To the Northern States.

24 April 2011 – Early in the morning Malek and I fetched Haji Zainal (nickname Jack) at Shah Alam. The trio took the bypass to the north vide the Guthrie Expressway to get into the North/South PLUS Highway. To start the long journey we had a quickie breakfast at Rawang R&R. Destination was Penang Island.

Along the highway we took a break at Bukit Gantang R&R to ease our leg muscles. We then drove straight up to Sungai Dua to pick up Azmi who would be my local Guide to Penang Pearl
Island Resort. The intention to this beautiful Hillside Resort was to attend Nadia’s wedding reception. Nadia and her parents was my umrah mate in 2008 when we toured Egypt and umrah at the Holy Land. Haji Idris was glad to acknowledge my presence and I was also glad to encounter Haji Kamal & wife again, at least someone familiar. Haji Kamal and wife was also in our company during the same umrah. Hj Kamal kept me company otherwise I was lost among the guests and a loner at the wedding reception. They too were in the same position as I was.

Nadia's wedding.

My companion fetched me when I was done with the reception.

After dropping off Azmi at Sungai Dua we proceed to Kuala Perlis, stopping at Gurun R&R for our jamak prayers. I was shocked someone called for me and to my surprise it was Dato Azmi stopping for the same purpose on his way back to Alor Star. Dato Azmi was with me during the 14 – 28 March 2011 umrah. We were both surprised to bump with each other at such a peculiar place.

We arrived at Kuala Perlis at 1745 hrs and the last ferry to Langkawi Island was at 1800 hrs. It was a mad rush as I had to arrange the car to be parked at the Marine Department and hurriedly bought the ferry ticket to Langkawi Island. There was no problem with ticketing as the ferry was only half full.

The ferry ride was smooth as the sea was very calm. As we approached Langkawi Island, the sceneries were fantastic with the evening sunset dropping behind the cluster of several small islands. The ferry berthed at Kuah ferry terminal at 1900 hrs and we waited for Ramli - Jack old buddy. Ramli provided us with a car for our pleasure during our stay at Langkawi. We drove to Pantai Tengah and checked in into Charlie Motel. A beautiful Motel by the sea frontage well equipped and highly recommended for families with children.

At Charlie Motel, Pantai Tengah.

Charlie Motel frontage.

After dinner we went to Pantai Cenang. This is the place in Langkawi where the excitement takes place. Local tourists as well as Backpackers throng this area. We decided to move in to this area the following day as Charlie Motel was too quiet and way off from the bright lights.

We retired late at 0300 hrs in the morning.

25 April 2011 – after subuh prayer, we strolled along the beach for the breezy fresh air and then adjourned for “roti canai” breakfast at Padang Matsirat. We then drove to Kuah Shopping Centre for casual shopping. Kuah Shopping Centre and the Mall is the local tourist favorite due to its tax free status. I picked up few household items for my other half back home. The item was to authenticate that I really landed in Langkawi.

Jack decided to meet an old friend at Teluk Ewah and we drove up to Pasir Hitam, the black sand beach. Haji Samak eagerly waited for Jack and met us at Kedah Cement entrance. He then directed us inside Kedah Cement Canteen as this man is the Canteen operator of Kedah Cement. We took simple luncheon. Jack served Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) in Langkawi Airport for six (6) years and he has a lot of local acquaintances in Langkawi. He seems to know all the Langkawi senior citizens and the old folks.

Pasir Hitam Fishing Jetty.

Teluk Ewah Kedah Cement Factory.

We took a drive to Datai beach and then we landed at Pantai Cenang to check in at Haji Ismail Motel. Though it was cheaper than Charlie Motel but it was short of facilities like a fridge and a kettle and not recommended for family occupancy.

Pantai Cenang Chalets.

Pantai Cenang beach.

At night Haji Samak insisted that we have dinner at his residence. After dinner we visited Tok Chin who is the famous 94 year old Orthopedic Bomoh in Langkawi. Old timer Langkawi residents know Tok Chin very well. Tok Chin showed me a testimonial from United Kingdom, thanking the old man for curing his fourteen (14) year spinal problem. Jack had a left ankle problem and Tok Chin fixed him up.

We then back to the Motel to rest for the night.

26 April 2011 – Last day in Langkawi. Immediately after subuh prayer we walked to the roadside Café. The local Taxi Drivers were curious as three strangers still in their sarong were having breakfast at the roadside Café normally patronize by Backpackers. We checked out from the Motel and last shopping was at Padang Matsiarat. I had to get several bottles of Gamat ointment. We then paid a visit to Pak Din and wife (Ramli’s parent). Finally we picked up Ramli at his Office to return the car and for Ramli to send us to the Ferry Terminal at Kuah for our return journey to the mainland - Kuala Perlis.

