Teh O Limau Panas and Teh Tarik

My personal blogging is now at My Neverland; do visit it.


"You ar, you see things only one way!" said Ah Chai as the two of us sat over tea trying to kill time in a coffee shop, while the clouds let drops a heavy downpour. The chilling wind that comes our way every once so often, helped to cool the hot drinks, but cooled them too fast for our liking.

"Pren," Ah Chai continued "life is like a 2way street, you know. What you see from your side, other people see from the opposite. Sometime, the view not nice from your side; sometime, the view better from opposite, you know. Por instance, you like to call people clowns in your blog. Not nice, my pren, not nice."

Not surprisingly, Ah Chai has been following my Talkonly blog for a long time but hardly ever commented. Why he does not, I never did have chance to ask him. But perhaps, I do not need to for that night we were together, he gave his mind about my blogs, especially the name calling, "You like small boy, you know", he lets out.

I admit, yes, the name calling is childish. Having grew up in politics since one can remember when, one can, and does, feel sick with the antics of the other side that one feels frustrated and angry at the wrongdoings blatantly carried out by those same said people. Having said that, it does not give one the right to call names, stooping to the level where these people are.

"Pren, do yourself a favour, wlite ploperly. Then ar, when people read your blog, they will peel better. Op course lah, plovided they oso aglee with you." " Ah Chai went on ranting, sometimes mispronouncing the letter 'r' and sometimes not.


Ah Chai and I goes back a long way after having met for the first time in a building that no longer exist now. We are both of the same age, and was in our late teens when we met. A year after that first meet, we went different ways and met again in our late twenties. Since day one however, our views on many subjects may be opposite end of the other.

Being the legal-trained person, I admit he is more articulate in his thoughts than I will ever be. But that does not mean he is right all the time. And at times such as that this, we exchange words. Like our conversation that evening. Being the more uneducated barbarian of the two, I just let my tongue have its way, which, actually proved his point. And thus, I agreed not to make anymore name callings in my blog. Well, perhaps exceptions can be made for jackasses from time to time.

Then, in what think may be an effort to compensate for any hard feelings that may have been caused during our conversation, Ah Chai made one admission to a point I made in this blog not so long ago.

"You lemember that boycott thing," he suddenly mentioned as we were walking towards the car. "I think, you are light, my pren. Now, I no longer feel nice walking into McD or all those places."


Well, at least, now I can really say that that life indeed, is a 2way street. And it gets richer by the minute.
By the way, Ah Chai is not my friend's real name, and neither is he a Chinese. He is, in fact, a Malay. Well, lets make it of Javanese descent, though he will swear to you he is an English thoroughbred. What, with an almost flawless command of the language, many would find it hard to argue. Much to his liking, off course.

The reason for my calling him Ah Chai tonight, is an incident which happened soon after our first meet, though he may well have forgotten about it. As he himself told me then, he went for an interview for a University entrance. As he was walking out of the hall, a stranger tapped his shoulder and asked him "Are you a Chinese?".
It took him a couple of seconds to reply "Yes, from Jamaica".

Innalillah wa innalillah hi rojiun

Innalillah wa innalillah hi rojiun

Dear friends and bloggers, I have just received a sad news from YB Doctor Lo'Lo, with the text as below:

Mak saya meninggal pada pukul 9.30 malam tadi (20.10.2008). Mandi jam 8-9pagi dan Solat Jenazah di Masjid Al Ittihadiah jam 1 pagi. Lepas tu terus dibawa untuk dikebumikan.

Rumah di No.65, Jalan Madrasah, Kg Tengku Husin, Ipoh, Perak.

***.***

Semoga Allah s.w.t. mencucuri rahmatNya ke atas ruh Allahyarham, dan ditempatkan bersama orang orang yang beriman.


*Doctor Lo'lo's blog is listed under my 'Must Read' panel, where it was only recently the Doctor and her family shared a joyous Eidil Fitri with her mother (read here).

The Bodyguard

A friend text me today: "Baby rabbits for sale! xxx specie (can't remember the name she wrote). Selling for RM50 each, only! Pet shop sell for RM130! Very cute!"

Now, I don't about anyone else, but to me, a rabbit is only good for one thing - makan! Rabbit meat, is so tender and nice, they taste quite like chicken. But off course, don't tell Teratai(the friend) or any rabbit lovers about this. Otherwise, one might just find me making a statutory declaration somewhere about something no one in his right mind would want to make nor read. Further, it would ruin a reputation I earned, having been a bodyguard to Teratai for a whole day. Since then, she calls me Kevin (as in Costner), and I her, Whitney (as in Houston).

It was several years back when she and her friend were operating a Launderette in a hotel/apartment block somewhere in Subang. A tenant, middle-eastern by his looks, was so smitten with Teratai's looks and would drop in daily just to talk to her. This, had Teratai in fear and confided in her husband, who then confided in a mutual friend of the couple. Who else, but that ex-army cadet who earned himself the name 'Wounded Soldier' whilst in school (the only limping cadet!), and who is now forced to see himself as the modern day version of Don Quixote; yup, that cakapaje fella!

Being a bodyguard, even for a day, I don't mind telling you, can be quite boring. But being a bodyguard without pay, even for a day, I don't mind telling you, can be worse! However, being a friend to a lovely lady, I had very little choice but to comply. And so there I was, an overweight ex-cadet, limping his way up and down the car and later, the shop, quite like Quixote would with his trusty steed. Only difference is that Quixote had a 12foot lance with him, while I...

In between wanting to doze off and wanting to doze off, cakapaje had to grab and read whatever materials on hand which unfortunately, was not many. And all of a sudden, the door to the launderette swung open, rather forcefully, I might add. Maybe it was instincts, but even before he looked up, cakapaje knew it was the ME guy.

As soon as he stepped in, the ME stopped in his tracks. OK, it was not exactly like High Noon at OK Corral, but this guy, he was huge, and could have easily been a 6footer plus, with a body quite like a body builder but with more fat than muscles! Cakapaje, was like a dwarf compared to him. "Man", cakapaje thought "am I going to be sleeping in a hospital bed tonight?"

