Today 31 March 1969, two months before May 13, the Alliance or Kapal Layar awarded Lim Goh Tong a mountain. The foundation stone of Genting Highland was laid witnessed by the late Tan Sri Noh, the grandfather of Najib and Hishamuddin. It is now the biggest casino in South East Asia and located in a so call Muslim nation of Malaysia. However, Malaysian Muslims cannot gamble in this casino but Muslims from other nations are permitted. In Islam all form of gambling is not permitted whether he/she is from Timbuktu or Iceland. It is a universal law but at Genting Highland there is exception.
I had gambled at Genting during those early years, no denial ( zaman jahiliah) before the ban on Malaysian Muslims but that is not the real message I am going to relate here. Nizar the Menteri Besar of Perak awarded housing plot to poor Chinaman in Chinese New Village in Perak, the whole UMNO members protested and labeled Nazri as a puppet to a Chinese majority base political party, the DAP. How about Genting Highland given to Lim Goh Tong? How about the land at Pulau Tioman, given to Vincent Tan of Berjaya Group? Who was the Menteri Besar of Pahang, then? The land awarded was by far larger than Nizar had awarded.
I am a Malay and the only plot of land I have in Malaysia, my own country is where my existing double storey terrace house is. Since I have laid tiles at the small garden, I don’t even own an inch of land anymore. Politicians….with a stroke of a pen can get timber concessions as if this country belongs to their father. You scratch my back and I scratch yours and I know what to do in return. Thank Allah, my grandparents taught me about heaven and hell.
Genting is where people spend money whether it is hard earn or dirty money. It is also a hideout and heaven for young couples. There are thousand of rooms and apartments available, even the authorities can lose their way. It is also a headache for parents who take their young kids up there. The children would not budge from the amusement park. The parents can only feel the heat and pinch when descending the winding road.
Genting Highland is revenue to the government coffer but an eventual burden to the hard core who patronize the place. I have not met a millionaire descended from the place but I have met a few who had to seek the service of Ah Long. I had a friend who sold off his car to contra his damages. My advice, if you want to feel the cool weather go to Cameron or Frasers instead.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Those few days.
I had not been writing for the past one week and many things had happened worth recording.
UMNO had their convention in KL and there were few surprises. KJ returned as UMNO Youth Chief defeating Khir Toyo and Mukhriz, the son of Mahathir. KJ was found guilty but came out with just a warding from UMNO Disciplinary Committee. Sharizat Jalil won the UMNO Women wing defeating the incumbent and stubborn Rafidah. Puteri UMNO Chief won by a Sabahan. Few Ministers and four Menteri Besar did not make it to the Supreme Council. Except for Shahril Samad, the rest refused to resign from their post including the Chief Minister of Melaka who was found guilty for abetting to money politic. The best surprise of the Convention was Dr. Mahathir refused to attend the opening ceremony but he turned up at the closing ceremony. A day before, he declared he did not want to be in the company of polluted politicians and the very next day he totally forgotten and make his appearance at the closing ceremony. The Malays tend to forget easily, he once said. I think it is really true. He too forgets easily. I regard him as Malay even though some people think otherwise. For what he has done to the nation, I still take off my hat. Credit should be given when due. I am still looking forward to shake his hands.
After the UMNO Convention, Malaysians turned to the two Bukit and one Batang election nomination. Bukit Gantang - BN, PAS and Independent. Batang Ai – BN and PKR. Bukit Selambau – BN, PKR and 13 Independents. This is history. I am not surprise some candidates may get less than ten votes. My choices are Bukit Gantang would go to PAS, Bukit Selambau, PKR would win and Batang Ai, PKR would do the impossible. I go for 3-0. My favourite is Bukit Gantang where the PAS candidate is the Menteri Besar who was dethroned recently and adamantly refused to resign when the Royal Highness the Sultan summoned him to do so. Matter referred to the Court.
At the local front, I attended the Annual General Meeting of the Kampong Death Welfare Society (Khairat Kematian). The last Meeting was six years ago and they had contravened to the Act of Registrar of Society. However, motion was passed to proceed with the meeting but when come to the Statement of Account for the past six years, there were several controversies. Disputes aroused and arguments exchanged. To cut the story short, yours truly proposed the meeting to be suspended until the account can be straighten up. It was unanimously seconded and the Meeting was adjourned to a later notified date.
Last Saturday, I attended a wedding of a reformed drug addict. From a convict and a hard core drug addict, he is now a completely changed man. I once traveled with him to Taiping and he related to me his unfortunate past. He was once in the same prison with Anwar Ibrahin at Sungai Buloh and he told me all about prison life. He joked with me that Prisoners would not be affected with diabetic and hyper tension because Prisoners never taste sugar and salt. He is completely illiterate and from a small kid he was running free on his own. He had been a constant residence of our lock up and jails. He is very grateful to one man, Haji Mahmud Fauzi Kadir who managed to tame him, offered him a job and rendered all assistance even to his wedding expenses. He started to reform when he came back to the kampong and took the responsibility as a grave digger. That’s where and when I came acquainted with him. Ali Kapak…….. I wish you all the best in life and please don’t you ever look back.
Recently I was introduced to a hot water spring at Selayang by a friend. I had been there twice after the Isyakh prayer. I found out its good for the health and slept soundly after the hot bath. It is different from the hot water shower in the bathroom.
UMNO had their convention in KL and there were few surprises. KJ returned as UMNO Youth Chief defeating Khir Toyo and Mukhriz, the son of Mahathir. KJ was found guilty but came out with just a warding from UMNO Disciplinary Committee. Sharizat Jalil won the UMNO Women wing defeating the incumbent and stubborn Rafidah. Puteri UMNO Chief won by a Sabahan. Few Ministers and four Menteri Besar did not make it to the Supreme Council. Except for Shahril Samad, the rest refused to resign from their post including the Chief Minister of Melaka who was found guilty for abetting to money politic. The best surprise of the Convention was Dr. Mahathir refused to attend the opening ceremony but he turned up at the closing ceremony. A day before, he declared he did not want to be in the company of polluted politicians and the very next day he totally forgotten and make his appearance at the closing ceremony. The Malays tend to forget easily, he once said. I think it is really true. He too forgets easily. I regard him as Malay even though some people think otherwise. For what he has done to the nation, I still take off my hat. Credit should be given when due. I am still looking forward to shake his hands.
After the UMNO Convention, Malaysians turned to the two Bukit and one Batang election nomination. Bukit Gantang - BN, PAS and Independent. Batang Ai – BN and PKR. Bukit Selambau – BN, PKR and 13 Independents. This is history. I am not surprise some candidates may get less than ten votes. My choices are Bukit Gantang would go to PAS, Bukit Selambau, PKR would win and Batang Ai, PKR would do the impossible. I go for 3-0. My favourite is Bukit Gantang where the PAS candidate is the Menteri Besar who was dethroned recently and adamantly refused to resign when the Royal Highness the Sultan summoned him to do so. Matter referred to the Court.
At the local front, I attended the Annual General Meeting of the Kampong Death Welfare Society (Khairat Kematian). The last Meeting was six years ago and they had contravened to the Act of Registrar of Society. However, motion was passed to proceed with the meeting but when come to the Statement of Account for the past six years, there were several controversies. Disputes aroused and arguments exchanged. To cut the story short, yours truly proposed the meeting to be suspended until the account can be straighten up. It was unanimously seconded and the Meeting was adjourned to a later notified date.
Last Saturday, I attended a wedding of a reformed drug addict. From a convict and a hard core drug addict, he is now a completely changed man. I once traveled with him to Taiping and he related to me his unfortunate past. He was once in the same prison with Anwar Ibrahin at Sungai Buloh and he told me all about prison life. He joked with me that Prisoners would not be affected with diabetic and hyper tension because Prisoners never taste sugar and salt. He is completely illiterate and from a small kid he was running free on his own. He had been a constant residence of our lock up and jails. He is very grateful to one man, Haji Mahmud Fauzi Kadir who managed to tame him, offered him a job and rendered all assistance even to his wedding expenses. He started to reform when he came back to the kampong and took the responsibility as a grave digger. That’s where and when I came acquainted with him. Ali Kapak…….. I wish you all the best in life and please don’t you ever look back.
Recently I was introduced to a hot water spring at Selayang by a friend. I had been there twice after the Isyakh prayer. I found out its good for the health and slept soundly after the hot bath. It is different from the hot water shower in the bathroom.
Monday, March 23, 2009
MY HOUSE.
I can only afford a double storey terrace, three rooms and two bathrooms. Some people can live in a multi million mansions and also have several bungalows to their name. I have only two children and a three rooms house would be adequate. No guest room and if my mother is in town, my daughter have to share with her and if my brother with his family pay a visit, my daughter have to squat in the Master bedroom.
I was at Hajjah Hamidah grocery store and she asked me whether I was interested to buy a house. It was in 1980 and the prices of houses were booming sky high. She told me a RM 110,000 house was available and was under construction. We went to the site and the location was most perfect and my wife agreed. Hajjah Hamidah took me to the Developer and I just need to pay RM 11,000 as a deposit. My wife was very keen to have the house and I had only RM 1,000 in the bank account and she had RM 3,000. We need RM 7,000 more. Where am I to get the RM 7,000? I consulted my late father in law and he took his land grant and we went to the Bank. The collateral process for RM 7,000 would take two months whereas I need the money within a week. We abandoned the idea. My friend was willing to advance me RM 2,000 therefore I need another RM 5,000. I have no other choice but to negotiate a 5% loan from Along. It was not call Along then, just an unregistered money lender. Once I got the money I quickly handed to the Developer and I signed the Sales and Purchase Agreement.
With the SPA, I drove to EPF Head Office in Petaling Jaya and filled up a withdrawal form of 10% of my EPF saving. The application letter was written at the nearby coffee shop. The government just implemented the scheme and it was introduced at the most appropriate time. Exactly forty four days later, I got my RM 11,000. The first thing I did was to pay back the RM 5,000 loan with interest and the RM 2,000 my friend advanced to me. The rest went back to my bank account.
I need a bank loan to pay the balance RM 99,000. It was most fortunate that Kumpulan Guthrie had just introduced a 100% housing loan scheme to its Executives and I was proud that I was the first Executive to benefit. I was now eligible for RM 110,000 loan with 7% interest for 15 years. I had now RM 11,000 in hand and I utilized the money to install the grills, lightings and minor renovations to the bathroom.
I wish to record the following people who helped me to solve my problem in order for me to own a simple double storey terrace house.
