Shasha Birthday.

She’s seven (7) on 27 September 2014.

NURUL FITRISHA DAMIA ADENAN.

Yusuf (Shasha's cousin) only four (4) month old is the attraction of the night. Cute little fellow.

YUSUF.

Winter UMRAH.

Not much going on as it is Haj season. Saudi Arabia had set 22,000+ quota for Malaysian pilgrims. Saudi Arabia imposed a reduction of 20% Haj quota due to major renovation of Masjidilharam and the demolition of old Hotels for new. I foresee the same would be at least for the next five (5) years.

Medina and Mekah is at its busiest period around Haj season. The peak would be the gathering at the Desert of Arafah, the congregation of about 3- 4 million pilgrims at one single day at one single place. No Haj without presence in Arafah, even the sick would be carried there. I happened to be there in 1999.

Umrah Travel Agencies is not that quiet during this Haj season as they are concentrating on Asian region or India Sub continent Muslim Tours. Umrah packages would be open by second half of December 2013 when the Haj season is over. This time around it would be more favorable and convenient as the weather in the Middle East is cooling.

Almukminin Travel which I am closely associated with is organizing an Umrah package inclusive the visit to Al Aqsa Mosque in Palestine from 15 January 2014 to 30 January 2014. All travel, board & lodging would be at RM 8690. While at Palestine, sightseeing tour would be conducted to both the Muslim and Christian historical sites as both these religions is sharing a common line of Prophecy. Transit would be at Amman Jordan and the trip to Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the World would also be in the itinerary. While at Amman, several historical sites as travel along would be the Dead Sea (lowest point of the Earth), Makam Nabi Shuib and the Shahibul Kafi Cave as narrated in the Holy Koran. From Amman Jordan, we will take off to Medina for ziarah and by Coach to Mekah for umrah. It would be a spiritually journey covering all the three (3) Holy Mosques in one go. Participation for this journey must be in latest by 15 December 2013.

Al Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock.

Dead Sea.

Petra.

Masjidilharam and the Kaabah.

We are also looking at Sabah, perhaps Sarawak next. We hope to assist and guide as many Muslims as possible to perform the umrah. Preliminary tazkirah would be conducted especially for the first timers. 

Survey.

When you want to endeavor into a project, one must sit down and plan accordingly. Since the Condo had been handed over, we now have to think meticulously how to furnish it.

We visited one of the nephews newly furnished Condo to get an idea. There are several things to be apprehended within affordable budget. The furnishing concept is the top priority as it would be a home, the place to return to after a hard days’ work.

We had a rough idea as my in law briefed us how it should be done, the approach, time frame and the undertaking Contractor. For now, my in law is the appointed Consultant to supervise and advisor to this project as I am distance away.

We provide a time frame of one year completion.

Shasha who tagged along also conducted her own survey, locating where the swimming pool, wading pool and the playground. I am sure she has also a project in mind. She already asked, “Atok….when is our next visit to Uncle’s place?”

   

Shasha favourite spot.

The Fallen Soldier.

It was very sad indeed to receive a phone call from my cousin at the wee hour of the morning at 0230 hrs that my uncle (my late Auntie’s husband) had passed away at Teluk Intan Hospital. Probably, he succumbed to cardiac arrest as he had breathing problem.

 

WO II Tuan Haji Osman bin Kamaruddin aged 86, Regimental No: 4853 was born in Teluk Intan and chose the Malay Regiment as his career. He started as a Private and ended up as Warrant Officer II. He served the 4^th Malay Regiment. In the 50s the Regiment was based in Tapah to combat the communists in the Batang Padang District including Cameron Highland. He also served in Congo as member of UN Peace Mission in the early 60s. Back from Congo he was based at camp Sebatang Karah in Port Dickson as Squadron Instructor to train the Setia Negara Squad from East Malaysia to combat the Sukarno “konfrantasi” at the Sarawak Sabah international borders. He was also a Sportsman and represented 4^th.Malay in Soccer and Hockey. Among his colleagues he was known as “Osman Tiger”. Sgt Baharin, an Uncle on my father’s side narrated to me, WO II Osman was fierce as a tiger at the Parade Ground or during any jungle operations.

