ini kemenangan kedua untuk treasure hunt anjuran luar. Alhamdulillah.

Biarpun sepanjang hari semalam, kami berdepan dengan pelbagai dugaan. Aku dan Saiful yang diserang kantuk yang amat sangat. Kak Anna dan Faizal pun tidak se"hyper" sebelum-sebelum ini. Tapi, kami semua percaya, kalau sudah rezeki, tak ke mana!

Sekali syukur buat Ilahi...

Sekarang ini, aku sedang melayari internet menggunakan laptop Saiful, sambil menghirup udara laut yang sepoi-sepoi bahasa.

Lawatan ke Pulau Pinang kali ini lebih merehatkan. Dan aku akui, Pulau Pinang tidak sekotor tiga tahun dahulu. Tahniah, orang-orang Penang!


p/s: Insya-Allah, akan ke Kota Bahru bulan Disember ini. Mari kita saksikan sama ada negeri Kelantan sudah bersih ataupun masih lagi kotor.

Usik Mengusik Atas Jalanraya

Sebelum aku terus menulis, biar aku maklumkan bahawa aku bukannya seorang pemandu yang berhemat. Tapi kerana nakal, aku mengusik beberapa pemandu, yang juga bukan pemandu-pemandu yang berhemat di lampu isyarat, di persimpangan antara Jalan Parlimen dan Jalan Raja Laut.

Setiap pagi, laluan daripada Jalan Parlimen ke Jalan Tun Perak akan ditutup. Untuk melalui Jalan Tun Perak, pemandu perlu memasuki Jalan Raja Laut, sebelum membuat pusingan U ke Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Bagi segelintir pemandu yang degil, mereka akan membuat pusingan U di lampu isyarat, di persimpangan antara Jalan Parlimen dan Jalan Raja Laut. Ini sudah tentu menyulitkan pejalan kaki seperti aku yang ingin melintas.

Pagi ini, aku keluarkan telefon kamera aku dan pura-pura mengambil gambar pesalah-pesalah lalu lintas ini.

Pesalah pertama, seorang kakak yang tampak manis dengan tudung hijau pucuk pisang. Dia memandang tepat ke arah aku dengan mulut yang melopong! (Smile... you're in candid camera! hehehe)

Pesalah kedua, seorang amoi yang berambut lurus panjang. Dia menjeling aku dan segera menarik muncung. (Sungguh buruk perangai!)

Pesalah ketiga, seorang pakcik yang aku rasa berasal daripada utara Malaysia, sebab dia menuturkan, "Hang ni menyibuk je!" (Penyibuk dikatanya aku! hehehe)

Teringat aku kepada Busu dan adik perempuan aku. Bila agaknya mereka berdua akan memandu kereta. Asyik perbaharui lesen, tapi bawanya, tiada. Be brave, sayang...


p/s: Have a pleasant vacation, Ril!

Antara Takziah dan Menangis.

Beberapa hari ini, aku terima beberapa berita kematian.

Pertamanya, takziah buat Kak Liza K dan keluarga di atas pemergian ayahanda tercinta. Begitu juga dengan Adrina, yang pernah sama-sama bekerja untuk beberapa projek tidak lama dulu, yang turut kehilangan ayahanda tersayang pada hujung minggu lalu. Semoga Allah mencucuri rahmat ke atas roh-roh mereka dan ditempatkan di kalangan orang yang beriman.

Semalam, aku turut diberitahu tentang pemergian Shaiful, bekas teman lelaki salah seorang ahli grup Keji tapi Suci. Semoga Allah mencucuri rahmat ke atas roh beliau.

Dan moga Kak Liza K, Adrina dan A tabah dengan dugaan ini. I will always be there to be the shoulder for you to cry on.

Bercakap tentang menangis, aku memang jarang menangis. Malah, aku tak ingat bila kali terakhir aku menangis kerana aku betul-betul susah nak menangis. Biasanya aku menangis bila ada kematian ahli keluarga terdekat, berbicara dari hati ke hati dengan Mak dan Abah tersayang, ataupun menonton filem/drama yang mengenengahkan konflik, yang benar-benar konflik, antara ahli keluarga.