1. Hue Ah Sang.
2. Ah Liang.
3. Theresa Li
4. How Wan Hong.
And of course, my late father in law, my wife and Hajjah Hamidah.
Housing loan settled but my house was not completed in time. It was delayed for 18 months and I sued the Developer through my lawyer friend, Zainuddin. It was settled out of court for RM 10,000 compensation. With the money, I renovated the car porch and constructed a patio.
My pay check was reduced by RM 1,007 for fourteen years not until the last year when the interest was dropped from seven percent to four with the compliment of Khalid Ibrahim, the CEO.
Now, the house: 128 Jalan Lengkongan, Kampong Raja Uda, Port Klang is fully mine. However, I would not forget the one week of struggling to come out with the balance of RM 7,000 to be handed to the Developer. How I managed to do it, was the grace of Allah the Almighty.
I was at Hajjah Hamidah grocery store and she asked me whether I was interested to buy a house. It was in 1980 and the prices of houses were booming sky high. She told me a RM 110,000 house was available and was under construction. We went to the site and the location was most perfect and my wife agreed. Hajjah Hamidah took me to the Developer and I just need to pay RM 11,000 as a deposit. My wife was very keen to have the house and I had only RM 1,000 in the bank account and she had RM 3,000. We need RM 7,000 more. Where am I to get the RM 7,000? I consulted my late father in law and he took his land grant and we went to the Bank. The collateral process for RM 7,000 would take two months whereas I need the money within a week. We abandoned the idea. My friend was willing to advance me RM 2,000 therefore I need another RM 5,000. I have no other choice but to negotiate a 5% loan from Along. It was not call Along then, just an unregistered money lender. Once I got the money I quickly handed to the Developer and I signed the Sales and Purchase Agreement.
With the SPA, I drove to EPF Head Office in Petaling Jaya and filled up a withdrawal form of 10% of my EPF saving. The application letter was written at the nearby coffee shop. The government just implemented the scheme and it was introduced at the most appropriate time. Exactly forty four days later, I got my RM 11,000. The first thing I did was to pay back the RM 5,000 loan with interest and the RM 2,000 my friend advanced to me. The rest went back to my bank account.
I need a bank loan to pay the balance RM 99,000. It was most fortunate that Kumpulan Guthrie had just introduced a 100% housing loan scheme to its Executives and I was proud that I was the first Executive to benefit. I was now eligible for RM 110,000 loan with 7% interest for 15 years. I had now RM 11,000 in hand and I utilized the money to install the grills, lightings and minor renovations to the bathroom.
I wish to record the following people who helped me to solve my problem in order for me to own a simple double storey terrace house.
1. Hue Ah Sang.
2. Ah Liang.
3. Theresa Li
4. How Wan Hong.
And of course, my late father in law, my wife and Hajjah Hamidah.
Housing loan settled but my house was not completed in time. It was delayed for 18 months and I sued the Developer through my lawyer friend, Zainuddin. It was settled out of court for RM 10,000 compensation. With the money, I renovated the car porch and constructed a patio.
My pay check was reduced by RM 1,007 for fourteen years not until the last year when the interest was dropped from seven percent to four with the compliment of Khalid Ibrahim, the CEO.
Now, the house: 128 Jalan Lengkongan, Kampong Raja Uda, Port Klang is fully mine. However, I would not forget the one week of struggling to come out with the balance of RM 7,000 to be handed to the Developer. How I managed to do it, was the grace of Allah the Almighty.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
NOT AGAIN!!!!
They lost again. Last weekend was 1-4 at home turf and now 0-2 away. What happened to Manchester United? That Furgeuson fellow keeps on chewing the gum. He should be made to chew the grass if Manchester United kept on loosing games at this rate. They lost back to back.
Yes, they still lead but with a reduced majority. They were leading the Table comfortably and now all MU fans are crossing their fingers. Thank you Spurs, Chelsea lost last night but what about Liverpool who is trailing closely?
My folks were watching Akademi Fantasia and I could watch the Fulham / MU game only for the second period. Trailed by a goal down and played with ten men, MU had to overcome big obstacle. They could do it but the Fulham goalkeeper was exceptionally alert last night. When Fulham scored the second goal, that’s it, I gave up watching and turn to my PC instead for the latest political news. I hope Liverpool lose tonight at Anfield but I have my doubht.
Yes, they still lead but with a reduced majority. They were leading the Table comfortably and now all MU fans are crossing their fingers. Thank you Spurs, Chelsea lost last night but what about Liverpool who is trailing closely?
My folks were watching Akademi Fantasia and I could watch the Fulham / MU game only for the second period. Trailed by a goal down and played with ten men, MU had to overcome big obstacle. They could do it but the Fulham goalkeeper was exceptionally alert last night. When Fulham scored the second goal, that’s it, I gave up watching and turn to my PC instead for the latest political news. I hope Liverpool lose tonight at Anfield but I have my doubht.
What's going on????
Zaid Ibrahim: Pleading the Agong not to appoint Najib Razak to be the next Prime Minister after Abdullah Badawi step down. Mahathir got upset and he said Zaid has no authority to plead to the Agong. I think Mahathir is wrong here because Malaysia is a democratic country and everyone has the right to speak. In this case, Zaid did not break any law, nothing seditious. Zaid is of the opinion that Najib carried too many negative burdens and perceptions to sit in the PM chair. Gut feeling except for UMNO members, and Mahathir, the rest of the nation is behind Zaid. As for me, I am all the way behind you, Zaid.
Mahathir Mohamed: Disagreeing with Zaid is one aspect and the other he also disagreed with UMNO Disciplinary Committee. He commented that UMNO failed to take the opportunity to clean the party of corruption. May I comment? If they took the opportunity, there would be no one left in UMNO. Even he himself had abandoned ship. This old man somewhat tend to disagree with everything. He further commented that the DC practiced double standards. I think he was damn upset that Khairy Jamaluddin just got away with a warning and whereas Ali Rustam was barred from contesting the VC President post. On this issue, I tend to agree with Mahathir. Mahathir openly preferred Muhyidin to be the next Vice President. This is dangerous and he may be up for a big surprise because Ali Rustam henchmen and Khairy ardent followers will gang up and returned Mat Taib instead. Oh NO!!. I dread to see this happen. The no spik inglish would become Deputy PM??? Help me God.
Tengku Razaleigh: Ali Rustam should step down as Ketua Menteri of Melaka after found guilty of money politic by UMNO DC. I concur with you, Ku Li. It is a mockery to the nation when Ali Rustam found guilty of money politic and he still hanging on to the post. His credibility is finished or pocik as what they say in Tamil. Hold on…..see below what Ali Rustam had to say.
Ali Rustam: Over TV3, he said that Guan Eng went to jail and now he is the Chief Minister of Penang. Anwar served six years in jail and now Anwar is the Opposition Leader in Parliament. No reason he should relinquish his post. This was one of the most stupid statement and rationale from a Senior UMNO Officials I ever heard. He should also said, Mandela went to Prison and he became the President of South Africa. Hello Ali Rustam ………both Anwar and Guan Eng had served their sentence and where they are now because they had passed their exemption period to stand for election. Guan Eng went to jail because of Rahim Tamby Chik misbehavior and he defended the right of a 14 year old Malay girl. Anwar went to jail because of Mahathir conspiracy. If they are involved with conspiring to money politic like you did, nobody would have returned them to office. You definitely made my blood pressure shooting up. Any bloody fool who watched the TV when you said that foolish statement would term your statement as “mangkok ayun” statement. I definitely love to have more people like you in UMNO for reasons only known to me.
Ahmad Said Hamdan (MACC): MACC is not involved in political party breach of ethics or discipline. Those are not criminal in nature. Therefore….MACC would not pursue from the outcome of UMNO DC. I shook my head several times in disbelief. I had already anticipated and I rest my case. You can do whatever you like. I know what to do. The hand that held the pencil and mark X on the ballot paper would determine your destiny.
Text copied from Tengku Razaleigh blog regarding the above matter:
Quote:
The MACC was properly instituted by an UMNO-led government. It was not designed to be used only against the Opposition and members of the public.
The disciplinary board has gathered enough evidence of Dato’ Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, Mr Khairy Jamaluddin, and eight other individuals being involved in “money politics” to mete out punishments ranging from suspensions to a warning.
But money politics is nothing but a euphemism for political bribery, and political bribery is a crime covered by the Penal Code. If you know of a crime but do not report it, you become an accomplice to the crime.
Similarly, if the Disciplinary Board has found Ali guilty of bribery, direct or indirect, it is legally required to report him and his agents to the MACC and to hand over all the evidence it has collected to the MACC and to the Registrar of Societies immediately. If the Board fails to report and submit all the evidence of corruption it has found, it risks making UMNO, as a party, accomplice to corruption, in which case the Registrar of Societies is required to act against it.
The disciplinary board is not a replacement for the Courts of Law. Its job is to investigate and punish violations of UMNO Code of Ethics. If in the process it comes upon legal violations, it must report them. In other words, the board is there to investigate ethics violations and not to provide UMNO a managed alternative to legal justice.
I don’t recall Parliament having passed an Act to exempt UMNO from the laws of the land. It’s not as if there is a misdemeanor of “money politics” for UMNO, and “corrupt practices” for everyone else.
Corruption is a cancer eating through the bones of our society. It is a crime whose victims are the unseen people it steals from, the fair processes it subverts and the institutions it destroys. It takes from the weak to give to the strong. It perverts justice, erodes trust and chokes idealism. It is destroying Malaysia. If UMNO closes an eye to it, UMNO makes itself the enemy of the Malays, their corruptor rather than their champion. There is no chance of our tackling this pestilence if our actions suggest that corruption is ok for some people some of the time.
Unquote:
Me: I don’t want to say much, I just press the keys on my computer. That’s the only I can say my heart out. My beloved country is getting rojak now. Sometimes I ponder if I were them, would I be them? It’s already a virus. No anti virus available in the market right now except at the next 13th General Election.
To my generations, please learn from the political episode of March 2009.
Mahathir Mohamed: Disagreeing with Zaid is one aspect and the other he also disagreed with UMNO Disciplinary Committee. He commented that UMNO failed to take the opportunity to clean the party of corruption. May I comment? If they took the opportunity, there would be no one left in UMNO. Even he himself had abandoned ship. This old man somewhat tend to disagree with everything. He further commented that the DC practiced double standards. I think he was damn upset that Khairy Jamaluddin just got away with a warning and whereas Ali Rustam was barred from contesting the VC President post. On this issue, I tend to agree with Mahathir. Mahathir openly preferred Muhyidin to be the next Vice President. This is dangerous and he may be up for a big surprise because Ali Rustam henchmen and Khairy ardent followers will gang up and returned Mat Taib instead. Oh NO!!. I dread to see this happen. The no spik inglish would become Deputy PM??? Help me God.