Now, luck, as it happened, was on cakapaje's side that day. The stool he was sitting on, had a legrest which is a foot or two above ground level. But since he was sitting behind the counter, the ME could not see anything behind it. So, cakapaje stood on the legrest, praying hard deep inside that the stool would not overturn throwing him onto the floor. OK, the floor was carpeted. But the ME might just take opportunity to step on cakapaje's head, and wallah! "Look ma!, no heads!" the ME might be tempted to gloat! Alhamdulillah, he did not have the chance to.

Cakapaje was now all fired and ready. His hands resting on his waist, maybe somewhat like what Wyatt Earp at OK Corral, and he gave the ME a gaze. The ME in turn, was looking at Teratai, who in turn, was smiling ever so sweetly and putting on her PR self. After a very tense few minutes, the ME suddenly said "Never mind, I'll come back later!". It seems, according to Teratai, he never showed up again.

Back to the rabbits, after paying her some complimentary text, and she after that, admitting to be on Cloud 9, has promised cakapaje a lovely dinner, compliments, off course, from her husband, Shuhaizan. Aiyai yai!

A Master Comes Out Of Retirement

Read somewhere that there are 4 types of man:

He who does not know he does not know
He who knows he does not know
He who does not know he know
He who knows he know.

With full humility, I claim the first sentence.


Its been more than 12 years now. The trays that had been wrapped in old newspapers and kept in one of the boxes marked as 'kitchenware', were brought out and unwrapped. They are then washed lovingly and left to dry in the sun, neatly arranged as only a woman can. After a full day soak, they are then brought in to be washed again. Only this time, a cloth was used to wipe them dry.

I stood transfixed, lost for words, as she moved about preparing the necessary items for the session early this morning. This, was the day I had eagerly waited for...a day that has not been one like it for more than 12 years. Due to her age and sometimes aching body, she had to postpone her coming out of retirement from a fortnight ago to today. And it was only when she felt her body was up to the occasion, did she began issuing orders to buy the necessities - she had, in fact, forced her body to do so as tomorrow, on the 5th of August, is an occasion she had marked to give something special to a lady whom she have yet to meet, but seem to have already like.

The recipe she has in hand might not be recognised by many of the younger generation today. Yet, apart from the green fingers she posses, some of her cooking and delicacies are much sought after by friends and relatives; not to mention her children, that cakapaje bloke, most especially. Interestingly, in this case, her Sultana cookies are not grabbed quickly by her children. Rather, like children, they go for the crust first, leaving the cookies for a later date.

As the sun rose higher, cakapaje volunteered to assist in any manner he can. Knowing his emak well, that she would never delegate any task which she can manage herself, he left the day free from any schedules so he could 'force' her into accepting his helping hand - using the excuse of wanting to learn which melted her resolute. And thus, an apprentice was that cakapaje...for a brief while.

No sooner had he baked a tray of which the results can be seen below, he received a call and had to rush down to Bangsar, leaving emak by herself.

The Apprentice's Work! An art, it certainly is not.

And by the time cakapaje return, the Master had completed several trays already.

Before, and...

After.

Sealed, but yet to be wrapped.

About Muha

Life, can be funny at times. Just as when one tries to withdraw from the society, one meets another though in a different world altogether - the world of cyberspace, that is. And from there it leads to meeting the people in person, and friendship develops. For me personally, I find lots of good people on the net who really cares for another although some they have yet to meet in person.

When I was 'forced' into blogging, I never thought I would come to know many of the people at my links, and more. But over these short years, I have come to like and respect many of them, and even feel their pain, sorrow, anguish, and joys, as they relate it in words. One such person - as many would know by now - is Raden Galoh, who is going through another trial in her life. But she ask not for pity from her readers, only to share the moments she is going through. I consider myself lucky to have come to know her through her blog, and met her in person - she is, as many would say, a pillar of strength, and I do admire her for that. While not trying to undermine or belittle Raden, I would like to draw my friends attention to another friend who is also experiencing a trial.

Muha, is a handsome figure of a young man who has been going treatment - and surgery - for brain cancer. I was introduced to him by Marini (Waterlilly) in one of her entries sometime back. Though we now have many mutual friends, there are still many who does not know about him, as Muha can be, a rather shy person - an attempt to meet him a month ago just did not happen.
But like Raden, he does not seek pity, rather the friendship of another. Below, are 2 pictures of Muha, each taken at 2 different times of his life, taken from one of his entries here.

Muha: before.

Muha: Just after a treatment session.

To my friends who may not know Muha, kindly do visit him, even if it is at his blog only.

NOTE: It seem I forgot to mention somethings relevant to Muha: He is now without sight yet still able to use the PC with the help of JOSS, a software which translate text into words. However, he still uses a normal keyboard, perhaps, having memorised the keys already.

Also, Muha travels around in a wheelchair, as his legs are unable to function, either due to the surgery or heavy medication.

Most importantly, he would prefer everyone to treat him just as a friend would.

For Queen Raden

It was an impromptu thing. Read the message left by Dato' Jaff and called him immediately, after several unsuccessful calls to our bro, matsalo. Soon, muteaudio and kerp wanted to be there too and so, everyone agreed to meet at the lobby. And there we were visiting Queen Raden - Dato' Jaff, Razlin, Pak Zabs, and cakapaje. Our bro matsalo, arrived earlier and had to leave early too. Dato' Jaff has the full story and more pictures at his blog.

The Queen, herself.

When we arrived, she was full of smiles and throughout our visit, she showed no signs of remorse nor any signs of pain. That had me imagining were I to be in her place, I might well be the spectacle of the entire hospital! I mean, pain, is no laughing matter. Yet, Raden was all composed. And what made me more appreciative of her, is that she spoke about religion and how she is trying her best to fight this re-occurrence. What, can a musketeer say or do but...Raden, gua tabik sama lu, sis!

