When will it ever stop? There is nothing anyone can do. It is Allah job for He wants the ADUN to return to HIM.
ADUN for Permatang Pasir in the Parliamentary of Permatang Pauh, Tuan Haji Hamdan from PAS passed away this morning at IJN Kuala Lumpur. It’s in Anwar stronghold and playground. Recently when Penanti was vacant also in Permatang Pauh, BN stayed away the bye election in order not to waste public fund. What about this time around? If BN knows that they cannot win, I suggest they go in moderate or just give a walkover. Easy for everybody and no public money wasted.
Malaysian has nothing to do except bye election after bye election. It is better that only strong able bodied and healthy candidates stand for future election. No age limit but they must be certified fit. It must be medically certified.
During election campaign there a lot of name calling, character smearing, corruption, swearing at each other and you name it. It’s all happening during the bye election campaign and money flowing like water. The money could be use for something else, helping the needy or building more schools.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
PJFZ and UMNO.
“Could the PKFZ project become a RM12.5 billion “mother of all scandals” if the three Transport Ministers and four PKA Chairmen – all from MCA – had not been equally incompetent and negligent as the PKA managers from day one?” said Lim Kit Siang.
THE CORRIDORS OF POWER - Raja Petra Kamarudin.
Twenty five years down the road my generation would understand about the PKFZ fiasco by reading this article.
Quote:
To understand the present, one has to go back to the past.
And in the case of the PKFZ, it has to be at least 25 years into the past. 25 years ago, MCA, the ‘number two’ partner in Barisan Nasional, was going through a crisis, like what is happening today. Neo Yee Pan, the new President, had taken over the party leadership in March 1983. He, of course, was ‘Team A’. And as soon as he took over, he ousted his opponents from ‘Team B’ led by Tan Koon Swan and his running mate Ling Liong Sik. With a stroke of the pen, so to speak, both Koon Swan and Liong Sik were out in the wilderness.
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who himself had just taken over the leadership of Umno a couple of years earlier, was not too pleased. He wanted Koon Swan and Liong Sik to head MCA, not the man whom Umno called ‘the pork seller’. Yes, that was what Umno called Yee Pan, the pork seller, maybe because they thought he looked like one.
Plans were hatched to oust Yee Pan. Koon Swan and Liong Sik were told to cool their heels for a year or so while Dr Mahathir figures out his moves. They spent a short stint in Bolton, itching to get back into the political arena and grab back control of MCA.
Just before Dr Mahathir left for his overseas trip, he sent an emissary to meet Yee Pan with the message that he wants him out of MCA. And when he returns from his overseas trip he wants to see Yee Pan’s resignation letter on his table as a sort on ‘insurance policy’. The message was very clear. Go quietly and without any fuss or else get shoved out in a bloody and take-no-prisoners battle.
Yee Pan knew better than to take on Umno and Dr Mahathir. He decided that the best for his continued health would be to put his tail between his legs and exit with his head still attached to his shoulders.
In November 1985, Koon Swan and his running mate Liong Sik took over the leadership of MCA and Dr Mahathir was utmost pleased that at last MCA was being led by the people who he was most comfortable working with. Unknown to the MCA members at large, it was not the Chinese but Umno and the Prime Minister who decided their party’s fate and future.
Then Koon Swan suddenly found himself swamped with loads of legal problems. The 1985 recession had come without warning and to solve his financial predicament Koon Swan had done something illegal and the Singapore government caught him with his pants down. Dr Mahathir had no choice but to allow Singapore to send Koon Swan to jail and, in September 1986, Liong Sik found himself suddenly in charge of MCA as its new President.
Koon Swan was president of MCA for just ten months. He was in jail for longer than that.A year later, Umno too went into crisis when it too saw the emergence of a Team A and Team B, just like MCA a couple of years before that.
This crisis eventually led to the deregistering of the party by the Registrar of Societies and suddenly MCA found itself the lead partner of Barisan Nasional with Liong Sik as its new Chairman.
Umno no longer existed.
Dr Mahathir quickly registered a new party, which he called Umno Baru. But Umno Baru was not a component member of Barisan Nasional. The old Umno was. But the old Umno no longer existed. Umno Baru would need to apply to join Barisan Nasional just like any new party that wanted to join Barisan Nasional would have to do.
But the procedure to join Barisan Nasional is that all component members of Barisan Nasional must unanimously agree to admit this new member. A simple majority would not do. Even one dissenting voice would mean that the application to join Barisan Nasional would be rejected. And it would the Chairman of Barisan Nasional, Liong Sik, who would have to make sure that Umno is admitted into the coalition.
Liong Sik was a very crucial element for Umno. Without the lead partner of Barisan Nasional, now of course MCA, leading the charge, Umno is sunk. Umno would have to remain an independent party and Dr Mahathir would have to resign as Prime Minister as he would no longer command the majority seats in Parliament. Dr Mahathir, for all intents and purposes, was in fact now an independent Member of Parliament and legally no longer Prime Minister of Malaysia.
Yes, Liong Sik saved Umno. And he saved Dr Mahathir as well. Without him Umno and Dr Mahathir would be history while MCA would be the head honcho of Barisan Nasional with Liong Sik as Malaysia’s new Prime Minister. Dr Mahathir himself said that the Federal Constitution of Malaysia does not forbid a Chinese from becoming Prime Minister of Malaysia.There is a special relationship between Umno and MCA’s past leaders that many Malaysians do not know about. MCA and Liong Sik are what the Malays would call talian hayat or lifeline. It was so more than 20 years ago. It is still so today.
In fact, today, it is even more so. Umno no longer holds more than 50% of the seats in Parliament. Without MCA’s 15 seats and another 30 from Sarawak, Umno is out of business. Sabah has another dozen or so and MIC and Gerakan another five combined. But these are not as crucial as MCA’s 15 and Sarawak’s 30. These 45 seats from MCA and Sarawak are what ensure that Umno remains in power.
The opposition wants to the nail the balls of those involved in PKFZ to the wall. That would not be possible. If Umno allows the opposition to bring down all those behind the PKFZ then MCA and Sarawak will fall. And with them Umno too will fall. It is like all of them drifting in the same lifeboat. You can’t allow anyone to sink the lifeboat when you are also in it as that would mean you too would drown. So Umno needs to save MCA and the Sarawak politicians just so that it too will not fall. It is a case of survival and when your survival depends on others you have to make sure that they survive so that you too can survive.
The link between MCA and the PKFZ is clear. That is already public knowledge. The link between the Sarawak politicians and the PKFZ is also very clear because that too is public knowledge. But what many do not know is the link between MCA and the Sarawak politicians.
Many are perplexed as to why Ong Tee Keat (OTK) is trying to protect those behind the PKFZ. After all, those implicated are all ex-leaders of MCA and surely their downfall would not affect MCA. Actually, it is not just about the ex-leaders of MCA. It is also about the Chinese corporate bosses and the Sarawak leaders who have their hands dirty with the PKFZ fiasco.
The link between OTK and the Sarawak leaders may be a well-kept secret. But when OKT flies all over the place with Tiong King Sing’s private jet how can you keep this a secret?
As follows are some of the flight details we managed to get our hands on:
12 Feb G450 SZB/JB/KCH (ETD 11.00/12.00/17.00)
19 Feb G450 SZB/JB/SZB (ETD 7.30/22.30)
7 Mar Learjet 60 SZB/Kuantan/SZB (ETD 12.00/22.00)
24 Mar Learjet 60 SZB/JB/SZB (ETD 15.30/22.00)
20 Apr Learjet 60 SZB/JB/SZB (ETB 17.30/23.00)
“Could the PKFZ project become a RM12.5 billion “mother of all scandals” if the three Transport Ministers and four PKA Chairmen – all from MCA – had not been equally incompetent and negligent as the PKA managers from day one?” said Lim Kit Siang.
Actually, it is not about incompetence at all. Incompetence means they do not know what they are doing -- which would mean they are stupid. These people know what they were doing all along. They were ripping off RM12.5 billion of the rakyat’s money. And Umno just can’t do anything about it. Umno does not want to do anything about it. If they do something about it then MCA and the Sarawak politicians will have to suffer a fall. And 45 Parliament seats that are propping up Umno will also fall. And when 45 Parliament seats fall, then Umno too will fall.
It is all about survival. And Umno’s survival depends on MCA and Sarawak surviving. And would Umno be the head honcho of Barisan Nasional today if not for MCA and Liong Sik? So how can Umno not cover their ass when 20 years or so ago MCA and Liong Sik gave Umno its second lease in life? MCA and Liong Sik made Umno into what it is today. If not there would no longer be any party called Umno.
And this is how Umno says ‘thank you’ to MCA and Liong Sik. It makes sure that the PKFZ issue remains a non-issue. And the rakyat will just have to carry the RM12.5 billion financial losses for the sake of Umno and MCA remaining in power. That is the price the rakyat have to pay so that these people can stay in office.
It is ironical how the Chinese whack the Malays for what Umno is doing to the country. If only the Chinese knew that Umno is still around today because of MCA and Liong Sik. But then these Chinese were never really that smart anyway. If they were smart they would have blocked Umno from getting admitted into Barisan Nasional 21 years ago back in 1988.
Bodoh punya Cina! They deserve Umno and MCA. And they deserve losing RM12.5 billion of their tax money, 90% of which comes from the Chinese anyway. And today Ong Tee Keat is what Ling Liong Sik was 21 years ago, the man who ensures that Umno stays in office. So do you think OTK will allow the PKFZ issue to get out of control? After all, if Tiong goes down then he would not get to fly around in a private jet any longer.
THE CORRIDORS OF POWER - Raja Petra Kamarudin.
Twenty five years down the road my generation would understand about the PKFZ fiasco by reading this article.
Quote:
To understand the present, one has to go back to the past.
And in the case of the PKFZ, it has to be at least 25 years into the past. 25 years ago, MCA, the ‘number two’ partner in Barisan Nasional, was going through a crisis, like what is happening today. Neo Yee Pan, the new President, had taken over the party leadership in March 1983. He, of course, was ‘Team A’. And as soon as he took over, he ousted his opponents from ‘Team B’ led by Tan Koon Swan and his running mate Ling Liong Sik. With a stroke of the pen, so to speak, both Koon Swan and Liong Sik were out in the wilderness.
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who himself had just taken over the leadership of Umno a couple of years earlier, was not too pleased. He wanted Koon Swan and Liong Sik to head MCA, not the man whom Umno called ‘the pork seller’. Yes, that was what Umno called Yee Pan, the pork seller, maybe because they thought he looked like one.
Plans were hatched to oust Yee Pan. Koon Swan and Liong Sik were told to cool their heels for a year or so while Dr Mahathir figures out his moves. They spent a short stint in Bolton, itching to get back into the political arena and grab back control of MCA.
Just before Dr Mahathir left for his overseas trip, he sent an emissary to meet Yee Pan with the message that he wants him out of MCA. And when he returns from his overseas trip he wants to see Yee Pan’s resignation letter on his table as a sort on ‘insurance policy’. The message was very clear. Go quietly and without any fuss or else get shoved out in a bloody and take-no-prisoners battle.
Yee Pan knew better than to take on Umno and Dr Mahathir. He decided that the best for his continued health would be to put his tail between his legs and exit with his head still attached to his shoulders.
In November 1985, Koon Swan and his running mate Liong Sik took over the leadership of MCA and Dr Mahathir was utmost pleased that at last MCA was being led by the people who he was most comfortable working with. Unknown to the MCA members at large, it was not the Chinese but Umno and the Prime Minister who decided their party’s fate and future.
Then Koon Swan suddenly found himself swamped with loads of legal problems. The 1985 recession had come without warning and to solve his financial predicament Koon Swan had done something illegal and the Singapore government caught him with his pants down. Dr Mahathir had no choice but to allow Singapore to send Koon Swan to jail and, in September 1986, Liong Sik found himself suddenly in charge of MCA as its new President.
Koon Swan was president of MCA for just ten months. He was in jail for longer than that.A year later, Umno too went into crisis when it too saw the emergence of a Team A and Team B, just like MCA a couple of years before that.
This crisis eventually led to the deregistering of the party by the Registrar of Societies and suddenly MCA found itself the lead partner of Barisan Nasional with Liong Sik as its new Chairman.
Umno no longer existed.
Dr Mahathir quickly registered a new party, which he called Umno Baru. But Umno Baru was not a component member of Barisan Nasional. The old Umno was. But the old Umno no longer existed. Umno Baru would need to apply to join Barisan Nasional just like any new party that wanted to join Barisan Nasional would have to do.
But the procedure to join Barisan Nasional is that all component members of Barisan Nasional must unanimously agree to admit this new member. A simple majority would not do. Even one dissenting voice would mean that the application to join Barisan Nasional would be rejected. And it would the Chairman of Barisan Nasional, Liong Sik, who would have to make sure that Umno is admitted into the coalition.
Liong Sik was a very crucial element for Umno. Without the lead partner of Barisan Nasional, now of course MCA, leading the charge, Umno is sunk. Umno would have to remain an independent party and Dr Mahathir would have to resign as Prime Minister as he would no longer command the majority seats in Parliament. Dr Mahathir, for all intents and purposes, was in fact now an independent Member of Parliament and legally no longer Prime Minister of Malaysia.
Yes, Liong Sik saved Umno. And he saved Dr Mahathir as well. Without him Umno and Dr Mahathir would be history while MCA would be the head honcho of Barisan Nasional with Liong Sik as Malaysia’s new Prime Minister. Dr Mahathir himself said that the Federal Constitution of Malaysia does not forbid a Chinese from becoming Prime Minister of Malaysia.There is a special relationship between Umno and MCA’s past leaders that many Malaysians do not know about. MCA and Liong Sik are what the Malays would call talian hayat or lifeline. It was so more than 20 years ago. It is still so today.
In fact, today, it is even more so. Umno no longer holds more than 50% of the seats in Parliament. Without MCA’s 15 seats and another 30 from Sarawak, Umno is out of business. Sabah has another dozen or so and MIC and Gerakan another five combined. But these are not as crucial as MCA’s 15 and Sarawak’s 30. These 45 seats from MCA and Sarawak are what ensure that Umno remains in power.
The opposition wants to the nail the balls of those involved in PKFZ to the wall. That would not be possible. If Umno allows the opposition to bring down all those behind the PKFZ then MCA and Sarawak will fall. And with them Umno too will fall. It is like all of them drifting in the same lifeboat. You can’t allow anyone to sink the lifeboat when you are also in it as that would mean you too would drown. So Umno needs to save MCA and the Sarawak politicians just so that it too will not fall. It is a case of survival and when your survival depends on others you have to make sure that they survive so that you too can survive.
The link between MCA and the PKFZ is clear. That is already public knowledge. The link between the Sarawak politicians and the PKFZ is also very clear because that too is public knowledge. But what many do not know is the link between MCA and the Sarawak politicians.
Many are perplexed as to why Ong Tee Keat (OTK) is trying to protect those behind the PKFZ. After all, those implicated are all ex-leaders of MCA and surely their downfall would not affect MCA. Actually, it is not just about the ex-leaders of MCA. It is also about the Chinese corporate bosses and the Sarawak leaders who have their hands dirty with the PKFZ fiasco.
The link between OTK and the Sarawak leaders may be a well-kept secret. But when OKT flies all over the place with Tiong King Sing’s private jet how can you keep this a secret?
As follows are some of the flight details we managed to get our hands on:
12 Feb G450 SZB/JB/KCH (ETD 11.00/12.00/17.00)
19 Feb G450 SZB/JB/SZB (ETD 7.30/22.30)
7 Mar Learjet 60 SZB/Kuantan/SZB (ETD 12.00/22.00)
24 Mar Learjet 60 SZB/JB/SZB (ETD 15.30/22.00)
20 Apr Learjet 60 SZB/JB/SZB (ETB 17.30/23.00)
“Could the PKFZ project become a RM12.5 billion “mother of all scandals” if the three Transport Ministers and four PKA Chairmen – all from MCA – had not been equally incompetent and negligent as the PKA managers from day one?” said Lim Kit Siang.
Actually, it is not about incompetence at all. Incompetence means they do not know what they are doing -- which would mean they are stupid. These people know what they were doing all along. They were ripping off RM12.5 billion of the rakyat’s money. And Umno just can’t do anything about it. Umno does not want to do anything about it. If they do something about it then MCA and the Sarawak politicians will have to suffer a fall. And 45 Parliament seats that are propping up Umno will also fall. And when 45 Parliament seats fall, then Umno too will fall.
It is all about survival. And Umno’s survival depends on MCA and Sarawak surviving. And would Umno be the head honcho of Barisan Nasional today if not for MCA and Liong Sik? So how can Umno not cover their ass when 20 years or so ago MCA and Liong Sik gave Umno its second lease in life? MCA and Liong Sik made Umno into what it is today. If not there would no longer be any party called Umno.
And this is how Umno says ‘thank you’ to MCA and Liong Sik. It makes sure that the PKFZ issue remains a non-issue. And the rakyat will just have to carry the RM12.5 billion financial losses for the sake of Umno and MCA remaining in power. That is the price the rakyat have to pay so that these people can stay in office.
It is ironical how the Chinese whack the Malays for what Umno is doing to the country. If only the Chinese knew that Umno is still around today because of MCA and Liong Sik. But then these Chinese were never really that smart anyway. If they were smart they would have blocked Umno from getting admitted into Barisan Nasional 21 years ago back in 1988.
Bodoh punya Cina! They deserve Umno and MCA. And they deserve losing RM12.5 billion of their tax money, 90% of which comes from the Chinese anyway. And today Ong Tee Keat is what Ling Liong Sik was 21 years ago, the man who ensures that Umno stays in office. So do you think OTK will allow the PKFZ issue to get out of control? After all, if Tiong goes down then he would not get to fly around in a private jet any longer.
Unquote:
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Not my day.
July 27 2009 (Monday) – Not my day today.
In the morning I contacted someone who borrowed some money from me five years ago. I failed to get a good response. My mission failed.
After lunch I asked my kampong mate to drive me to Staffield Country Home. We overshot the place and decided to stop for a drink at Mantin. At Pajam junction my friend accidentally beat the traffic light. From nowhere a Police Patrol Car appeared and my friend was issued with a traffic summon. I have to take the ticket. Damn!
Frustrated with the incident we abandoned stopping for a drink at Mantin and drove back to Staffield. Arrived at Dato Ismayuddin’s bungalow, it was deserted. Called his house phone but no one answered. Inquired from the entrance Security and was told Dato could be away in Cameron Highland to visit his son. The disappointment accumulated.
We took the new Seremban Cheras Highway and decided to stop for a drink at the new Rest & Recreation Area. The Highway is new and the traffic flow could be counted. When we entered the R&R, none of the outlets was open. Only stupid Businessman would operate here as the Highway is hardly utilized. Another failed intention.
We exit for Kajang and went for satay. Only beef and chicken satay were available. My favorite, the tribe and chicken gizzard had sold out. Mind you, in Kajang, the Satay City! I laughed at myself, this morning I must have got up at the wrong side of the bed. I had to order my favorites from another Stall.
After Kajang it was a smooth ride home to Port Klang. I have to keep reminding my friend what color was the traffic light.
In the morning I contacted someone who borrowed some money from me five years ago. I failed to get a good response. My mission failed.
After lunch I asked my kampong mate to drive me to Staffield Country Home. We overshot the place and decided to stop for a drink at Mantin. At Pajam junction my friend accidentally beat the traffic light. From nowhere a Police Patrol Car appeared and my friend was issued with a traffic summon. I have to take the ticket. Damn!
Frustrated with the incident we abandoned stopping for a drink at Mantin and drove back to Staffield. Arrived at Dato Ismayuddin’s bungalow, it was deserted. Called his house phone but no one answered. Inquired from the entrance Security and was told Dato could be away in Cameron Highland to visit his son. The disappointment accumulated.