Tengku Razaleigh: Ali Rustam should step down as Ketua Menteri of Melaka after found guilty of money politic by UMNO DC. I concur with you, Ku Li. It is a mockery to the nation when Ali Rustam found guilty of money politic and he still hanging on to the post. His credibility is finished or pocik as what they say in Tamil. Hold on…..see below what Ali Rustam had to say.
Ali Rustam: Over TV3, he said that Guan Eng went to jail and now he is the Chief Minister of Penang. Anwar served six years in jail and now Anwar is the Opposition Leader in Parliament. No reason he should relinquish his post. This was one of the most stupid statement and rationale from a Senior UMNO Officials I ever heard. He should also said, Mandela went to Prison and he became the President of South Africa. Hello Ali Rustam ………both Anwar and Guan Eng had served their sentence and where they are now because they had passed their exemption period to stand for election. Guan Eng went to jail because of Rahim Tamby Chik misbehavior and he defended the right of a 14 year old Malay girl. Anwar went to jail because of Mahathir conspiracy. If they are involved with conspiring to money politic like you did, nobody would have returned them to office. You definitely made my blood pressure shooting up. Any bloody fool who watched the TV when you said that foolish statement would term your statement as “mangkok ayun” statement. I definitely love to have more people like you in UMNO for reasons only known to me.
Ahmad Said Hamdan (MACC): MACC is not involved in political party breach of ethics or discipline. Those are not criminal in nature. Therefore….MACC would not pursue from the outcome of UMNO DC. I shook my head several times in disbelief. I had already anticipated and I rest my case. You can do whatever you like. I know what to do. The hand that held the pencil and mark X on the ballot paper would determine your destiny.
Text copied from Tengku Razaleigh blog regarding the above matter:
Quote:
The MACC was properly instituted by an UMNO-led government. It was not designed to be used only against the Opposition and members of the public.
The disciplinary board has gathered enough evidence of Dato’ Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, Mr Khairy Jamaluddin, and eight other individuals being involved in “money politics” to mete out punishments ranging from suspensions to a warning.
But money politics is nothing but a euphemism for political bribery, and political bribery is a crime covered by the Penal Code. If you know of a crime but do not report it, you become an accomplice to the crime.
Similarly, if the Disciplinary Board has found Ali guilty of bribery, direct or indirect, it is legally required to report him and his agents to the MACC and to hand over all the evidence it has collected to the MACC and to the Registrar of Societies immediately. If the Board fails to report and submit all the evidence of corruption it has found, it risks making UMNO, as a party, accomplice to corruption, in which case the Registrar of Societies is required to act against it.
The disciplinary board is not a replacement for the Courts of Law. Its job is to investigate and punish violations of UMNO Code of Ethics. If in the process it comes upon legal violations, it must report them. In other words, the board is there to investigate ethics violations and not to provide UMNO a managed alternative to legal justice.
I don’t recall Parliament having passed an Act to exempt UMNO from the laws of the land. It’s not as if there is a misdemeanor of “money politics” for UMNO, and “corrupt practices” for everyone else.
Corruption is a cancer eating through the bones of our society. It is a crime whose victims are the unseen people it steals from, the fair processes it subverts and the institutions it destroys. It takes from the weak to give to the strong. It perverts justice, erodes trust and chokes idealism. It is destroying Malaysia. If UMNO closes an eye to it, UMNO makes itself the enemy of the Malays, their corruptor rather than their champion. There is no chance of our tackling this pestilence if our actions suggest that corruption is ok for some people some of the time.
Unquote:
Me: I don’t want to say much, I just press the keys on my computer. That’s the only I can say my heart out. My beloved country is getting rojak now. Sometimes I ponder if I were them, would I be them? It’s already a virus. No anti virus available in the market right now except at the next 13th General Election.
To my generations, please learn from the political episode of March 2009.
Friday, March 20, 2009
ACCIDENTS.
I obtained my driving license in 1967 at the age of twenty three and two years later I bought my first car. Back then there were not many cars on the road and driving was a pleasure. There were no highways in Malaysia except the Tanjong Malim Slim River road and the toll was 50 cents. I often picked up some young drivers on the road and we tried to out speed each other. Thinking back it was crazy and I was not afraid of the risk. I was so familiar with the old Port Dickson Seremban road that I once covered the distance of twenty miles in twelve minutes. It was in miles then, not kilometers and for only ten ringgit of petrol I could reach Ipoh from Port Dickson. Price of petrol was two ringgit a galloon which is about forty five cents per liter.
Somewhere along, I met with a few accidents but I survived. Nothing major and when I looked back, I smiled to myself being so reckless and sometimes stupid:
First Accident: It was early morning sometimes in 1970 and dawn had not broken. From Ipoh, we wanted to go for a day trip to Penang. With me was a friend who just got back from Melbourne and wanted to show Penang to his newly found wife in Melbourne. As I entered Sungai Siput town a lorry laden with iron bars was crawling in front of me. There were no on coming cars and I swerved to the right to overtake the slow moving lorry. As I was overtaking, a motorcyclist with no lights was right on my path. The motorcyclist could not avoid me as there was a big drain to his left. Both got head on and the motorcyclist smashed my right front lights and he was thrown off. I was sorry for the Chinaman as he was on his way to work and his food was scattered on my bonnet. I was found guilty of reckless driving by the Sungai Siput Magistrate Court and fined with RM 200 and my license endorsed.
Second Accident: It was Saturday afternoon and was going back to see my family for the weekend in Port Dickson from Pasir Gudang. That was in 1977. From Johore Baharu it was drizzling and somehow I played safe by buckling my safety belt. Even though there was no law on safety belt during that time, the Volvo 144 was equipped with one and my instinct made me fastened up. It was still drizzling as I was cruising along the Simpang Renggam Ayer Hitam road. This stretch of road is notorious for nasty accidents and had taken several lives. All of a sudden one oncoming BMW spun and the car right in front of me suddenly braked. A Mercedes taxi right behind me smacked to my rear and I was jolted. To avoid being sandwiched I swerved to the right and knocked a sign board and landed into a ditch. The safety belt saved me from any injury and I came out scotched free but the rear and front part of my car was badly damaged. The Police report disclosed that I was not the guilty party and after that I was without a car for about three months.
Third Accident: In 1993 I was working in Kuala Lumpur and I stayed late for a dinner function. After Klang town at a traffic light junction the light was green and I confidently drove on. Suddenly two cars hit the left side of my car. They were both racing and beat the traffic light. The two Drivers claimed that I beat the traffic light instead. Till to this day I still unsure however the police found that I was on my right of way. The best joke the police Officer in charge of Traffic summoned me to his office and gave me an NFA ticket. Initially I did not know what it meant. He was laughing, it was No Further Action.
Now I am always careful on the road but sometimes I tend to over step the accelerator. Just for the thrill. Driving at maximum of 110 km on our good highway with a high performance engine car looks rather stupid. Once in a while I tend to give it a go, a recollection of the good crazy old days. I can only do that when my other half is dozing off.
Quite often I reminded my two children not to drive fast. Hope my crazy day’s buddies will not tell tale about their father during my younger days. With Navigator, Ghaffar Tamam, we won the first ESSO Rally in 1972. I held the steering wheel.
Somewhere along, I met with a few accidents but I survived. Nothing major and when I looked back, I smiled to myself being so reckless and sometimes stupid:
First Accident: It was early morning sometimes in 1970 and dawn had not broken. From Ipoh, we wanted to go for a day trip to Penang. With me was a friend who just got back from Melbourne and wanted to show Penang to his newly found wife in Melbourne. As I entered Sungai Siput town a lorry laden with iron bars was crawling in front of me. There were no on coming cars and I swerved to the right to overtake the slow moving lorry. As I was overtaking, a motorcyclist with no lights was right on my path. The motorcyclist could not avoid me as there was a big drain to his left. Both got head on and the motorcyclist smashed my right front lights and he was thrown off. I was sorry for the Chinaman as he was on his way to work and his food was scattered on my bonnet. I was found guilty of reckless driving by the Sungai Siput Magistrate Court and fined with RM 200 and my license endorsed.
Second Accident: It was Saturday afternoon and was going back to see my family for the weekend in Port Dickson from Pasir Gudang. That was in 1977. From Johore Baharu it was drizzling and somehow I played safe by buckling my safety belt. Even though there was no law on safety belt during that time, the Volvo 144 was equipped with one and my instinct made me fastened up. It was still drizzling as I was cruising along the Simpang Renggam Ayer Hitam road. This stretch of road is notorious for nasty accidents and had taken several lives. All of a sudden one oncoming BMW spun and the car right in front of me suddenly braked. A Mercedes taxi right behind me smacked to my rear and I was jolted. To avoid being sandwiched I swerved to the right and knocked a sign board and landed into a ditch. The safety belt saved me from any injury and I came out scotched free but the rear and front part of my car was badly damaged. The Police report disclosed that I was not the guilty party and after that I was without a car for about three months.
Third Accident: In 1993 I was working in Kuala Lumpur and I stayed late for a dinner function. After Klang town at a traffic light junction the light was green and I confidently drove on. Suddenly two cars hit the left side of my car. They were both racing and beat the traffic light. The two Drivers claimed that I beat the traffic light instead. Till to this day I still unsure however the police found that I was on my right of way. The best joke the police Officer in charge of Traffic summoned me to his office and gave me an NFA ticket. Initially I did not know what it meant. He was laughing, it was No Further Action.
Now I am always careful on the road but sometimes I tend to over step the accelerator. Just for the thrill. Driving at maximum of 110 km on our good highway with a high performance engine car looks rather stupid. Once in a while I tend to give it a go, a recollection of the good crazy old days. I can only do that when my other half is dozing off.
Quite often I reminded my two children not to drive fast. Hope my crazy day’s buddies will not tell tale about their father during my younger days. With Navigator, Ghaffar Tamam, we won the first ESSO Rally in 1972. I held the steering wheel.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Guilty????
When you are wrong, you are wrong and when you are guilty, you are guilty. There is no two ways about it. In the game of soccer, when the ball is handle its handball and when its handle in the penalty area, it is a penalty kick. At both occasions either the Referee or the Assistant Referee would decide and if either both of them do not detect the handball, the spectators surely would and cry out loud booing the Referee as unfair or bought over.