And with her 5 Musketeers

Here's a song for you. Can't find a satisfactory vocal piece from Led Zepelin, so I hope this will do.

ps. To all blogging friends, I told Raden I will text her some jokes. Perhaps, we can all do that from time to time? I know if I were there, I would need a laugh or two.


ps ps. Cikgu KTN, insyAllah we'll be visiting Raden more in the future, especially when you do come down here.

Don't Know What To Entitle.

For half of the later part of last night, several houses in this area was kept awake by a the cry of a tiny kitten, calling out for its mother. Efforts by several to coax the kitten out of its hiding place under a car met with failures until someone brought a saucer of milk and soon, everyone was sighing with relief as the kitten lapped up the milk and became quiet....for a short while. Less than half an hour later, it started its meowing which, for the tine size it is, was rather deafening. Worse still, it had crept into a neighbour's compound and again, hid under a car. No one wanted to jump in and caused any misunderstanding. What, with the recent break-ins and with 4 cases of car-jacking here, it would be better to cover the ears with cotton or pillows. But its sad, hearing the cry of the kitten and makes one wonder of the fate of the mother. A mother - any mother - would normally never abandon her baby.

Woke up later than usual to the sound of the house telephone ringing. Emak picked it up and heard her mentioning one of her grandson's name, and saying how much she misses him. That, had me feeling very sad. Of the 11 grandchildren emak has, 5 are in the US and another 2 in Canada. And of the 4 remaining here, one will be leaving for studies in UK this September. And that grandson she spoke to, Suffian (story here), she has not seen him for more than 10 years now, and last spoke to him about 3 or 4 years ago before he joined the US Navy. A woman of emak's age, nothing makes them happier but to see their grandchildren. No, this definitely is not going to be a good Monday. And true enough...

Received DocTA's message about a friend whom I shall not name here on accounts of her privacy. But it seems, her last medical examination revealed a regrowth of cancer which has spread to her liver. What, can one do to assist her? The best I can, is to pray for her wellbeing and hope for the best. Also, which is rather late now for me to do, is to wish her the very best for today too, falls her birthday. To my friend "Verily, we are helpless without Thou, oh Allah!. Give us strength to prevail over which you have put onto us. And remember, Allah s.w.t. would not burden us what we cannot endure. Happy birthday, my friend".

A Friend In Memory

He may not be the best looking lead actor ever. Nor is he the most loved. But he is, one of the finest actor around that I've come to like, hate, respect and admire.

Sometime in 1975 when I had just reached home from school, my dad asked whether I would like to see a movie with him. I was quite surprised when he asked as normally he would take emak with him. But that day being a school day and emak was teaching, I decided why not. Further, I took into account of an episode when I was about 6, and my dad asked me a question while we were out with the family. My mind was rather preoccupied thinking about food, just as any 6year old would when he is hungry, and I just shook my head and said no. At that point of time too, my English vocabulary was pitifully low. Anyway, when we were on our way home later, I began making noise but stopped abruptly when my dad raised his right hand and said "I asked if you were hungry just now and you said no!" And my mind went "So, that's what hungry means".

Back to the movie dad took me to, it was 'The French Connection II', and the first time I saw Gene Hackman acting. Even then I thought him as strange, for he was unlike any other lead actor I was accustomed to - handsome, tall, charming, blah blah. But I ignored it then as the story was good and the acting, superb!

Over the years after that, I watched more of his movies and found myself disliking him for the roles he played. Needless to say, he starred as a villain in many movies which include as the President of US, who covets his best friend's wife, and later accidentally killed her. Though I know he was just acting his part, I found myself hating the man, and his role.

Earlier this evening, emak and I watched the tail-end of 'The Chambers' which Hackman played the role of a man sentenced to the gas chambers. Ironically, though the role was still of a 'baddie', Hackman was at his best. While watching, emak and I helped ourselves to 2 guava fruits (jambu batu) which a neighbour gave. That, and the death scene of the movie reminded me of an old friend who passed away sometime in 1990.

Allahyarham Hazim Harun Hashim, was a close friend during primary school. Though he had a muscular body (even then I envisioned him as the local version of X-Men's Colossus), he was kind and soft spoken. As we were in different classes, we would normally meet every other day, and together with a Chew Kwee Tat, would wrestle each other just as in the Wrestling shows of old which had wrestlers such as Tiger Jit Singh, Killer Kolwalski, Big Moose something and many more big names I cannot remember now. We were kids, and we were having fun the way many kids would - acting out like our heroes. We became separated as we entered our secondary years, each going to a different school.

Sometime in 1989, we were reacquainted briefly when I stumbled upon him in his office at the NST. Can't exactly remember his position there, but he was still the same person I used to wrestle with. That, was the only meeting we had as adults - 2 good friends separated for more than 10 years, only to be separated again, this time for good. Not long after that, I read in the papers that he died due to asthma-related heart attack. To this day, I still remember his face and smile when we met.

The guava I had just now, reminded me of him as visiting his house one day during those early years, I ate, for the very first time, guava with a sprinkle of salt.

Thank you my friend for the memories. May Allah reward you for your kindness and the warmth of your friendship. And may you be placed together with people of faith. Al-Fatehah.

Introducing...

Wonders of wonders! All this time I've been reading harakahdaily.net, I've always liked a particular writer. Though his articles are far in between, I have always tried to track him down but was never successful. Then, Allah wills it that we meet, and that we did at the Harakah's Brainstorming Session sometime last week. Better still, we seem to clique!

Earlier this evening, he texted me to inform he has followed suit the likes of many, and now has his own blog. Went there just now, and really, I love his first posting. Thus, I would like to invite my friends here to visit him as well and perhaps, accept him into our fold, as I have. Without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Shirdad Lifeboat.

RPK On Hunger Strike!