We took the new Seremban Cheras Highway and decided to stop for a drink at the new Rest & Recreation Area. The Highway is new and the traffic flow could be counted. When we entered the R&R, none of the outlets was open. Only stupid Businessman would operate here as the Highway is hardly utilized. Another failed intention.
We exit for Kajang and went for satay. Only beef and chicken satay were available. My favorite, the tribe and chicken gizzard had sold out. Mind you, in Kajang, the Satay City! I laughed at myself, this morning I must have got up at the wrong side of the bed. I had to order my favorites from another Stall.
After Kajang it was a smooth ride home to Port Klang. I have to keep reminding my friend what color was the traffic light.
Monday, July 27, 2009
I am MAD today.
Everybody who owed money from me today give several excuses for not paying up. I need the money to supplement for the forthcoming Ramadan umrah.
When they wanted to borrow, they sweet talked me and come to payment they give several excuses.
I will not entertain any borrowers from now on. I am not an AH LONG, I just wanted to TOLONG but got played out.
When they wanted to borrow, they sweet talked me and come to payment they give several excuses.
I will not entertain any borrowers from now on. I am not an AH LONG, I just wanted to TOLONG but got played out.
Quiet weekend.
I still need a good rest as the previous weekend and weekday was hectic.
On Saturday evening I thought of going to Staffield Country Home at Semenyih to visit my former Director Dato Ismayuddin Manan whom I understand is not in good health but somehow I postpone it to one of the days at the coming weekday. That same evening after the Isyakh prayer there were three invitations for khenduri tahlil. At the very last minute I decided to go to Yang Mulia Tengku Mahmud house as the Marhaban group was specially invited for this occasion. Imam Khairuddin was mad at me as I promised to accompany him to Datin Wan Intan residence.
Sunday afternoon I called up and Sabirin and we had to go to Imam Khairuddin house. He was having a khenduri tahlil in the afternoon and in the morning he held a khatam Koraan for his daughter. Imam Khairuddin would slaughter me if I did not attend his khenduri. We had a good feast at Imam Khairuddin house and we stayed back late. The after lunch was very informal and we were sharing jokes and the latest news of the kampong Mosque. We broke off just before zohor prayer.
After the Maghreeb prayer the family decided to have dinner outside. We took Fitrishah along and we first went to the Euro Fun Fair at the Giant Supermarket Parking area. We let her ride on several amusement playthings and she was really excited about it. The sparkling and bright colorful neon lights really brighten her spirits and we enjoyed watching her excitements. We adjourned for dinner but somehow Fitrishah was not keen as she wanted more at the Fun fair.
On the way home, Fitrishah dozed off in the car and we dropped her at her house with her father ready waiting for our arrival.
On Saturday evening I thought of going to Staffield Country Home at Semenyih to visit my former Director Dato Ismayuddin Manan whom I understand is not in good health but somehow I postpone it to one of the days at the coming weekday. That same evening after the Isyakh prayer there were three invitations for khenduri tahlil. At the very last minute I decided to go to Yang Mulia Tengku Mahmud house as the Marhaban group was specially invited for this occasion. Imam Khairuddin was mad at me as I promised to accompany him to Datin Wan Intan residence.
Sunday afternoon I called up and Sabirin and we had to go to Imam Khairuddin house. He was having a khenduri tahlil in the afternoon and in the morning he held a khatam Koraan for his daughter. Imam Khairuddin would slaughter me if I did not attend his khenduri. We had a good feast at Imam Khairuddin house and we stayed back late. The after lunch was very informal and we were sharing jokes and the latest news of the kampong Mosque. We broke off just before zohor prayer.
After the Maghreeb prayer the family decided to have dinner outside. We took Fitrishah along and we first went to the Euro Fun Fair at the Giant Supermarket Parking area. We let her ride on several amusement playthings and she was really excited about it. The sparkling and bright colorful neon lights really brighten her spirits and we enjoyed watching her excitements. We adjourned for dinner but somehow Fitrishah was not keen as she wanted more at the Fun fair.
On the way home, Fitrishah dozed off in the car and we dropped her at her house with her father ready waiting for our arrival.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Lost in KL.
I went to KL this morning and to be precise, Kampong Pandan to Andalusia Travel & Tours Office. Got to the Office and I just parked along the road together with the other cars. I met Puan Siti (I noticed henna on her fingers) and handed all the relevant documents as requested. Wrote a cheque for the balance of payment and now all settled. I decided to take a quick lunch at the nearest Mamak Shop as I had to catch up with Friday prayer. Went back to the car, I noticed a parking ticket from Bandaraya waiting for me at the front screen so as the other cars. I don’t know whether to laugh or to curse myself for taking things for granted. I had to pay a fine for reckless parking. Damn it!
Exited from Kampong Pandan I took the flyover instead and I landed into Jalan Sultan Ismail instead of Jalan Tun Razak. I lost my bearing as now the monorail track is painting the skyline and the traffic direction had been changed. Somehow I saw Jalan Imbi and Jalan Conlay and I knew I could get into Jalan Tun Razak somehow. It was many years ago that I drove into the city center and the landscape had changed. New landmarks alien to me. New buildings and Hotels had sprouted. Since most shopping complexes are available in Klang, Shah Slam and Subang area which is nearer to home, there is no necessity to shop in KL anymore. Somehow I found Jalan Tun Razak and I was on the right track home to Port Klang.
I had fifteen minutes to spare to wash up before going for the Friday prayer.
From now on I have to do a lot of revision for the preparation of Ramadan umrah. My mind is all set, insyaalah 22 August 2009 (Saturday) I will set foot to surrender thee humble self to the Almighty Allah. I thee pray and seek His guidance for good health, deed and blessings in the Holy Land.
Exited from Kampong Pandan I took the flyover instead and I landed into Jalan Sultan Ismail instead of Jalan Tun Razak. I lost my bearing as now the monorail track is painting the skyline and the traffic direction had been changed. Somehow I saw Jalan Imbi and Jalan Conlay and I knew I could get into Jalan Tun Razak somehow. It was many years ago that I drove into the city center and the landscape had changed. New landmarks alien to me. New buildings and Hotels had sprouted. Since most shopping complexes are available in Klang, Shah Slam and Subang area which is nearer to home, there is no necessity to shop in KL anymore. Somehow I found Jalan Tun Razak and I was on the right track home to Port Klang.
I had fifteen minutes to spare to wash up before going for the Friday prayer.
From now on I have to do a lot of revision for the preparation of Ramadan umrah. My mind is all set, insyaalah 22 August 2009 (Saturday) I will set foot to surrender thee humble self to the Almighty Allah. I thee pray and seek His guidance for good health, deed and blessings in the Holy Land.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Surprise Visitor.
I was busy at the computer browsing the latest news and the emails when the door bell rang. I thought it was my wife coming back from her normal Al Koraan class. To my surprise Haji Mat Saleh Jani was at the gate.
Haji Mat Saleh Jani was one of my 16 roommates when we stayed at the 17th Floor of Mekah Tower when we performed the Haj in 1999. He was the youngest among the 16. Haji Mat Saleh was in Port Klang attending a Meeting and took the opportunity to call on me during the lunch break. It was very nice of him and we talked about old times. I told Haji Mat Saleh that I would be performing the Ramadan umrah with Haji Bakir who is one of our 16 roommates. I inquired about his mother and told me that his mother is not well health wise and staying in Segamat assisted by relatives. It was sad to know that that he lost his elder sister recently due to liver cancer. The last time I met Haji Mat Saleh after the Haj, he had two children but now he has six. Wow! That’s good.
I remember when we blackout the whole 17th Floor of Mekah Tower when Haji Mat Saleh forgot to switch off the water heater to prepare teh tarik. It was no problem as Haji Mat Saleh is an Engineer by profession and we fixed the problem without calling the Maintenance personnel. Haji Mat Saleh slept at the top of the Double Decker bed right above me. He was the last to complete the Haj ritual as he had to push his mother on the wheel chair at the roof top of Masjidilharam. We nicknamed him as “Haji Last Minute”. Arrived in Medina he lost his luggage and only found it when we were about to leave for Mekah. It was misplaced at the wrong room. Ten years since we performed the Haj together but the friendships still remain and everlasting. This is what requires in Islam to foster the Islamic brotherhood and making enemies at Medina or Mekah is totally unislamic. Only stupid or jahil Pilgrims would do that.
Since my wife was fasting, the first Syaaban, I took Haji Mat Saleh for nasi ayam lunch. We promised to meet again insyaallah on 9 August 2009 at a wedding reception by Haji Engah who is also one of the 16 roommates.
Haji Mat Saleh Jani was one of my 16 roommates when we stayed at the 17th Floor of Mekah Tower when we performed the Haj in 1999. He was the youngest among the 16. Haji Mat Saleh was in Port Klang attending a Meeting and took the opportunity to call on me during the lunch break. It was very nice of him and we talked about old times. I told Haji Mat Saleh that I would be performing the Ramadan umrah with Haji Bakir who is one of our 16 roommates. I inquired about his mother and told me that his mother is not well health wise and staying in Segamat assisted by relatives. It was sad to know that that he lost his elder sister recently due to liver cancer. The last time I met Haji Mat Saleh after the Haj, he had two children but now he has six. Wow! That’s good.
I remember when we blackout the whole 17th Floor of Mekah Tower when Haji Mat Saleh forgot to switch off the water heater to prepare teh tarik. It was no problem as Haji Mat Saleh is an Engineer by profession and we fixed the problem without calling the Maintenance personnel. Haji Mat Saleh slept at the top of the Double Decker bed right above me. He was the last to complete the Haj ritual as he had to push his mother on the wheel chair at the roof top of Masjidilharam. We nicknamed him as “Haji Last Minute”. Arrived in Medina he lost his luggage and only found it when we were about to leave for Mekah. It was misplaced at the wrong room. Ten years since we performed the Haj together but the friendships still remain and everlasting. This is what requires in Islam to foster the Islamic brotherhood and making enemies at Medina or Mekah is totally unislamic. Only stupid or jahil Pilgrims would do that.
Since my wife was fasting, the first Syaaban, I took Haji Mat Saleh for nasi ayam lunch. We promised to meet again insyaallah on 9 August 2009 at a wedding reception by Haji Engah who is also one of the 16 roommates.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Half an hour notice.
I was enjoying late breakfast of nasi lemak at one of my favorite warong when I received a call from Siti of Andalusia Travel. She required a photo copy of my passport and I had to fax to her by noon. Gosh it was already 1130 hrs and I had only 30 minutes to work on it.
I rushed home and scanned the passport at the Printer and proceeded immediately to my friend’s shop to fax the photocopy. Siti required the document for ticketing purposes at Gulf Airline. I managed to meet the dateline however Siti was very apologetic about the extreme short notice. I had booked with Andalusia Travel to spend Ramadan in the Holy Land via Gulf Air transit at Bahrain henceforth to Jeddah Saudi Arabia. Insyaalah, I would be leaving on 22 August 2009, on the first day of fasting and back on 19 September 2009 on the eve of Aidilfitri. This year I planned to celebrate the Aidilfitri with the family but available on the 27th and 28th Ramadan in Mekah. These two nights are the highlights of Ramadan in Mekah.
I had planned to drop by at Andalusia Travel to submit all documents and expenses related on 23 July 2009.
I am looking forward to this trip as the previous Ramadan and am glad Haji Bakir and wife would be joining me. I hope and pray to Allah, everything would go well and my pilgrimage would be blessed by the Almighty. Most of all, I seek Allah blessing that I would be in a company of sincere, tolerant, humble and non status conscience Pilgrims. I prefer to have a simple kampong guy as my roommate than a Division One Government Officer especially those from the Army. Though retired, pensioned or sacked they still think they still have bed man around to be their Coolie.
This Ramadan I choose Gulf Air as the costing is less cheap compared to Saudi Airline. Moreover I want to have the experience of flying Gulf Air and set foot at Bahrain even though it would be a couple of hours on transit.
I rushed home and scanned the passport at the Printer and proceeded immediately to my friend’s shop to fax the photocopy. Siti required the document for ticketing purposes at Gulf Airline. I managed to meet the dateline however Siti was very apologetic about the extreme short notice. I had booked with Andalusia Travel to spend Ramadan in the Holy Land via Gulf Air transit at Bahrain henceforth to Jeddah Saudi Arabia. Insyaalah, I would be leaving on 22 August 2009, on the first day of fasting and back on 19 September 2009 on the eve of Aidilfitri. This year I planned to celebrate the Aidilfitri with the family but available on the 27th and 28th Ramadan in Mekah. These two nights are the highlights of Ramadan in Mekah.
I had planned to drop by at Andalusia Travel to submit all documents and expenses related on 23 July 2009.
I am looking forward to this trip as the previous Ramadan and am glad Haji Bakir and wife would be joining me. I hope and pray to Allah, everything would go well and my pilgrimage would be blessed by the Almighty. Most of all, I seek Allah blessing that I would be in a company of sincere, tolerant, humble and non status conscience Pilgrims. I prefer to have a simple kampong guy as my roommate than a Division One Government Officer especially those from the Army. Though retired, pensioned or sacked they still think they still have bed man around to be their Coolie.
This Ramadan I choose Gulf Air as the costing is less cheap compared to Saudi Airline. Moreover I want to have the experience of flying Gulf Air and set foot at Bahrain even though it would be a couple of hours on transit.
Jakarta / Bandung.
Left for Jakarta at 0700 hrs vides Air Asia flight on 18 July 2009. The entourage comprised of my wife, Haji Adenan and wife together with his little girl, Fitrishah. Upon arrival we checked in at Ibis Tamarin Hotel at Tanah Abang area. First itinerary was shopping and lunch at Tanah Abang shopping complex. This complex is a wholesale distribution center for Jakarta and practically everything is available from leather goods to textile materials and you name it. Due to heavy traffic jam (machet in Indonesian) we had to get down from the taxi and walked a distance to the complex. We bought a few items and Bandung was our main destination for shopping. On the way back we could not get a taxi and resorted to the “vespa cab”. It was an experience just like in India.
After a short rest we took the taxi and took a tour of Ancol, the playground of Jakarta somewhere near Tanjong Periuk. We stopped for dinner at Garuda Restaurant for Nasi Padang. We managed to see the last fifteen minutes of live coverage Malaysia versus MU played at Kuala Lumpur. We took a stroll back to the Hotel and called it a night.
19 July 2009 – After breakfast we checked out early and got our entire luggage into the taxi. We told Pak Erwan the Taxi Driver to show us Jakarta city including the Marriot and Ritz Carlton which was bombed on 17 July 2009. Being Sunday Jakarta downtown was quite deserted, traffic flow was easy and moreover the bombing incident slightly scared the jakartans. Pak Erwan took us to Mini Indonesia Park and we just took a tour around the complex. We then headed to Jatinegara Railway Station for Bandung. Unfortunately tickets for the Executive Coach were sold out and we decided to take a taxi instead. We managed to get one with 500,000 rupiah from Jatinegara to Bandung. Pak Suwaryono was the Taxi Driver.
The taxi ride to Bandung took us about two hours by the highway a distance of about 180 km from Jakarta. As we entered Bandung, the Traffic Police stopped us. The regulation is, Jakarta taxi cannot operate in Bandung. Pak Suwaryono was interviewed and his documents were confiscated. Haji Adenan and I had to testify that we were from Malaysia and we took the taxi as train tickets had exhausted. The Police openly requested for 300,000 rupiah bribery and he would personally guide the taxi to the Hotel otherwise more Policeman are waiting along the route. We negotiated with him and agreed on 150,000 rupiah. The Policeman rode on a motorcycle in front of us and the best joke he did not even know where the Hotel is and had to ask someone by the roadside. We finally reached Hotel Kedaton and paid Pak Suwaryono 600,000 rupiah. The extra 100,000 rupiah was our share of the bribery. That is life in Indonesia, bribery is open and rampant and the saying is ujung ujung duit (at the end is money).
Bandung is known as Parijs van Java (Paris of Java). Perhaps it got the name during the Dutch colonial days. With the city now over populated, the Paris of Java only remains at Jalan Braga where the Dutch colonial heritage buildings still stand. The first itinerary in Bandung, we contacted Pak Tardmizi of Zafira Travel and he came along with a MPV. We decided to visit Jalan Dago, the Factory Outlet Shopping Area. The textile materials goods sold here are very cheap and all sorts of branded goods are available. We went to three Factory outlet and millions of rupiahs flowed away like water. We found Versace, Calvin Klein and you name it. We adjourned for dinner at Matahari Shopping Complex Food Court. At night we just spent the time watching TV especially TVRI News for the latest update on the Jakarta bombings.
20 July 2000 – It was a public holiday in Bandung, israk mikraj (ascension of the Holy Prophet) and it seems most of the residents in Jakarta spent the long weekend in Bandung. It was indicated by the numerous B plate automobiles running around the city. Those who came from the nearby cities to Jakarta to watch the Indonesia versus MU match which was cancelled diverted their trip to Bandung. Bandung was exceptionally crowded and the roads were all jammed up. Hotels were all fully booked and the rate went up by 100%. It was lucky that we booked a month ahead through Zafira Travel.
In the morning we went to Cibaduyut. This is where all the leather goods are sold, shoes, belts, handbags, luggage bags and all items made from leather. I got myself two belts and my wife bought a pair of shoes. We then went to Pasar Baru at city center. This is where the center of attractions to all shoppers. Malaysians would come here to buy embroidered telekung, tudung, batik lepas, batik sarong and kain pelikat. I must admit it is pretty cheap and lots and lots of varieties. My wife was really enjoying the shopping but with the bargain and the haggling around I was having severe headache. The overcrowding added to my misery. Soon after my wife got what she wanted, I suggested returning to the Hotel. I ordered room service for my lunch. We became babysitter to Fitrishah as Haji Adenan and wife escaped downtown to do their shopping. I took Fitrishah to the swimming pool and that little girl really enjoyed the water splashing spree. Her giggling and laughter cured my headache.
After Haji Adenan came back from his shopping trip we went to Rabbani Store. This is where all the Muslim fashions designs are sold. I got several shirts for myself and my son. I may get the same at Jalan Masjid India in KL but it would be more expensive. I really got the thrill of shopping in Bandung because when I convert the rupiah to ringgit, I found that the unit cost was about 50% cheaper, though in rupiah it sounds very expensive, everything in thousands (ribu ribu). Sometimes I was scared to take out a 100,000 rupiah currency note to pay for an item when it actually cost me RM 35.00.
We had our dinner at Simpang Raya Restaurant, a Nasi Padang food outlet. Regret I did not get my favorite, “jenkol masak lemak”. Nasi Padang Restaurant is the safest food chain whenever in Indonesia. Halal is guaranteed and the food is near similar to Malay food. Never consume food by the road side stalls. After dinner, I walked across to the Supermarket as I wanted to buy several boxes of jasmine tea bags. Bandung is also famous for its fragrance tea.
We told the Driver to tour Bandung city by night and he took us to see the Savoy Homan Hotel which was built in 1938 by the Dutch. We passed through the Asia Africa Summit Conference Building. The Afro Asia Conference was held in 1955 by late President Soekarno for anti colonialism. We went back to the Hotel and just laze by the swimming Pool as little Fitrishah insisted on another splash. We practically had to pull her away from the swimming pool as we had to do a lot of packing. Early next morning we got to catch the early morning flight home to KL.
21 July 2009 – Zafira MPV fetched us early morning as the flight would be at 0600 hrs Indonesian time. It was about fifteen minutes drive to Husein Sasteranegara Airport. This Airport is actually a Millitary Airport, within the Indonesian Air Force Complex. The only international commercial flight is to/from this airport are Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. The domestic is to Batam and Surabaya. The best Airport in Indonesia I have been to. The Airport is within a control security area and unnecessary loiters are not around. It is clean, systematic and the personnel are very friendly and accommodating.