In the case of Ali Rustam, he was found guilty and he was barred from contesting the Vice President post. Whereas Khairy Jamaluddin, he was found guilty too but just a warning. To me it does not make sense. Both men were found guilty under the same act. Consider both men entered a supermarket, shoplifted and get caught. The Honorable Judge found that both men were guilty and both should be made to pay fine or go to jail. Most likely would go to jail an action of deterrent to the public. There would be no such thing as one only served with a warning and the other barred from entering the Supermarket. In my opinion the sentence to both Ali Rustam and Khairy Jamaluddin was absurd. I looked at it as a layman not as a Lawyer. Maybe a Lawyer can twist and turn, one stole a bar of chocolate and the other carted away a television. Was this the case of Khairy Jamaluddin? The money involved was smaller than Ali Rustam? I believe the sentence should be consistent as the one imposed to Isa Samad. He was found guilty and lost his UMNO membership and lost his ministerial ship. Tengku Razaleigh is correct…correct…correct, the people are confused, so am I.
MACC should follow up with the award served by the UMNO Disciplinary Committee. It is only a simple process, just ask for the finding from UMNO DC and submit to AG Chambers. The DC had tabulated the finding and found guilty as charged. Chicken feed job. If MACC could work very fast on Khalid Berahim case, then this case is white bean (kacang putih). Maybe I am wrong here, as I said I am not a Lawyer. Whatever….I seek for justice and I want a fair justice for all Malaysians protected by the Constitution.
It is indeed fun to watch the political scenario that crop up every day. In Malaysia anything can happen. Laws and Constitution only applicable to certain people and the best part the Lawmaker themselves can color the laws to their political advantage. As a Retiree, the political development is my past time.
One fine day, my children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great, would understand what and why this old man is grumbling of.
In the case of Ali Rustam, he was found guilty and he was barred from contesting the Vice President post. Whereas Khairy Jamaluddin, he was found guilty too but just a warning. To me it does not make sense. Both men were found guilty under the same act. Consider both men entered a supermarket, shoplifted and get caught. The Honorable Judge found that both men were guilty and both should be made to pay fine or go to jail. Most likely would go to jail an action of deterrent to the public. There would be no such thing as one only served with a warning and the other barred from entering the Supermarket. In my opinion the sentence to both Ali Rustam and Khairy Jamaluddin was absurd. I looked at it as a layman not as a Lawyer. Maybe a Lawyer can twist and turn, one stole a bar of chocolate and the other carted away a television. Was this the case of Khairy Jamaluddin? The money involved was smaller than Ali Rustam? I believe the sentence should be consistent as the one imposed to Isa Samad. He was found guilty and lost his UMNO membership and lost his ministerial ship. Tengku Razaleigh is correct…correct…correct, the people are confused, so am I.
MACC should follow up with the award served by the UMNO Disciplinary Committee. It is only a simple process, just ask for the finding from UMNO DC and submit to AG Chambers. The DC had tabulated the finding and found guilty as charged. Chicken feed job. If MACC could work very fast on Khalid Berahim case, then this case is white bean (kacang putih). Maybe I am wrong here, as I said I am not a Lawyer. Whatever….I seek for justice and I want a fair justice for all Malaysians protected by the Constitution.
It is indeed fun to watch the political scenario that crop up every day. In Malaysia anything can happen. Laws and Constitution only applicable to certain people and the best part the Lawmaker themselves can color the laws to their political advantage. As a Retiree, the political development is my past time.
One fine day, my children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great, would understand what and why this old man is grumbling of.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Be careful what you say.
Call the Police, the evidence goes missing,
Call the lawyers, the Judge is missing,
Call the Ministry of Transport, the Reports goes missing,
Change the Government, funds goes missing,
Say something and you may be missing.
I picked up the above from a comment in an article in Malaysia Today. The fourth line should be read as when there was a change in Selangor government, Balkis squandered with the welfare coffer and went missing. I fully agree with the last line when you say something you may end up missing. Gobind Singh Deo said something in Parliament and he ended up missing from Parliament session for one solid year. RPK wrote something and he was missing for 56 days in Kamunting Inn. God knows where Balasubramaniam is, after declaring something. For Altanthuya, she is missing forever. The public do not know what she said to Razak Baginda before she was hauled up by somebody in front of Razak Baginda mansion and after that she went missing forever from mother earth. I wonder why, Razak Baginda wife is not missing when she said over television why arrested her husband for Razak is not going to be the next Prime Minister. Any able minded human beings can put the pieces together. Ir Nizar said the best and in the most polite wording to the Royal Highness Sultan of Perak, “patik sembah derhaka” for disagreeing with the Royal Highness and after that his Menteri Besar post went missing. Ali Rustam said UMNO do not need the votes from the Chinese and Indians and his name went missing from the Vice President list.
So anytime I want to say or write something, I better be careful. My grandparent gave me a word of wisdom that once I utter something to somebody the words now belong to that somebody. Another thing they taught me the basic of life was Allah judgment is the ultimate and there would be no escape. During the Judgment Day, all parts of my body would bear witness and speak up. I had been taught from adolescent that crime does not pay and the penance would be a resident of Hell. In the Malaysian Court I had only committed three minor crimes and paid for it: A fine of RM 200 for careless driving in 1970, a fine of RM 100 for not paying TV license in 1975 and a fine of RM 100 for violating the no entry signboard in 1983. Other crimes and sins if I had committed, I had to answer to the Almighty.
I always pray that the Almighty would forgive all my sins.
Call the lawyers, the Judge is missing,
Call the Ministry of Transport, the Reports goes missing,
Change the Government, funds goes missing,
Say something and you may be missing.
I picked up the above from a comment in an article in Malaysia Today. The fourth line should be read as when there was a change in Selangor government, Balkis squandered with the welfare coffer and went missing. I fully agree with the last line when you say something you may end up missing. Gobind Singh Deo said something in Parliament and he ended up missing from Parliament session for one solid year. RPK wrote something and he was missing for 56 days in Kamunting Inn. God knows where Balasubramaniam is, after declaring something. For Altanthuya, she is missing forever. The public do not know what she said to Razak Baginda before she was hauled up by somebody in front of Razak Baginda mansion and after that she went missing forever from mother earth. I wonder why, Razak Baginda wife is not missing when she said over television why arrested her husband for Razak is not going to be the next Prime Minister. Any able minded human beings can put the pieces together. Ir Nizar said the best and in the most polite wording to the Royal Highness Sultan of Perak, “patik sembah derhaka” for disagreeing with the Royal Highness and after that his Menteri Besar post went missing. Ali Rustam said UMNO do not need the votes from the Chinese and Indians and his name went missing from the Vice President list.
So anytime I want to say or write something, I better be careful. My grandparent gave me a word of wisdom that once I utter something to somebody the words now belong to that somebody. Another thing they taught me the basic of life was Allah judgment is the ultimate and there would be no escape. During the Judgment Day, all parts of my body would bear witness and speak up. I had been taught from adolescent that crime does not pay and the penance would be a resident of Hell. In the Malaysian Court I had only committed three minor crimes and paid for it: A fine of RM 200 for careless driving in 1970, a fine of RM 100 for not paying TV license in 1975 and a fine of RM 100 for violating the no entry signboard in 1983. Other crimes and sins if I had committed, I had to answer to the Almighty.
I always pray that the Almighty would forgive all my sins.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Cikgu Said/ Puan Azizah.
It is always a pleasure to be back in Port Dickson especially to be in the company of late Cikgu Said Osman and Puan Azizah Yusuf children. Both Cikgu Said and Puan Azizah had long gone back to meet the Creator but all their children remain attach and dearest to me. I would always remember this couple forever as long as my mind is sound. The family assisted me during my wedding in 1973 and Puan Azizah was the lady who cuddled home both my newborn children from Seremban Hospital to Port Dickson. She was like a grandmother to my children but sadly during her last few years she lost a lot of her memories. Puan azizah was the niece of the famous Professor Zainal Abidin Ahmad (Zaaba). Through Puan Azizah, I had the grand opportunity to meet late Zaaba. He was bedridden then.
I made the journey to Port Dickson on the invitation of Izman, the number four of the siblings on the wedding of his daughter. I had a card from Izman and a call from his elder brother Prof Datuk Dr Ikram Said about the wedding. The family, with the exception of my son attended the wedding feast. I was met by Izman, his wife and another brother, Iqbal. I was delighted to meet all the brothers and sisters with their husbands and wives respectively including their children. They are nine of them of Cikgu Said children and they are very close knitted siblings. Halimatus, Ikram, Iqbal, Izman, Ikmal, Nor Saadah, Nor Azzah, Izmi and Lina. All of them are doing well in life and two of them are Doctorate. I came to be acquainted with them since 1970 when the youngest girl, Lina was only a small kid. It was nice to catch up with them and we exchanged notes.
Port Dickson was not a strange place for me. I stayed in PD for eight years and some of Izman invitees are my friends and acquaintance. I met Azam whom I have lost contact since 1974. For some I have forgotten their names but they still remember me. Our hairs have grown white and some with their white skull cap headgear. Suhaimi looked the same. As young as before and he can be mistaken as Yang Berhormat. Ricky Hanafiah is not as steady as before and he told me he just recovered from a mild stroke. I told him I had the same and we both laughed that we are able to tell the tale to each other. Pak Lang Topot, the younger brother of Puan Azizah was also present and he looks steady and standing upright in spite of several bypasses. He spent his time hopping from one of his children to another and the last he was in Manchester, UK. It was indeed pleasant to catch up with old acquaintance and who knows at this age, this meeting could be the last.
I made the journey to Port Dickson on the invitation of Izman, the number four of the siblings on the wedding of his daughter. I had a card from Izman and a call from his elder brother Prof Datuk Dr Ikram Said about the wedding. The family, with the exception of my son attended the wedding feast. I was met by Izman, his wife and another brother, Iqbal. I was delighted to meet all the brothers and sisters with their husbands and wives respectively including their children. They are nine of them of Cikgu Said children and they are very close knitted siblings. Halimatus, Ikram, Iqbal, Izman, Ikmal, Nor Saadah, Nor Azzah, Izmi and Lina. All of them are doing well in life and two of them are Doctorate. I came to be acquainted with them since 1970 when the youngest girl, Lina was only a small kid. It was nice to catch up with them and we exchanged notes.