When Doc TA and several friends texted me earlier just now asking about RPK's health and a certain rumour circulating, I called Puan Marina Lee. Sara, their daughter answered and told me RPK is on hunger strike. As of last night, if I heard her right, RPK has not had anything to eat or drink. Later, Puan Marina confirmed the news and had in fact written about it in Malaysia Today. Like Cikgu, I too believe that seldom does people follow a link given and thus, I reproduce the entry here for everyone to read.

Marina Lee : Is Parliament still relevant?

Posted by Erin

Wednesday, 07 May 2008

"... when freedom of speech is being brutally subverted by the present regime and false charges can be instituted against anyone who dares to demand for justice and truth." As a wife and mother, I want to know from my fellow citizens whether a government that has incarcerated my husband in the Sungai Buloh prison on trumped up charges and brought untold suffering on my family, especially when one of my daughters is sitting for her final examinations, is a legitimate government. No wife, mother or child should to go through this horrible experience when all her beloved husband did was to uphold justice and truth. On 2nd May 2008, the Armed Might of the regime was unleashed on my family when they came to my house in search of evidence for some alleged crime that my husband was supposed to have committed. I thought that this can only happen in a Gestapo state but not in my beloved Malaysia. You be the judge of this. The police came in the morning and desecrated the sanctity of my home for the fourth time. The fact that this had occurred previously does not make it any easier for my daughter and me. I wish that such nightmares can be forgotten, but let me tell you, especially mothers and wives, that the pain will never go away and that it is only our family's self esteem and strength and our faith in god that has enabled us to withstand and overcome the trauma and pain that we have suffered together. I pray that no mother and wife will have to suffer and experience what I had with my beloved husband and my family. Before we had time to recover our composure, the police handed us a summons to appear before the CCID the following day. However, at 3.15pm, we received a call to appear at 4.00pm on the same day. My suspicions for this sudden change in the time for my husband to be interrogated was to prevent publicity and the exposure of their dastardly deeds. Can anyone of you imagine what I, as a wife and mother, had to go through emotionally and psychologically when accompanying my husband to be interrogated by the police when on a previous occasion in 2000, he was brutally assaulted in my presence? I could not express my anxiety to my husband on the way to the CCID, as I know that my strength and resoluteness would be critical to enable my husband to face his interrogators. He must have also felt the same for me and so both of us, thinking alike kept our silence. But we were determined to see this through together hell or high water. The Petras’ are not some tofus!! We have enough strength and dignity to overcome such adversity. My daughter suffered in silence and despite her age, she held up magnificently and no mother can be more proud than I to have such a daughter. As we approached the CCID, tears welled in my eyes, but they were not tears of fear, sadness or trepidation, but the expression of my determination and faith that my husband’s struggle will ensure a better future for my daughter and the children of a better Malaysia. I am proud to say that my husband overcame the intrigues and schemes and came out unscathed. But we knew that this was a mere prelude to more brutality that will be inflicted on my family. The events of yesterday’s circus are known to all. But what was most telling was the deafening silence of the judiciary and the bar council which supposedly are the guardians of justice and equality. The dinner that was orchestrated by Pak Lah, his law minister and other cronies that allegedly ushered “a new era” for an independent and fearless judiciary in upholding justice and human rights, makes me wonder if such an institution that was promised was a fantasy in the light of my experience. Today, my daughter and I went to the Sungai Buloh prison to visit my husband but we were told that he had no wish to see anyone, not even any member of the family or lawyers. I was shocked and disturbed by this turn of events as it can only mean that my husband is determined to endure the pain of incarceration and humiliation of being subjected to and treated like a common criminal for upholding the freedom of speech and justice. Being married to him for 35 years, I know only too well that he is capable of making sacrifices for truth, justice and freedom. I suspect that when I was told that he did not want to see me, that he would be taking the ultimate step – to go on a hunger strike to demonstrate his determination to uphold the cause of truth and justice. I have nothing more to say, as I am thoroughly exhausted by the turn of events and can only hope and pray that my fellow citizens, especially wives and mothers out there, that you would all come together to protest and to demand for my beloved husband's freedom and that you will call upon your member of parliament to boycott parliament as a gesture of support for my husband’s struggle. His struggle must not be in vain. We as a family will see this through but we will only be able to cope if we know that good and god fearing people like you will be there and standing together with us shoulder to shoulder to strike a fatal blow against tyranny and for justice and truth and for my husband’s freedom. Marina Lee

An Impromptu Bash

It started with just 4 people wanting to meet - Doc TA, kerpie, Mat Salo and that cakapaje fella - but it grew in numbers to more than 20! Bloggers who were strangers, except for the visits to each other sites, became acquainted and soon later, the many who were strangers, became friends.

I have no words to describe the 5hour marathon meet just now. Except for a single Mee Rebus Tuesday attendance, I have never really met so many bloggers before; Accia and family, The Voice, Doc TA and akak, kerpie, Mat Salo, Elviza, Raden, Muteaudio, Pak Idrus, Pok Ku, Marina Mahathir, Jaflam and many more which my tiny mind cannot remember for now - do forgive me.

But in the presence of many, my heart do notice the absence of some - blogging friends whom I have come to know but have yet the opportunity to meet them personally: Bergen, Bee Bee, Big Dot Com, bro Zul, Cikgu KTN, de_kerinci, doc-lover, Farina, Fatin, GM, Hata, Mavericyk, Mekna, Minci, Pak Mior, Pak Zabs, Pak Zawi, Pak Kassim Selamat, Puteri Nad, Sheih, Puan Nuraina, Tok Mummy, WL, and many more too!

To my blogging friends who were unable to make it, or were not even aware of this meet we had today, I dedicate this song to you.

Most of all, I believe I mention this on behalf of all present just now: Matsalo bro, thank you for being a remarkable host!

Ayam Golek Halim: A True Rags To Rich Story!