The ferry departed at 1230 hrs and arrived at Kuala Perlis at 1330 hrs.

After collecting the car at the Marine Department parking area I was met by an old acquaintance, Atan. Atan was with me for the whole of 2009 Ramadan in the Holy Land. Atan insisted that I stayed on in Perlis for a night to be his guest as he had already booked a chalet for our stay at Mata Ayer Recreation Park. Since Malek and Jack agreed, I decided to oblige. Atan was delighted and he led us straight for lunch opposite the Snake Farm at Batu Pahat. It was a pleasure to meet Atan again and we were recalling the good old days when we performed our umrah together.

Mata Ayer Recreation Park.

We then checked in into Mata Ayer Recreation Park Resort chalet. Since it was off season and weekdays we were booked into the VIP chalet. The chalet was perfect except there was no fridge. The Resort was quiet and lonely as a graveyard as it is located in the forest reserve. Atan is now our Tourist Guide cum host and he was to show Northern Perlis to us. He took us to the Primate Zoo, Snake Farm and Horses Stable. I was not keen on the horses but I love to see the various species of snakes and the primate animals. Apparently, Atan is the Primate Animal Zoo Chief Steward and he has a camper within the Zoo compound.

The VIP Chalet.

Atan showed us Padang Besar by the evening, a border town with Thailand. Since it was already late in the evening the Bazaar were closing up. Nothing much to explore and we just sat down for a drink and Thai Tomyam soup.

Later at night, Atan organized a barbeque dinner at his camper within the Primate Zoo compound. We had few other guests as well and It was finally at 0200 hrs we returned to the Resort. The road was lonely and eerie at this hour of the night. We had a good rest as the surroundings were so peaceful and quiet within the forest. The noise of the forest insects reminded me of my childhood days in the kampong. I was now returning to nature. Before I hit the sack, I ensured all the open holes were covered up as I was afraid snakes might slip in.

27 April 2011 – After the subuh prayer we all went back to sleep and awakened at 0830 hrs. We checked out from the Resort as we had a long journey home to Port Klang. I called up the Host and thanked him for the hospitality. We stopped in Kangar for breakfast.

We took the Perlis/Kedah coastal road and the next stop was Tanjung Dawai in Kedah at the sea product Bazaar. Jack was familiar with Kak Yah Stall No: 20 and we had a good price for all our purchases. Thank you, Kak Yah and I would surely recommend my friends and readers to visit her Stall No: 20 whenever in Tanjung Dawai.

We joined the PLUS Highway at Sungai Petani North. We stopped for lunch and jamak prayers at Juru R&R and coffee at Kuala Kangsar Riverside R&R. We were all feeling sleepy and it was not safe to be on the road. On the way to Ipoh before the tunnel up on the mountain range it was pouring and our journey was slowed down. We did not make any stop further down the highway and finally we made the final stoppage at Guthrie Expressway R&R at 1930 hrs for drink and jamak prayer. I normally patronize Pak Berahim Stall whenever I travelled from the north. Pak Berahim was a familiar face as he was the former Security Official at Wisma Guthrie.

We sent Jack back to Shah Alam and reached home at 2100 hrs. By 2330 hrs I was in bed like a python.

The python at the Snake Farm.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2011.

BADAN KEBAJIKAN DAN BANTUAN KEMATIAN PENDUDUK ISLAM KRU.

(KRU Muslim Welfare & Death Assistance Association).

Date: 17 April 2011.

Time: 1400 hrs.

Venue: Dewan JKKK Kampung Raja Uda.

It was preannounced about the AGM at two consecutive Friday prayers. However deregistration and revival of the Association was not.

Unfortunately due to an urgent commitment at Pendang Kedah, yours truly was unable to attend.

SHOCKING: AGM proceeded without the Minute of the previous Meeting and a formal presentation of the Accounts Statement by the Treasurer. Both the Association Secretary and the Treasurer failed to attend the AGM of reasons only best known to them. If they are “man” enough they should face the Members. If there is no misdeed on their part, there’s nothing to fear. The Members just need an explanation and the truth; after all they were elected by the Members. Members have the absolute right. They cannot just wash their hands just like that.