Port Dickson was not a strange place for me. I stayed in PD for eight years and some of Izman invitees are my friends and acquaintance. I met Azam whom I have lost contact since 1974. For some I have forgotten their names but they still remember me. Our hairs have grown white and some with their white skull cap headgear. Suhaimi looked the same. As young as before and he can be mistaken as Yang Berhormat. Ricky Hanafiah is not as steady as before and he told me he just recovered from a mild stroke. I told him I had the same and we both laughed that we are able to tell the tale to each other. Pak Lang Topot, the younger brother of Puan Azizah was also present and he looks steady and standing upright in spite of several bypasses. He spent his time hopping from one of his children to another and the last he was in Manchester, UK. It was indeed pleasant to catch up with old acquaintance and who knows at this age, this meeting could be the last.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
As of today 14th March 2009.
Perak still has two Menteri Besar. Legitimate MB had written to the Sultan asking for an audience. Still there is no feedback from the Palace. I dare not say further as I might land in court. Reasons as below:
Few Bloggers and commentators charged in court for insulting the Sultan of Perak. One pleaded guilty and paid a fine of RM 10000.00 (Ten thousands Malaysian Ringgit). That’s a lot of money for me. I can spend the money for a month umrah during Ramadhan.
Former Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohammed said that the Perak takeover by Barisan Nasional was wrong and was executed in haste. The law pertaining to the execution was not found in any Constitution in Malaysia. Mahathir said, not me. Substantiate this statement with Mahathir, yours truly just pasted his comment.
Menteri Besar of Selangor and all his Executive Members declared their assets at the Selangor state portal. Everybody have access to the details vide computer. I hope other states would follow suit especially BN govern states. Do they dare? I have my doubt but please prove me wrong.
Three Appeal Judges at Putrajaya have now declared that the Speaker of Perak can now bring along his own defense Lawyers. The Ipoh Judge insisted that Sivakumar can only be defended by the State Legal Advisor. Now it seems the country’s law can differ between two courts and between two towns. After all, laws are man made.
Three bye elections would be held simultaneously on 9th April 2009. Bukit Gantang, Bukit Selambau and Batang Ai. The candidates from BN were already declared. At Bukit Gantang, an UMNO guy, Bukit Selambau from MIC and at Batang Ai, God knows from which political party he represents. I am not well verse with the Sarawak political parties. I planned to assist PR at Bukit Gantang because Bukit Gantang is in my home state. I would love 3-0. I hated what happened at Old Trafford. MU got a beating by Liverpool 1- 4. Never mind, MU still topped the table with reduced majority and a game in hand.
Few Bloggers and commentators charged in court for insulting the Sultan of Perak. One pleaded guilty and paid a fine of RM 10000.00 (Ten thousands Malaysian Ringgit). That’s a lot of money for me. I can spend the money for a month umrah during Ramadhan.
Former Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohammed said that the Perak takeover by Barisan Nasional was wrong and was executed in haste. The law pertaining to the execution was not found in any Constitution in Malaysia. Mahathir said, not me. Substantiate this statement with Mahathir, yours truly just pasted his comment.
Menteri Besar of Selangor and all his Executive Members declared their assets at the Selangor state portal. Everybody have access to the details vide computer. I hope other states would follow suit especially BN govern states. Do they dare? I have my doubt but please prove me wrong.
Three Appeal Judges at Putrajaya have now declared that the Speaker of Perak can now bring along his own defense Lawyers. The Ipoh Judge insisted that Sivakumar can only be defended by the State Legal Advisor. Now it seems the country’s law can differ between two courts and between two towns. After all, laws are man made.
Three bye elections would be held simultaneously on 9th April 2009. Bukit Gantang, Bukit Selambau and Batang Ai. The candidates from BN were already declared. At Bukit Gantang, an UMNO guy, Bukit Selambau from MIC and at Batang Ai, God knows from which political party he represents. I am not well verse with the Sarawak political parties. I planned to assist PR at Bukit Gantang because Bukit Gantang is in my home state. I would love 3-0. I hated what happened at Old Trafford. MU got a beating by Liverpool 1- 4. Never mind, MU still topped the table with reduced majority and a game in hand.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Don't disturb lah.......
1963 – I was in First Year at Technical Institute Penang. My batch mate, my countryman, hailed from Taiping always disturbed me. He used to play prank and jeered at whatever I did. I love sprinting and at the field he and his buddies would sarcastically laughed at me. I often told him not to disturb me and at one point I had taken out a sharp object wanted to dart it at him. I was really mad. During the first semester exam he was seated right in front of me and during the midst of the exam he collapsed and taken to Hospital. During lunch break, my friend Leong Koon Choy told me that particular guy had been hospitalized and I laughingly told LKY that I hope he never returned to the Hostel. True enough, Ismail succumbed due to acute appendicitis. Was I really happy? Not really actually. His persistent disturbing behavior towards me actually made me uttered good riddance to him. In fact at the very next day, I attended his funeral in Taiping.
The morale of the above, do not persistently disturb people. He/ She may react in words or doa. The doa is more dangerous because he/ she communicate with God.
So….don’t disturb people. People would react. This is what actually happening to Khir Toyo, the ex MB of Selangor. The present MB Khalid Berahim was keeping quiet not wanting to reveal the faults or misdoing of the ex MB. Suddenly the case of cows and car was reported to Anti Corruption Agency. The misused of state government coffer to buy cows and the spare parts of personal cum official car. I don’t blame Khalid Berahim for counter attacking. One by one the public come to know what happened during the ex MB reign of absolute power in Selangor. It was brought up in the state Assembly sitting and Khir Toyo got to answer. Khir Toyo should not have disturbed Khalid Berahim in the first place. I know Khalid Berahim because he was my former CEO. Let him administer the state. The fact that Selangoreans had chosen the alternative, so be it. Khir Toyo should work harder to regain Selangor during the next election. It’s only about 3 or 4 years time from now. Relaxxx…bro. Go and perform the umrah or stay in Mekah or Medina. After all, there are already ready apartments in Mekah. Am sure, Khalid Berahim would authorize you to occupy the apartment.
The morale of the above, do not persistently disturb people. He/ She may react in words or doa. The doa is more dangerous because he/ she communicate with God.
So….don’t disturb people. People would react. This is what actually happening to Khir Toyo, the ex MB of Selangor. The present MB Khalid Berahim was keeping quiet not wanting to reveal the faults or misdoing of the ex MB. Suddenly the case of cows and car was reported to Anti Corruption Agency. The misused of state government coffer to buy cows and the spare parts of personal cum official car. I don’t blame Khalid Berahim for counter attacking. One by one the public come to know what happened during the ex MB reign of absolute power in Selangor. It was brought up in the state Assembly sitting and Khir Toyo got to answer. Khir Toyo should not have disturbed Khalid Berahim in the first place. I know Khalid Berahim because he was my former CEO. Let him administer the state. The fact that Selangoreans had chosen the alternative, so be it. Khir Toyo should work harder to regain Selangor during the next election. It’s only about 3 or 4 years time from now. Relaxxx…bro. Go and perform the umrah or stay in Mekah or Medina. After all, there are already ready apartments in Mekah. Am sure, Khalid Berahim would authorize you to occupy the apartment.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
One year ago......
It was polling day, the 12th Election in Malaysia. I did not remember which election I started implementing my rights but I surely remember the year was 1969 and was in Port Dickson. The aftermath of that election was a disaster. Two days after the Kuala Lumpur fiasco on 15th May 1969 I experienced my first plane ride. I was on annual leave and the only way back home to Ipoh was a MAS Fokker Friendship flight from Melaka Airport to Ipoh with a stopover in Subang Airport. Pre flight, I stayed a night at Melaka Rest House and I was one of the only two residents then. It was scary both the room and the situation.
On 8th March 2008 of the 12th Election, I polled my vote at Kampong Raja Uda, Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan of Pandamaran constituency in the state of Selangor. It was a walking distance and yours truly took a stroll to the Polling Station. Being a senior citizen, this old man was allotted to Lane 1. My son who resides in Kuala Lumpur rushed back to cast his votes and had to rush back to KL for duty as he is attach to one of the TV Station. The election process in the country was smooth and peaceful with no serious untoward incidences. By midnight I should know the outcome and looking forward for the results. Pre election, the political campaigning was rather hot. Personally I think on this aspect the Prime Minister made a hiccup. He should wait for Dato Sri Anwar, once the Deputy Prime Minister to be eligible to participate in the General Election. Anwar being illegible to participate, he had all the time in the world to cris cross the country to campaign for the political Parties opposing the BN. If the prime Minister had waited, Anwar would be concentrating only at his own constituency and the repercussion would not be that severe. That’s my personal opinion.
In the evening I had to attend Nadia’s wedding (former staff daughter) at Dewan Perdana at Felda Complex in Kuala Lumpur. I was also invited to a wedding function at Merak Kayangan of the same complex but I told my friend, Yang Mulia Raja Rosdin that I might drop by later and after all I had attended the akad nikah ceremony. As soon as I parked my car at Dewan Perdana at about 1930 hours, I received a short message from my son that PAS had swept Kelantan however media was still holding. I told my friend Farid who is a Kelantanese and he confirmed with his folks back home that it was correct..correct…correct. (quoting: Lingam). We sat for the dinner but often interrupted by short messages from my son. Samy Vellu lost in his den, Sharizat defeated by Izzah (Anwar’s daughter), Koh Tzu Koon as well as Gerakan packed off and few prominent BN candidates. The biggest surprised, PR conquered five states and BN lost 2/3 majority in Parliament. My constituency of Pandamaran, once a stronghold for BN now swung to the safe hand of DAP. I was not really surprised. The late Zakaria Istana contributed to the handover and the total collapsed of Selangor under Khir Toyo regime. Honestly I did not concentrate on the dinner nor the bride and the bridegroom. Immediately after the function was over we rushed home. We decided not to cross over to Merak Kayangan. On the way home, my son alerted us to go home straight as he knew that there was a sign of commotion in Pandamaran.
Reaching home about midnight, I switched on the TV for news update. I only got results from the win of Barisan Nasional candidates. By 0300 hours all news bulletin from all TV stations on the election results went blank. All the news Broadcasters went to sleep and I was scrambling for updates from my contacts by short messages.
Only at the following afternoon when all high and dry, the nation realized that a political tsunami had just struck the day before. Some were jubilant and some hit the dust.
To this day, a year after, the aftermath still haunt BN Malaysians. BN still cannot accept the fact that the people had decided.