My front neighbour, Abdul Halim, insyAllah will one day make the cover of a magazine as a true Rags to Riches story. Though he is yet even to be a millionaire now, he is slowly expanding his businesses ranging from a small chicken abattoir-retail to 2nd hand clothes to retail shop, and now, a warung-eatery in Kota Damansara. He has several medium cost houses which he rents out, and lives in a double-story-endlot presently valued at RM500,000 - no doubt a small value for corporate figures, but certainly above reach for the average medium income family. But it has not always been this way for Halim, for as he himself will tell to anyone new to him, he is a high school dropout. And his Rag-to-Riches began when at the age of 15, he ran away from his house near Kamunting, Perak to KL, to begin a life of his own.

I do not know his full story, but I do know that he took on several menial jobs somewhere around Chow Kit Road. Later, he joined a small Land Survey firm and traveled to many parts of Malaysia - mainly the jungles - to make surveys of the terrain for future development. After spending several lonely months in the jungles, he decided to call it quits and return to his hometown where he learned the art of slaughtering animals according to Islamic ruling from his father. With that knowledge, he set off to KL again and worked for several chicken sellers before setting up his own small abattoir in Kampung Kerinchi, KL.

It has been more than 15 years now since he opened the small abattoir cum retail outlet. Apart from the outlet's size has since doubled in space, so too has Halim's knowledge not only in the art of his trade - he holds certification from several Islamic bodies - but the art of business as well. Yet, for the achievements he has made in religious/community affairs and wealth, Halim has continued to be humble and soft spoken.

Several nights ago when he asked me to join him for teh-tarik, I gladly accepted as it has been more than a month we did so. We stopped over a row of roadside stalls where he showed me the end lot which he will be occupying for his food business. Naturally, I was happy and excited for him, as I know this was near to a dream he has been having for more than 2 years now.

Some 3 years ago, a friend introduced me to some business agents for a municipal council (PBT). To maximise the usage of an open community hall, the PBT had moved traders from another district into the grounds of the hall. A year after that, the PBT Director saw a business opportunity where on one part of the grounds would be leased out to an operator who would operate the place similar to a food bazaar. I, by then, had introduced the agents to Halim and we were both very keen to embark on this venture. Problem was, the PBT Director wanted a cut in the profits as well - without forking out a single cent! We were turned off with this and pulled out. To this day, there has been no takers on the proposal and business is running as usual; it was a good honest opportunity that turned sour due to greed on the PBT Director's part. My want to offer a menu which include Thai Green Curry, and Halim's idea of Ayam Golek, just could not be realised.

Just after maghrib earlier this evening, Halim called asking me to go to his new stall and collect a freshly cooked Ayam Golek. I was taken by surprise at the swiftness of him getting the stall ready, but am never the one to reject a kind offer. And there I was just now, sitting and mixing with Halim and his friends while the chickens turn slowly over an open charcoal pit built with metal frame.

Halim, the business minded as well a religious man, decided to cook 52 chickens and gave away all of it free to anyone who approached his stall. Within the 2hours I was there, scores of people - mainly children - had a delightful taste of his Ayam Golek! Some adults, even offered to pay full price so they can take away several chickens, but was turned down by Halim; my guess is that it was Halim's way of giving sedekah. But it was the children from the nearby apartments who had the adults laughing with their antics! Knowing that Halim was giving 1/2 of a chicken to each person or household, some took the opportunity by pretending they were strangers when in fact we know they were siblings! Some were denied, yet some got to Halim's soft side.

On his Ayam Golek, while I will not say it is the best I ever had, the taste is by far better than many including Kenny Roger's and Ayam A1 or even Ayamas - it is tender, juicy, and does not reek of charcoal smoke at all! And from tomorrow night onwards, the other part of the stall will begin its business of Tom Yam and drinks. InsyAllah, as the several businesses Halim has had his hands in, this too will be a success.

Success however, no matter how small, does seem to have its price. Sometime last year, when I wrote Could It Be Magic? Pt1 , I mentioned about Halim. Then, he was afflicted with a mystery ailment which medical doctors could not identify. It was only after meeting many people, Halim met a pious man who, alhamdulillah, was able to assist in curing the ailment. Though the pious man did not specifically mention it, Halim - who is a part time Imam at a surau in Kampung Kerinchi - was made to understand that his ailment could be due to some unseen forces, if you get my drift.

*Off topic: I have been following Halim's advice for sometime now, to avoid eating chicken and meat from Mamak's shops. Though he did not mention the chicken as non-halal, he did relate his experience.

In wanting to expand his business, he has been trying to supply the Mamak's shops with their need for chicken. However, after a year of doing so, the Mamak stopped buying from him, citing that they need their supplies almost 365 days a year, taking away 3 days for Eid Fitri and Eid Adha holidays. As most halal chicken suppliers take long leave - some up to 7 days - during the 2 Eids, Halim suspects the supplies might be coming from non-halal suppliers. He however, is unable to prove it. That leaves us to ponder on the matter ourselves. Hmm...and Malaysia is aiming to be the Halal Hub of the world.

A Minci Tag!

Hmm...these tags are really spreading aren't they? From one, you get another, and they spread almost like virus. Still, there are the good and the bad virus strains. And since this tag came from a lady who is doing medicine, I gather it's safe for me to comply. So, here goes:

LIST OUT THE TOP 5 PRESENTS YOU WISH FOR:
Mama mia! For one who seldom receives any, one would have thought I would already have a list as long as my arm! OK, so my arm is not that long but...

1. A midnight sun for everyday that I live.

2. Several good pair of leather shoes.

3. An SLR Digital Camera

4. A Piano

5. A Basement Studio of my own, complete with D-I-Y stuff with a large aquarium filled with an assortment of small fishes.


Trying to figure what I want was already a headache, but now I have to...
LIST OUT THE REASONS FOR YOUR CHOICES:
1. Aaaah! Need it be said, that my nights won't be dark, ever again! And with it, my days too![Hmm...that's not exactly a picture of the midnight sun I have in mind ye :)]


2. OK, I have always had problem with my shoes. For one, I have learned from a pious man that we should not own more than 5. Currently I have 3, but ever since 10-11, I have been able to use only one! Somehow, there's still a small swell on my left leg, and I can only wear my Lee leather shoe. And I do hate going shopping for myself.[See that shoe up there - I had a pair of it just after school. Then when my friends started calling me taukeh ikan, or the shoe motor-boat, I gave up on it. But you have to blame John Travolta for that.]