Breakfast was nasi lemak and milo on board the flight. Smooth flight home and touched down at LCCT fetched by Haji Adenan brother. As we entered the USJ area it started to rain and all the way to Port Klang. After a good shower I caught up with my sleep and woke up at 1500 hrs.
I would definitely plan to return to Bandung. This time besides shopping I plan to visit the outskirts, the volcanoes, waterfalls and the highlands. This trip was merely shopping and I found that time was really a constraint. We did not know that it coincided with long weekend in Bandung. The good thing Zafira Travel only charges 400,000 rupiah per MPV per day, that include petrol, toll and a chauffeur. Zafira Travel can be contacted at www.zafiracar.com for further information regarding travel in Bandung. I surely recommend.
After a short rest we took the taxi and took a tour of Ancol, the playground of Jakarta somewhere near Tanjong Periuk. We stopped for dinner at Garuda Restaurant for Nasi Padang. We managed to see the last fifteen minutes of live coverage Malaysia versus MU played at Kuala Lumpur. We took a stroll back to the Hotel and called it a night.
19 July 2009 – After breakfast we checked out early and got our entire luggage into the taxi. We told Pak Erwan the Taxi Driver to show us Jakarta city including the Marriot and Ritz Carlton which was bombed on 17 July 2009. Being Sunday Jakarta downtown was quite deserted, traffic flow was easy and moreover the bombing incident slightly scared the jakartans. Pak Erwan took us to Mini Indonesia Park and we just took a tour around the complex. We then headed to Jatinegara Railway Station for Bandung. Unfortunately tickets for the Executive Coach were sold out and we decided to take a taxi instead. We managed to get one with 500,000 rupiah from Jatinegara to Bandung. Pak Suwaryono was the Taxi Driver.
The taxi ride to Bandung took us about two hours by the highway a distance of about 180 km from Jakarta. As we entered Bandung, the Traffic Police stopped us. The regulation is, Jakarta taxi cannot operate in Bandung. Pak Suwaryono was interviewed and his documents were confiscated. Haji Adenan and I had to testify that we were from Malaysia and we took the taxi as train tickets had exhausted. The Police openly requested for 300,000 rupiah bribery and he would personally guide the taxi to the Hotel otherwise more Policeman are waiting along the route. We negotiated with him and agreed on 150,000 rupiah. The Policeman rode on a motorcycle in front of us and the best joke he did not even know where the Hotel is and had to ask someone by the roadside. We finally reached Hotel Kedaton and paid Pak Suwaryono 600,000 rupiah. The extra 100,000 rupiah was our share of the bribery. That is life in Indonesia, bribery is open and rampant and the saying is ujung ujung duit (at the end is money).
Bandung is known as Parijs van Java (Paris of Java). Perhaps it got the name during the Dutch colonial days. With the city now over populated, the Paris of Java only remains at Jalan Braga where the Dutch colonial heritage buildings still stand. The first itinerary in Bandung, we contacted Pak Tardmizi of Zafira Travel and he came along with a MPV. We decided to visit Jalan Dago, the Factory Outlet Shopping Area. The textile materials goods sold here are very cheap and all sorts of branded goods are available. We went to three Factory outlet and millions of rupiahs flowed away like water. We found Versace, Calvin Klein and you name it. We adjourned for dinner at Matahari Shopping Complex Food Court. At night we just spent the time watching TV especially TVRI News for the latest update on the Jakarta bombings.
20 July 2000 – It was a public holiday in Bandung, israk mikraj (ascension of the Holy Prophet) and it seems most of the residents in Jakarta spent the long weekend in Bandung. It was indicated by the numerous B plate automobiles running around the city. Those who came from the nearby cities to Jakarta to watch the Indonesia versus MU match which was cancelled diverted their trip to Bandung. Bandung was exceptionally crowded and the roads were all jammed up. Hotels were all fully booked and the rate went up by 100%. It was lucky that we booked a month ahead through Zafira Travel.
In the morning we went to Cibaduyut. This is where all the leather goods are sold, shoes, belts, handbags, luggage bags and all items made from leather. I got myself two belts and my wife bought a pair of shoes. We then went to Pasar Baru at city center. This is where the center of attractions to all shoppers. Malaysians would come here to buy embroidered telekung, tudung, batik lepas, batik sarong and kain pelikat. I must admit it is pretty cheap and lots and lots of varieties. My wife was really enjoying the shopping but with the bargain and the haggling around I was having severe headache. The overcrowding added to my misery. Soon after my wife got what she wanted, I suggested returning to the Hotel. I ordered room service for my lunch. We became babysitter to Fitrishah as Haji Adenan and wife escaped downtown to do their shopping. I took Fitrishah to the swimming pool and that little girl really enjoyed the water splashing spree. Her giggling and laughter cured my headache.
After Haji Adenan came back from his shopping trip we went to Rabbani Store. This is where all the Muslim fashions designs are sold. I got several shirts for myself and my son. I may get the same at Jalan Masjid India in KL but it would be more expensive. I really got the thrill of shopping in Bandung because when I convert the rupiah to ringgit, I found that the unit cost was about 50% cheaper, though in rupiah it sounds very expensive, everything in thousands (ribu ribu). Sometimes I was scared to take out a 100,000 rupiah currency note to pay for an item when it actually cost me RM 35.00.
We had our dinner at Simpang Raya Restaurant, a Nasi Padang food outlet. Regret I did not get my favorite, “jenkol masak lemak”. Nasi Padang Restaurant is the safest food chain whenever in Indonesia. Halal is guaranteed and the food is near similar to Malay food. Never consume food by the road side stalls. After dinner, I walked across to the Supermarket as I wanted to buy several boxes of jasmine tea bags. Bandung is also famous for its fragrance tea.
We told the Driver to tour Bandung city by night and he took us to see the Savoy Homan Hotel which was built in 1938 by the Dutch. We passed through the Asia Africa Summit Conference Building. The Afro Asia Conference was held in 1955 by late President Soekarno for anti colonialism. We went back to the Hotel and just laze by the swimming Pool as little Fitrishah insisted on another splash. We practically had to pull her away from the swimming pool as we had to do a lot of packing. Early next morning we got to catch the early morning flight home to KL.
21 July 2009 – Zafira MPV fetched us early morning as the flight would be at 0600 hrs Indonesian time. It was about fifteen minutes drive to Husein Sasteranegara Airport. This Airport is actually a Millitary Airport, within the Indonesian Air Force Complex. The only international commercial flight is to/from this airport are Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. The domestic is to Batam and Surabaya. The best Airport in Indonesia I have been to. The Airport is within a control security area and unnecessary loiters are not around. It is clean, systematic and the personnel are very friendly and accommodating.
Breakfast was nasi lemak and milo on board the flight. Smooth flight home and touched down at LCCT fetched by Haji Adenan brother. As we entered the USJ area it started to rain and all the way to Port Klang. After a good shower I caught up with my sleep and woke up at 1500 hrs.
I would definitely plan to return to Bandung. This time besides shopping I plan to visit the outskirts, the volcanoes, waterfalls and the highlands. This trip was merely shopping and I found that time was really a constraint. We did not know that it coincided with long weekend in Bandung. The good thing Zafira Travel only charges 400,000 rupiah per MPV per day, that include petrol, toll and a chauffeur. Zafira Travel can be contacted at www.zafiracar.com for further information regarding travel in Bandung. I surely recommend.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Guests from KK.
Hj Hasbullah Latiff and Hj Manap Rahman with their wife respectively are in KL and I must meet them. When I was in Kota Kinabalu last, Hj Hasbullah really took care of me and I must reciprocate. Both these acquaintances was first met when I performed the umrah and followed with a trip to the Land of the Pharaohs in 2008.
I took along a bodyguard, Pak Long Mustaffa and I met the two gentlemen at the Palace Hotel at Jalan Masjid India. It is a very convenient Hotel that smacks in the middle of a shopping area a favorite spot for the ladies. It was nice to meet Hj Hasbullah the Panglima Sabah and Hj Manap. We went out for a drink at the nearby Restaurant and during the casual conversation Pak Long Mustaffa recalled to the two Sabahan that he was serving as a Marine Police in Sandakan in the 70s. Suddenly, Hj Manap realized that he had met Pak Long Mustaffa before when this Marine Police from Malaya was looking after late Tun Mustapha’s yatch and speed boat at the Marina. The world is definitely small and one too many Mustapas involved here.
The Ladies came back from their shopping spree and joined us. The Ladies took their lunch and the four gentlemen adjourned to the Hotel to take our wuduk as Friday prayer was just about to begin. We went to the nearest Mosque, Masjid India. I was surprised the congregation was large and I took a place by the verandah. I smiled to myself when the “khutbah” (sermon) was in Tamil as it is Masjid India. That was the second time I ever performed my Friday prayer at Masjid India and for Hj Hasbullah it was his first time. My first was way back in 1963 when I first landed as a student in Penang.
We then had our “nasi briyani” lunch at Insaf Restaurant at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. Regret that I was unable to invite my Sabah guests to my residence as I have a prearrange trip to Indonesia. Hj Hasbullah and wife would continue his Peninsular Malaysia visit to Penang on Sunday and then straight home to Kota Kinabalu.
I took along a bodyguard, Pak Long Mustaffa and I met the two gentlemen at the Palace Hotel at Jalan Masjid India. It is a very convenient Hotel that smacks in the middle of a shopping area a favorite spot for the ladies. It was nice to meet Hj Hasbullah the Panglima Sabah and Hj Manap. We went out for a drink at the nearby Restaurant and during the casual conversation Pak Long Mustaffa recalled to the two Sabahan that he was serving as a Marine Police in Sandakan in the 70s. Suddenly, Hj Manap realized that he had met Pak Long Mustaffa before when this Marine Police from Malaya was looking after late Tun Mustapha’s yatch and speed boat at the Marina. The world is definitely small and one too many Mustapas involved here.
The Ladies came back from their shopping spree and joined us. The Ladies took their lunch and the four gentlemen adjourned to the Hotel to take our wuduk as Friday prayer was just about to begin. We went to the nearest Mosque, Masjid India. I was surprised the congregation was large and I took a place by the verandah. I smiled to myself when the “khutbah” (sermon) was in Tamil as it is Masjid India. That was the second time I ever performed my Friday prayer at Masjid India and for Hj Hasbullah it was his first time. My first was way back in 1963 when I first landed as a student in Penang.
We then had our “nasi briyani” lunch at Insaf Restaurant at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. Regret that I was unable to invite my Sabah guests to my residence as I have a prearrange trip to Indonesia. Hj Hasbullah and wife would continue his Peninsular Malaysia visit to Penang on Sunday and then straight home to Kota Kinabalu.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
BP 16 - Second Episode.
Thursday 16 July 2009 William Tai came to my house all the way from Batu Beremdam in Melaka. He got lost finding my residence and landed at Gold Coast Hotel in Klang. This was his first time around Klang and Port Klang area. I waited at the Petronas Station along Persiaran Raja Muda Musa to rendezvous with him.
William is a USM Graduate and an antique Wheeler and Dealer. He is now collecting car plate number of 16 with double alphabets only, irrespective of which states the registration was made. I was surprised he could show me the computerized printout details of BP 16 with my present residential address. William surely has connections with JPJ. He only requires Photostatted copies of my identity card and the rest would be his business to retrieve the number BP 16 and transfer to his name. I understood what he meant. Earlier in the morning I checked with my brother in law who was once attached with JPJ and he told me I as the registered car owner should make the application.
For the Photostatted copy of my identity card William was willing to offer me a maximum of RM 1000.00 only (one thousand MR). We negotiated and I told him for the number 16 alone the normal bidding at JPJ is normally MR 5000.00 (Five thousand MR). With the BP alphabet it would certainly cost more. He never did ask for my price and he now told me the chance of a snag to retrieve the number is also possible.
I did not make any decision and promised to revert to him after I come back from Indonesia probably late next week. I drew a route plan directing him to Telok Panglima Garang from my residence as he had another deal of WJ 16 with the car owner there.
I must explore all consequences in making my final decision.
William is a USM Graduate and an antique Wheeler and Dealer. He is now collecting car plate number of 16 with double alphabets only, irrespective of which states the registration was made. I was surprised he could show me the computerized printout details of BP 16 with my present residential address. William surely has connections with JPJ. He only requires Photostatted copies of my identity card and the rest would be his business to retrieve the number BP 16 and transfer to his name. I understood what he meant. Earlier in the morning I checked with my brother in law who was once attached with JPJ and he told me I as the registered car owner should make the application.
For the Photostatted copy of my identity card William was willing to offer me a maximum of RM 1000.00 only (one thousand MR). We negotiated and I told him for the number 16 alone the normal bidding at JPJ is normally MR 5000.00 (Five thousand MR). With the BP alphabet it would certainly cost more. He never did ask for my price and he now told me the chance of a snag to retrieve the number is also possible.
I did not make any decision and promised to revert to him after I come back from Indonesia probably late next week. I drew a route plan directing him to Telok Panglima Garang from my residence as he had another deal of WJ 16 with the car owner there.
I must explore all consequences in making my final decision.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
MU (Manek Urai).
This is one place in Peninsular Malaysia as far as I can recall, I have not been. 14 July 2009, election time in Manek Urai. It was held in midweek and local / outstation voters had to take leave to vote or travel all the way back to MU. The Menteri Besar declared a holiday. The election result was eagerly awaited by Malaysians. Can BN defeat the PAS candidate in the territory of Nik Aziz?
The outcome as follows:
PAS – 5348 votes.
BN – 5283 votes.
Spoilt votes – 117.
Majority – 65 votes only.
Another victory for Pakatan Rakyat.
(The spoilt votes were more than the majority).
PAS won by a slim and reduced majority. From 1300+ vote majority now a very steep declined to only 65. No big deal actually but what Mahathir said even 1 vote a winner is still a winner. BN promised a new bridge for Manek Urai, sadly they would not get it. I am indeed surprised of the decline majority knowing Kelantan is a PAS country. Where it went wrong?
My thought:
Those coming back to Manek Urai from Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Perak to vote did not give PAS a chance. They have witnessed and saw how arrogant these PAS people are at their locations. Overnight PAS took control of the Kampongs and the Mosques in general. In a PR control states except Kedah, PAS won due to DAP and Hindraf. In areas where the majority are UMNO supporters PAS behave they are the Taiko neglecting the sentiments of the Malay majority. In Selangor, the Mosque institution is heading towards a collision. Most perception is wait and see and time bomb in the making. That who voted for PR and wanted change is reverting. That’s exactly happening in Manek Urai, they went back to revert the systems.
PAS alone would receive a lot of supports from the Malays but PAS sleeping on the same bed with DAP and PKR do not favor most Malays. Analyze the political scenarios in Penang, Perak and Selangor one would understand what I am talking about. In Penang, PAS has no say. In Perak DAP is backing PAS who are the minority and in Selangor, PKR is calling the shot but there a lot of Opportunists in PAS. PAS can make the PR government in Selangor closed shop overnight. They team up with UMNO, Khalid Ibrahim would be the Opposition Leader.
Too much politicking in Malaysia. Malaysian politics and Politicians are not mature enough both from the ruling party as well as the opposition. One can get crazy.
The outcome as follows:
PAS – 5348 votes.
BN – 5283 votes.
Spoilt votes – 117.
Majority – 65 votes only.
Another victory for Pakatan Rakyat.
(The spoilt votes were more than the majority).
PAS won by a slim and reduced majority. From 1300+ vote majority now a very steep declined to only 65. No big deal actually but what Mahathir said even 1 vote a winner is still a winner. BN promised a new bridge for Manek Urai, sadly they would not get it. I am indeed surprised of the decline majority knowing Kelantan is a PAS country. Where it went wrong?
My thought:
Those coming back to Manek Urai from Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Perak to vote did not give PAS a chance. They have witnessed and saw how arrogant these PAS people are at their locations. Overnight PAS took control of the Kampongs and the Mosques in general. In a PR control states except Kedah, PAS won due to DAP and Hindraf. In areas where the majority are UMNO supporters PAS behave they are the Taiko neglecting the sentiments of the Malay majority. In Selangor, the Mosque institution is heading towards a collision. Most perception is wait and see and time bomb in the making. That who voted for PR and wanted change is reverting. That’s exactly happening in Manek Urai, they went back to revert the systems.
PAS alone would receive a lot of supports from the Malays but PAS sleeping on the same bed with DAP and PKR do not favor most Malays. Analyze the political scenarios in Penang, Perak and Selangor one would understand what I am talking about. In Penang, PAS has no say. In Perak DAP is backing PAS who are the minority and in Selangor, PKR is calling the shot but there a lot of Opportunists in PAS. PAS can make the PR government in Selangor closed shop overnight. They team up with UMNO, Khalid Ibrahim would be the Opposition Leader.
Too much politicking in Malaysia. Malaysian politics and Politicians are not mature enough both from the ruling party as well as the opposition. One can get crazy.
BP 16.
Finally on 14 July 2009 morning William from Melaka got me on the line. He called me last night but I was in the Mosque and he called me in September 2008 I was in Mekah. He indicated he is interested with the plate of car no BP 16 which I last renewed the road tax in 1976. It was a 1600 cc Volkswagen Karman Ghia Coupe 1970 Model. I don’t have the car anymore probably a chicken coup somewhere in Johore Baharu and I don’t have the Registration Card either. I left the car and Registration Card with Malek Hussein in Johore Baharu when I was transferred to Port Klang 1977. I told him to repair the car, sell it and we split 50/50. He doesn’t bother about the car and he even lost the Registration Card. No way could I retrieve the number BP 16.
William over the phone told me he could do it and wanted to see me on Thursday 16 July at Port Klang. I wonder how he is going to do it??. I have a brother in law once attached with JPJ and he told me it was too complicated to retrieve the number as it is not computerized. The file is with JPJ Seremban.
The car and number was very sentimental to me. I bought this car for RM 1000.00 in 1973 from Yap Chee Meang when we both worked in Esso Port Dickson. Yap gave a just a few hours to take the car as the Trade In Car Salesman was ready to collect BP 16. I borrowed from my newly wedded wife the one thousand ringgit and BP 16 was mine. BP stood for “Budak Pendek”, “Budak Perak” and “Budak Pelesit” to my close buddies. One day, while the Gardener was mowing the lawn he accidentally shattered the back left window screen and spare part of that model was not easily available. I replaced it with a local tailor made glass at the Glass Shop. It met the purpose but ignoring the safety aspect. I was using BP 16 when I was attached to Guthrie Singapore in 1974. It was old faithful that plied Singapore and Port Dickson every fortnightly without giving me any problem. It was BP 16 that sent my wife to Seremban Hospital to deliver our first son. Sometimes in 1976 I sent the car to a local workshop in JB for some minor problem. Unfortunately the engine caught fire and BP 16 was left stranded at that workshop. By then I had bought a second hand Volvo 144 and BP 16 was no more a priority. I treated BP 16 as a divorced widow.
Interestingly someone is keen on the number plate of my divorced widow. Since I don’t know how to handle the situation probably I let it go but there must be a negotiable price coming along with it. I will blog on the term and conditions if William agreed on the price. At least I can see my divorced widow number running around on the road.
William over the phone told me he could do it and wanted to see me on Thursday 16 July at Port Klang. I wonder how he is going to do it??. I have a brother in law once attached with JPJ and he told me it was too complicated to retrieve the number as it is not computerized. The file is with JPJ Seremban.