On 8th March 2008 of the 12th Election, I polled my vote at Kampong Raja Uda, Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan of Pandamaran constituency in the state of Selangor. It was a walking distance and yours truly took a stroll to the Polling Station. Being a senior citizen, this old man was allotted to Lane 1. My son who resides in Kuala Lumpur rushed back to cast his votes and had to rush back to KL for duty as he is attach to one of the TV Station. The election process in the country was smooth and peaceful with no serious untoward incidences. By midnight I should know the outcome and looking forward for the results. Pre election, the political campaigning was rather hot. Personally I think on this aspect the Prime Minister made a hiccup. He should wait for Dato Sri Anwar, once the Deputy Prime Minister to be eligible to participate in the General Election. Anwar being illegible to participate, he had all the time in the world to cris cross the country to campaign for the political Parties opposing the BN. If the prime Minister had waited, Anwar would be concentrating only at his own constituency and the repercussion would not be that severe. That’s my personal opinion.
In the evening I had to attend Nadia’s wedding (former staff daughter) at Dewan Perdana at Felda Complex in Kuala Lumpur. I was also invited to a wedding function at Merak Kayangan of the same complex but I told my friend, Yang Mulia Raja Rosdin that I might drop by later and after all I had attended the akad nikah ceremony. As soon as I parked my car at Dewan Perdana at about 1930 hours, I received a short message from my son that PAS had swept Kelantan however media was still holding. I told my friend Farid who is a Kelantanese and he confirmed with his folks back home that it was correct..correct…correct. (quoting: Lingam). We sat for the dinner but often interrupted by short messages from my son. Samy Vellu lost in his den, Sharizat defeated by Izzah (Anwar’s daughter), Koh Tzu Koon as well as Gerakan packed off and few prominent BN candidates. The biggest surprised, PR conquered five states and BN lost 2/3 majority in Parliament. My constituency of Pandamaran, once a stronghold for BN now swung to the safe hand of DAP. I was not really surprised. The late Zakaria Istana contributed to the handover and the total collapsed of Selangor under Khir Toyo regime. Honestly I did not concentrate on the dinner nor the bride and the bridegroom. Immediately after the function was over we rushed home. We decided not to cross over to Merak Kayangan. On the way home, my son alerted us to go home straight as he knew that there was a sign of commotion in Pandamaran.
Reaching home about midnight, I switched on the TV for news update. I only got results from the win of Barisan Nasional candidates. By 0300 hours all news bulletin from all TV stations on the election results went blank. All the news Broadcasters went to sleep and I was scrambling for updates from my contacts by short messages.
Only at the following afternoon when all high and dry, the nation realized that a political tsunami had just struck the day before. Some were jubilant and some hit the dust.
To this day, a year after, the aftermath still haunt BN Malaysians. BN still cannot accept the fact that the people had decided.
One year after......
Today 8 March 2009 is a year after the political tsunami in Malaysia. It is the anniversary of BN losing the two third majorities in Parliament and saw five states lost to Pakatan Rakyat. On this date, a year after, four states remain intact with PR however my birth state PERAK is still in limbo. The Court have to decide because BN had coup de’ tat the state by buying over three Representatives from PR. Currently there are two Menteri Besar in Perak. The legitimate Menteri Besar as to my interpretation was the one voted in by the Perakians on 8 March 2008 and the illegitimate Menteri Besar appointed arising from the three frogs. We have a major constitutional crisis in Perak now.
For the remaining four states, the BN is still harassing the state government. Federal fund stop going to these states and development meant for these states are on hold. Except for Kelantan, the other Menteri Besar and Chief Minister is having tough time combating ridiculous allegations from the BN government. I guess someone is closely following them even to the toilets.
As I see it, BN cannot accept the fact that the have lost 2/3 majority and five states aligned to PR. Only the people of Sabah and Sarawak assisted them to remain in power. In Peninsular Malaysia, majority had voted for PR. BN had not listened to the people’s voice for change. Off late BN became more arrogant by stealing PR representatives, immediate actions on PR leaders, held up federal fund, stoppage of major development and the show of strength by the police forces.
I am happy I am part of the change. Never regret. Though change may come late, I have to be patient. At the very least, the next general election would be in 3 or 4 years time. If there is no change, I would remain the same player. I want JUSTICE, I cry for JUSTICE and I would seek for JUSTICE.
I am longing for a corrupt free Malaysia.
For the remaining four states, the BN is still harassing the state government. Federal fund stop going to these states and development meant for these states are on hold. Except for Kelantan, the other Menteri Besar and Chief Minister is having tough time combating ridiculous allegations from the BN government. I guess someone is closely following them even to the toilets.
As I see it, BN cannot accept the fact that the have lost 2/3 majority and five states aligned to PR. Only the people of Sabah and Sarawak assisted them to remain in power. In Peninsular Malaysia, majority had voted for PR. BN had not listened to the people’s voice for change. Off late BN became more arrogant by stealing PR representatives, immediate actions on PR leaders, held up federal fund, stoppage of major development and the show of strength by the police forces.
I am happy I am part of the change. Never regret. Though change may come late, I have to be patient. At the very least, the next general election would be in 3 or 4 years time. If there is no change, I would remain the same player. I want JUSTICE, I cry for JUSTICE and I would seek for JUSTICE.
I am longing for a corrupt free Malaysia.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
DISGUSTING.
Ahmad Said of MACC said they have completed the AMENO money politics investigations and they found no case. With all the numerous reports, still there is no case? Not even one? Therefore MACC should prosecute the numerous civic minded people who reported to MACC. Those who gave false report can be prosecuted. Shit!! Perak Speaker could also be investigated by MACC. Oh my God, how come MACC is so bloody efficient when come to anybody from Pakatan Rakyat?? Overnight, MACC sent an investigation team to drill Sivakumar.
Khalid Berahim bought several cows and distributed the beef to Muslims was a major offence. Used his personal car for official use with approval from State Financial Official was abused of power. Previously, TOYOL imported camels, from Australia for Muslims wherever constituency they voted for, no body said a word, for TOYOL was performing a noble Islamic rite. Where he got the money to buy the lean Australian camels, nobody care a damn. Ameno goons built palaces got scoots free. Toyol failed to declare to Income Tax Department for perks received was just a slip up. No further action.
WHAT IS THIS???? What’s happening to my beloved country? I feel like climbing Mount Kinabalu peak and shout to all Malaysians that we have to do something come PRU 13. I can’t stand it anymore. Every other day, I get disgusting news.
JUSTICE…..JUSTICE…….JUSTICE, where are you? I don’t want to be part of the conspiracy and mighty Allah would blame me for collusion if I don’t stand up.
Everyday there would be political history created in Malaysia. Today is no exception. Who cares about the world recession? Why? The Politicians who is painting the government of Malaysia is already filthy rich. My birth state, Perak, is still in turmoil, having two Towkays. There is still no light at the end of the tunnel unless someone dissolve the Assembly or the Court can produce miracle.
Khalid Berahim bought several cows and distributed the beef to Muslims was a major offence. Used his personal car for official use with approval from State Financial Official was abused of power. Previously, TOYOL imported camels, from Australia for Muslims wherever constituency they voted for, no body said a word, for TOYOL was performing a noble Islamic rite. Where he got the money to buy the lean Australian camels, nobody care a damn. Ameno goons built palaces got scoots free. Toyol failed to declare to Income Tax Department for perks received was just a slip up. No further action.
WHAT IS THIS???? What’s happening to my beloved country? I feel like climbing Mount Kinabalu peak and shout to all Malaysians that we have to do something come PRU 13. I can’t stand it anymore. Every other day, I get disgusting news.
JUSTICE…..JUSTICE…….JUSTICE, where are you? I don’t want to be part of the conspiracy and mighty Allah would blame me for collusion if I don’t stand up.
Everyday there would be political history created in Malaysia. Today is no exception. Who cares about the world recession? Why? The Politicians who is painting the government of Malaysia is already filthy rich. My birth state, Perak, is still in turmoil, having two Towkays. There is still no light at the end of the tunnel unless someone dissolve the Assembly or the Court can produce miracle.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Well kept office secrets.
As Departmental Head, critical problems got to be solved amicably.
1) One of my young lady clerical staff went missing from the Office and could not be traced or tracked. She was absent for more than two consecutive working days from mid week and by right a disciplinary action could be constitute against her by terminating her service. She was one of my efficient clerk, the earliest to the office and always stayed back late and never claimed overtime. I was worried about her and I requested one of the senior lady staff to pay her parents a visit. This lady came back and told me that even her parents were frantically looking for her. However during our discussion she told me that this particular girl had been behaving very peculiar off late and from gossips this girl is on the family way. This girl always wore the baju kurung as if hiding something and reservedly preferred to be a loner. I don’t quite believe on the gossips as she looked innocent and decently well behaved.
The following week, on Tuesday, surprisingly she reported to work and I had to interview her and show cause of her truancy. When reprimanded, she stubbornly silent. She only stared at the floor. I began to lose my patient and I asked her bluntly, “From the sources I got, someone told me you are pregnant. How true is it?” She stared at me, looked right, looked left, looked down and tears swelled from her eyes. I began to feel worried because it was a very sensitive question to a young girl. Suddenly she opened her mouth and told me that she had just delivered a baby boy last Saturday. My God, I nearly fell off from my chair. She related to me all her predicament and the baby was with a family in Shah Alam. Her parents still did not know about the mishap and she distanced herself from them. Now I knew why she was always wearing the baju kurung and why she was damn early to office and stayed late in the office. She evaded her parent eyes. I now have big problem in hands. By right she was still on maternity leave having delivered a baby just three days ago and at the same time she had contravened her service contract. She was a very good staff. What should I do? I excused her for a while and would come back soonest to her. I nearly finished a pack of cigarettes to find the best alternatives to tackle the problem.
I summoned for her Reporting Executive and we had a lengthy discussion to address the problem. The solution was to request her to take an annual leave, approved several days off unpaid leave and asked her to recuperate at home immediately. We decided not to take any disciplinary action against her. She agreed and I was quiet happy. I then advised her to be honest with her parents and requested the boyfriend to confess and met her parents as well. Both families should confer and accepted the fact that both of them had gone over board. It was lucky in this circumstances, the boyfriend accepted full responsibility of the mischievous misadventure. Later, I heard, all went well.
Few months later, I attended their wedding.
It was a well kept office secret.