Bagi aku, air mata adalah sesuatu yang berharga. Kalau setakat perkara remeh temeh seperti salah faham antara kawan-kawan, bagi aku buang air mata sahaja kalau menangis.

Oh ya... tak silap aku kali terakhir aku menangis ialah tahun lepas apabila aku seorang diri, membaca SMS berikut:

"Salam... nak bgtau Pak Lang Jailani meninggal dunia arini..."

Sehari sebelumnya aku menangis juga ketika menonton konflik antara Nora Walkers dan dua orang anaknya - Kitty dan Justin, dalam Brothers and Sisters.

Betul, sejak itu aku belum lagi menangis.


p/s: Good luck to Barack Obama in today's US Presidential Election.

Genting Trailblazer 2008

Penat, penat, penat! Dan kakiku sakit-sakit. Jalan pun semacam saja.

Aku kagum dengan Lara. Dia pantas dan tangkas. Faizal, Salizan, Ija & Rosha pun turut kagum.

Kali ini, pertandingan Genting Trailblazer lebih mencabar dan sukar. Jaraknya 14 kilometer. Aku dan Salizan tergamam seketika bila terdengar pengumuman tersebut pada hari pertandingan. Masing-masing memberikan riak muka seperti mempersoalkan kudrat sendiri, memandang kami tidak pernah memasuki apa-apa pertandingan yang melebihi 10 kilometer.

Walau bagaimanapun, kami semua berjaya menyudahkannya dalam masa yang ditetapkan. Bertambahlah lagi medal dalam simpanan aku.

Faizal... Lara... Ija... Rosha... Salizan... terima kasih daun keladi. Lain kali, ajaklah lagi!


p/s: Genting Highlands makin kurang nyaman. Sedihlah...

Colours of Kuala Lumpur

Today, on my way to work, the squatters along the STAR (I know it has a different name now, but I feel so convenient to stick to its old name) LRT route caught my eyes.

I wonder if this is what they called urban poor. Those crowded, dilapidated houses (if, we can call that rumah!) with no proper drainage and sewage system. And suddenly... my eyes caught something bizzare! Some of these houses have not one, but two air-cons!!! Even my apartment doesn't have one!

Not only that, some of them are ASTRO subscribers too.

Hmmm... am I an urban poor too?


p/s: Thanks, Uji for those kind words. Didn't know that you read my blog too.

B.E.Y.O.N.D.

On one hand, the former Menteri Besar of Selangor argued that the decision to appoint Low Siew Moi as acting General Manager of Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS) seems like an act to undermine "the capabilities of Malays to run a company like PKNS".

On the other hand, the current Menteri Besar of Selangor said that "it is better if give the job to someone who will rake in millions for the benefit of the Malays than to appoint a Malay who is more interested in giving out contracts to non-Malays."

According to Kampung Tunku assemblyman, in between 2004 and 2007, about 75% of all development projects by PKNS were given to non-Malays, either directly or indirectly.

Betullah kata Pak Lah... third world mentality!


p/s: I'm getting nervous now, not because of the unread email, but the fact that I've yet to prepare for the Genting Trailblazer 2008.

Alhamdulillah... syukur!!!

Thank God, our Prime Minister has decided to suspend the Eurocopter deal. Instead, the RM1.7 billion will be channelled to development projects. I hope these so-called development projects would at the end, benefit the people, especially the rural people and the community of our obedient soldiers.

On the other hand, I really think our Nuri helicopters require replacement now, not after another sad tragedy.

I personally think it is time for us to have open tender with necessary transparent processes so that the Government and the people won't be robbed in the day light.

Tahniah, Pak Lah! More good news, please...

"Ni rendang ke kari?"

Yeap, she threw me that question in front of her special friend and other friends of mine.

"Baru nak belajar masak-masak, kak."

I smiled and she smiled back to me.

Almost every of my friends know for sure that I am NO a good cook. And, thank God because of the existence of "healthy eating" culture, I have something as a scapegoat.

"Sayang... healthy eating does not mean eat tasteless food tau!

I called my mother to ask her why my rendang didn't produce similar smell as hers. Confidently, she said it may because of the coconut milk that I used in my rendang.