The car and number was very sentimental to me. I bought this car for RM 1000.00 in 1973 from Yap Chee Meang when we both worked in Esso Port Dickson. Yap gave a just a few hours to take the car as the Trade In Car Salesman was ready to collect BP 16. I borrowed from my newly wedded wife the one thousand ringgit and BP 16 was mine. BP stood for “Budak Pendek”, “Budak Perak” and “Budak Pelesit” to my close buddies. One day, while the Gardener was mowing the lawn he accidentally shattered the back left window screen and spare part of that model was not easily available. I replaced it with a local tailor made glass at the Glass Shop. It met the purpose but ignoring the safety aspect. I was using BP 16 when I was attached to Guthrie Singapore in 1974. It was old faithful that plied Singapore and Port Dickson every fortnightly without giving me any problem. It was BP 16 that sent my wife to Seremban Hospital to deliver our first son. Sometimes in 1976 I sent the car to a local workshop in JB for some minor problem. Unfortunately the engine caught fire and BP 16 was left stranded at that workshop. By then I had bought a second hand Volvo 144 and BP 16 was no more a priority. I treated BP 16 as a divorced widow.
Interestingly someone is keen on the number plate of my divorced widow. Since I don’t know how to handle the situation probably I let it go but there must be a negotiable price coming along with it. I will blog on the term and conditions if William agreed on the price. At least I can see my divorced widow number running around on the road.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Guess, what I did today?
After about fifty years I flew a kite today. I used to tell people, go and fly kite. The meaning is different but the action is almost the same. I flew an actual kite this afternoon at a beautiful garden beside a Mosque at Laguna Bay. Laguna Bay is a new township at Pulau Indah by the lagoon at the fringe of the Straits of Malacca. The sunny weather and a good breeze was very conducive to fly kite in the open.
After the zohor prayer my friend wanted to oversee his workers cutting the lawn up keeping one of the play ground at Laguna Bay. I too had an errand to comply. We caught up with the workers and at the same time I saw two boys were flying their kite sky high. That fascinated me and I asked to take over from one of the boys. He obliged and I was like a small kid again. It was nice and it really brought back old memories. I still remember the technique how to make the kite went higher. Pulled and released the tow line, give it a jerk and the kite would ascend towards the sky. My friend jokingly warned me about the passing plane, incidentally it is also the flight path to KLIA.
We left the boys with their kites and proceeded with our intended businesses. It was indeed a nostalgic day. I wish my son could see how I flew that kite for he never ever flew a kite in his life.
After the zohor prayer my friend wanted to oversee his workers cutting the lawn up keeping one of the play ground at Laguna Bay. I too had an errand to comply. We caught up with the workers and at the same time I saw two boys were flying their kite sky high. That fascinated me and I asked to take over from one of the boys. He obliged and I was like a small kid again. It was nice and it really brought back old memories. I still remember the technique how to make the kite went higher. Pulled and released the tow line, give it a jerk and the kite would ascend towards the sky. My friend jokingly warned me about the passing plane, incidentally it is also the flight path to KLIA.
We left the boys with their kites and proceeded with our intended businesses. It was indeed a nostalgic day. I wish my son could see how I flew that kite for he never ever flew a kite in his life.
9 October 2003 (Thursday).
My world went upside down on this date and day. About 0900 hrs as I was about to get out from bed, everything was slanting. I could not stand upright and slumped back to bed. The ceiling was moving. I knew something was wrong. Suddenly my left hand and leg became stiff. I called for my wife who was downstairs and ready to go for her Koraan lesson. My daughter was about to drive out to UITM to register for her next semester. Both rushed upstairs and I told them I need to go to Hospital immediately. I felt I need to answer the call of nature and my wife assisted me to the Toilet. I put on the shirt and trousers and practically was sliding down the staircase as I could not walk anymore. I entered the car at the back seat and lied down. My daughter drove.
At about 0930 hrs arrived at Pantai Medical Centre. I was put on a wheelchair and ushered into the emergency unit. I could not open my eyes for the world would spin. The Doctor gave me an injection, checked my blood pressure and my condition was constantly monitored. At about 1030 hrs I was taken for other medical check and x rayed taken on my chest. I was then refered to Doctor Zachariah Varguess, the Consultant Physician. He told me I just had a mild stroke and warded. The left portion of my body was affected and my speech slurred. By noon the news spread, my brothers and cousin rushed to Klang Pantai Medical Center. My closest cousin, Dato Malek even brought a Yasin thinking that I was terminal. By evening, my Mother arrived from Ipoh. It was about midnight that I felt very hungry and my wife fed me with bread soaked in milk. I did not consume anything during the whole day.
The next day, Friday afternoon I was taken in an ambulance to the main Pantai Medical Center at Bangsar for MRI, to scan my brain. The whole Federal Highway gave way to me as I passed by. The Highway was busy after the Friday prayers. I did not know anything as I was just closing my eyes while the siren blared. My wife and two children accompanied me in the ambulance and it was our first experience in an ambulance. I was slide into the MRI machine and for twenty minutes I had to lie still while the machine scanned my brain. My ears were plugged as the machine sounds like a piling hammer. It was twenty minute nightmare. I was taken back to Klang Medical Center and upon arrival I saw all my Mosque mates came to visit me. They came after the Asar prayer and I explained to them my misfortune with my slurred speech. When I was hit by the mild stroke, the negative thought was that I would be disabled for the rest of my life. Permanently on the wheel chair really scared me. I was damn worried that I would be OKU (Orang Kurang Upaya).
From the MRI film, Doctor Zach told me I was rather lucky that the clog in my brain artillery was only about 10 – 15 seconds and the road to recovery was very optimistic. I was delighted and determined at whatever cost, I would recover. I had to bring down my weight, control my sugar content and plenty of light exercise. Most importantly, stop smoking.
By the third day all the stiffness had gone but I had to walk with walking stick. On the fifth day I was discharged. My nephew told me no more EPL (English Premier League) for me. I kept away from television anyway. For one solid year I kept myself isolated and busy involved on my personal therapy, mentally and physically. I gave up golf completely; in fact on the afternoon when I was down I was to play at Port Klang Golf Resort with Azhar. I also resigned from the New Mosque Committee due to health reason. I could not drive anymore and to kill my boredom my friend, Malek Ahmad would be my chauffer buddy. Both my eye sights were fading and cataracts were developing. Every evening when the weather permitted, I walked round the kampong with a few kids accompanied me. I bought them an ice cream after that. They were happy and I was cheerful with their laughter and antics. That too was a medication for me.
My control diets since discharged from Pantai are Adalat 30, Avandia 2 mg and Crestor as prescribed by Doctor Zachariah Varguess. The Adalat is for hypertension, the Avandia for sugar control and the Crestor for cholesterol. Interestingly, I got my supplies from Saudi Arabia which is far cheaper than Malaysia. Up to this date I am on that medication.
Insyaalah, I am now back to normal, at least 90% and I take life easy. I take life as it pass by and the computer is my faithful friend where I can pour my heart out. Every Ramadan, I stayed at the Holy Land and at any other time I just go abroad or local to see places where I have not been. Both cataracts removed and not aided by spectacles anymore. I am closing to 64 and how long more can I live?? I only take along the loin clothing and Allah blessings (if any) to the grave.
I believe what happened on 9 October 2003 was a blessing a test probably a penance from Allah. There is always a hikmah which I fully realize. Allah just doesn’t simply befall something to His humble servants.
At about 0930 hrs arrived at Pantai Medical Centre. I was put on a wheelchair and ushered into the emergency unit. I could not open my eyes for the world would spin. The Doctor gave me an injection, checked my blood pressure and my condition was constantly monitored. At about 1030 hrs I was taken for other medical check and x rayed taken on my chest. I was then refered to Doctor Zachariah Varguess, the Consultant Physician. He told me I just had a mild stroke and warded. The left portion of my body was affected and my speech slurred. By noon the news spread, my brothers and cousin rushed to Klang Pantai Medical Center. My closest cousin, Dato Malek even brought a Yasin thinking that I was terminal. By evening, my Mother arrived from Ipoh. It was about midnight that I felt very hungry and my wife fed me with bread soaked in milk. I did not consume anything during the whole day.
The next day, Friday afternoon I was taken in an ambulance to the main Pantai Medical Center at Bangsar for MRI, to scan my brain. The whole Federal Highway gave way to me as I passed by. The Highway was busy after the Friday prayers. I did not know anything as I was just closing my eyes while the siren blared. My wife and two children accompanied me in the ambulance and it was our first experience in an ambulance. I was slide into the MRI machine and for twenty minutes I had to lie still while the machine scanned my brain. My ears were plugged as the machine sounds like a piling hammer. It was twenty minute nightmare. I was taken back to Klang Medical Center and upon arrival I saw all my Mosque mates came to visit me. They came after the Asar prayer and I explained to them my misfortune with my slurred speech. When I was hit by the mild stroke, the negative thought was that I would be disabled for the rest of my life. Permanently on the wheel chair really scared me. I was damn worried that I would be OKU (Orang Kurang Upaya).
From the MRI film, Doctor Zach told me I was rather lucky that the clog in my brain artillery was only about 10 – 15 seconds and the road to recovery was very optimistic. I was delighted and determined at whatever cost, I would recover. I had to bring down my weight, control my sugar content and plenty of light exercise. Most importantly, stop smoking.
By the third day all the stiffness had gone but I had to walk with walking stick. On the fifth day I was discharged. My nephew told me no more EPL (English Premier League) for me. I kept away from television anyway. For one solid year I kept myself isolated and busy involved on my personal therapy, mentally and physically. I gave up golf completely; in fact on the afternoon when I was down I was to play at Port Klang Golf Resort with Azhar. I also resigned from the New Mosque Committee due to health reason. I could not drive anymore and to kill my boredom my friend, Malek Ahmad would be my chauffer buddy. Both my eye sights were fading and cataracts were developing. Every evening when the weather permitted, I walked round the kampong with a few kids accompanied me. I bought them an ice cream after that. They were happy and I was cheerful with their laughter and antics. That too was a medication for me.
My control diets since discharged from Pantai are Adalat 30, Avandia 2 mg and Crestor as prescribed by Doctor Zachariah Varguess. The Adalat is for hypertension, the Avandia for sugar control and the Crestor for cholesterol. Interestingly, I got my supplies from Saudi Arabia which is far cheaper than Malaysia. Up to this date I am on that medication.
Insyaalah, I am now back to normal, at least 90% and I take life easy. I take life as it pass by and the computer is my faithful friend where I can pour my heart out. Every Ramadan, I stayed at the Holy Land and at any other time I just go abroad or local to see places where I have not been. Both cataracts removed and not aided by spectacles anymore. I am closing to 64 and how long more can I live?? I only take along the loin clothing and Allah blessings (if any) to the grave.
I believe what happened on 9 October 2003 was a blessing a test probably a penance from Allah. There is always a hikmah which I fully realize. Allah just doesn’t simply befall something to His humble servants.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
May Allah bless you.
May Allah bless you, Raja Zainuddin or Ku Din to all his friends. I last met him sometimes last month while I was having breakfast at a Hailam Restaurant when he walked in with the Tengku Besar Putra of Selangor. The same evening he was admitted to Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital due to breathing difficulty. Ku Din, 53 was the Bearer of the Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor regalia (cokmar). He led all the Royal Highness functions. Sometimes I jokingly address him as Chief Khadam.
I was on my way to the Bank yesterday after the Friday prayer when Raja Sahar, Ku Din’s cousin conveyed the sad message that Ku Din had just passed away. He was having cardiac complication. I knew about the hospitalization but since he was in the CCU (critical care unit) I did not want to disturb his peace. Late yesterday evening Ku Din still body was brought back to his residence not far from my house. Last night we paid our respect and organized tahlil arwah for him.
I first knew Ku Din sometimes in the 80s when he used to move around with my Uncle Sulaiman. Another buddy who was always with them was late Rauf. My Uncle Sulaiman too had since passed away which make the three of them had gone back to meet the Creator. Inna lillah wainna lillah hirojiun. My clique then was another two friends and Ku Din addressed us as Pak Long, Pak Ngah and Pak Su. I became the Pak Su to him and that remained until his last greeting at the Hailam Restaurant.
Ku Din was given a royal burial at the Royal Mausoleum in the arena of the Sultan Mosque in Jalan Kampong Jawa Klang at 1200 hrs on 11 July 2009.
Al fateha.
I was on my way to the Bank yesterday after the Friday prayer when Raja Sahar, Ku Din’s cousin conveyed the sad message that Ku Din had just passed away. He was having cardiac complication. I knew about the hospitalization but since he was in the CCU (critical care unit) I did not want to disturb his peace. Late yesterday evening Ku Din still body was brought back to his residence not far from my house. Last night we paid our respect and organized tahlil arwah for him.
I first knew Ku Din sometimes in the 80s when he used to move around with my Uncle Sulaiman. Another buddy who was always with them was late Rauf. My Uncle Sulaiman too had since passed away which make the three of them had gone back to meet the Creator. Inna lillah wainna lillah hirojiun. My clique then was another two friends and Ku Din addressed us as Pak Long, Pak Ngah and Pak Su. I became the Pak Su to him and that remained until his last greeting at the Hailam Restaurant.
Ku Din was given a royal burial at the Royal Mausoleum in the arena of the Sultan Mosque in Jalan Kampong Jawa Klang at 1200 hrs on 11 July 2009.
Al fateha.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Reshuffle.
Things are not that rosy up there in Selangor. At ground zero it is worse still especially in the Malay Kampong where PAS is dominating the Mosques and the Kampong Development Committee. The problem is, they lack the experience and they want to change everything that the former Committee did. The majority especially the Malays are not happy and those Malays who voted for PKR, PAS and DAP in the last election are beginning to regret. They wanted change but the change the Pakatan does is not for the better. In Selangor the tendency for BN to be back in power is optimistic.
As a result even one ADUN in Selangor requested the Selangor MB to reshuffle the EXCO.
Quote:
Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman Azmin Ali has called for a reshuffle of the state executive council because of complaints of them being bureaucratic.
He said he had received many complaints from key business figures in the state who said there was a lot of bureaucracy when it came to gaining approvals for commercial purposes.
“Maybe it’s time for the Mentri Besar to consider an exco reshuffle for the people to be served better,” he said at the Selangor State Assembly yesterday.
Azmin told a press conference later that he had put forward the suggestion to Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim due to the complaints he had received from the people.
He said the Selangor State Economic Council had taken a “prejudicial stance by investigating and punishing” instead of facilitating businesses.
“The council must not behave like a court of law but instead forge closer ties with the business community to ensure that the state enjoyed better economic growth.
“The revenue for the state is not what we had expected,” he said.
He added that the expected revenue from the sale of sand and minerals was nowhere near what Khalid had projected.
Azmin said in the event his suggestions were accepted, the appointment of the exco members must not be based on which party or race they represented but their ability to carry out their work efficiently.
When asked if he had behaved like an opposition member with his outburst, Khalid said the coalition allowed differences in opinion and issues, adding that Azmin had voiced the grievances of his constituents.
“We must find out how we can serve the people better,” he said.
Unquote:
As Chief of PNB and Kumpulan Guthrie Bhd, Khalid Ibrahim was a terror but as a Menteri Besar of Selangor, I give him a C or 45% performance rating. Personally he has no cut to be a Politician and not well trained in that area. His expertise is corporate business, not politics. Once he attempted to sit in the UMNO Supreme Council but obtained only 6 votes. He is rather stingy on money and in UMNO, no money no talk. He parachuted into politic just because of Anwar Ibrahim who gave him 10% Guthrie share and an option of another 15%.
Khalid Ibrahim the current Menteri Besar of Selangor and former CEO of Kumpulan Guthrie, where I last served as Senior Manager in one of the subsidiary. My first encounter with Khalid Ibrahim was on the first day when he reported as CEO at Wisma Guthrie, Damansara Heights. It was a normal morning; a normal working day and everyone on the floor knew that Khalid Ibrahim would now be docking at Wisma Guthrie, second floor the same floor where my Division was. I was the Distribution Manager then and first thing in the morning, I would walk to the fax machine to collect what was received over the night meant for my Department. As I was walking towards the fax machine, the door opened, Khalid Ibrahim appeared and I greeted the good morning wishes and he asked me what I was doing and politely told him I was to collect my faxes. He proceeded walking the floor and he saw an Assistant Manager was reading the morning newspaper. He entered the Office and he lectured the Assistant Manager through and through. My Department was within the Marketing Division and reading the morning newspaper is a necessity to us. My Department handled the logistics and transportation of Rubber & Latex of Marketing Division and we relied on the newspaper for the latest news and information. Internet was not available then. Shipping Times that came along with the New Straits Times was our Bible. The whole Wisma Guthrie exploded about Khalid Ibrahim first day at Wisma Guthrie and soonest the news leaked out even to as far as Tuscon and London.
The next morning Khalid came again to the Assistant’s office and handed him a book on Time Management. Every Managers and Executives were worried at Wisma Guthrie and first thing in the morning we wrote down what we planned to do for the day. We never knew when Khalid Ibrahim would walk in to our Offices. Khalid Ibrahim instilled fear on his subordinates. My usual access and exit to / from my office was the staircase through the backdoor just to avoid head on with Khalid Ibrahim. It was going to be a Reign of Terror, unlike the previous CEO, Ani Arope who was more environmental friendly.
Khalid Ibrahim did not stop there. He made a surprise visit at a Rubber Factory in Tebong Melaka and the most unfortunate the Manager was on leave. Khalid Ibrahim was shocked to see that the Factory was dirty with scrap rubber scattered on the floor. He insisted immediately the Manager to be removed but the Divisional Director objected and justified to him. Khalid Ibrahim expected a Rubber factory to be as similar as an Electronic Factory which is impossible. Any spilled rubber on the floor was left to dry and later collected for recycling and sold. That, Khalid Ibrahim did not know. Not really pleased with the Divisional Director justification; Khalid Ibrahim summoned the Factory Manager to the CEO Office and what I knew when done, the Manager came to my Office with his hands still shivering. I bought him lunch and pacify him. Every Estates and Subsidiaries was on full alert and never knew when Hitler would drop by. Every Departmental Heads were on their toes.
Later……I was relocated to Port Klang but Khalid Ibrahim never paid me a visit. Thank God. Knowing Khalid Ibrahim I was ever ready and I kept both the Latex and Palm Oil Installation spick and span.
He met me personally in his Office when I retired and I read in the news bulletin that he was opted out from Kumpulan Guthrie Bhd. He was missing in action for quite sometimes until he stood for bye election in Ijok and lost. At PRU 12, he made his kill and became the Menteri Besar of Selangor and a Member of Parliament.
As a result even one ADUN in Selangor requested the Selangor MB to reshuffle the EXCO.
Quote:
Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman Azmin Ali has called for a reshuffle of the state executive council because of complaints of them being bureaucratic.
He said he had received many complaints from key business figures in the state who said there was a lot of bureaucracy when it came to gaining approvals for commercial purposes.
“Maybe it’s time for the Mentri Besar to consider an exco reshuffle for the people to be served better,” he said at the Selangor State Assembly yesterday.
Azmin told a press conference later that he had put forward the suggestion to Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim due to the complaints he had received from the people.
He said the Selangor State Economic Council had taken a “prejudicial stance by investigating and punishing” instead of facilitating businesses.
“The council must not behave like a court of law but instead forge closer ties with the business community to ensure that the state enjoyed better economic growth.
“The revenue for the state is not what we had expected,” he said.
He added that the expected revenue from the sale of sand and minerals was nowhere near what Khalid had projected.
Azmin said in the event his suggestions were accepted, the appointment of the exco members must not be based on which party or race they represented but their ability to carry out their work efficiently.
When asked if he had behaved like an opposition member with his outburst, Khalid said the coalition allowed differences in opinion and issues, adding that Azmin had voiced the grievances of his constituents.
“We must find out how we can serve the people better,” he said.
