The backstreet behind Jalan Raja Laut is small, and littered with discards, organic or otherwise. The drizzle that fell that Sunday afternoon was a mixed blessing; while it helps to wash away some of the dirt, it also help the decaying organic matter to release a greater stench. But in a backlane such as this, such sights and smell are part of the life here. A life where many ordinary people would turn their sights away and would rather not know, or really do not know.
Its been nearly a year now since Lajnah Kebajikan dan Kemasyarakatan PAS Pusat(LKKPP) held an outdoor activity. Apart from assisting the PR in the past General Election, many of the committee members too each have a schedule of their own. And while many of the 20 odd commitee members are from KL-Selangor area, a sizeable few are from outside. Alhamdulillah, for today though, members of the LKKP-Wilayah Persekutuan was able to assist in this Ramadhan activity.
Aje followed the last of the 3 groups that moved out from Bangunan PAS, and made its way to the road connecting Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Raja Laut. Along the short distance, several men sat by themselves in clothes that were ragged and dirty. One particularly, was happily having a conversation with a concrete pillar. Most though, have the sad dejected look on their face. And when they try to smile, their lips looked too heavy for them to do so. They, are the outcast of the society. Some, are old people with no jobs or income. More than a few though, are drug addicts. Yet some, are sex-workers who ply their trade, initially for want of a better life, but now more for mere survival as the dreams they once had has long been discarded, maybe quite like the latex condoms that can surely be found in the dustbins of the rooms on the 1st and 2nd floor of these back lanes.
Sometime back in the 1980's, an issue of Times magazine tells a story of an Imam in Surabaya, Indonesia. While there are lots of Imams throughout the world, the story of this Imam came as surprising (perhaps shocking to some), as he chose to live an the red-light district of that city - all around the Imam's house were the homes cum pleasure rooms of the many prostitutes there. The Imam, in his bid to bring these ladies of pleasure back to a decent life, never admonished them. Rather, he invited them to his house where he and his wife (an Ustazah) gave free lesson in Quran reading and the teachings of Islam. Alhamdulillah, the magazine reported several successes the Imam had in leading these ladies out of their 'pleasure' ways. I believe, this story gave inspiration to a quite recent Malay movie.
Moving in and out of the lanes can be quite a culture shock to many people. Life, here, is a world of its own, with its own distinct culture and social norms. For the many who lives there, the sight of a group of men and women wearing kopiahs and tudungs, and walking towards them, can be quite a scary sight. And it maybe likewise for many of the volunteers at the sight of thick lipstick, multi-hued hair, and short revealing clothes of the people there. Perhaps worse still, is the naivety in ascertaining the gender of the sex-workers, where some can be stunningly beautiful, if not for the deep husky or shrill-like voice they have.
Before leaving the surau in Bangunan PAS, the group of volunteers were given a short talk on what to do and expect when they meet the sex-workers, where the target group for this day are the transvestites. The main idea for today is to break the ice with these people, so that future meets will be more casual and welcoming. Apart from handing out packed food, the sex-workers were also given phamplets containing some friendly words as well as a hadith. To lure them into accepting, a paper rose were tied to each phamplet.
As the group Aje was with approach the night market there, several men stared at us with one having a rather menacing look in his eyes. A quick thinking Cikgu Saleh (actual names not given), one of the streetwise volunteers, quickly put them at ease as he briefly mention of our intention. Perhaps they were legitimate traders, perhaps not; we were not there to judge.
In between the 2 sections of the night market, 2 of the 3 volunteer groups bumped into other. The 2nd group, led by the Chairman of LKKP Pusat, Doctor Lo'Lo' Ghazalie, had covered a shorter but busier route than ours. It was at this same time which Aje decided to retire as he was still recovering from his flu. The 2 groups however, went on with their objective which was scheduled to end by maghrib. InsyAllah, LKKP Pusat will be conducting more meets and outdoor activities quite similar to the one today.
Anyone interested in giving financial assistance for LKKP activities, may do so through BIMB accout number 12113010026150. Alternatively, one can write to my email where I will forward it to her, with a cc to the original sender.
* The actual report of this stroll can be read in the next issue of Siasah, and insyAllah, in the Pemuda Wilayah's website here.
Showing posts with label Activists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Activists. Show all posts
Monday, September 01, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
A Man and His Needles
In my previous posting, I mentioned of going to a Dr. Nasir's office. Reading his profile at The Star Online, he did get his doctorate in International Nurition. And though now a Selangor State Assemblyman, he still practice another form of treatment, one which he studied soon after being freed from the Internal Security Act, Acupunture.
The first time I met Dr Nasir, was during the 10th General Elections campaign period in Subang Jaya. A soft spoken man, I was attracted to his polite and humble manner. Every now and then, I would try to follow up on his latest news, but never did know he was into Acupunture. That, I only came to know yesterday when I was introduced to one of his assistants in the Constituent's Office. Having a friend or two in mind, I visited his office today in hope of learning more about his treatment. You do have to excuse that cakapaje guy, for apart from light reading materials, the only other thing he knows about acupunture was through a 1970's movie 'The Golden Needles'. But that, was a very long time ago.
Anyway, Dr Nasir has devoted one day a week to treat patients at his clinic in Pandan Jaya. Unless there are matter of arising from Local Councils or the State Government, off course. He normally charges a nominal fee to cover his treatment costs, and I was told by his assistant, had refused a huge sum from a Singaporean whom he treated. However, please bear in mind that like all things in this world, it is subjected to the will of Allah s.w.t.