2) My Stenographer resigned for greener pasture and I had to find an immediate replacement. I referred to Human Resources and there was one temporary clerk with stenography qualification from Institute Teknologi Mara at one of the subsidiaries. I looked at her testimonial and she was qualified to be absorbed permanently in my Department. A formal interview was unnecessary because she was interviewed during the temporary appointment. All went well and she was competent with the computer. However as an ITM diploma holder she somehow did not protrude as one. Her command of the English language was not competent and I had to ensure all typed correspondence she prepared had to be double checked. Several other physical evidences that I felt something were not right about her. I went back to Human Resources Department and requested for her Personnel File. Maybe I was not thorough during the first sight. Going through, something aroused my suspicion. She obtained her stenography diploma immediately a year after her SPM. That was quiet impossible. Since one of the Human Resources Executive was a Lecturer from ITM, I handed him the Photostat copy of the Diploma to countercheck with ITM. True enough, the name on the photostatted Diploma was superimposed. I discussed with the HRM Manager and he admitted he failed to see the original. What my Stenographer did was an absolute cheating. We were reluctant to initiate formal disciplinary action against her because the HRM Manager was also partly at fault and it also involved a criminal offence. Names would be mentioned and tarnished.
How to get out from the crisis? It was rather fortunate and at the most unfortunate circumstances, she was on maternity leave. Again, I got to call the same senior lady staff to pay her a visit discreetly informing her that the Management had found out what she did and the best solution was to tender her resignation.
She did to our relief. I felt guilty and pity but I just could not tolerate being cheated. I did not condone blatant cheating in my Department. I scouted for a new Stenographer.
It was also a well kept office secret.
When I looked back at those episodes, I began to wonder why on earth I took the risks of sticking my own neck for them. If my Divisional Director came to know the drama at ground zero, I had a lot to answer. Perhaps or maybe they knew and they agreed to my diplomatic decisions. God knows.
1) One of my young lady clerical staff went missing from the Office and could not be traced or tracked. She was absent for more than two consecutive working days from mid week and by right a disciplinary action could be constitute against her by terminating her service. She was one of my efficient clerk, the earliest to the office and always stayed back late and never claimed overtime. I was worried about her and I requested one of the senior lady staff to pay her parents a visit. This lady came back and told me that even her parents were frantically looking for her. However during our discussion she told me that this particular girl had been behaving very peculiar off late and from gossips this girl is on the family way. This girl always wore the baju kurung as if hiding something and reservedly preferred to be a loner. I don’t quite believe on the gossips as she looked innocent and decently well behaved.
The following week, on Tuesday, surprisingly she reported to work and I had to interview her and show cause of her truancy. When reprimanded, she stubbornly silent. She only stared at the floor. I began to lose my patient and I asked her bluntly, “From the sources I got, someone told me you are pregnant. How true is it?” She stared at me, looked right, looked left, looked down and tears swelled from her eyes. I began to feel worried because it was a very sensitive question to a young girl. Suddenly she opened her mouth and told me that she had just delivered a baby boy last Saturday. My God, I nearly fell off from my chair. She related to me all her predicament and the baby was with a family in Shah Alam. Her parents still did not know about the mishap and she distanced herself from them. Now I knew why she was always wearing the baju kurung and why she was damn early to office and stayed late in the office. She evaded her parent eyes. I now have big problem in hands. By right she was still on maternity leave having delivered a baby just three days ago and at the same time she had contravened her service contract. She was a very good staff. What should I do? I excused her for a while and would come back soonest to her. I nearly finished a pack of cigarettes to find the best alternatives to tackle the problem.
I summoned for her Reporting Executive and we had a lengthy discussion to address the problem. The solution was to request her to take an annual leave, approved several days off unpaid leave and asked her to recuperate at home immediately. We decided not to take any disciplinary action against her. She agreed and I was quiet happy. I then advised her to be honest with her parents and requested the boyfriend to confess and met her parents as well. Both families should confer and accepted the fact that both of them had gone over board. It was lucky in this circumstances, the boyfriend accepted full responsibility of the mischievous misadventure. Later, I heard, all went well.
Few months later, I attended their wedding.
It was a well kept office secret.
2) My Stenographer resigned for greener pasture and I had to find an immediate replacement. I referred to Human Resources and there was one temporary clerk with stenography qualification from Institute Teknologi Mara at one of the subsidiaries. I looked at her testimonial and she was qualified to be absorbed permanently in my Department. A formal interview was unnecessary because she was interviewed during the temporary appointment. All went well and she was competent with the computer. However as an ITM diploma holder she somehow did not protrude as one. Her command of the English language was not competent and I had to ensure all typed correspondence she prepared had to be double checked. Several other physical evidences that I felt something were not right about her. I went back to Human Resources Department and requested for her Personnel File. Maybe I was not thorough during the first sight. Going through, something aroused my suspicion. She obtained her stenography diploma immediately a year after her SPM. That was quiet impossible. Since one of the Human Resources Executive was a Lecturer from ITM, I handed him the Photostat copy of the Diploma to countercheck with ITM. True enough, the name on the photostatted Diploma was superimposed. I discussed with the HRM Manager and he admitted he failed to see the original. What my Stenographer did was an absolute cheating. We were reluctant to initiate formal disciplinary action against her because the HRM Manager was also partly at fault and it also involved a criminal offence. Names would be mentioned and tarnished.
How to get out from the crisis? It was rather fortunate and at the most unfortunate circumstances, she was on maternity leave. Again, I got to call the same senior lady staff to pay her a visit discreetly informing her that the Management had found out what she did and the best solution was to tender her resignation.
She did to our relief. I felt guilty and pity but I just could not tolerate being cheated. I did not condone blatant cheating in my Department. I scouted for a new Stenographer.
It was also a well kept office secret.
When I looked back at those episodes, I began to wonder why on earth I took the risks of sticking my own neck for them. If my Divisional Director came to know the drama at ground zero, I had a lot to answer. Perhaps or maybe they knew and they agreed to my diplomatic decisions. God knows.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Happy but Sad.
History created at my birth state and my hometown, Ipoh Perak today, 3rd March 2009 (Tuesday). The Dewan Undangan Negeri under Menteri Besar Ir Nizar Jamaluddin had to convene an emergency sitting under a tree. The Dewan was shut off by the authorities. Very very sad but I am happy that the three resolutions were unanimously adopted. Now Nizar who remain the legitimate Menteri Besar will go back to the Sultan of Perak to seek for his royal highness consensus to disband the present assembly and hold a reelection in the whole state of Perak. Will the Sultan agree? That’s a one million question. We will wait for the latest development. If you ask me, personally I feel that the Sultan will not budge.
Twenty years down the road, Allah willing, I can relate to my grandchildren the day in history today in Ipoh. My late grandfather and father used to relate to me about the Japanese occupation and the communists insurgent. My late father was a Penghulu in Sungkai Perak and he was already tied to a tree ready to be executed by the communist. He was saved in a nick of time by one Malay gentleman. When I was young, I hated the sight of a Chinaman. It is now a history and I have a lot of Chinese friends. I remember, the moment George Lim heard that I had a mild stroke in 2003 he quickly came running to see my well being and insisted taking me to a acupuncturist for treatment. Boon Hock, the Tire Shop Proprietor visited me and cheered me up with several gifts. 1945 and 2009 are two different eras completely and we are all as one, truly Malaysians. There shouldn’t be any TUAN, if there is Tuan, who is the KULI?
Twenty years down the road, Allah willing, I can relate to my grandchildren the day in history today in Ipoh. My late grandfather and father used to relate to me about the Japanese occupation and the communists insurgent. My late father was a Penghulu in Sungkai Perak and he was already tied to a tree ready to be executed by the communist. He was saved in a nick of time by one Malay gentleman. When I was young, I hated the sight of a Chinaman. It is now a history and I have a lot of Chinese friends. I remember, the moment George Lim heard that I had a mild stroke in 2003 he quickly came running to see my well being and insisted taking me to a acupuncturist for treatment. Boon Hock, the Tire Shop Proprietor visited me and cheered me up with several gifts. 1945 and 2009 are two different eras completely and we are all as one, truly Malaysians. There shouldn’t be any TUAN, if there is Tuan, who is the KULI?
Monday, March 2, 2009
Mekah/ Cairo/ Kota Kinabalu.
I met this guy from Kota Kinabalu, Panglima Sabah, a RTM Pensioner Haji Hasbullah when I performed my umrah and tour to Cairo in April 2008. The Cairo tour was full of fun with this Panglima Sabah and he insisted that I come and visit him at Kota Kinabalu some day.
We left LCCT at 1000 hours on 24th February 2009 after a half hour delay due to a heavy downpour. I came to understand the Airport Departure Lounge was flooded after we departed. We arrived after two and the half hours flight at the newly renovated Terminal 2 in Kota Kinabalu and glad to see Panglima but he also had to wait for his wife whose flight from Penang was also delayed. We proceeded to Promenade Hotel by taxi and he promised to catch up with us later.
I was disappointed to see Anjung Senja, the food bazaar at the water front right in front of the Hotel had been demolished to make way for an esplanade. I used to patronize this place and enjoy the beautiful sunset at the same time. After lunch we took a short walk to the Handicraft Centre, best known as Filipino Market at the city center waterfront. My wife and daughter picked up several souvenirs and also order made ornaments of their own designs to be picked up later. I adjourned to the adjacent Mosque to perform my asar prayer. At about 1630 hours, Panglima picked us up and he took us to the Town Observatory Tower, had tea at Merdeka Plaza and sent us back to the Hotel. Since we were all exhausted, we had dinner ordered from room service and hit the sack very early. The next day is going to be a long day.
25th. February 2009: Early at 0700 hours, Panglima picked us up and we had breakfast with his family. After breakfast, we began our journey to Kinabalu Park and Kundasang, about 80 kilometers away. We passed through Tanparuli and we saw the famous landmark, the Tanparuli suspension Bridge. As we traveled along the winding road we caught the glimpse of Mount Kinabalu peak but not for long. Soon the peak was covered with thick cloud and the peak shy away from our sight. We entered Kinabalu Park and we went to the foot of the highest mountain in South East Asia. This is where the mountaineers would begin their climb to the peak. Weather was cooling and misty. After coffee, we went to the Park Museum and proceeded to Kundasang town. In Kundasang, we toured the War Memorial and at the top we could see a panoramic view of the vegetable farm and the highest golf course in Sabah. We also saw the plaque of the fallen British and Australian soldiers during World War II and the beautiful gardens dedicated to them. It was drizzling when we were there but the Memorial provided us with umbrellas. For lunch we decided to drive up to Pesaka Hotel, the highest point in Kundasang. Since the weather was cooling, the appetite was good and we enjoyed a good meal. On the way down, we stopped at the beautiful Kundasang Mosque for zohor prayer. Halfway back from Kundasang, we stopped at Nabalu, had coffee and my daughter picked up more souvenirs especially T shirts. Surprisingly, it’s cheaper up here compared with Kota Kinabalu city. On the way down to Kota Kinabalu, Panglima took a detour, bypassed Tanparuli and we went for sightseeing at Kota Belud and Tuaran. Reaching Kota Kinabalu, we took an early dinner at one of the Mamak Restaurant. We arrived back at the Hotel at 1900 hours and covered about 200 kilometers. Though tired, I stayed up late to watch the European Cup, live.