Unquote:
As Chief of PNB and Kumpulan Guthrie Bhd, Khalid Ibrahim was a terror but as a Menteri Besar of Selangor, I give him a C or 45% performance rating. Personally he has no cut to be a Politician and not well trained in that area. His expertise is corporate business, not politics. Once he attempted to sit in the UMNO Supreme Council but obtained only 6 votes. He is rather stingy on money and in UMNO, no money no talk. He parachuted into politic just because of Anwar Ibrahim who gave him 10% Guthrie share and an option of another 15%.
Khalid Ibrahim the current Menteri Besar of Selangor and former CEO of Kumpulan Guthrie, where I last served as Senior Manager in one of the subsidiary. My first encounter with Khalid Ibrahim was on the first day when he reported as CEO at Wisma Guthrie, Damansara Heights. It was a normal morning; a normal working day and everyone on the floor knew that Khalid Ibrahim would now be docking at Wisma Guthrie, second floor the same floor where my Division was. I was the Distribution Manager then and first thing in the morning, I would walk to the fax machine to collect what was received over the night meant for my Department. As I was walking towards the fax machine, the door opened, Khalid Ibrahim appeared and I greeted the good morning wishes and he asked me what I was doing and politely told him I was to collect my faxes. He proceeded walking the floor and he saw an Assistant Manager was reading the morning newspaper. He entered the Office and he lectured the Assistant Manager through and through. My Department was within the Marketing Division and reading the morning newspaper is a necessity to us. My Department handled the logistics and transportation of Rubber & Latex of Marketing Division and we relied on the newspaper for the latest news and information. Internet was not available then. Shipping Times that came along with the New Straits Times was our Bible. The whole Wisma Guthrie exploded about Khalid Ibrahim first day at Wisma Guthrie and soonest the news leaked out even to as far as Tuscon and London.
The next morning Khalid came again to the Assistant’s office and handed him a book on Time Management. Every Managers and Executives were worried at Wisma Guthrie and first thing in the morning we wrote down what we planned to do for the day. We never knew when Khalid Ibrahim would walk in to our Offices. Khalid Ibrahim instilled fear on his subordinates. My usual access and exit to / from my office was the staircase through the backdoor just to avoid head on with Khalid Ibrahim. It was going to be a Reign of Terror, unlike the previous CEO, Ani Arope who was more environmental friendly.
Khalid Ibrahim did not stop there. He made a surprise visit at a Rubber Factory in Tebong Melaka and the most unfortunate the Manager was on leave. Khalid Ibrahim was shocked to see that the Factory was dirty with scrap rubber scattered on the floor. He insisted immediately the Manager to be removed but the Divisional Director objected and justified to him. Khalid Ibrahim expected a Rubber factory to be as similar as an Electronic Factory which is impossible. Any spilled rubber on the floor was left to dry and later collected for recycling and sold. That, Khalid Ibrahim did not know. Not really pleased with the Divisional Director justification; Khalid Ibrahim summoned the Factory Manager to the CEO Office and what I knew when done, the Manager came to my Office with his hands still shivering. I bought him lunch and pacify him. Every Estates and Subsidiaries was on full alert and never knew when Hitler would drop by. Every Departmental Heads were on their toes.
Later……I was relocated to Port Klang but Khalid Ibrahim never paid me a visit. Thank God. Knowing Khalid Ibrahim I was ever ready and I kept both the Latex and Palm Oil Installation spick and span.
He met me personally in his Office when I retired and I read in the news bulletin that he was opted out from Kumpulan Guthrie Bhd. He was missing in action for quite sometimes until he stood for bye election in Ijok and lost. At PRU 12, he made his kill and became the Menteri Besar of Selangor and a Member of Parliament.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Coming Soon.
Malaysian is all excited and eagerly loves to see the outcome.
Manek Urai: A constituency in PAS stronghold state of Kelantan. The bye election would be fiercely contest by PAS and UMNO representing the Barisan Nasional on 14 July 2009. No Independent candidates dare contesting as Spoilers. PAS would be fielding Haji Fauzi Abdullah a Fish Dealer and UMNO, Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat a former CEO of Kesedar subsidiary.
UMNO latest trick in town – All school going children in Manek Urai constituency irrespective of their parent political ideology were given new school bag and uniforms. This is bribery of the lowest class. Why now? Why not at the beginning of the year school session? Why when there is an election at Manek Urai? UMNO is teaching young school kids the concept of bribery. UMNO failed bribing the old folks by distributing kain pelikat, kain batek and peteh. Now UMNO tackle the young kids to convince their parents to vote for UMNO.
Kelantan had been totally ignored of the oil & gas royalty even though it was siphon out from Kelantan territorial water. This is one strong point; PAS would capitalize during the election campaign. This is absolute injustice to the Kelantanese and the Malay word is “busuk hati”.
UMNO best strategy - voting for BN and a win for BN will not have any effect on the Kelantan PAS government. BN will promise the sky and the moon, if BN captured Manek Urai. BN had discarded the instant mee project due to past elections experiences where the trick was ignored by the voters. Take when BN give, but vote give it to the opposition.
As I had posted earlier, the Malays do not hate UMNO but they despise the leaders. I was amazed when Khir Toyo the former MB of Selangor, alleged by Selangor Speaker (from DAP) built a RM 20 million palatial mansion on a RM 3.8 million land Khir Toyo purchased at Shah Alam. Total cost nearly RM 24 million. Khir Toyo during his press conference told the media he bought the house and land for only RM 3.5 million and took HSBC loan for thirty years. Khir Toyo willing to offer RM 12 million to the Speaker if he can get a Buyer for the house at RM 24 million. I could only afford a double terrace house RM 110,000.00 on 70 feet by 20 feet land and I was paying through my nose at 7% interest monthly for fifteen solid years at RM 1,007.00 per month. The eventual cost came to RM 180,000.00. I regret for not becoming a Dentist. Where, MACC? Where? Khir Toyo won the Magnum special draw? No can do, Muslim cannot buy magnum draw. HARAM!!!
Perak State Assembly: Strong rumors that the State Assembly would be dissolved soon and the whole state would convene a reelection. If the rumor is true, the Perakians would once again decide whether they want Barisan Nasional or the Pakatan Rakyat to rule them. I don’t believe it would happen but the Perakians is optimistic. They were ruled by the Pakatan Rakyat for eleven months since PRU 12 but in February 2009, the state was wrested ungentlemanly by Barisan Nasional. Court case after court case followed and several histories created in Perak but Barisan Nasional stubbornly cling on to power. It was a good thing it happened because the rakyat are aware and comprehends what the state Constitutions are all about.
My gut feeling, Barisan Nasional would win at the reelection. Reason: Perakians can evaluate without the Federal Government assistance, the state affair and economic development would be stagnant. Perakians are disgusted with too much politicking around and high time the state should resume where it was last abrupt. The Malays in Perak are generally not happy that DAP is calling the shot. Nizar, the Menteri Besar from PAS got the position for the mere constitutional fact that only Malay can be the Menteri Besar of Perak. There is no Malay State Assemblyman from DAP. Unlike Kelantan, the Perak Malays prefer Barisan Nasional to govern the state of Perak.
Anwar Ibrahim Sodomy: The trial would begin on 8 July 2009 and Anwar is going to face the Judiciary once again to answer the same charges a decade ago. In 2004 the sodomy conviction was overturned and he was freed after six years at Sungei Buloh Inn as a guest of Barisan Nasional. Tun Mahathir put him there but Tun Dollah released him. Thank you, Pak Lah. I would remember your good deed on this one. This time Anwar may go for twenty years. BUT, if there is no penetration, how come it is sodomy? We’ll see how Ghani Patail is going to present the case. The last time they carried a mattress, now probably they carried the condominium to the Court. Malaysia BOLEH.
Manek Urai: A constituency in PAS stronghold state of Kelantan. The bye election would be fiercely contest by PAS and UMNO representing the Barisan Nasional on 14 July 2009. No Independent candidates dare contesting as Spoilers. PAS would be fielding Haji Fauzi Abdullah a Fish Dealer and UMNO, Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat a former CEO of Kesedar subsidiary.
UMNO latest trick in town – All school going children in Manek Urai constituency irrespective of their parent political ideology were given new school bag and uniforms. This is bribery of the lowest class. Why now? Why not at the beginning of the year school session? Why when there is an election at Manek Urai? UMNO is teaching young school kids the concept of bribery. UMNO failed bribing the old folks by distributing kain pelikat, kain batek and peteh. Now UMNO tackle the young kids to convince their parents to vote for UMNO.
Kelantan had been totally ignored of the oil & gas royalty even though it was siphon out from Kelantan territorial water. This is one strong point; PAS would capitalize during the election campaign. This is absolute injustice to the Kelantanese and the Malay word is “busuk hati”.
UMNO best strategy - voting for BN and a win for BN will not have any effect on the Kelantan PAS government. BN will promise the sky and the moon, if BN captured Manek Urai. BN had discarded the instant mee project due to past elections experiences where the trick was ignored by the voters. Take when BN give, but vote give it to the opposition.
As I had posted earlier, the Malays do not hate UMNO but they despise the leaders. I was amazed when Khir Toyo the former MB of Selangor, alleged by Selangor Speaker (from DAP) built a RM 20 million palatial mansion on a RM 3.8 million land Khir Toyo purchased at Shah Alam. Total cost nearly RM 24 million. Khir Toyo during his press conference told the media he bought the house and land for only RM 3.5 million and took HSBC loan for thirty years. Khir Toyo willing to offer RM 12 million to the Speaker if he can get a Buyer for the house at RM 24 million. I could only afford a double terrace house RM 110,000.00 on 70 feet by 20 feet land and I was paying through my nose at 7% interest monthly for fifteen solid years at RM 1,007.00 per month. The eventual cost came to RM 180,000.00. I regret for not becoming a Dentist. Where, MACC? Where? Khir Toyo won the Magnum special draw? No can do, Muslim cannot buy magnum draw. HARAM!!!
Perak State Assembly: Strong rumors that the State Assembly would be dissolved soon and the whole state would convene a reelection. If the rumor is true, the Perakians would once again decide whether they want Barisan Nasional or the Pakatan Rakyat to rule them. I don’t believe it would happen but the Perakians is optimistic. They were ruled by the Pakatan Rakyat for eleven months since PRU 12 but in February 2009, the state was wrested ungentlemanly by Barisan Nasional. Court case after court case followed and several histories created in Perak but Barisan Nasional stubbornly cling on to power. It was a good thing it happened because the rakyat are aware and comprehends what the state Constitutions are all about.
My gut feeling, Barisan Nasional would win at the reelection. Reason: Perakians can evaluate without the Federal Government assistance, the state affair and economic development would be stagnant. Perakians are disgusted with too much politicking around and high time the state should resume where it was last abrupt. The Malays in Perak are generally not happy that DAP is calling the shot. Nizar, the Menteri Besar from PAS got the position for the mere constitutional fact that only Malay can be the Menteri Besar of Perak. There is no Malay State Assemblyman from DAP. Unlike Kelantan, the Perak Malays prefer Barisan Nasional to govern the state of Perak.
Anwar Ibrahim Sodomy: The trial would begin on 8 July 2009 and Anwar is going to face the Judiciary once again to answer the same charges a decade ago. In 2004 the sodomy conviction was overturned and he was freed after six years at Sungei Buloh Inn as a guest of Barisan Nasional. Tun Mahathir put him there but Tun Dollah released him. Thank you, Pak Lah. I would remember your good deed on this one. This time Anwar may go for twenty years. BUT, if there is no penetration, how come it is sodomy? We’ll see how Ghani Patail is going to present the case. The last time they carried a mattress, now probably they carried the condominium to the Court. Malaysia BOLEH.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
All of a sudden.
Yesterday while relaxing on Saturday, July 04, 2009 I browsed the email and I got one that came from an ex colleague in Guthrie, now Sime Darby. My former Senior Assistant, Patrick Tan Hock Guan who stays nearby is not in good shape and asked whether I knew about it and whether I had visited him? I immediately contacted Pat on the hand phone but received no reply. I called the email sender to inquire further details. Received the confirmation and I called Termizi - Pat usual golf kaki. Termizi was also in the dark about Pat ailment and confirmed that he would come down immediately to my house so that both of us could pay Pat a visit.
Arriving at Pat house, he was shocked to see us but we were equally shocked to see him running down a lot of weight and his face was rather pale. He used to be healthy, strong and a non smoker. It broke my heart to see Pat in that condition. He is a good friend, was my subordinate, and once my golf kaki. The first symptom was he felt very tired after a round of golf at Frasers Hill on May Day Holiday and on 13 May 2009 after a thorough medical checkup the Doctors diagnosed Pat has problem with his liver. He tires very easily and loosing appetite. Currently he is on medical leave, home rest and on strong medication. I nearly fell off from the chair when the medication he takes cost him RM 26,000.00 per month. The skin at his fingers is peeling off and he even lost his thumb print. I was joking with him hoping that my cigarettes smoke is not the cause of his liver problem. We had good time at work, at the golf course and sometimes Member of the Bar Council.
We encouraged Pat to be strong and do not let the ailment affect him psychologically. At this initial stage, Pat ailment is not known to many, except someone close to him. I related to him about my experience when I was struck with a mild stroke way back in October 2003. I know it is being very difficult when suddenly an ailment strikes just like that. The world seems to be unfair and one keep asking, why me? I was so jealous when I saw an old man cycling around, happily and healthy. The biggest worry when I think of close friends going to abandon me. Pat has to focus and think positive that he would recover. Have faith in GOD. Pat disadvantage is the disability to exercise due to getting weary easily. I understand having visitors and explaining about the ailment is actually boredom. I advised him not to isolate himself and at anytime he needs my assistance I am always around. He knows my contact number.
Patrick was my office mate when I moved to Wisma Guthrie and when I was relocated to Port Klang he was the Assistant then Senior Assistant until I retired in December 2000. He was supposed to take over from me as the Manager of the subsidiary but due to internal politics orchestrated by the Divisional Director he was instead relocated to Wisma Guthrie, Damansara Heights at the Marketing Divisions. He was a team player when we were working together and there were many beneficial changes we made for the Subsidiary Company. Pat is on two year extensions with Sime Darby expiring 2010 February.
We wish Pat nothing but the very best, to take good care of his well being and one of the advice to keep the bathroom door always unlocked. He looked very sleepy and tired; we left Pat to take his rest.
Termizi, (nickname, Ah Chong) and I adjourned for an evening drink and we talked about the good and bad time of the good old days in Guthrie. We are both Guthrie Retirees, the few dedicated, clean and the faithful.
Arriving at Pat house, he was shocked to see us but we were equally shocked to see him running down a lot of weight and his face was rather pale. He used to be healthy, strong and a non smoker. It broke my heart to see Pat in that condition. He is a good friend, was my subordinate, and once my golf kaki. The first symptom was he felt very tired after a round of golf at Frasers Hill on May Day Holiday and on 13 May 2009 after a thorough medical checkup the Doctors diagnosed Pat has problem with his liver. He tires very easily and loosing appetite. Currently he is on medical leave, home rest and on strong medication. I nearly fell off from the chair when the medication he takes cost him RM 26,000.00 per month. The skin at his fingers is peeling off and he even lost his thumb print. I was joking with him hoping that my cigarettes smoke is not the cause of his liver problem. We had good time at work, at the golf course and sometimes Member of the Bar Council.
We encouraged Pat to be strong and do not let the ailment affect him psychologically. At this initial stage, Pat ailment is not known to many, except someone close to him. I related to him about my experience when I was struck with a mild stroke way back in October 2003. I know it is being very difficult when suddenly an ailment strikes just like that. The world seems to be unfair and one keep asking, why me? I was so jealous when I saw an old man cycling around, happily and healthy. The biggest worry when I think of close friends going to abandon me. Pat has to focus and think positive that he would recover. Have faith in GOD. Pat disadvantage is the disability to exercise due to getting weary easily. I understand having visitors and explaining about the ailment is actually boredom. I advised him not to isolate himself and at anytime he needs my assistance I am always around. He knows my contact number.
Patrick was my office mate when I moved to Wisma Guthrie and when I was relocated to Port Klang he was the Assistant then Senior Assistant until I retired in December 2000. He was supposed to take over from me as the Manager of the subsidiary but due to internal politics orchestrated by the Divisional Director he was instead relocated to Wisma Guthrie, Damansara Heights at the Marketing Divisions. He was a team player when we were working together and there were many beneficial changes we made for the Subsidiary Company. Pat is on two year extensions with Sime Darby expiring 2010 February.
We wish Pat nothing but the very best, to take good care of his well being and one of the advice to keep the bathroom door always unlocked. He looked very sleepy and tired; we left Pat to take his rest.
Termizi, (nickname, Ah Chong) and I adjourned for an evening drink and we talked about the good and bad time of the good old days in Guthrie. We are both Guthrie Retirees, the few dedicated, clean and the faithful.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Shadow Fighting.
Listed as follows:-
JABATAN PERDANA MENTERI:
YB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, YB Mohamed Azmin Ali, YB Sivarasa Rasiah, YAB Tan Sri Dato’ Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, YB William Leong, YB Ahmad Kasim, YB Fuziah Salleh daripada PKR.
YB Dato’ Seri Hj Abdul Hadi Awang, YB Ust Nasharudin Mat Isa, YB Salahuddin Ayub, YB Dr Hatta Ramli, YB Dr Dzulkifli AhmadYB Taib Azamuddin, YB Khalid Samad daripada PAS.
YB Lim Kit Siang, YAB Lim Guan Eng, YB M Kulasegaran YB Ngeh Koo Ham, YB Gobind Singh Deo, YB M Manogaran daripada DAP.
KEMENTERIAN DALAM NEGERI:
YB Dato’ Johari Abdul, YB Salahuddin Haji Ayub dan YB Karpal Singh.