I wonder whether their actions contravene to any bye law stipulated by the Registrar of Society (ROS). Accordingly…………Members who attended the AGM unanimously agreed to proceed and forget about the past. Let bye gone be bye gone. They were fed up with the prolong hanging in the air situation. This is a kampong level mentality to solve the problem whereas the level had reached to Ministerial level.

What were the past?

29 October 2000 – AGM for 1997 – 2000 sessions. No problem.

12 October 2003 – AGM for 2001 – 2002 sessions. Minute of AGM and Statement of Accounts was not handed to ROS. Complete listing of newly appointed Committee Members was not updated at ROS. It’s the Secretary’s job to update ROS and to furnish the formal documentations.

2003 – 2008 – No AGM conducted.

29 March 2009 – AGM for 2003 – 2008 sessions was held. AGM held after outcries and persuasion by Members. AGM held after six (6) years? What were the Committee Members doing all these while?

This AGM was unanimously suspended by the Members due to irregularities of 2003 – 2008 Accounts Statement. Members unanimously requested the Treasurer to rectify within 14 (fourteen) days and resumed with the suspended AGM. It was a fair request.

Treasurer failed to comply and there was no resumption of AGM.

DEREGISTERED.

26 August 2009 – ROS deregistered the Association.

Due to no updating at ROS, correspondence was directed to the former Secretary address that had long gone to meet the Creator.

(Members were unaware that the Association had been deregistered).

11 May 2010 – A Member visited ROS Shah Alam and formally made known by ROS that the Association had been deregistered. Masyaalah!!

Note the time factor between 26 August 2009 and 11 May 2010. The Members got more confused.

21 May 2010 – An appeal letter from a Member was made to ROS Putrajaya.

02 June 2010 – Extraordinary Meeting was held and both the Secretary and the Treasurer failed to attend. Pro tem Committee was elected by the Members to temporarily administrate the deregistered Association.

The Treasurer handed RM 1500.00 cash to the Pro tem Treasurer.

July 2010 – Collection of Members subscription suspended.

The Association was deregistered on 26 August 2009 but subscription collection still went on until June 2010. Ten (10) months of illegal collections.

REVIVAL.

08 December 2010 – Ministry of Home Affairs Malaysia (National Registration and Society Division) Putrajaya approved the appeal of 21 May 2010. This time the correspondence went to the right residential address of the Secretary. Someone updated ROS, all the Committee Members particulars.

The Pro tem Committee was automatically dissolved and the Association was supposed to be back in business.

?? January 2011 – Association Committee Meeting was held. Bombshell dropped – the Treasurer declared that he had RM 6563.40 cash in hand. All the Committee Members were shocked and unaware about the existing cash in hand. Why in the first place he did not hand the cash to the Pro tem Treasurer in June 2010 for the good use of the Association? What happened to the money if the appeal failed? It happened once in the kampong when the Treasurer of the New Mosque Development Committee died, RM 17,000.00 was unaccounted for and alleged to have been handed to the late Treasurer. (This is a different issue but the modus operandi could be similar).

The Association Bye-Law Article 11 (e) (2) states that the Treasurer can hold cash in hand of not more than RM 1,000.00 (one thousand MYR) only. This alone had contravened to the Bye Law and breach of trust.

20 March 2011 – the RM 6563.40 cash in hand, cheque book and Statement of Account from 2004 – 2010 was officially handed by the Treasurer and signed by the Association Vice Chairman but the Treasurer himself did not signed. It was witnessed and countersigned by the Ketua Kampong.

Wonder why it took three (3) months for the Treasurer to hand over the cash?

Questions: 1) Why in the first instance the Vice Chairman and the Ketua Kampong was unaware that the handover was not duly signed by the Treasurer? This is not according to formal procedure of handing over. 2) What about 2003 Statement of Accounts? Why it was disregarded?

Up to April 2011 – The only activity of the Association is the payment of death claim. Subscription collection still suspended. No income derived.

17 April 2011 – The AGM was held. Meeting proceeded with appointment of new Committee Members. The former Vice Chairman was elected as Chairman, a new face for the Secretary and the Pro tem Treasurer was elected as Treasurer. The former Chairman just faded away with no more responsibilities and no guilt or regrets what so ever having failed to lead an Association.

The Secretary and the Treasurer got away scot free, no resignation and no termination. NFA – No further actions. The Members unanimously agreed to let it in the hands of Allah for ultimate reprimand to the failure or misappropriation (if any) in handling the Association welfare during their tenure. May Allah bless them?

Was it fair and right? Personally I would say NO because precedent had been set and repetition of the same nature, no actions can be advocate. When an Association deals with monetary, every single cent must be accounted for.