"Oh... tapi Along tak guna santan. Along guna susu!"

"Susu? Hmmm... susu tepung?" she asked me again.

Hesitantly, I said "Nope, soya milk".

"Ni masak untuk siapa ni? Untuk Along ke, kawan-kawan?"

Only one guest sincerely gave a thumb down for my rendang, but the rest happily said, "Okey lah" or to that effect. Or maybe they were, indeed, very sincerely.

To Ana, thank you for teaching me to cook edible pasta. Now I know how to cook something without the need to add salt or seasoning, and believe me... it was not tasteless. Hehehe, I hope so!

So I'm Emotional... What's New?

Thank God, years of living in asrama had successfully enhanced my emotional capability. Daily dosage of D.I.V.A-in-the-making training regime with polished co-trainees like Nora, Matthew Sawing, Azrai, Syed and Che Tong is indescribable. Believe me, it was so torturable, yet satisfying!

I'm totally aware that the said "training" may be perceived as lagha, but I'm so thankfully it presented me with the opportunity to learn to stand up to my principles. Although how ridiculous it is. It is what I believe, and I don't feel ashame to embrace to those personal belief.

I am what I am. If you cannot accept it, like what 01*609**** SMSed me the other day, "Ya.. Im sorry for u too.."

The so-called Good Friday taught me one thing. I now know the TRUE COLOURS of my so-called friends.

Goodbye R...

Thank you for those colourful times. Maaf zahir batin. Halalkan makan dan minum. All the best in your undertakings.

The 2 Semaraks and Kisah Gadis.

I'm not in the office today because I'm attending a two-day course in Petaling Jaya. As always, the traffic was really bad this morning, especially along the Jalan Loke Yew. I arrived at the HCDC at about 20 minutes past eight.

I hope I could arrive home early today so that I could start preparing my text for the Semarak Debate 2008 which has been scheduled on 24 October 2008 at 9pm. I will be opposing the title to be proposed by Danny and Zul, which is Datuk Siti Nurhaliza adalah seorang Diva industri muzik Melayu. I also need to prepare my text for Thomas' wedding this Sunday, which I will be co-emceeed with Wadi.

Insya-Allah, the result of Beyond P. Ramlee Project will be announced this Saturday, at about 9.30pm. I've invited all participants to attend a brief majlis at Graha Residen, and so far, only Zetty has indicated that she could not make it because of pior arrangement. For the very last time, I would like to wish all the best to all six finalists and thank you very much for participating in the said contest. Kalah menang itu adat bertanding...

Last night, I went to KLPAC to watch a play titled Kisah Gadis with Jun and Dini. The play is still running until 26 October 2008 and if I'm not mistaken the tickets are priced at RM10 each. We got it for free as courtesy from one of the actors in this two-part play - Tuan Faisal. Terima kasih daun keladi. Overall, the play is a good attempt to tickle kebobrokkan in our society. Insya-Allah, will try to write a review of it soon, very soon.

Till then... please pray for my success in the Semarak Debate 2008. As an underdog, it is a honour for me to share the same stage with Danny and Zul, who have vast experience in debating and "firing" (hehehe, jangan marah ya, Danny... Zul... gurau saja!).

The Commuter-Ride Home

By: Tunku Mariati Tunku Mukhtar


Following Pak Lah’s ride in the LRT many moons ago, one would think there would be some degree of improvement in the public transport system but lo and behold..... On the fateful date of 15 October 2008, I decided to take the commuter train back from the Bank Negara stop to the Bangi stop. It was 5.30 in the evening and the horror began. It was raining cats and dogs and elephants and cows! Wisdom of a friend – she advised me against walking to the station but offered to give me a lift instead. I’m glad I took her advice.

As I rushed down from the ticket counter to the platform below, the usual crowd had already gathered at the platform waiting for the commuter train to arrive. I was appreciative of the new complex, a vast improvement from the straight row of shelter of days gone by. The rain showed no sign of abating. Water from the roof gutter was gushing out from the pipes defying the rule that it was supposed to flow into the drain below but instead hit hard against the wall across the drain and deflecting back onto the platform, flooding the floor immediately after the landing as you step down the stairs from the ground floor. It is a wonder no one actually slipped and fell.