KEMENTERIAN KEWANGAN:
YB Mohamed Azmin Ali, Dr Dzulkifli Ahmad dan YAB Lim Guan Eng
KEMENTERIAN PENGANGKUTAN:
YB Dato’ Zahrain Mohamed Hashim, YB Khalid Samad dan YB Tan Kok Wai
KEMENTERIAN KERJA RAYA:
YB Dato’ Kamarul Bahrin Abbas, YB Dato’ Mahfuz Omar dan YB Gobind Singh Deo
KEMENTERIAN PERUSAHAAN PERLADANGAN DAN KOMODITI:
YB Dato’ Rashid Din, YB Dato Wan Abd Rahim Wan Abdullah dan YB Er Teck Hwa
KEMENTERIAN TENAGA, TEKNOLOGI HIJAU DAN AIR:
YB Chua Tian Chang, YB Nasir bin Zakaria dan YB Charles Anthony Santiago
KEMENTERIAN PERDAGANGAN ANTARABANGSA DAN INDUSTRI:
YB William Leong, YB Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli dan YB Teresa Kok
KEMENTERIAN PERTANIAN DAN INDUSTRI ASAS TANI:
YB Ahmad Kassim, YB Taib Azamuddin Md Taib dan YB Sim Tong Him
KEMENTERIAN PERDAGANGAN DALAM NEGERI DAN HAL EHWAL PENGGUNA:
YB Azan Ismail, YB Dr Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut dan YB Jeff Ooi
KEMENTERIAN PELAJARAN:
YB Yusmadi Yusoff, YB Che Uda Che Nik dan YB Chong Eng
KEMENTERIAN PENERANGAN KOMUNIKASI, KESENIAN DAN KEBUDAYAAN:
YB Amran Abdul Ghani, YB Dato’ Mahfuz Haji Omar dan YB Teo Nie Ching
KEMENTERIAN SUMBER MANUSIA:
YB Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid, YB Muhammad bin Husin dan YB M Kulasegaran
KEMENTERIAN SAINS, TEKNOLOGI DAN INOVASI:
YB Nurul Izzah Anwar, YB Dr Che Rosli Che Mat dan YB Chow Kon Yeow
KEMENTERIAN PERUMAHAN DAN KERAJAAN TEMPATAN:
YB Hee Loy Sian, YB Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud dan YB Nga Kor Ming
KEMENTERIAN PERTAHANAN:
YB Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, YB Dato’ Seri Muhammad Nizar Jamaluddin dan YB Liew Chin Tong
KEMENTERIAN KEMAJUAN LUAR BANDAR DAN WILAYAH:
YB Ab Aziz Ab Kadir, YB Dato’ Ab Halim bin Ab Rahman dan YB M Manogaran
KEMENTERIAN LUAR NEGERI:
YB Sivarasa Rasiah, YB Dato’ Kamaruddin Jaffar dan YB P Ramasamy
KEMENTERIAN BELIA DAN SUKAN:
YB Tan Tee Beng, YB Mohd Firdaus bin Jaafar dan YB Anthony Loke Siew Fook
KEMENTERIAN KESIHATAN:
YB Dr Lee Boon Chye, YB Dr Mohd Hayati Othman dan YB Dr Tan Seng Giaw
KEMENTERIAN PEMBANGUNAN WANITA, KELUARGA DAN MASYARAKAT:
YB Zuraida Kamaruddin, YB Siti Zailah bt Mohd Yusuf dan YB Fong Po Kuan
KEMENTERIAN PELANCONGAN:
YB Manikavasagam a/l Sundaram, YB Dato Wan Abd Rahim Wan Abdullah dan YB Fong Kui Lun
KEMENTERIAN WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN:
YB Wee Choo Keong, YB Dr Lo’ Lo’ Haji Mohd Ghazali dan YB Lim Lip Eng
KEMENTERIAN PENGAJIAN TINGGI:
YB Zulkifli Nordin, YB Salahuddin Haji Ayub dan YB Tony Pua
KEMENTERIAN SUMBER ASLI DAN ALAM SEKITAR:
YB Gobalakrishnan a/l Nagapan, YB Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa dan YB Chong Chien Jen
Sumber: Malaysia Today
Comment: Why there are at least three YBs in each Ministry? Too many YBs become Watchdogs, where got time to look after own Constituency? Look promising but then when they are at the helm it is not easy to please everybody and we are back to square one. Bet you, there would be infighting. Someone think that he deserve the Ministry rather than the other.
Malaysia has no time talking about economy, investments, enhancement to rakyat well beings and development. Currently we are all busy or rather the YBs, on bye election after bye election until the next general election. Who to blame? Where are we heading to?
Just nominate one as Caretaker, and the rest concentrate on the constituency. Even that Pakatan cannot agree?
JABATAN PERDANA MENTERI:
YB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, YB Mohamed Azmin Ali, YB Sivarasa Rasiah, YAB Tan Sri Dato’ Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, YB William Leong, YB Ahmad Kasim, YB Fuziah Salleh daripada PKR.
YB Dato’ Seri Hj Abdul Hadi Awang, YB Ust Nasharudin Mat Isa, YB Salahuddin Ayub, YB Dr Hatta Ramli, YB Dr Dzulkifli AhmadYB Taib Azamuddin, YB Khalid Samad daripada PAS.
YB Lim Kit Siang, YAB Lim Guan Eng, YB M Kulasegaran YB Ngeh Koo Ham, YB Gobind Singh Deo, YB M Manogaran daripada DAP.
KEMENTERIAN DALAM NEGERI:
YB Dato’ Johari Abdul, YB Salahuddin Haji Ayub dan YB Karpal Singh.
KEMENTERIAN KEWANGAN:
YB Mohamed Azmin Ali, Dr Dzulkifli Ahmad dan YAB Lim Guan Eng
KEMENTERIAN PENGANGKUTAN:
YB Dato’ Zahrain Mohamed Hashim, YB Khalid Samad dan YB Tan Kok Wai
KEMENTERIAN KERJA RAYA:
YB Dato’ Kamarul Bahrin Abbas, YB Dato’ Mahfuz Omar dan YB Gobind Singh Deo
KEMENTERIAN PERUSAHAAN PERLADANGAN DAN KOMODITI:
YB Dato’ Rashid Din, YB Dato Wan Abd Rahim Wan Abdullah dan YB Er Teck Hwa
KEMENTERIAN TENAGA, TEKNOLOGI HIJAU DAN AIR:
YB Chua Tian Chang, YB Nasir bin Zakaria dan YB Charles Anthony Santiago
KEMENTERIAN PERDAGANGAN ANTARABANGSA DAN INDUSTRI:
YB William Leong, YB Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli dan YB Teresa Kok
KEMENTERIAN PERTANIAN DAN INDUSTRI ASAS TANI:
YB Ahmad Kassim, YB Taib Azamuddin Md Taib dan YB Sim Tong Him
KEMENTERIAN PERDAGANGAN DALAM NEGERI DAN HAL EHWAL PENGGUNA:
YB Azan Ismail, YB Dr Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut dan YB Jeff Ooi
KEMENTERIAN PELAJARAN:
YB Yusmadi Yusoff, YB Che Uda Che Nik dan YB Chong Eng
KEMENTERIAN PENERANGAN KOMUNIKASI, KESENIAN DAN KEBUDAYAAN:
YB Amran Abdul Ghani, YB Dato’ Mahfuz Haji Omar dan YB Teo Nie Ching
KEMENTERIAN SUMBER MANUSIA:
YB Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid, YB Muhammad bin Husin dan YB M Kulasegaran
KEMENTERIAN SAINS, TEKNOLOGI DAN INOVASI:
YB Nurul Izzah Anwar, YB Dr Che Rosli Che Mat dan YB Chow Kon Yeow
KEMENTERIAN PERUMAHAN DAN KERAJAAN TEMPATAN:
YB Hee Loy Sian, YB Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud dan YB Nga Kor Ming
KEMENTERIAN PERTAHANAN:
YB Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, YB Dato’ Seri Muhammad Nizar Jamaluddin dan YB Liew Chin Tong
KEMENTERIAN KEMAJUAN LUAR BANDAR DAN WILAYAH:
YB Ab Aziz Ab Kadir, YB Dato’ Ab Halim bin Ab Rahman dan YB M Manogaran
KEMENTERIAN LUAR NEGERI:
YB Sivarasa Rasiah, YB Dato’ Kamaruddin Jaffar dan YB P Ramasamy
KEMENTERIAN BELIA DAN SUKAN:
YB Tan Tee Beng, YB Mohd Firdaus bin Jaafar dan YB Anthony Loke Siew Fook
KEMENTERIAN KESIHATAN:
YB Dr Lee Boon Chye, YB Dr Mohd Hayati Othman dan YB Dr Tan Seng Giaw
KEMENTERIAN PEMBANGUNAN WANITA, KELUARGA DAN MASYARAKAT:
YB Zuraida Kamaruddin, YB Siti Zailah bt Mohd Yusuf dan YB Fong Po Kuan
KEMENTERIAN PELANCONGAN:
YB Manikavasagam a/l Sundaram, YB Dato Wan Abd Rahim Wan Abdullah dan YB Fong Kui Lun
KEMENTERIAN WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN:
YB Wee Choo Keong, YB Dr Lo’ Lo’ Haji Mohd Ghazali dan YB Lim Lip Eng
KEMENTERIAN PENGAJIAN TINGGI:
YB Zulkifli Nordin, YB Salahuddin Haji Ayub dan YB Tony Pua
KEMENTERIAN SUMBER ASLI DAN ALAM SEKITAR:
YB Gobalakrishnan a/l Nagapan, YB Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa dan YB Chong Chien Jen
Sumber: Malaysia Today
Comment: Why there are at least three YBs in each Ministry? Too many YBs become Watchdogs, where got time to look after own Constituency? Look promising but then when they are at the helm it is not easy to please everybody and we are back to square one. Bet you, there would be infighting. Someone think that he deserve the Ministry rather than the other.
Malaysia has no time talking about economy, investments, enhancement to rakyat well beings and development. Currently we are all busy or rather the YBs, on bye election after bye election until the next general election. Who to blame? Where are we heading to?
Just nominate one as Caretaker, and the rest concentrate on the constituency. Even that Pakatan cannot agree?
Can the marriage last?
I have my doubt as PAS is very strong on their Islamic ideology and practice. DAP is a Chinese chauvinist and PKR is for the sake of Anwar Ibrahim. PKR did not expect that they could win well and they were not actually prepared for the PRU 12. That’s why we could see people like the two frogs in Perak and nearest to home, a Chico was just put up as candidates and surprisingly he won. PKR chose their candidates ad hoc. Like in Port Klang, PKR won just because the rakyat was against late Dato Zakaria Istana and his daughter in law was the BN candidate. It’s not rather nice to relate about the deceased but that was the fact and the reality. In fact, Selangor fell to Pakatan, more or less the blame was on him. Regret that the pressure was too great for him to bear and his heart could not take it anymore. Pakatan on the other hand should also realize the reality and the fortune they got unexpectedly.
In Selangor, Penang and in Perak, the majority of the Malay Kampongs, PAS is being given to administer which was predominantly under UMNO control. The JKK and the Mosques are all under the leadership of PAS. Unlike Kedah, and Kelantan, PAS is not the majority factor in the states government under Pakatan. Most Malays (other than PAS members) in these three states are getting jittery and the Malays are having the impression that in Perak, Penang and Selangor an administration of PAS is a governance of DAP. Malays shunned DAP totally of its political ideology and there is no Malay leader in DAP. Those Malays who voted for DAP at the last election were merely showing their frustrations with the UMNO Leaders, not on UMNO actually. Let’s be honest, somehow or rather any Malays in this country has benefited from the NEP, the main agenda of UMNO for the Malays. Look at the numbers of Malays in the Higher Learning Institutions etc. I bet some of the present Leaders in PAS and PKR were educated through the scholarships the government provided vide the NEP. These people turned against the Government not that they hated the Government but they hate the UMNO Leaders. If BN want to regain the 2/3 majority in Parliament and got back the states lost, UMNO Leaderships have to be change. Eradicate corruption, transparent and modest life styles. If not the rakyat still chose Pakatan, at the very least there is check and balance.
With the quarrel among the Pakatan over small matters, the perception is, Pakatan would not be able to govern towards the economic and the rakyat well beings. Most Malays prefer that PAS and UMNO join hands to form Unity government. The most feared is, Malaysia would become two races country, the Malays and the Non. It would be communal and that’s not conducive for racial harmony. It could be a disaster in the making. The aftermath ………I fear to comment.
If Pakatan want to succeed up to federal level, Hadi, Anwar and Kit Siang should sit down over a cup of coffee and sorts out the entire little petty problem and map out their strategies in tandem. Better be quick for the rakyat are getting tired of the quarrel over small things which can be easily settle over a cup of kopi jantan and talk like jantan.
Thanks to Malaysian Insider for the following article. It is a reality that the rakyat is facing and feeling right now. This is an eye opener for those who chose Pakatan at PRU 12.
Quote:
KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 — Time’s up, Pakatan Rakyat. The days of courting are over. You either decide to get married or go your separate ways. Malaysians have grown weary of the soap opera which is being played out every week (or is it every other day) by different members of the opposition alliance.
Headlines such as “DAP pulls out of Kedah state government”, “Unity talks irk PAS partners” were once greeted with a shrug of the shoulders and accepted as necessary growing pains of a nascent political coalition trying to find its footing post-Election 2008.
This charitable position was anchored on the belief that in time, Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and the Democratic Action Party (DAP) would check their egos at the door and cobble together a common platform for a better Malaysia.
Malaysians also wanted to know if the three political parties could reach common ground on their ideological positions.
Sadly, instead of working out the details and putting in place the architecture for a stronger, and permanent, Pakatan Rakyat, leaders from PKR, PAS and DAP have been squandering away the goodwill earned 16 months ago with petty politics and gamesmanship.
Sadly, instead of seizing a historic opportunity to show Malaysians that Pakatan Rakyat has medium- and long-term strategies for a better Malaysia, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang and Lim Kit Siang have been more focused on a Band Aid approach.
Driving this narrow-minded thinking is the underlying belief that if push comes to shove they can always return to their support base and secure the same support from Malaysians at the next general election.
So PAS can always count on conservative Malays, DAP on the Chinese and educated non-Malays and PKR on urban Malays. This argument is like a slice of Swiss cheese: full of holes.
The bulk of the votes that flowed to the three parties on March 8, 2008 were the result of a rejection of Barisan Nasional and what the ruling coalition stood for. It had little to do with what PKR, PAS and DAP had to offer the electorate individually.
So what Malaysians expected and desired was a committed attempt by the leaders of the three political parties to sit down and put in place the structure and policies of an alternative political system built on social justice, inclusiveness, transparency, rule of law and equality.
That desire is still there. That space is still there for the taking.
Because many Malaysians know that Umno/Barisan Nasional will never be able to deliver on its promise of making Malaysia a better place. Despite improved public relations and moves to liberalise the economy, Umno/BN is still infested with corrupt politicians (young and old) who after having purchased their positions with money expect to recoup “their investments’’ during their political career.
That is why the Port Klang Free Zone fiasco happened. That is why more than RM250 billion oil and gas revenue from Petronas to the government in the last five years have not had much of an impact on the ground.
That is why “unemployed” Umno/BN politicians are able to wear RM200,000 Patek Phillipe watches, live in mansions and own a fleet of top-of-the-range vehicles. Malaysians know of these excesses and are willing to give Pakatan Rakyat a chance at the ballot box.
But first PAS, DAP and PKR must show that they are committed to Pakatan Rakyat. As a first step, they should have a formal mechanism like a council to work out a common platform.
This council of Pakatan Rakyat leaders should meet several times a month and provide input on policies as well as state the coalition’s stand on important issues such as places of worship and the New Economic Policy.
The council can also advance and promote a unified Pakatan Rakyat agenda to convince the public of its ability to govern at federal level.
If PKR, DAP and PAS cannot agree on a permanent structure like a Pakatan Rakyat council or cannot put together a common platform, then perhaps it is time to end the courtship and inform Malaysians that you would like to stay friends. But marriage is out of the question.
Unquote:
I want to see a better Malaysia. If not for me, it’s for my children’s children. I tasted and went through the era of Communist Emergency, the Kapal Layar, Mageran, NEP, 2M, Bersih Cekap Amanah, Look East Policy, buy British last and Islam Hadhari. The rest of the slogans I have forgotten. Now I am in the era of 1Malaysia, priority to the rakyat. To the rakyat? Prove me wrong.
In Selangor, Penang and in Perak, the majority of the Malay Kampongs, PAS is being given to administer which was predominantly under UMNO control. The JKK and the Mosques are all under the leadership of PAS. Unlike Kedah, and Kelantan, PAS is not the majority factor in the states government under Pakatan. Most Malays (other than PAS members) in these three states are getting jittery and the Malays are having the impression that in Perak, Penang and Selangor an administration of PAS is a governance of DAP. Malays shunned DAP totally of its political ideology and there is no Malay leader in DAP. Those Malays who voted for DAP at the last election were merely showing their frustrations with the UMNO Leaders, not on UMNO actually. Let’s be honest, somehow or rather any Malays in this country has benefited from the NEP, the main agenda of UMNO for the Malays. Look at the numbers of Malays in the Higher Learning Institutions etc. I bet some of the present Leaders in PAS and PKR were educated through the scholarships the government provided vide the NEP. These people turned against the Government not that they hated the Government but they hate the UMNO Leaders. If BN want to regain the 2/3 majority in Parliament and got back the states lost, UMNO Leaderships have to be change. Eradicate corruption, transparent and modest life styles. If not the rakyat still chose Pakatan, at the very least there is check and balance.
With the quarrel among the Pakatan over small matters, the perception is, Pakatan would not be able to govern towards the economic and the rakyat well beings. Most Malays prefer that PAS and UMNO join hands to form Unity government. The most feared is, Malaysia would become two races country, the Malays and the Non. It would be communal and that’s not conducive for racial harmony. It could be a disaster in the making. The aftermath ………I fear to comment.
If Pakatan want to succeed up to federal level, Hadi, Anwar and Kit Siang should sit down over a cup of coffee and sorts out the entire little petty problem and map out their strategies in tandem. Better be quick for the rakyat are getting tired of the quarrel over small things which can be easily settle over a cup of kopi jantan and talk like jantan.
Thanks to Malaysian Insider for the following article. It is a reality that the rakyat is facing and feeling right now. This is an eye opener for those who chose Pakatan at PRU 12.
Quote:
KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 — Time’s up, Pakatan Rakyat. The days of courting are over. You either decide to get married or go your separate ways. Malaysians have grown weary of the soap opera which is being played out every week (or is it every other day) by different members of the opposition alliance.
Headlines such as “DAP pulls out of Kedah state government”, “Unity talks irk PAS partners” were once greeted with a shrug of the shoulders and accepted as necessary growing pains of a nascent political coalition trying to find its footing post-Election 2008.
This charitable position was anchored on the belief that in time, Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and the Democratic Action Party (DAP) would check their egos at the door and cobble together a common platform for a better Malaysia.
Malaysians also wanted to know if the three political parties could reach common ground on their ideological positions.
Sadly, instead of working out the details and putting in place the architecture for a stronger, and permanent, Pakatan Rakyat, leaders from PKR, PAS and DAP have been squandering away the goodwill earned 16 months ago with petty politics and gamesmanship.
Sadly, instead of seizing a historic opportunity to show Malaysians that Pakatan Rakyat has medium- and long-term strategies for a better Malaysia, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang and Lim Kit Siang have been more focused on a Band Aid approach.
Driving this narrow-minded thinking is the underlying belief that if push comes to shove they can always return to their support base and secure the same support from Malaysians at the next general election.
So PAS can always count on conservative Malays, DAP on the Chinese and educated non-Malays and PKR on urban Malays. This argument is like a slice of Swiss cheese: full of holes.
The bulk of the votes that flowed to the three parties on March 8, 2008 were the result of a rejection of Barisan Nasional and what the ruling coalition stood for. It had little to do with what PKR, PAS and DAP had to offer the electorate individually.
So what Malaysians expected and desired was a committed attempt by the leaders of the three political parties to sit down and put in place the structure and policies of an alternative political system built on social justice, inclusiveness, transparency, rule of law and equality.
That desire is still there. That space is still there for the taking.
Because many Malaysians know that Umno/Barisan Nasional will never be able to deliver on its promise of making Malaysia a better place. Despite improved public relations and moves to liberalise the economy, Umno/BN is still infested with corrupt politicians (young and old) who after having purchased their positions with money expect to recoup “their investments’’ during their political career.
That is why the Port Klang Free Zone fiasco happened. That is why more than RM250 billion oil and gas revenue from Petronas to the government in the last five years have not had much of an impact on the ground.
That is why “unemployed” Umno/BN politicians are able to wear RM200,000 Patek Phillipe watches, live in mansions and own a fleet of top-of-the-range vehicles. Malaysians know of these excesses and are willing to give Pakatan Rakyat a chance at the ballot box.
But first PAS, DAP and PKR must show that they are committed to Pakatan Rakyat. As a first step, they should have a formal mechanism like a council to work out a common platform.
This council of Pakatan Rakyat leaders should meet several times a month and provide input on policies as well as state the coalition’s stand on important issues such as places of worship and the New Economic Policy.
The council can also advance and promote a unified Pakatan Rakyat agenda to convince the public of its ability to govern at federal level.
If PKR, DAP and PAS cannot agree on a permanent structure like a Pakatan Rakyat council or cannot put together a common platform, then perhaps it is time to end the courtship and inform Malaysians that you would like to stay friends. But marriage is out of the question.
Unquote:
I want to see a better Malaysia. If not for me, it’s for my children’s children. I tasted and went through the era of Communist Emergency, the Kapal Layar, Mageran, NEP, 2M, Bersih Cekap Amanah, Look East Policy, buy British last and Islam Hadhari. The rest of the slogans I have forgotten. Now I am in the era of 1Malaysia, priority to the rakyat. To the rakyat? Prove me wrong.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
PAS Power.