After going through the Statement of Accounts, the only thing that was found correct and in good order was the Collector’s 25% commission against the subscriptions collected. I was astonished to see the Treasurer Statement of Account for 2010 from July to December when the Association activities had already being suspended. It was pre typed in that Statement Account that for July there would be 1 claim, August 1 claim, September 2 claim, October 3 claim, November 2 claim and December 2 claim. My suspicion, the numbers of claim can or had been fabricated all these while. Yet, no Members question about this. One of the two (2) Internal Auditors refused to authenticate the Statement of Accounts. There were no transparencies on the claim paid as supporting documents or notes were not transcribed.

This is the trouble with the Malays. It is a sin to expose someone wrongdoing (aib) in public. Once there was a misappropriation of the New Mosque fund of about RM 17,000.00 that ended to swearing by the Holy Quraan in the Mosque and it was kept away from the kampong residents. Somehow eventually it came out in the limelight and the fiasco of this Association was directly connected to that fiasco. It was blatantly repeated. Again……..leave it to Allah, after all what the kampong residents can do? Serves the kampong residents right!!

I don’t blame majority of the Members for they were ignorant of the chain of events that transpired. They were not bothered to find out, typical kampong mentality. To those who know, some of them took the safest route, let bye gone be bye gone and “pesangka baik” (good perception). Perhaps they have their own personal agenda or to be seen well and good within the community.

Whatever, as far as I am concern, to those who had misappropriated my subscription or to those associated and condoning to it either directly or indirectly the person concern will be answerable to me at Thereafter. In the name of Allah, I will not let anyone scot free. To me it is a major sin to mishandle the welfare and assistance of the Dead and to his/her beneficiaries. I refrain from being a party to it. Complex and complicated issue and Allah forbid especially when the Dead possibly leave an orphan. Failure to abide to Allah’s swt trust (amanah) is a major issue when we face Allah swt at Thereafter. Those who are associated (subahat) to it are also answerable. Last Friday Prayer khutbah topic was on “jahilyah modern”. This is one of the cases. As a Muslim, I subscribe to “amal maaruf” and “nahi mungkar”.

I rest my case and sometimes down the line perhaps the Kampong residents or the future kampong generation can look back at what happened to their Kampong BADAN KEBAJIKAN DAN BANTUAN KEMATIAN PENDUDUK ISLAM KAMPUNG RAJA UDA, during the era from 2003 to 2011.

In memory of late Haji Suran bin Abdul Malik.

Late Haji Suran Abdul Malik.

Haji Suran Abd Malik passed away at about 1730 hrs at his father’s residence located at Kampong Paya Sena, Pendang Kedah on 16 April 2011.

Haji Suran was in the same entourage when we went to Egypt pre 2010 Ramadan Umrah. We were together for a month in the Holy Land.

The most nostalgic memory I shared with him when we stopped halfway between Medina and Mekah to break our fast. He recited the doa berbuka puasa and halfway during breaking of fasting, it drizzles. It was rare to have rain at the time of the year. All the Pilgrims ran for shelter and the Arabs were busy removing the cushions and carpet at the open enclosure where we broke our fast. During most occasions from thereon, Haji Suran was our doa reciter whenever we broke our fast at the Hotel Dining Hall in Mekah.

Breaking of fast somewhere between Medina/Mekah Ramadan 2010.

Haji Suran left a wife and four (4) children, the youngest girl still in Standard 3. He was a resident of Langkawi Island operating a shopping outlet selling all sorts of clothing. He was diagnosed of a brain tumor and only realized the ailment at stage 4 which was acutely critical. He used to complain of headache when we were in Mekah, perhaps due to the heat he assumed.

Haji Zailan and me travelled up north the same evening of 16 April 2011 and visited our friend lying in state in his father’s house. It was touching to see the well built physique lying motionless. Allah loves him more and summoned to his side. Early the next morning of 17 April 2011 we went again to Kampong Paya Sena and the body of Haji Suran was taken to the Mosque at 1100 hrs for the last rite and to be buried at the Kampong graveyard. I was amazed to see nearly about a thousand (1000) of kampong residents, friends and his tabliqh Jemaah attended to pay the last respect and very sad to bid farewell to my good friend. The talqin was read twice, by his tabliqh Imam and the resident imam.

Breaking of fast in at the Hotel Dining Hall.
(Late Haji Suran at extreme left).

Resting at the Hotel Lounge with Haji Akbar and Haji Cikgu Zaki.

May Allah bless his soul. My deepest condolence to the family and Alfatihah…………..