The train to Seremban was scheduled to arrive at 5.44pm as displayed in the electronic board overhead. However, like the act of amateur magician, it was the train to Pelabuhan Klang that showed up. After a delay of about 20 minutes, there were a few announcements indicating that the train to Seremban would be arriving soon, and thankfully it did. However, by then, there was no seats left – just standing space, and stood I did, hoping to grab a seat when a passenger goes off at the next station. Oh, how true the wise words, when all else fails, hope is all you have!!!

It was a ten stop ride to Bangi and just when you thought there would be some relief at the next stop as the passengers alight, the plot thickens, literally – it certainly got denser as more people kept getting on than getting off. When the train arrived at the Kuala Lumpur station, there was an announcement IN the train leaving non-regulars like me a bit confused. The train WAS going to Seremban, yet the announcement was telling commuters to change trains and board trains for Seremban, Pelabuhan Klang, Rawang, etc at the respective platforms. Did I or did I not have to change trains? On second thoughts, maybe it was a ploy to get some unsuspecting passengers to vacate the train. Stubbornly, I stayed on – wise decision, I thought as did many other passengers. Hardly anyone budged.

Come the Mid Valley station, it was a real horror. As the train slowed down to stop, I could see the train rubbing against the passengers waiting on the platform showing how extremely close they dared be to rush into the train - and rush in they did. It would be an amazing feat to be able to get off at the Mid Valley station at this point!

At one point the door would not close hence an announcement to not lean against the door or press the "open door" button". Again, no response. Door number 9 at my carriage, kept closing and opening a few times indicating something was stopping the door from closing properly. Finally the signature hissing sound as the door ledged close and off we went to the next station.
One would think that at residential stations such as Seputih and Taman Tasik Selatan we could breathe a sigh of relief but unfortunately no one got off while more passengers attempted to board the train. Despite being sardine packed to the brim, at every station, at least one passenger would manage to squeeze in. Each time as the door closes, everyone would take a deep breath to ensure that the door could close tightly.

Many thoughts occupied my head as I stood in the train. Actually being sandwiched so badly, I could just lift both my legs and would be supported by the other bodies around me! Get the picture? I was just happy I hung my hand phone round my neck. My phone rang twice and had it been in my handbag, there was no way I could reach to retrieve it. Given an option to breathe into someone’s freshly washed hair, the smelly armpit across my head and the wall of the train, I opted for the wall. The walls were clean. No graffiti to read just the notice and the emergency door handle in the glass casing. Across the seats along the wall, standing against door number 10, two girls caught my eye. They were hearing impaired but that didn’t stop them from having a lively conversation with each other. It was actually fun trying to interpret what they were saying. Initially it looked as though they were sharing some happy gossip, then their facial expressions changed to indicate mild disapproval and later brushed it off as though it didn’t matter to them. Indeed, action speaks louder than words.

It is an amazing observation that despite the one hour ordeal in the commuter, no one complained, no one was rude and no one retaliated. Reading from the facial expressions one could see the tired, frustrated and exasperated looks on the faces of the passengers, yet everyone held their piece. I suppose, everyone was focused on one goal to reach home, so despite the squeeze (as one appreciates how flexible the human body is), the smell (ranging from fresh shampoo to smelly armpits) and the inconvenience, the goal was so compelling that all these pale in comparison. In fact, I was impressed to see that in a situation like this, some degree of chivalry prevailed as one or two young lads actually stood up to give their seats to the more deserving ones.

After about one hour we reached Serdang. Breathing space at last. Although half the crowd got off there, I was still not lucky enough to grab a seat. My luck came just two stops before Bangi. I was thankful all the same. At least there was no further delay and the air conditioning system WAS working in the train. For those who had experienced being stranded in a commuter and one with the air conditioning not working, this is indeed a blessing. When I arrived in Bangi, it was just raining puppies and kittens. However, the station was jammed with the awaiting cars outside. Not wanting to prolong my relationship with KTM, I just fished out my light weight umbrella (which I recently purchased from Sogo) from my bag and happily walked out of the station to where my daughter was waiting at the main road and headed for home.