3. Slinging a large video camera while on duty, I have noticed some particularly good shots which only a still camera can afford! This is most especially true when the subject is a good distance away, where the zoom of the still camera performs better.[Off course, I have to relearn still photography all over again]


4. Hmm...I don't think I need to go through that all over again.

5. While I'm not a real D-I-Y man, I sure would like to pick up on Wood Carving again, a hobby I had to give up even while in school due to the dust and mess the hobby creates. Thus, if I have my own basement, I have precious little to worry about unexpected visitors and so forth. Everyone is welcome to the basement, but don't expect it to be like a living room.


THE PERSON WHO TAGG-ED YOU IS: Minci! 5 IMPRESSIONS OF HER:
1. Initially I thought the name peculiar; you know, like Kuaci. But soon found out she's more than that!

2. Radiantly beautiful.

3. Quiet and shy if she does not know you...but don't that fool you as she can pick your brains out!

4. Warm and friendly.

5. Perhaps the most important thing is, she knows her hukum and is religious abiding.


MOST MEMORABLE THINGS SHE HAS DONE FOR YOU: She lit a day in my life with a simple statement "berusahalah..."


MOST LOVED INVENTION (doesnt have to be technically advanced)
The shoe. Has to be it! Otherwise you would find me dancing in the streets, quite like when one first step onto a bed of rocks with the sun blazing its most! Hmm...could this be why some tribes somewhere invented the Rain Dance?


WHAT DO YOU DESPISE THE MOST: Uncivilised drivers! The kind that hogs the fast lane while going at 70kmph; who either don't use their indicators, or don't turn it off; queue-jump; does not stop at zebra crossing even when there are pedestrians crossing. They, go hand-in-hand with corrupt politicians who abuse the trust of the people and nation!


6 PEOPLE YOU WANNA TAG:
Hmm...I think I have used my share of the quota. But if there's one left, that would be kerpie :)
1. kerp
2. Mat Salo (but he's seldom online these days)
3. GM! I think she likes doing tags.
4. Amin (but he's in Taiwan now covering the Taiwanese elections. Further, he's kind of serious when it comes to blogging!)
5 & 6. My 2 stray cats: Ku and Ching. But for the life of me, I just don't know where they are off to presently.
And oh, if I may add: anyone who is interested to do so.

A Fitnah Backfired!

I have just put down the telephone after a conversation with Roslan of Roslan SMS Corner. At the time I called him, he had just stepped out of the Dang Wangi Police Station, after making a counter-charge against Berita Harian, for carrying a slander against him personally, and PAS. Roslan, after being advised by several lawyer-friends, will be taking Civil Action against Berita Harian soon after the PRU12. The story - still sketchy in my mind - are as follows.

Several days earlier, soon after PAS Daily Press Conference at Bangunan PAS, a Berita Harian reporter had a one-on-one interview with Roslan. During the course of the interview, Roslan laid out PAS action plans which the reporter, an Azman Mahmood, who recorded it on paper as well on tape. When it was over, none at the office (I have to stress here that I was not present, for fear that it might give a wrong impression), thought anymore of the interview...until Berita Harian splashed the news "PAS Sedia Menggunakan Keganasan!" (PAS, Ready To Use Violence!).

The news attracted the IGP's attention (you can follow the chronology at Roslan's blog), and during the PAS DPC yesterday, Roslan officially responded to the IGP's statement which can be viewed on the 3rd page of PAS Press Release for the day here. However, it seems a Police Report was made against him in Terengganu by people unknown, and later in the afternoon just before he left the office, 3 Police Officers with the ranks of ACP all of them, visited Roslan in his office to begin investigations.

With his casual cool manner, Roslan laid out everything that transpired, which is a far cry from the story that was published and the Police Report made. And thanks to his quick thinking, Roslan requested the officers to listen to the reporter's own tape, in which they later did. The reporter - an amenoist with brains of, what else, a lilliputian - had not erased the tape and the whole story now has backfired on him, Berita Harian, and the persons who lodged the report in Terengganu. Though the Police has yet to close the book, insyAllah, the truth will prevail. Allah Akbar!

Now, this reminds me of an Arab proverb: "He who digs a grave for his brother, will he himself fall into it."

Off note: I have asked Roslan to lay a suit of RM10 million against the parties concerned, and asked for 10%...so gua boleh kahwin lah lepas ni! Yeeeha! :p

ps. Ini macam niaga lagi untung dari niaga unta!

YB Now Means....

For too long now, the serf-feudal lord mentality of many Malaysians – especially Malays – have treated the people elected officials of both, the state assemblies, and the Parliament, with respect and fervor almost fit for a king. In many cases involving the Cabinet Ministers, even more! The ego of the ‘YBs’ are continuously fed and feted not only by the public, but by the civil servants including the Police force who by law, are supposed to act neutral, but yet they scrounge the very grounds where these ‘YBs’ step on almost in worship. Nay! Make that in worship.

Perhaps to the Malaysians mentioned above, their state of mind can be forgiven for day in and out of the life they have been living, they have been subjected to subtle brainwashing of the mainstream media, extolling the virtues and righteousness of those people in power. And unless there is a political game afoot within their ranks, the media would never expose any scandals or abuse to the public. And when you come to think about it, it is as though we are living in a communist/socialist regime, where the media is used to its fullest to subjugate the minds of the people.

In North Korea for example, they even have megaphones erected at corners of the streets to announce simple statements such as this: “Good morning People of NK! Your glorious president, KIJ, has just rebuked the capitalist government of SK and the US for accusing our fatherland as an evil regime; we are not! We are the Democratic Republic of NK! We are the people’s government!” Off course you are...only that the people are made to slave for a living, almost akin to sweatshops of the very capitalist economy you condemn, living in an almost pigeon-like homes, while the officials of the country lives in splendour trappings of the modern world.