Thirty days in power, the Mosque elected Committee which took effect on 1 June 2009 made some changes and subjective decisions which upset the kampong residents especially the veterans and the regulars. It is of my personal interest to record the following episodes so that these events could be my guide and my advice to anyone who wants to hold positions in any institution. The harmony and unity in any kampong depends solely on its leadership. It is utmost important to choose the right people for the right job.
Basis of reference: Kampong Raja Uda is within the constituency of Pandamaran N 47 won by DAP. PAS is given the power to administer the Kampong due to the Pakatan partnership.
Following is a TRUE STORY that transpired during the first month of the Mosque empowerment. It is my personal observation and as a permanent resident I exercise my observations as per se.
4 June 2009 - A young boy passed away in the kampong. The early morning of 5 June 2009, the Nazir with one of his followers, OTK went to Yang Mulia Raja Nazri’s house the Caretaker of the Saham Wakaf & Kereta Jenazah. They insisted the Van jenazah to be handed to them. Without much ado and quarrel, Raja Nazri handed the Van together with the Registration Card. OTK a controversial personality in the kampong is now the man on the wheel. The Van Jenazah is actually belongs to the Kampong Saham Wakaf and a separate entity altogether from the Mosque. The Van expenses are all under the Saham Wakaf and never acquired any fund from the Mosque. While the grabbing took place, the Ketua Kampong was away attending the PAS Muktamar in Shah Alam. He was totally unaware what was happening. Unfortunately the new Nazir and OTK were ignorant of the Van Jenazah history. The Kampong residents raised their eyebrows when they saw that the Van is in the custody of the Mosque Committee and driven by OTK. When it was brought to the attention of the Ketua Kampong, he apprehended the Nazir who let the cat out of the bag that it was OTK that pestered him to request for the handover. The Ketua Kampong was embarrassed but damage had been done. The credibility of the Ketua Kampong was at stake due to the arrogance of OTK. OTK had been aiming to drive the newly acquired Toyota Estima and at the same time would be a source of income to him. When the old Van jenazah was operational, a Toyota Liteace, he was not at all interested to drive. Maybe he was interested but no one offered him and he probably shy to ask as Raja Nazri was a member of the former Mosque Committee.
5 June 2009. - OTK declared to the Bilal that he had now taken over the position of Siak from the appointed Siak, OPD. OPD is another controversial figure as he was a drug addict. There was a tussle between the two O but OPD the appointed Siak insisted that the position is still his and he was the one that was elected. Who appointed OTK to replace OPD, nobody knows. I shook my head in disbelief. All of a sudden, once the new Mosque Committee came to power, OTK became cocky and arrogant showing off that PAS is the government of the day and in full power. He actually aimed for the Imam position but nobody wanted to propose his name during the nomination. OTK once arrogantly wrote on the Mosque white board, “Air con nak buat datok ke?” when the former Committee did not switched on all the Mosque air conditions for economic stringency. I don’t know why OTK is so anti establishment with the former Mosque Committee. His request was rejected when he wanted to be an Imam on one Friday subuh prayer to conduct the “sujud sejadah”. Normally on Thursday evening after the Maghreb prayer the congregation would recite the “yasin” with the Imam but OTK would singly dislodged himself from the congregation. At khenduri tahlil he would refrain from referring to the yasin book to show off that he can memorize the surah yasin. Memorizing the surah yasin alone does not qualify him to be an Ulamak. In Islamic term, we call it “riak”. It is rather astonishing that even though he hates the guts of certain people in the Kampong but when that particular person organized a khenduri, OTK would be presence in the house. He abandoned his pride (and water face) in order to get a few ringgits and kain pelikat. I chose to keep my distance from this “Ahli Majlis Fatwa” for he commented that the Imam recitation is wrong, the Bilal cannot call the azan correctly, and in fact everybody is wrong except him. I only practice fardhuain and I don’t rob the Van jenazah and make a living out of it.
After the Friday prayers, all the new Committee was looking at each other how to unlock the donations boxes. They contacted the previous Committee and it was told that all the keys had been handed to the new Committee but the new Committee was too proud to go into details. The donation boxes were finally unlocked after the Asar prayer. The problem here, the new Committee failed to designate the various responsibilities among themselves and they don’t bother asking the former Committee the standard operating procedures. They treat the former Committee members as stern enemies who align to UMNO. The Generals were not in town. The Nazir work in Putrajaya, the Secretary in Petaling Jaya and the Treasurer can be anywhere in Selangor/ KL and they are performing their Friday prayers elsewhere. Unlike the former Committee, the Deputy Nazir, the Secretary and the Treasurer are all Pensioners and kampong in house. Before the bank close for the day, the collections already bank in.
6 June 2009 - PAS brought in their very own Ustaz to preach after the Maghreb prayer. This particular Ustaz was telling the congregation that anybody can be easily ISA even if you carry along a parang. Detention without trial is against Islam. I agree 100% with him. ISA (Internal Security Act) is a major political issue in Malaysia where the present federal government is implementing. This upset, Wahab an UMNO supporter presence among the congregation. Wahab confronted the Ustaz and told him to concentrate only on religious matters rather than politics. The congregation was divided on this matter depending on which political party they belong. The Orang Besar Daerah had conveyed clearly to the Ketua kampong, His Royal Highness proclamation - no politic at places of worship, schools and Hospitals. Personally I do not condone Wahab sudden outburst but Malaysia being democratic, anybody can air their grouses depending how the individual does it.
10 June 2009 – Meeting was held between the former Nazir, Wahab, local UMNO representative and the Ketua Kampong. The Meeting was to sort out several teething problems with the Mosque change of government and the main topic of discussion was about the Van jenazah. They were looking for amicable solutions for win - win situations for the sake of the kampong and Mosque harmony. It is a known fact that about 80% of the local residents are UMNO supporters and the remaining 20% are PAS members who are mostly recent migrants to the Kampong or rather an Outsider. Going back to history, the kampong is the first Malay settlement in Malaya, set up in 1952 by RIDA. Only a few of the first settlers still alive today and most of the local residents are children and grandchildren of the pioneers. Their ancestor’s effort to develop the Kampong and the Mosque from scratch is nostalgic, sweat and blood and I don’t blame them when overnight PAS is trying to manage the Kampong and the Mosque in particular. My personal observation the changing over of the Committee was not done in a diplomatic and harmonious way. It should be Nazir to Nazir, Secretary to Secretary and Treasurer to Treasurer. It was done en bloc and the end result was confusion. One of the elected woman representative was purposely omitted from the list and she was a member of the former Committee. When confronted the Ketua Kampong declared that it was a mistake and up to this date the mistake was not amended.
18 June 2009 – Just after the subuh prayer the photograph of the Mosque Marhaban group was removed by the Mosque committee whereas the notification of Keadilan Port Klang Adun Day Care Centre (political advertisement) remained intact at the Mosque notice board. The Marhaban group is part of the Mosque activity and partly sponsored and encouraged by the former Mosque Committee. There is no PAS member participated in the Marhaban group and in 2008 the group came out Champion among the Mosques in Klang District. The group was also invited to the Astro Marhaban Programme. I don’t see the rationale why the Committee is against the Marhaban group. Are they instigating for a confrontation? It is definitely not a good sign to instill harmony in the Mosque if they persist to be arrogant and less smart. The patient of some has its limit. The Mosque is not the right place to invoke tension. Marhaban…..is it bidaah? Marhaban is an Arabic word for welcome. The first recitation was the welcoming of the Holy Prophet during His Holiness hijrah from Mekah to Medina. The morale here, when we want to do something, think first, refrain from hurting the feelings of others. Unless of course, you have ulterior motive to get even. Is this Islamic?
19 June 2009 – Before the Friday prayer one of the Mosque Committee member took the microphone and announced to the congregation that the during the takeover on 1 June 2009 the coffer handed over by the old Committee was RM 19,174.44 and minus the orphans fund the balance was only RM 14,681.44. He urged the congregation to donate willingly to the Mosque fund so that activities during the coming Ramadan can proceed. He related the amount of fund that the Mosque had, since 31 Dec 2006 and had depleted from RM 100,850.26 as at 31 December 2007 to RM 14,681.44 during the takeover on 1 June 2009. However he did not mentioned how the money was spent; especially a big chunk of it was spent on the installation of air conditions. Point of declaration: Those accounts were audited and passed during the Annual General Meetings and they have no ground to dispute. I began to question the motive of the announcement and it was totally uncalled for. The truth was not emphasized and this tantamount to lies and misleading the congregation. In Islamic term is fitnah. Spreading fitnah in the House of Allah is an extreme sin. Help me God. An unsigned account statement from ending 31 December 2006 was also posted on the Mosque Notice Board. Why unsigned? It was not reflecting the truth and comprehensive details. They know that. If apprehended, the responsible party can easily deny because it is unsigned. The motive is to mislead the reader, giving the impression that the former Committee was extravagant. The trick is in my pocket. However, the normal congregation is not stupid. Perhaps they are less smart because it make the people realize how unprofessional they are. Most readers conclude their own perceptions of the new Committee.
There was a change of modus operandi collecting donations from the congregation. The new Committee now decided to utilize the service of Sekolah Ugama school boys carrying a small bag each and collect from each and every one of the congregation. The system of steel locked boxes plying at each row adopted by the old Mosque Committee now scrapped. At the end of the Friday prayer, the amount collected was only about RM 800 compared to the old system which was in the region between RM 1200 – 1300. I accept change but the change must be for the betterment. If it is for the worse or for the sake of discarding the old Committee system then it is tantamount to vengeance. Vengeance is not encouraged in Islam. Change with vengeance and insincerity will not succeed and sooner it would collapse. Allah is watching whatever we do in this world. If the system works, why want to abandon it?
23 June 2009 – Ustaz Azman Abdul Halim newly invitee Ustaz by the new Committee came to preach at the Mosque in between Maghreb and Isyakh. Suddenly the Mosque was exceptionally crowded by PAS local members as well as PAS imported members from other Mosques. I laud the crowd for it is good that the House of Allah should be crowded. I hope it remain that way. The question however, why when there is a presence of Ustaz by their invitee, these people come to the Mosque? Why not before or why not at any other normal praying time? The usual Ustaz who normally preach at the Mosque do not receive such exceptional reception. PAS members stayed away and during the period pre took over, they prefer to congregate and pray at their Markas. They refused to attend the Mosque Annual General Meeting and instead they conduct their own at the warung and coffee shops. During the call of Maghreb azan, they still hang around at the warungs. During Ramadan they conducted the sunat terawikh prayer at their Markas instead of joining the Mosque congregation. They performed their own korban. They distanced themselves from the Mosque and now since they had taken over the Mosque administration, surprisingly some of them (only some) recognize the road leading to the Mosque. Alhamdullilah….. for Allah had bestowed hidayah upon them and that is the hikmah that Barisan Nasional fell. It would be interesting to see what would happen if Barisan Nasional manage to recapture Selangor. Would they revert to their old habits? The faith of Islam we embrace is for the sake of Allah and applicable to all Muslims irrespective whether we are PAS member or UMNO member. That’s the universal Muslim akidah. We go to Mosque for the divine of Allah and we cannot abandon the Mosque just because we dislike somebody among the congregation or we don’t like the Committee Members. Only Allah can judge for we are all servants of the Almighty. Allah does not distinguish nor segregate the political party we belong to. Its high time PAS members evaluate themselves and ponder whether thou is perfect than thee? All are facing the same direction, kiblat when we pray in the Mosque and its wajib shoulder to shoulder for unity in Islam brotherhood.
24 June 2009 - Reliable sources obtained that OTK charged RM 200 for the service of transporting a demised lady from the Hospital to the House and from the House to the graveyard yesterday. Someone consulted Raja Nazri and was informed that the total charge is normally RM 80 if affordable. If not it would be free of charge and considered as sedekah or amal jariah. Normally RM 50 will add to the saham coffer for maintenance and replacement. My reliable source got further information that OTK only handed RM 100 to the Ketua Kampong and the balance of RM 100, OTK pocketed. The blessings by Allah for carrying a jenazah is seven times the size of Uhud Mountain but if your intention (nawaitu) is for monetary gain, then Allah would bless you with only the monetary gain. That’s the trouble when you fail to study in depth about Islam, in Islamic term is jahil. Those who had performed the Haj or Umrah can visualize how big Uhud Mountain is and if the akidah is strong, one would do it for free.
25 June 2009 – After the yasin recitation, in between Maghreb and Isyakh prayer, the Secretary announced that OTK had been appointed by the Committee to be as Siak 3. The obvious reason, the appointment of OPD as Siak 2 is controversial as the kampong folks know that he is a drug addict and his reliability and personality questionable. OPD was however nowhere to be seen during the announcement. I began to notice that they are going to slowly brush him aside or frustrate him. After all, their mission had accomplished on OPD when they made used of him to nominate their names during the election process and nominations closed to block off other eligible candidates for being nominated. Some, who are eligible, declined due to PAS domination and pre planned agenda. Probably high on cloud nine OPD did his job very well. Since he was so outspoken and spokesman at the Election process, he was unanimously elected as Siak 2 by those presence who were utterly disgusted with the whole affair.
Surprisingly, the Ketua Kampong had been appointed as Chairman of Saham Wakaf and Kereta jenazah Bureau. Eyebrows rose because the Saham Wakaf and Kereta jenazah was never under the management of the Mosque. Who appointed him? Self appointed? The JKK? The Mosque Committee? There was no meeting or whatsoever by the kampong residents to elect him as the Chairman. I wish to explore further to comprehend the appointment.
The Nazir emphasized on quality praying. Quality praying? Allah had set the minimum standard and it is the Almighty who decides whether the solat is blessed or just exercise. The basic fundamental, once you step out from the house to the Mosque, your heart must be clean and pure. The intention (nawaitu) is only one, for the sake of Allah. If the heart is full of vengeance, hatred etc, forget about going to the Mosque. Go to the Dangdut, perhaps the body is healthier by twisting the buttocks. One very important aspect about praying, one must be free from personal debt. If one is in debt to a fellow human being and no intention of paying, all the amal ibadat would not get Allah blessing and just hanging.
The congregation was also told that the construction of the new Mosque would tentatively complete in December 2011, insya’alah. I wish and pray nothing but the best and I also hope that the construction of the Mosque would not be similar to the era of Barisan Nasional where delay and defects to construction is a norm. A reliable source, the new Contractor is PAS appointed, that make no difference between PAS and UMNO.
26 June 2009 – Before the Friday prayer several announcements were made. The various Chairman of the bureaus and new elected Committee Members. The salient point, the Mosque Committee had given notice to the New Mosque Committee (made up from the old Mosque Committee) to hand over to the Mosque Committee all matters pertaining to the construction of the New Mosque, files, money etc. They had set 4 July 2009 as dateline. It is interesting to watch what would be the outcome. I was told, when the JKK wanted to take over the affair of the new Mosque, a meeting was held sometimes in April 2009 between Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (JAIS), Jawatan Kuasa Kampong (JKK) the New Mosque Committee and the Orang Besar Daerah (OBD) the representative of the Royal Highness the Sultan. The Yang Di Pertua PAS Klang cum member of MPK Board requested that it should be handed to them to reflect the new state administration under Pakatan Rakyat. The consensus was the Committee of the New Mosque would be status quo and would oversee the project until completion. The OBD gave that specific instruction however advised additional Committee members can be incorporated. Now the Mosque Committee would want to take over where the JKK failed. JAIS and the OBD had said it loud and clear. To be fair to them, I suggest hold a referendum among the kampong people, who should handle the affair of the New Mosque.
The questions arise whether the Nazir and the Secretary can handle the New Mosque project? Even the Khairat Kematian where they are the Treasurer and the Secretary respectively is still hanging with six years Annual General Meeting not held. They have mess up the six years accounting of the Khairat Kematian and I have my reservation and deep concern if ever they succeed in handling the affair of the New Mosque.
After the Maghreb prayer, few of us sat down with one of the Imam and he told us that at the first Committee meeting where he was invited as the capacity of Imam the meeting agreed upon that the Van Jenazah to be returned under the custody of Raja Nazri. Now the story is the other way round and he began to doubt the credibility of the Ketua Kampong. ”Cakap tak serupa bikin.” The Imam quoted, I don’t trust him anymore.
During the commencement of Isyakh prayer, the Nazir pulled Ajeem out from the end of the first row (saf) and asked him to pray elsewhere not among the congregation. Ajeem is a mongoloid retarded teenager, illiterate and speech flawed but he frequents the Mosque and normally we directed him to pray right at the end of the first row. Even the Imam had no objections. Ajeem may not pray the right way and his wuduk questionable but Allah knows best. In the House of Allah all are equal. Ajeem is clean from all sins and his heart is definitely much purer than any mentally normal person including me or the Nazir himself. Ajeem possess no vengeance, hate, jealousy, lies and dislike for anybody. As human he has feelings. He often greets everybody with a smile and his version of asalamualaikum. His place is guaranteed in Heaven and Allah promised that. We should treat him special as he is going to be the permanent residence of Jannatul firdhaus.(supreme kingdom of Heaven). Allah created Ajeem, sends him to this world, made us to encounter with him maybe to test our akidah. Ajeem had been well accepted and treated in the Mosque until I witnessed this "unislamic" treatment to a fellow human being in the House of Allah. I had witnessed all sorts of human beings, spastic, retarded and disable praying among the congregation in Masjidilharam (the Grand Mosque in Mekah), nobody pull them away to pray elsewhere. I would laud the Nazir implementing change and quality praying, if he goes around the kampong with a loudspeaker requesting the residents to come out and pray together (berjemaah) in the Mosque. I would render my 100% support. At the very least, a crowded Mosque would reflect unity among the residents in general. There are residents who never even step into the Mosque, even on Friday, these are the people the Nazir should approach and coax them to the Mosque. The basic in house element of a Nazir is humble, down to earth, environmental friendly and as capable of an Imam. I keep my distance for I very well know I am not as capable as an Imam, perhaps best suit to be Towkay Dangdut. Even Towkay Dangdut need to be environmental friendly otherwise regular customers would run away. I chose the right measurement that fit my body physique.
29 June 2009 – After the Isyakh prayer, OTK approached one of my friends to take over driving the Van Jenazah. OTK heard the Kampong residents complaining of the RM 200 he charged for transporting a jenazah recently. He reiterated that he was working overtime transporting the jenazah late at night. Why didn’t he think of the risks before grabbing the Van Jenazah? Didn’t he know that human being die at any time within the day? My friend declined not because he cannot drive but because the situation of the Van Jenazah has become a controversy and a talk among the Kampong residents.
30 June 2009 – There is no likely the Van Jenazah would be returned to Raja Nazri. I hope they can prove me wrong or until they come to their senses. For the past two nights of 29th and 30th June, PAS invitee Ustaz, failed to turn up at the Mosque to preach.
Conclusion:
Since majority of the new Committee members are PAS members, they should portray the true Islamic teaching and be exemplary, then people would be more interested with the party. To convince, the approach must be right. The Mosque is a place for unity and to enhance brotherhood in Islam.
Sometimes it’s convenient and easier to work with the devils that you know than the unknown strangers you just befriended, a legacy my late father used to advise me. The people wanted change, that’s why Pakatan Rakyat won in Selangor. If this is the type of change the people are getting, I bet the people would revert to the devil that they know. The saf was closed, harmonious and united. No grudges, ill feelings, negative perception and personality conflict. We then can give full concentration (kyushuk) during prayers.
These write out is to relate how less smart people can be when power suddenly in hand. Greed and irrational decisions can lead to the failure of an institution, even a country, so to say.