What about tomorrow? As evident from the James Bond movie, tomorrow never dies.


p/s: The author is a colleague of mine who, to some extent, coached me in improving my communication skill.

Photo Story 2.0

The following pictures are me and two of my closest colleagues - Jue and Rina. Both are good listeners and sweet too! These pictures were taken last Friday at 8C Eid Mubarak Open House. I befriended with Jue since my earliest days with the company. She was the personal assistant for the fatherly Mr. Low Koon Seng - the founder of a charity organisation called M.U.M. - Makanan Untuk (orang) Miskin. Rina came two years later and like me, she's a proud Orang Melaka too!

Unfortunately, my camera is with my beloved sister. That should explain why I'm having posts with no original pictures. Here, original means pictures taken using either Shafiqa Shereen (my digital camera) or Faris Farudin (my camera phone).

Harap bersabar ya...




p/s: Pictures are courtesy of Jue. Terima kasih daun keladi...

Don't hate u sayang, just pity when u smoke.

So, i heard u got some belief against girls who smoke. Should i feel d heat? Does it taint my personality darling? :)

That is an SMS I received from one of my closest friends. My immediate reply was:
U heard it wrong syg. :) Nanti i post up my 2 cent on this issue. Have a safe journey home. C ya in KL.

This is a torny issue, at least to me. I used to fight with my father every time he smoked in his house. It was either ME or HIM to leave the dinner table or the living hall. Most of the time, it was ME because after awhile, he pretended he didn't hear a single word that came out from my mouth.

I regret all those lack of manners, and thank God, since 2001 he quit smoking for good due to health reasons. My youngest brother dropped that bad habit too, but not the man in the middle.

To put the record straight, I HATE the act of smoking. Not the person nor the gender of that person. I personally think smoking is HARAM. full stop.

I was wondering what makes girls smoke too.

In general, boys are stubborn. You can lecture them hundreds of hours on the negative effects of smoking, but like my own brother, it enters his right ear and comes out from his left ear.

And I personally think girls in general have a soft heart. Like most of my beautiful ladies in my family and my female friends, they are all PENYAYANG, sensitive and caring. Most of the time, they are the first one to be touched by the sufferings of others and very PEKA to side effects of everything. And most of them (I'm referring to the females that surround me), very receptive to "good" advice and very caring. They are the last person to hurt others. (I plead to my dearest friends, please... please... please... DO NOT SMOKE , at least, when Iman is around)

I just wonder, if the girls really know about the DANGER of smoking, why they still smoke?

Mungkin mereka tidak tahu, usik benakku.

Aidilfitri 2008

Eid Mubarak to all my Muslim friends. Maaf zahir batin. May Allah bless us with rahmat and berkat. Aamin.

Thank you very much for all your kind wishes, especially the following SMSes:

Ampun dan maaf andainya...
TERkasar bahasa
TERsilap bahasa
TERmarah yang tak kena
TERtanya tak tentu hala
TERsasul yang tak sengaja
TERpukul kat mana-mana
TERpekik di telinga
TERhantuk di kepala
TERpinjam harta benda
TERumpat bila-bila
TERmacam-macam lagi yang kena mengena
Semoga dimaafkan...
Selamat Hari Raya. Maaf zahir batin (Aidil)

Dear, selamat menyambut aidilfitri. Since i oredi raya dis eveving, i might as well wish everyone earlier. Enjoy urself. Jgn main mercun! Peace! :-p (Rina)

Salam sumer, bgn! Sahur terakir tok kali ni... Slmt bpuasa n slmt hari raya. Maaf zahir batin... (Ajoy)

!@#$%^&*-+=<>? (Mus)[not cursing, but chinese characters]

Ketupat pulut lagi bersantan, mudah dingap bersama rakan, Selamat menyambut hari lebaran, salah & silap harap maafkan. (Tarmizi & fmly)

Salam eidul fitri dan maaf zahir batin. have a great one this yr wt ur family and frens k. (Sham)

Selamat hari raya haron. Maaf zahir batin :) (Mya)