He left behind two (2) daughters, a son and eleven (11) grandchildren. His wife (my auntie) and two (2) sons passed away before him.

I have special thought for this fallen soldier as he gave me shelter for a couple of months in Telok Kemang soon after my Senior Cambridge Examination. I landed at Telok Kemang, having a balance of about three (3) MYR in the pocket on Christmas Day 1965 and in May 1966 I started a career as Process Assistant in Esso Malaysia Refinery. From thereon I climbed the ladder in life until retired as Senior Manager in Kumpulan Guthrie. What if he and his family were not at home on 25 December 1965? I cannot tell what I would be today. My destiny could be different. Maybe, I looked for a Surau or a Mosque, looked for a job, had enough money and went back to where I came from. For the shelter, bread and butter, he provided, I remain grateful and it remain a very special memory and thought in my life. I last met my late Uncle in Kuala Lumpur at a cousin’s wedding sometimes last year.

I remember when he was at Kelana Jaya Haj Complex before his Haj pilgrimage he asked me, “Why you gave me so much money?”  I replied, “Don’t mention just take it”. The amount was nothing compared to the shelter he provided henceforth I start kick my working life. The Malay proverb goes, “Orang berbudi kita berbahasa” (One good turn deserves another).

When I was a small kid, he used to bring back home to the kampong house the extra army ration and the tinned minced beef I enjoyed most. He demonstrated to me the trick how they cooked it in the mess tin during the jungle operation. He told me lot of stories how the combat soldiers took turn to sleep at night in the thick jungle tying thin rope to each other. 

  

I made my way to Teluk Intan, Kampong Bahagia with my wife on 13 September 2013 to pay my last respect. His body was taken to Kampong Bahagia Mosque and the prayer was conducted after solat Jumaat. My estimate, there were more or less about 800 Jemaah participated at the prayer rite. Regret I was unable to witness the burial as I have to drive back all the way to Port Klang before sunset. My night vision is not that good anymore.

To the fallen soldier and my Hero, may Allah bless your soul and be together in the circle of the almukminin.

Al Fatihah…………...      

The New living.

Sunday 08 September 2013, Hari Raya festive season is over and gone. The festive may be over but the traumatic events still haunting me mentally. Amicable solution will not be found at the very least, the near future and definitely will be prolong.

I consoled myself as my son invited the family to view his newly completed condominium, Block E of Casa Tropicana Condo opposite Damansara Jaya. Finally it is ready for occupancy and the handover formality was in best order.

It was the first time I was on site even though I was following the progress of its development when I take on the NKVE Highway from Bukit Rajah to the north or to Jalan Duta. We overviewed the completed condo and we were fully satisfied with the set up, the location and the environment. Double security to enter the block, basic infrastructure well equipped. It came with three (3) split unit air condition, stove, water heaters, kitchen cabinet, gymnasium, swimming pool, Game Hall, event enclosure and ample visitors parking bays. Shasha would love the swimming pool. The views from the 10^th Floor is captivating and we see green almost at every angle and of course the concrete jungle. There is a new Shopping Mall under construction just across the road.

The condo is ready for occupancy but hold on…….many more to be done, the lightings and furniture. I suggested an Interior Designer to embellish the condo. The concept would be modern living. The old man prefers antique settings but shot down. Taste of young man definitely differs. I was even willing to part with my antique kopitiam marbled table set.

By October everything will be all set.  

Front view from visitors Parking Bay.

The hall.

Master bedroom.

Kitchen.

All round views.

Wading Pool from 10th.Floor.

The Swimming Pool at Floor 3A.

The Mall under construction across the road.

Rear view from the Swimming Pool.