Or, remember ‘The Gang of Four’ in the big C? Before Chairman Mao’s death, they were untouchable! And they remained so for a short while until the unthinkable purge happened within the ranks and a new Chairman was elected. What happened to ‘The Gang of Four’? The regime used every means of the media then to vilify them in the open before sentencing them to lifetime imprisonment. And the public was made to believe in the evils of ‘The Gang of Four’. It did not matter who was right or wrong there. What mattered was what their government wanted to portray and put into the minds of the people within and out of the big C! And it worked!

Or, have we forgotten how the media was used rather successfully in US to justify an invasion of Afghanistan over the 9-11, and later Iraq for the still unfounded Weapons of Mass Destruction?

Closer to home, there’s the infamous trial of DSAI. No matter how many times the prosecuting team blundered during the trials, a large number of people continued on to believe he was guilty, overlooking the actual facts which were buried by tons and tons of media coverage condemning DSAI, and by itself already a verdict even before the court announced it

Similarly with any campaign, be it General or a by-election, the mainstream media will be used to the fullest by the incumbent party, throwing lies about the opposition while extolling their deeds whilst in office. Deeds, what deed? If any, in Islam, the deeds of an office bearer is by virtue of holding an ‘amanat’ from the Allah s.w.t., a trust that was handed to him from the people, by the people, and to the people he serve. And if he manage to fulfill such a trust which by all means is sacred, only truly then he is worthy of respect and the calling of ‘Yang Berhormat’. Unfortunately now, even as a party member of those goons in power steps into office, it has become a tradition and expectation for him to be called as such. But no more.

All these while ever since Malaysia obtained its independence, the so called people's representatives in either State Assembly or Parliament have been carrying out their duties without fear or favour, rather without fear and plenty of favours to be exacted in return. There have never been at any point of time a yardstick to measure their performance in office except for the General Elections, and that too - due to too many doubts within the system - can be argumentative...until now.

Earlier today at around 11am, a group of concerned citizens invited all the political parties in Malaysia to a joint declaration of what is called ‘Deklarasi Rakyat’, or ‘The People’s Declaration’. Some 100 people from all walks of life attended the event at The Blog House in Medan Damansara to witness PAS, PKR, DAP, MDP, PSM and PASOK (PSM and PASOK were unable to attend) giving their support to the declaration. The ruling coalition parties if present, were not in their official capacity.

The People's Declaration is actually a benchmark meant for the public to measure the performance of their elected representatives. Based on an abandoned 'Barisan Alternatif' 1999 manifesto, it was improved after an in depth study made on the matter, and as I have come to know it, was led by Haris Ibrahim of The People's Parliament (Please go to Colour Blind and download the declaration from there). Perhaps to put it in simple terms: We (voters) have the right to expect the product(service) we bought sold to us by the sellers(elected officials). If the seller fail to deliver on their product, we have the right to get a refund or change.

In other words, 'YB' will no longer mean 'Yang Berhormat, but 'Yang Berkhidmat'!

*Off note: Haris Ibrahim was my senior in secondary school. Apart from the 2 of us being visibly active in politics, I felt a tinge of pride when his name was mentioned as one of the leading figures in this move today. Before leaving, I shook his hands and said "Haris, you make me proud to be a Victorian!"

A Sad News

Innalillahhi wa inna ilaihi roji'un

Abdul Malek Othman, whom I wrote about visiting him in IJN last month, has passed away on Wednesday. I only managed to know of this via an email sent by his younger sister as per below:

"maslinda mohd" lin5111976@yahoo.com



Adalah dimaklumkan Pak Ngah atau nama sebenarnya Abdul Malek bin Othman telah kembali ke rahmatullah beberapa hari lepas (19 Feb 2008) di Hospital Teluk Intan.

Sama-sama kita doakan Pak Ngah ditempatkan di kalangan para anbiya' dan mukminin. Al-Fatihah.. ..

Bagi yang ingin menghubungi keluarga aewah boleh lah menghubungi adik arwah, Suhaila Othman 019-3543780.

*****.*****

Allahyarham was more affectionately known as Pakngah within a circle of several yahoogroups, was a religious man who was loved by his friends and family, suffered a burst vein on his right arm while being administered for dialysis treatment at Kuala Selangor Hospital. I was unable to get more information as the sister was unable to control her emotion.

Semoga Allah s.w.t. mencucuri RahmatNya keatas roh Allahyarham.

AlFatihah.

Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi roji'un

I have just received a text message from Doc Tokasid that our beloved friend, Cikgu Nazir of Kata Tak Nak, has just lost his mother in law. Together, let us pray for Allahyarham Puan Rahila Bee; semoga rohnya ditempatkan bersama mereka yang beriman. AlFatehah.

Please continue reading at Doc Tokasid. Thank you.

Bad at Greetings

I'm bad at greetings, I really am. Take this Chinese New Year for instance, it is only now much after the Big Dinner is way over, that it occurred to me to wish my Chinese friends. And still, I really do not know how to! Hmm...until I found this nice email. Undoubtedly, it has nothing to do with the celebration, but, it is from one friend to another.

So, let me wish all my Chinese friends a Very Happy Chinese New Year! May it bring prosperity and justice to all of us!

NAIL IN THE FENCE

oooooooooooooo

Make sure you read all the way down to the last sentence.

(Most importantly the last sentence)

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His Father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.

The days passed and the young boy was finally

able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out.

It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there. "A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one�.

�Friends are very rare jewels, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed.

They lend an ear, they share words of praise and they always want to open their hearts to us."

Show your friends how much you care. Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND, even if it means sending it back to the person who sent it to you. If it comes back to you, then you'll know you have a circle of friends.

YOU ARE MY FRIEND AND I AM HONORED!

Now send this to every friend you have!! And to

Your family

Please forgive me if I have ever left a hole.