26th. February 2009: After breakfast, we walked to the Filipino Market and my daughter picked up the made to order ornaments. Then we went to the Dried Fish Market and we bought about ten kilos of dried fish. Comparing with Peninsular Malaysia, the prices in Kota Kinabalu is pretty cheap. It was tightly packed and odorless. Panglima picked us up at 1100 hours and we went to Bendusan for lunch at the famous Kak Nong Restaurant. After lunch we went to Tanjung Aru to see the beautiful beaches and the abandoned two million mansions of late Tun Mustapha. The rest of the afternoon was rest and nap. At 2000 hours, Panglima came to the Hotel and we walked to the nearby Seafood Restaurant for dinner sponsored by Panglima’s daughter. We enjoyed the food as well as the family chat. It was during dinner, Panglima’s wife presented my wife and daughter a beautiful Sabah ornamental bracelet each as a token of remembrance of our visit. After dinner, Panglima took us for a night tour of Kota Kinabalu and related to us the history of the various buildings and spots. My daughter commented that Uncle Panglima can make a good Tour Guide. Of course he is as Panglima had been staying in Kota Kinabalu for the past 34 years and served RTM Sabah throughout his working career. Therefore he is very knowledgeable of its history. Finally we landed at a place call 6/6 for night cap and chat. This place was the exact spot where the plane carrying late Tun Fuad Stephen and his son crashed on 6th.of July 1986. The sea had been reclaimed and the City Council had turned it into a beautiful eating gazebo. The beautiful part, it close exactly at 2300 hours and all patrons had to evacuate.
27th. February 2009: After breakfast, it was packing time. At 1030 hours, Panglima picked us up and went to buy frozen prawns. Live prawns and dried fish is a must to take back by Peninsular Malaysians who comes to Kota Kinabalu. Since checking in at Terminal 2 at 1200 hours, we went and laze around at a Restaurant at Tanjung Aru. Panglima told me that the next time I come to Sabah we should proceeds to the tip of Borneo, that’s Kudat. They have wonderful and cheap seafood there. Insyaalah…I shall return. Panglima sent us to Terminal 2 and we bade farewell to him. After checking in we had our lunch at the Airport restaurant. The plane left Kota Kinabalu on schedule at 1405 hours.
We hit home at 1900 hours. To Panglima and family, I must say thank you to you all and I must admit I had seen a lot of Kota Kinabalu and its surroundings this time around. My three previous trips to Kota Kinabalu were not as thorough as this. I first met Panglima when we first landed in Jeddah for our umrah and Cairo trip and since then we used to call and email each other. We have mutual respect for each other. Panglima and I have several in common; our wives both working for Jabatan Kastam, we both have a son and a daughter in that order and Panglima is also an acquaintance of my elder brother and my immediate neighbor who were once serving RTM Malaysia. Panglima is a down to earth man, no formality, walking around with round collar T shirt with jeans and was a pondok student in Kelantan. I bet if he did not join RTM Sabah, he qualifies to be an Ustaz somewhere. He was born and educated in Kelantan and he told me his late father was a pioneer PAS member. In fact Panglima still declares himself as Kelantanese and so happened married to a Kadazan Sabahan. I used to call him Kelantan murtad. He used to tell me with Air Asia, he has no problem with balik kampong and visit his son in Penang. Normally a friend met at the Holy Land, tend to be intimate and so far I encountered only one specimen that I met in the Holy Land who is so arrogant beyond description. Numerous people I met at the Holy Land can get along fine with yours truly and I don’t understand why that particular specimen alone is exceptional. Panglima prove to be a good buddy and he did not break his promise to accept me as his guest in Kota Kinabalu. I hope one day I can reciprocate.
We left LCCT at 1000 hours on 24th February 2009 after a half hour delay due to a heavy downpour. I came to understand the Airport Departure Lounge was flooded after we departed. We arrived after two and the half hours flight at the newly renovated Terminal 2 in Kota Kinabalu and glad to see Panglima but he also had to wait for his wife whose flight from Penang was also delayed. We proceeded to Promenade Hotel by taxi and he promised to catch up with us later.
I was disappointed to see Anjung Senja, the food bazaar at the water front right in front of the Hotel had been demolished to make way for an esplanade. I used to patronize this place and enjoy the beautiful sunset at the same time. After lunch we took a short walk to the Handicraft Centre, best known as Filipino Market at the city center waterfront. My wife and daughter picked up several souvenirs and also order made ornaments of their own designs to be picked up later. I adjourned to the adjacent Mosque to perform my asar prayer. At about 1630 hours, Panglima picked us up and he took us to the Town Observatory Tower, had tea at Merdeka Plaza and sent us back to the Hotel. Since we were all exhausted, we had dinner ordered from room service and hit the sack very early. The next day is going to be a long day.
25th. February 2009: Early at 0700 hours, Panglima picked us up and we had breakfast with his family. After breakfast, we began our journey to Kinabalu Park and Kundasang, about 80 kilometers away. We passed through Tanparuli and we saw the famous landmark, the Tanparuli suspension Bridge. As we traveled along the winding road we caught the glimpse of Mount Kinabalu peak but not for long. Soon the peak was covered with thick cloud and the peak shy away from our sight. We entered Kinabalu Park and we went to the foot of the highest mountain in South East Asia. This is where the mountaineers would begin their climb to the peak. Weather was cooling and misty. After coffee, we went to the Park Museum and proceeded to Kundasang town. In Kundasang, we toured the War Memorial and at the top we could see a panoramic view of the vegetable farm and the highest golf course in Sabah. We also saw the plaque of the fallen British and Australian soldiers during World War II and the beautiful gardens dedicated to them. It was drizzling when we were there but the Memorial provided us with umbrellas. For lunch we decided to drive up to Pesaka Hotel, the highest point in Kundasang. Since the weather was cooling, the appetite was good and we enjoyed a good meal. On the way down, we stopped at the beautiful Kundasang Mosque for zohor prayer. Halfway back from Kundasang, we stopped at Nabalu, had coffee and my daughter picked up more souvenirs especially T shirts. Surprisingly, it’s cheaper up here compared with Kota Kinabalu city. On the way down to Kota Kinabalu, Panglima took a detour, bypassed Tanparuli and we went for sightseeing at Kota Belud and Tuaran. Reaching Kota Kinabalu, we took an early dinner at one of the Mamak Restaurant. We arrived back at the Hotel at 1900 hours and covered about 200 kilometers. Though tired, I stayed up late to watch the European Cup, live.
26th. February 2009: After breakfast, we walked to the Filipino Market and my daughter picked up the made to order ornaments. Then we went to the Dried Fish Market and we bought about ten kilos of dried fish. Comparing with Peninsular Malaysia, the prices in Kota Kinabalu is pretty cheap. It was tightly packed and odorless. Panglima picked us up at 1100 hours and we went to Bendusan for lunch at the famous Kak Nong Restaurant. After lunch we went to Tanjung Aru to see the beautiful beaches and the abandoned two million mansions of late Tun Mustapha. The rest of the afternoon was rest and nap. At 2000 hours, Panglima came to the Hotel and we walked to the nearby Seafood Restaurant for dinner sponsored by Panglima’s daughter. We enjoyed the food as well as the family chat. It was during dinner, Panglima’s wife presented my wife and daughter a beautiful Sabah ornamental bracelet each as a token of remembrance of our visit. After dinner, Panglima took us for a night tour of Kota Kinabalu and related to us the history of the various buildings and spots. My daughter commented that Uncle Panglima can make a good Tour Guide. Of course he is as Panglima had been staying in Kota Kinabalu for the past 34 years and served RTM Sabah throughout his working career. Therefore he is very knowledgeable of its history. Finally we landed at a place call 6/6 for night cap and chat. This place was the exact spot where the plane carrying late Tun Fuad Stephen and his son crashed on 6th.of July 1986. The sea had been reclaimed and the City Council had turned it into a beautiful eating gazebo. The beautiful part, it close exactly at 2300 hours and all patrons had to evacuate.
27th. February 2009: After breakfast, it was packing time. At 1030 hours, Panglima picked us up and went to buy frozen prawns. Live prawns and dried fish is a must to take back by Peninsular Malaysians who comes to Kota Kinabalu. Since checking in at Terminal 2 at 1200 hours, we went and laze around at a Restaurant at Tanjung Aru. Panglima told me that the next time I come to Sabah we should proceeds to the tip of Borneo, that’s Kudat. They have wonderful and cheap seafood there. Insyaalah…I shall return. Panglima sent us to Terminal 2 and we bade farewell to him. After checking in we had our lunch at the Airport restaurant. The plane left Kota Kinabalu on schedule at 1405 hours.
We hit home at 1900 hours. To Panglima and family, I must say thank you to you all and I must admit I had seen a lot of Kota Kinabalu and its surroundings this time around. My three previous trips to Kota Kinabalu were not as thorough as this. I first met Panglima when we first landed in Jeddah for our umrah and Cairo trip and since then we used to call and email each other. We have mutual respect for each other. Panglima and I have several in common; our wives both working for Jabatan Kastam, we both have a son and a daughter in that order and Panglima is also an acquaintance of my elder brother and my immediate neighbor who were once serving RTM Malaysia. Panglima is a down to earth man, no formality, walking around with round collar T shirt with jeans and was a pondok student in Kelantan. I bet if he did not join RTM Sabah, he qualifies to be an Ustaz somewhere. He was born and educated in Kelantan and he told me his late father was a pioneer PAS member. In fact Panglima still declares himself as Kelantanese and so happened married to a Kadazan Sabahan. I used to call him Kelantan murtad. He used to tell me with Air Asia, he has no problem with balik kampong and visit his son in Penang. Normally a friend met at the Holy Land, tend to be intimate and so far I encountered only one specimen that I met in the Holy Land who is so arrogant beyond description. Numerous people I met at the Holy Land can get along fine with yours truly and I don’t understand why that particular specimen alone is exceptional. Panglima prove to be a good buddy and he did not break his promise to accept me as his guest in Kota Kinabalu. I hope one day I can reciprocate.
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