"Daun Kemboja Tumbuh Melata, Mekar Mewangi Di Halaman Bonda, Berayalah Ke Rumah Jiran Tetangga, Mana Tau Mereka Ada Anak Dara" SALAM AIDILFITRI MAAF ZAHIR BATIN (Nora Fendi & Zaidi)

PeLiTa diPaSaNg PeNaiK SeRi, RaMadaN D'GaNti Si Aidifitri, Msj pEnDeK P'ganti diri, TaNdA Diri mu seNTiaSa diiNgAti, SelAmaT haRi rAya iAdiLFitri. MaAF ZAhir&BatiN (Fasli)

Mohon maaf jika ada terkasar bahasa, terlebih gurau senda & terlanjur bicara. Have a safe raya! (Zetty)

Slamat hari raye n maaf zahir batin... (Dini)

Salam Aidilfitri Maaf Zahir Batin. (Sri Jaafar, Niza n Zahira)

Hari Raya bmksud: bsolat snat raya -bmaaf2an ..................... -bjumpa dgn makcik2 yg bmulut lahar Slm Aidil, maaf zahir batin :) (Danny sekeluarga)

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri * Maafkan segala kesalahan yg sengaja & tidak sengajakan. Halalkan makan minum * Maaf Zahir Batin (Mas Taufik Muhd)

"Suka duka silih brganti, Jatuh bgun brselang-seli, Sempena Syawal yg mulia ini, Maaf ku pinta setulus hati". Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri - Maaf Zahir Batin (Unsaved number)

Slamat aidilfitri, maaf zahir batin! (Athen)

Slamat ari raya as well! maaf bnyk2. iAllah kalo ada rzeki i trn umah u. have fun.tc (Effendy)

Slmat Hari Raya 'Idulfitri, mohon kemaafan dan moga sdr2 skluarga beroleh kejayaan (Surau Darul Falah & kluarga)

Raikan Syawal dgn penuh kesyukuran. Slm Idulfitri buat sekeluarga. Andai ada slh silap, keampunan dipohon seikhlas hati. (Izfaizal)

Terima kasih daun keladi to those who sent cards or who wished me personally.

10% Oh 10%!

At last, the MPP of UiTM had met with Selangor Menteri Besar to discuss from heart to heart the issue on allocating 10% of the university's new intakes to non-Malay Malaysians and foreign students.

According to Malaysiakini, the head of the MPP delegation, Luqmannulhakim was quoted saying that "cadangan Tan Sri Abdul Khalid itu tidak kena dengan masanya berdasarkan situasi semasa golongan bumiputera yang belum dapat bersaing dengan pelajar bukan bumiputera".

I do not know you guys, but I personally think this is an insult to me. When I read my master degree not long ago, there was a non-Malay Malaysian in my class who got there on a British Chevening scholarship. Guess what, her marks for most of the subjects were lower than mine. And I still remember how well my senior, Amelia Alias from Sekolah Menengah Sains Muar, outperformed some of the brainiest non-Malays who attended my school with no less than 8A1 (now it is confusingly 1A, instead of A1) in SRP (sorry... no PMR at that time!).

I wonder what some of my friends who graduated from UiTM would think of this statement by Luqmannulhakim. Believe me, they (yeap, I'm talking about my friends)are as qualified and knowledgeable as the rest of us.

'American empire' nearing its end!

According to CNN, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad criticised "a few bullying powers" for creating the world's problems and said the "American empire in the world is reaching the end of its road". As Ahmadinejad spoke, the only person at the United States table was a note-taker; no U.S. diplomat was present. When George W. Bush spoke earlier on Tuesday, however, Ahmadinejad was in the room.

My take: George W. Bush is not only an INTELECTUALLY CHALLENGE person and he's a war criminal as labelled by Tun Mahathir Mohamed, he lacks of manners too.

Can Bush read?


source: www.CNN.com and www.nobeliefs.com/politics.htm

Update 1.0

I don't why my desire to blog these days has slowly diminishing once I'm back in Malaysia. Could it be because I don't the luxury of 24/7 Internet access like I used to have in Manchester, or I'm no more longer lead a "happening" (happening ke?) life? Or should I blame it on those unstoppable break fast invitations?