������������������� ���� ����� ��� �����

Bird Out Of Cage

Well, not really. Its just that cakapaje bloke is beginning to make his move in anticipation of joining a Mutual Fund company, and rekindling acquaintances and friends he has not kept in touch with ever since leaving his last post. And since he was in Kelana Jaya this morning, he called a friend in the film industry for a teh tarik.

Hazrin, has been riding the roller coaster of the film industry for more than 15 years now. Starting from a techinal assistant, he now has his small office and has just come back from a month shooting stint in Singapore, filming a TV mini-series entitled 'Rahmat', which is supposed to be a sequel of sorts to an earlier mini-series called 'Menyusu Anak' or 'Anak Nak Susu', something like that. Do forgive that cakapaje bloke for he was not paying attention on that part. The part that caught his attention most was the part where Hazrin met a Pak Kassim in Geylang.

Now, it seems this Pak Kassim is a good tukang urut and was also in the film industry, working under Shaw Brothers for a good 35 years! It was during this time Pak Kassim met P Ramlee, and even had some minor roles with him! Being the chatty guy Hazrin is, cakapaje did not need to pester him about the tales which are quite interesting. But since time was rather short, Hazrin managed to narrate only 2:

1. Allahyarham P Ramlee was known to be a very generous person then. Back then when his name was an instant attraction in the cinemas, he would be paid RM30,000 for every film he starred in, which is a good sum in those days when a bottle of coke cost only 15cents or so. But of the amount he was paid, Allahyarham only took RM10,000 for himself, preferring to split the bigger share with everyone in the studio.

2. In perhaps a real life scene that became part of Seniman Bujang Lapok, Pak Kassim, Allahyarham, Shamsuddin and another person which Hazrin could not recall, went for lunch together. Allahyarham then asked who has money in which the other 3 replied negatively. Allahyarham then took out RM10 from his pocket and invited all 3 to have lunch on his treat. Along the way, they came across a beggar who put out his hand and asked for money. Allahyarham P Ramlee took out the RM10 - the only money he had for the day and meant to treat his friends - and gave it all to the beggar.

Understandably, his friends were quite upset and asked why he did that, to which he replied "Well, it was his money!".
One of the 3 asked back "What do you mean his money?"
"Well, since he asked for it, then it must be his!".

Being a student of a sufi school, Hazrin mentioned that for every dollar or ringgit we have, there are parts of it which belong to someone else. We, are only entrusted to hold the money till the time comes to give to the rightful person. Ok, cakapaje is not a sufi or even a student of it, but can certainly buy that.

By the way, though Geylang is now growing famous for other kind of 'massage services' as Hazrin informed me, Pak Kassim is a genuine act and he would recommend him to anybody; just look him up in Joo Chiat Complex in Geylang. Now, where that exactly is, that cakapaje bloke has no idea at all! But off course, it is only meant for men with body aches or nerve problems, as Pak Kassim does not seem to even want to heal a broken bone. Talking of which...

For Doc TA, medical doctors and those in the fraternity especially, please read the latest on Dr Basmullah here.

A Visit to the IJN

Prior to this day, I have never stepped foot into the Institut Jantung Negara. Though before I passed by it almost daily, it never occurred to my mind of what really goes on inside. I had, then, thought IJN is a hospital for the rich and famous, catering to the needs of heart patients as its name would suggest. My visit there earlier today to ziarah pakngah has opened my eyes a wee bit wider.

I was thinking about putting a slight humour about this visit but then thought it may not be proper. Well, perhaps towards then end...maybe. Mind you, I am not even a comic nor a jester, but just a clown who goes by his daily routine and wondering when the day itself would cease to exist...for me. Afterall, the world is a temporary passage for the eternal world hereafter.

I hate going visiting people in the hospitals, I really do. Not for anything, they remind me of the suffering which at many a time, I am incapable to assist even in the smallest physical manner possible; the only recourse we as His humble servants can do is to pray to Allah s.w.t. to forgive and enlighten the burden of a brother, another human like you and I, who is incapable of anything but which He decrees and gives.

Pakngah looked healthy for someone whom I thought I would find lying helpless on the bed feeling sick and all. In fact, his bed was propped up so he may read newspaper as did his father sitting on the chair beside the bed. On my giving the salam, both faces lit up with sincere smiles radiating from their faces. But let not the smiles fool you an instant bit.

Even as I shook hands with Pakngah, I could see many plastic tubes extruding from various parts of his body as well as a thick bandage on his left arm. Both sides of his neck were punctured with one side bandaged to hold a long tube which I was later informed, used for the hemodialysis process - the veins of his left arm were left to heal and rest from past puncture wounds.

As I politely took the seat Pakngah's father offered me, I noticed a bulge under the robes of his right ribs, and 2 more long plastic tubes leading from it to 2 containers already filled with red liquid - his blood! The surgeons at IJN had inserted the tubes to drain the blood from his lungs. Within the space of 6 days Pakngah has been at IJN, he has received 6 pints of blood already to replace those lost!

The whole ordeal began when the clinic he went to tried to use the veins on his right neck for the hemodialysis process. Somehow the technician or doctor on duty had pushed the wire through a wrong entry that led straight to the lungs, puncturing a wound along the way which led to the internal bleeding.

I relayed the advice I received from Cikgu, Doc TA, kerp and Pak Zabs in the previous entry regarding making a police report and such but was informed, much to my and especially Pakngah's family relief, that IJN had waived all charges. Alhamdulilah. But that does in no way absolved what transpired. Still, the father seem to agree to make the report just to be on the safe side should any parties later have a change of mind, and the family finding themselves saddled with a bill in excess of RM5,000 which they cannot afford.

As I passed the RM150 our brother Mat Salo had given earlier for Pakngah, a nurse walked into the cubicle with a tray filled with towels and 2 basins of water. I gathered its cleaning time but just could not resist shedding the sombre mood setting in and gave a shot at the nurse: "He already has a bed and a retinue of people looking after him; why don't you clean me instead?" It did cause even the people in the next cubicle to laugh, proving yet again I do make a good clown. And like any clown, I took my leave before jade sets in.