I hope my children and my children’s children can take this as an example (iktibar) to choose the right people for the right job. Everything that we do in this world there is the hikmah and the iktibar and we all pray to Allah every day, for the siratulmustakim (shows us the straight and correct path). The best and simple guide of life is the surah Alfatihah.
I would blog the events as it develops.
Copy rights reserved.
Basis of reference: Kampong Raja Uda is within the constituency of Pandamaran N 47 won by DAP. PAS is given the power to administer the Kampong due to the Pakatan partnership.
Following is a TRUE STORY that transpired during the first month of the Mosque empowerment. It is my personal observation and as a permanent resident I exercise my observations as per se.
4 June 2009 - A young boy passed away in the kampong. The early morning of 5 June 2009, the Nazir with one of his followers, OTK went to Yang Mulia Raja Nazri’s house the Caretaker of the Saham Wakaf & Kereta Jenazah. They insisted the Van jenazah to be handed to them. Without much ado and quarrel, Raja Nazri handed the Van together with the Registration Card. OTK a controversial personality in the kampong is now the man on the wheel. The Van Jenazah is actually belongs to the Kampong Saham Wakaf and a separate entity altogether from the Mosque. The Van expenses are all under the Saham Wakaf and never acquired any fund from the Mosque. While the grabbing took place, the Ketua Kampong was away attending the PAS Muktamar in Shah Alam. He was totally unaware what was happening. Unfortunately the new Nazir and OTK were ignorant of the Van Jenazah history. The Kampong residents raised their eyebrows when they saw that the Van is in the custody of the Mosque Committee and driven by OTK. When it was brought to the attention of the Ketua Kampong, he apprehended the Nazir who let the cat out of the bag that it was OTK that pestered him to request for the handover. The Ketua Kampong was embarrassed but damage had been done. The credibility of the Ketua Kampong was at stake due to the arrogance of OTK. OTK had been aiming to drive the newly acquired Toyota Estima and at the same time would be a source of income to him. When the old Van jenazah was operational, a Toyota Liteace, he was not at all interested to drive. Maybe he was interested but no one offered him and he probably shy to ask as Raja Nazri was a member of the former Mosque Committee.
5 June 2009. - OTK declared to the Bilal that he had now taken over the position of Siak from the appointed Siak, OPD. OPD is another controversial figure as he was a drug addict. There was a tussle between the two O but OPD the appointed Siak insisted that the position is still his and he was the one that was elected. Who appointed OTK to replace OPD, nobody knows. I shook my head in disbelief. All of a sudden, once the new Mosque Committee came to power, OTK became cocky and arrogant showing off that PAS is the government of the day and in full power. He actually aimed for the Imam position but nobody wanted to propose his name during the nomination. OTK once arrogantly wrote on the Mosque white board, “Air con nak buat datok ke?” when the former Committee did not switched on all the Mosque air conditions for economic stringency. I don’t know why OTK is so anti establishment with the former Mosque Committee. His request was rejected when he wanted to be an Imam on one Friday subuh prayer to conduct the “sujud sejadah”. Normally on Thursday evening after the Maghreb prayer the congregation would recite the “yasin” with the Imam but OTK would singly dislodged himself from the congregation. At khenduri tahlil he would refrain from referring to the yasin book to show off that he can memorize the surah yasin. Memorizing the surah yasin alone does not qualify him to be an Ulamak. In Islamic term, we call it “riak”. It is rather astonishing that even though he hates the guts of certain people in the Kampong but when that particular person organized a khenduri, OTK would be presence in the house. He abandoned his pride (and water face) in order to get a few ringgits and kain pelikat. I chose to keep my distance from this “Ahli Majlis Fatwa” for he commented that the Imam recitation is wrong, the Bilal cannot call the azan correctly, and in fact everybody is wrong except him. I only practice fardhuain and I don’t rob the Van jenazah and make a living out of it.
After the Friday prayers, all the new Committee was looking at each other how to unlock the donations boxes. They contacted the previous Committee and it was told that all the keys had been handed to the new Committee but the new Committee was too proud to go into details. The donation boxes were finally unlocked after the Asar prayer. The problem here, the new Committee failed to designate the various responsibilities among themselves and they don’t bother asking the former Committee the standard operating procedures. They treat the former Committee members as stern enemies who align to UMNO. The Generals were not in town. The Nazir work in Putrajaya, the Secretary in Petaling Jaya and the Treasurer can be anywhere in Selangor/ KL and they are performing their Friday prayers elsewhere. Unlike the former Committee, the Deputy Nazir, the Secretary and the Treasurer are all Pensioners and kampong in house. Before the bank close for the day, the collections already bank in.
6 June 2009 - PAS brought in their very own Ustaz to preach after the Maghreb prayer. This particular Ustaz was telling the congregation that anybody can be easily ISA even if you carry along a parang. Detention without trial is against Islam. I agree 100% with him. ISA (Internal Security Act) is a major political issue in Malaysia where the present federal government is implementing. This upset, Wahab an UMNO supporter presence among the congregation. Wahab confronted the Ustaz and told him to concentrate only on religious matters rather than politics. The congregation was divided on this matter depending on which political party they belong. The Orang Besar Daerah had conveyed clearly to the Ketua kampong, His Royal Highness proclamation - no politic at places of worship, schools and Hospitals. Personally I do not condone Wahab sudden outburst but Malaysia being democratic, anybody can air their grouses depending how the individual does it.
10 June 2009 – Meeting was held between the former Nazir, Wahab, local UMNO representative and the Ketua Kampong. The Meeting was to sort out several teething problems with the Mosque change of government and the main topic of discussion was about the Van jenazah. They were looking for amicable solutions for win - win situations for the sake of the kampong and Mosque harmony. It is a known fact that about 80% of the local residents are UMNO supporters and the remaining 20% are PAS members who are mostly recent migrants to the Kampong or rather an Outsider. Going back to history, the kampong is the first Malay settlement in Malaya, set up in 1952 by RIDA. Only a few of the first settlers still alive today and most of the local residents are children and grandchildren of the pioneers. Their ancestor’s effort to develop the Kampong and the Mosque from scratch is nostalgic, sweat and blood and I don’t blame them when overnight PAS is trying to manage the Kampong and the Mosque in particular. My personal observation the changing over of the Committee was not done in a diplomatic and harmonious way. It should be Nazir to Nazir, Secretary to Secretary and Treasurer to Treasurer. It was done en bloc and the end result was confusion. One of the elected woman representative was purposely omitted from the list and she was a member of the former Committee. When confronted the Ketua Kampong declared that it was a mistake and up to this date the mistake was not amended.
18 June 2009 – Just after the subuh prayer the photograph of the Mosque Marhaban group was removed by the Mosque committee whereas the notification of Keadilan Port Klang Adun Day Care Centre (political advertisement) remained intact at the Mosque notice board. The Marhaban group is part of the Mosque activity and partly sponsored and encouraged by the former Mosque Committee. There is no PAS member participated in the Marhaban group and in 2008 the group came out Champion among the Mosques in Klang District. The group was also invited to the Astro Marhaban Programme. I don’t see the rationale why the Committee is against the Marhaban group. Are they instigating for a confrontation? It is definitely not a good sign to instill harmony in the Mosque if they persist to be arrogant and less smart. The patient of some has its limit. The Mosque is not the right place to invoke tension. Marhaban…..is it bidaah? Marhaban is an Arabic word for welcome. The first recitation was the welcoming of the Holy Prophet during His Holiness hijrah from Mekah to Medina. The morale here, when we want to do something, think first, refrain from hurting the feelings of others. Unless of course, you have ulterior motive to get even. Is this Islamic?
19 June 2009 – Before the Friday prayer one of the Mosque Committee member took the microphone and announced to the congregation that the during the takeover on 1 June 2009 the coffer handed over by the old Committee was RM 19,174.44 and minus the orphans fund the balance was only RM 14,681.44. He urged the congregation to donate willingly to the Mosque fund so that activities during the coming Ramadan can proceed. He related the amount of fund that the Mosque had, since 31 Dec 2006 and had depleted from RM 100,850.26 as at 31 December 2007 to RM 14,681.44 during the takeover on 1 June 2009. However he did not mentioned how the money was spent; especially a big chunk of it was spent on the installation of air conditions. Point of declaration: Those accounts were audited and passed during the Annual General Meetings and they have no ground to dispute. I began to question the motive of the announcement and it was totally uncalled for. The truth was not emphasized and this tantamount to lies and misleading the congregation. In Islamic term is fitnah. Spreading fitnah in the House of Allah is an extreme sin. Help me God. An unsigned account statement from ending 31 December 2006 was also posted on the Mosque Notice Board. Why unsigned? It was not reflecting the truth and comprehensive details. They know that. If apprehended, the responsible party can easily deny because it is unsigned. The motive is to mislead the reader, giving the impression that the former Committee was extravagant. The trick is in my pocket. However, the normal congregation is not stupid. Perhaps they are less smart because it make the people realize how unprofessional they are. Most readers conclude their own perceptions of the new Committee.
There was a change of modus operandi collecting donations from the congregation. The new Committee now decided to utilize the service of Sekolah Ugama school boys carrying a small bag each and collect from each and every one of the congregation. The system of steel locked boxes plying at each row adopted by the old Mosque Committee now scrapped. At the end of the Friday prayer, the amount collected was only about RM 800 compared to the old system which was in the region between RM 1200 – 1300. I accept change but the change must be for the betterment. If it is for the worse or for the sake of discarding the old Committee system then it is tantamount to vengeance. Vengeance is not encouraged in Islam. Change with vengeance and insincerity will not succeed and sooner it would collapse. Allah is watching whatever we do in this world. If the system works, why want to abandon it?
23 June 2009 – Ustaz Azman Abdul Halim newly invitee Ustaz by the new Committee came to preach at the Mosque in between Maghreb and Isyakh. Suddenly the Mosque was exceptionally crowded by PAS local members as well as PAS imported members from other Mosques. I laud the crowd for it is good that the House of Allah should be crowded. I hope it remain that way. The question however, why when there is a presence of Ustaz by their invitee, these people come to the Mosque? Why not before or why not at any other normal praying time? The usual Ustaz who normally preach at the Mosque do not receive such exceptional reception. PAS members stayed away and during the period pre took over, they prefer to congregate and pray at their Markas. They refused to attend the Mosque Annual General Meeting and instead they conduct their own at the warung and coffee shops. During the call of Maghreb azan, they still hang around at the warungs. During Ramadan they conducted the sunat terawikh prayer at their Markas instead of joining the Mosque congregation. They performed their own korban. They distanced themselves from the Mosque and now since they had taken over the Mosque administration, surprisingly some of them (only some) recognize the road leading to the Mosque. Alhamdullilah….. for Allah had bestowed hidayah upon them and that is the hikmah that Barisan Nasional fell. It would be interesting to see what would happen if Barisan Nasional manage to recapture Selangor. Would they revert to their old habits? The faith of Islam we embrace is for the sake of Allah and applicable to all Muslims irrespective whether we are PAS member or UMNO member. That’s the universal Muslim akidah. We go to Mosque for the divine of Allah and we cannot abandon the Mosque just because we dislike somebody among the congregation or we don’t like the Committee Members. Only Allah can judge for we are all servants of the Almighty. Allah does not distinguish nor segregate the political party we belong to. Its high time PAS members evaluate themselves and ponder whether thou is perfect than thee? All are facing the same direction, kiblat when we pray in the Mosque and its wajib shoulder to shoulder for unity in Islam brotherhood.
24 June 2009 - Reliable sources obtained that OTK charged RM 200 for the service of transporting a demised lady from the Hospital to the House and from the House to the graveyard yesterday. Someone consulted Raja Nazri and was informed that the total charge is normally RM 80 if affordable. If not it would be free of charge and considered as sedekah or amal jariah. Normally RM 50 will add to the saham coffer for maintenance and replacement. My reliable source got further information that OTK only handed RM 100 to the Ketua Kampong and the balance of RM 100, OTK pocketed. The blessings by Allah for carrying a jenazah is seven times the size of Uhud Mountain but if your intention (nawaitu) is for monetary gain, then Allah would bless you with only the monetary gain. That’s the trouble when you fail to study in depth about Islam, in Islamic term is jahil. Those who had performed the Haj or Umrah can visualize how big Uhud Mountain is and if the akidah is strong, one would do it for free.
25 June 2009 – After the yasin recitation, in between Maghreb and Isyakh prayer, the Secretary announced that OTK had been appointed by the Committee to be as Siak 3. The obvious reason, the appointment of OPD as Siak 2 is controversial as the kampong folks know that he is a drug addict and his reliability and personality questionable. OPD was however nowhere to be seen during the announcement. I began to notice that they are going to slowly brush him aside or frustrate him. After all, their mission had accomplished on OPD when they made used of him to nominate their names during the election process and nominations closed to block off other eligible candidates for being nominated. Some, who are eligible, declined due to PAS domination and pre planned agenda. Probably high on cloud nine OPD did his job very well. Since he was so outspoken and spokesman at the Election process, he was unanimously elected as Siak 2 by those presence who were utterly disgusted with the whole affair.
Surprisingly, the Ketua Kampong had been appointed as Chairman of Saham Wakaf and Kereta jenazah Bureau. Eyebrows rose because the Saham Wakaf and Kereta jenazah was never under the management of the Mosque. Who appointed him? Self appointed? The JKK? The Mosque Committee? There was no meeting or whatsoever by the kampong residents to elect him as the Chairman. I wish to explore further to comprehend the appointment.
The Nazir emphasized on quality praying. Quality praying? Allah had set the minimum standard and it is the Almighty who decides whether the solat is blessed or just exercise. The basic fundamental, once you step out from the house to the Mosque, your heart must be clean and pure. The intention (nawaitu) is only one, for the sake of Allah. If the heart is full of vengeance, hatred etc, forget about going to the Mosque. Go to the Dangdut, perhaps the body is healthier by twisting the buttocks. One very important aspect about praying, one must be free from personal debt. If one is in debt to a fellow human being and no intention of paying, all the amal ibadat would not get Allah blessing and just hanging.
The congregation was also told that the construction of the new Mosque would tentatively complete in December 2011, insya’alah. I wish and pray nothing but the best and I also hope that the construction of the Mosque would not be similar to the era of Barisan Nasional where delay and defects to construction is a norm. A reliable source, the new Contractor is PAS appointed, that make no difference between PAS and UMNO.
26 June 2009 – Before the Friday prayer several announcements were made. The various Chairman of the bureaus and new elected Committee Members. The salient point, the Mosque Committee had given notice to the New Mosque Committee (made up from the old Mosque Committee) to hand over to the Mosque Committee all matters pertaining to the construction of the New Mosque, files, money etc. They had set 4 July 2009 as dateline. It is interesting to watch what would be the outcome. I was told, when the JKK wanted to take over the affair of the new Mosque, a meeting was held sometimes in April 2009 between Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (JAIS), Jawatan Kuasa Kampong (JKK) the New Mosque Committee and the Orang Besar Daerah (OBD) the representative of the Royal Highness the Sultan. The Yang Di Pertua PAS Klang cum member of MPK Board requested that it should be handed to them to reflect the new state administration under Pakatan Rakyat. The consensus was the Committee of the New Mosque would be status quo and would oversee the project until completion. The OBD gave that specific instruction however advised additional Committee members can be incorporated. Now the Mosque Committee would want to take over where the JKK failed. JAIS and the OBD had said it loud and clear. To be fair to them, I suggest hold a referendum among the kampong people, who should handle the affair of the New Mosque.
The questions arise whether the Nazir and the Secretary can handle the New Mosque project? Even the Khairat Kematian where they are the Treasurer and the Secretary respectively is still hanging with six years Annual General Meeting not held. They have mess up the six years accounting of the Khairat Kematian and I have my reservation and deep concern if ever they succeed in handling the affair of the New Mosque.
After the Maghreb prayer, few of us sat down with one of the Imam and he told us that at the first Committee meeting where he was invited as the capacity of Imam the meeting agreed upon that the Van Jenazah to be returned under the custody of Raja Nazri. Now the story is the other way round and he began to doubt the credibility of the Ketua Kampong. ”Cakap tak serupa bikin.” The Imam quoted, I don’t trust him anymore.
During the commencement of Isyakh prayer, the Nazir pulled Ajeem out from the end of the first row (saf) and asked him to pray elsewhere not among the congregation. Ajeem is a mongoloid retarded teenager, illiterate and speech flawed but he frequents the Mosque and normally we directed him to pray right at the end of the first row. Even the Imam had no objections. Ajeem may not pray the right way and his wuduk questionable but Allah knows best. In the House of Allah all are equal. Ajeem is clean from all sins and his heart is definitely much purer than any mentally normal person including me or the Nazir himself. Ajeem possess no vengeance, hate, jealousy, lies and dislike for anybody. As human he has feelings. He often greets everybody with a smile and his version of asalamualaikum. His place is guaranteed in Heaven and Allah promised that. We should treat him special as he is going to be the permanent residence of Jannatul firdhaus.(supreme kingdom of Heaven). Allah created Ajeem, sends him to this world, made us to encounter with him maybe to test our akidah. Ajeem had been well accepted and treated in the Mosque until I witnessed this "unislamic" treatment to a fellow human being in the House of Allah. I had witnessed all sorts of human beings, spastic, retarded and disable praying among the congregation in Masjidilharam (the Grand Mosque in Mekah), nobody pull them away to pray elsewhere. I would laud the Nazir implementing change and quality praying, if he goes around the kampong with a loudspeaker requesting the residents to come out and pray together (berjemaah) in the Mosque. I would render my 100% support. At the very least, a crowded Mosque would reflect unity among the residents in general. There are residents who never even step into the Mosque, even on Friday, these are the people the Nazir should approach and coax them to the Mosque. The basic in house element of a Nazir is humble, down to earth, environmental friendly and as capable of an Imam. I keep my distance for I very well know I am not as capable as an Imam, perhaps best suit to be Towkay Dangdut. Even Towkay Dangdut need to be environmental friendly otherwise regular customers would run away. I chose the right measurement that fit my body physique.
29 June 2009 – After the Isyakh prayer, OTK approached one of my friends to take over driving the Van Jenazah. OTK heard the Kampong residents complaining of the RM 200 he charged for transporting a jenazah recently. He reiterated that he was working overtime transporting the jenazah late at night. Why didn’t he think of the risks before grabbing the Van Jenazah? Didn’t he know that human being die at any time within the day? My friend declined not because he cannot drive but because the situation of the Van Jenazah has become a controversy and a talk among the Kampong residents.
30 June 2009 – There is no likely the Van Jenazah would be returned to Raja Nazri. I hope they can prove me wrong or until they come to their senses. For the past two nights of 29th and 30th June, PAS invitee Ustaz, failed to turn up at the Mosque to preach.
Conclusion:
Since majority of the new Committee members are PAS members, they should portray the true Islamic teaching and be exemplary, then people would be more interested with the party. To convince, the approach must be right. The Mosque is a place for unity and to enhance brotherhood in Islam.
Sometimes it’s convenient and easier to work with the devils that you know than the unknown strangers you just befriended, a legacy my late father used to advise me. The people wanted change, that’s why Pakatan Rakyat won in Selangor. If this is the type of change the people are getting, I bet the people would revert to the devil that they know. The saf was closed, harmonious and united. No grudges, ill feelings, negative perception and personality conflict. We then can give full concentration (kyushuk) during prayers.
These write out is to relate how less smart people can be when power suddenly in hand. Greed and irrational decisions can lead to the failure of an institution, even a country, so to say.
I hope my children and my children’s children can take this as an example (iktibar) to choose the right people for the right job. Everything that we do in this world there is the hikmah and the iktibar and we all pray to Allah every day, for the siratulmustakim (shows us the straight and correct path). The best and simple guide of life is the surah Alfatihah.
I would blog the events as it develops.
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