Whatever the reason is, I remain an active email sender! I send out, at least, 300 emails a day! And still read blogs. Except that I don't leave my comments anymore because by the time I finished reading the posts, it's already 2.00 pm and it's time to continue my official work. Unfortunately, blogging and surfing the Net are not part of my job descriptions.

Insya-Allah, will be starting my Raya leave this Monday, which means technically I will be away for 9 days. Till then, will try my best to blog as frequent as possible.

Al-fatihah...

I just lost my nenek saudara, Nek Soya this morning at about 5 am. My heartfelt condolence to Tuk Alam and his family. May Allah bless her soul and place her amongst His believers. Aamin...

"Ya, Allah! Sesungguhnya dia seorang muslimah yang baik."

Guys... alhamdulillah, I've conveniently settled down in KL and have started working since Monday. It feels SO good to be home, to return to my LIFE - a world with loving family and friends, and of course, all those delicious food and my home sweet home.

Ajoy did look after my place well. Thanks, bro. I just need to do something to my seater because it produces unpleasant sound.

And my NEO is still in good condition, but a bit comot.

Like I said earlier, I'm SO happy to be back. And terima kasih daun keladi to my beloved Mak, for her super duper delicious rendang kerang, sambal tumis ikan bilis and ikan selar masak assam. Can't wait to go home for her ikan selar masak pindang!

Alhamdulillah... alhamdulillah...


p/s: Mush... Lee... the Internet connection here is SO slow. Sentap!!!

Final Nite Out with Classmates

I went out with my classmates last night for a nice dinner at al-Nawaz in Rusholme. Since some of us will be going home for the next few days, this will be our last chance to get together. Unfortunately, none of our Chinese classmates turned up at the dinner.

At first, I wanted to write a long post. However, my mood is severely affected by the fact that the "shipping people" are playing hide and seek with me. They were supposed to come and collect my boxes yesterday, but due to unforeseen circumstances (read: their terrible coordination & time management), it was last minute postponed (they don't even have the courtesy to ring me!) to today. They promised to come in between 1700 to 1900, but now it's already 2140! Oh, my...

So, I guess I better stop before I become too emotional. Let me leave you with some pictures that I snapped at last nite dinner. Oh, yeah... we also celebrated Aisha's birthday. Once again, happy 23rd birthday Aisha!

After dinner, we took cabs to a club in Hulme to continue our "merdeka" celebration. I didn't stay long because need to go to bed early so that I could wake up for my early breakfast at 4 am. At about 11.30, I joined Takashi-san and his two female friends walked our way to Oxford Road. From there, we all took our separate ways home.

I has been awake since 0400 on 5 September and by the time I reached my flat its almost midnight. Meaning, I have less that 4 hours of sleep before continuing my last third last day in Manchester.

I miss my mum, I want my mum!!!

A night out with flatmates!

This could be our last outing together after living together for about a year. Unfortunately, Christina had gone on Wednesday without the chance to say goodbye to any of us. I guess she must be really, really excited to go back to Cyprus and maybe a bit worried to disturb John, Ana and I, who were still busy with our dissertations at the said time.

Ana will be going home to Spain a day after me and John will be flying to Greece on the Sept 11! Hehehe, nice date... John!

We went to the nearby Trof for a drink and stayed up for about an hour. Both of my flatmates are not into job hunting mood yet, and looking forward to go home, resting and relaxing with their family for a month or two before seriously looking for jobs. Ooohhh... I really envy you guys, because I will be starting my old job on 15 September 2008. That means, less than a week to spend quality times with my family. Sedih... hehehe.

To celebrate our "D-Day", a couple of my classmates are organising two events tonite. A dinner (not a free makan-makan!) for IDPM students at 8pm and a (charity) party at 11pm in Hulme. But I'm not sure whether I can make it for the latter event because I'm planning to go to bed early so that I could wake up for my early morning breakfast (sahur). Oh, yeah... imsak in Manchester, according to Manchester ISOC (Islamic Society) is at 4.30 am. Yeah, I know... the fasting period is much longer here than in Malaysia. We break fast at about 8 pm!

Before I jot off, lets view a couple of pictures I took last night's outing with John and Ana.