The kind Doctor did give me his name card, one which I seem to have misplaced for now. But should anyone be interested to get in touch with him, insyAllah, I will try to get another. Or, one could always try to call the number as listed in The Star Online.
The first time I met Dr Nasir, was during the 10th General Elections campaign period in Subang Jaya. A soft spoken man, I was attracted to his polite and humble manner. Every now and then, I would try to follow up on his latest news, but never did know he was into Acupunture. That, I only came to know yesterday when I was introduced to one of his assistants in the Constituent's Office. Having a friend or two in mind, I visited his office today in hope of learning more about his treatment. You do have to excuse that cakapaje guy, for apart from light reading materials, the only other thing he knows about acupunture was through a 1970's movie 'The Golden Needles'. But that, was a very long time ago.
Anyway, Dr Nasir has devoted one day a week to treat patients at his clinic in Pandan Jaya. Unless there are matter of arising from Local Councils or the State Government, off course. He normally charges a nominal fee to cover his treatment costs, and I was told by his assistant, had refused a huge sum from a Singaporean whom he treated. However, please bear in mind that like all things in this world, it is subjected to the will of Allah s.w.t.
The kind Doctor did give me his name card, one which I seem to have misplaced for now. But should anyone be interested to get in touch with him, insyAllah, I will try to get another. Or, one could always try to call the number as listed in The Star Online.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Missing in Action
After 6 years of sending news almost every working day, the results of the PRU12 have made several people including yours truly somewhat lost! No, I am not referring to those lilliputians and the allies, but those like me, who spent hours each day working on the PC to get news out to Malaysians. The casualties on our front have been several precious few, including Pak Ngah, who passed away quite recently. There may have been many more, but since we work almost entirely alone, we never did get to know each other personally. But we were - similar to what Doc mentioned what he had done - the pioneers on this battle front. And though the war is far from over, those of us still remaining have sort of become disoriented.
I saw this WWII film 'The Battle of The Bulge' which Robert Shaw starred as a Nazi General. The film, was an enactment of a true battle which Nazi Germany had initiated to delay the Allies on their western front. The Germans took the Allies by surprise and gained huge grounds, and they were confident that the battle would be turn the tide for them. Their confidence - along with their remaining army - soon took a battering when the Allies regrouped themselves and launched counter attacks. Soon, the toll began to tell as the Germans - facing a severe shortage of men, equipment and supplies - had to retreat to the other side of the German border.
In the movie, the commanding officer of an SS Panzer Division, had an ambition of not winning the war then, but to prolong it. As - what he said in the movie - he was a professional soldier, and professional soldiers live for wars, and not peace. I can't say whether this part of the movie is history, but towards the end of it he died. Ironically, the battle did not save Germany, but brought a bigger catastrophe as more than half of the once great nation were conquered by the mighty Soviet Army, and along with it, the entire eastern Europe.
What I mean to say here is, the 6years I have been active on-line is a bloody long time. And as mentioned earlier, though the war is far from over, the results of PRU12 has left many on-line activists disoriented but perhaps, for the moment. When I mean by on-line activists here, are not the political bloggers and writers, but those who send news and information, many a times even plucking from those same said political bloggers. And many of these on-line activists are now plain tired.
Just prior to PRU12, some friends who attended the PACA training in Gombak, were told that the next SPR Chief is a bigger devil than the reigning one. Perhaps, the reason why the current chief's contract was extended was to pull wool over the public eyes. As Rashid is expected to retire soon, the new chief will supposedly come with a new clean slate. But as a devil that had been said about him, he will work doubly hard to be meaner and dirtier, just to give the lilliputians a victory.
Likewise with the lilliputians: the man from Pekan can be the worse tyrant Malaysia will ever know. With their General Assembly and office elections bound for this year, their ranks may be further weakened with dissensions amongst their very own. And should the man from Pekan takes the leadership, there will be no doubt he will wield his iron fist, putting many under the ISA at the same time. This man who has never tasted life as an ordinary citizen - knowing the economic hardships and of escalating inflation - will be portrayed as a man of the people and for the people. How could this be?
Earlier today when the Press questioned his links to the Altantuya murder trial, the PM dared to mention "there is no proof". Well, damn you PM! Damn you Najib! And damn you who support them either blindly or not! Have you then forgotten those many who still languish in Kamunting under ISA charges and all because the government could not gather sufficient proof? Incarcerate Najib under the ISA then!
No! No matter how tired one may be, the struggle still has to continue.
I have forgotten the names of 3 Sahabat of Rasulullah s.a.w. who were martyred in a battle, and even the actual details. But I will try to write the accounts as I remember. The first, a Standard Bearer, was killed by an arrow. As his body falls limp to the ground, another came to hold the flag of Islam waving, but he too was killed. Then another came and held the flagpole, but an enemy severed his right hand. He then held the flagpole with left, and that too was severed. Using the bloody stumps of both hands, he held his position. But the enemy was all around him and they severed both his legs and he fell - martyred in battle in a seemingly simple but courageous act of keeping the flag of Islam high.
Though we may never be able to equal the 3, insyAllah, we will try our best to continue this struggle. If we fall, there will always be another to replace us. We understand fully well that we are dispensable; but to those lilliputians and their allies, do you?
ps. On PRU13, my personal belief is that it will be held sometime within 24-36 months from now. I have only 2 theories for this belief for now:
1. The lilliputians will try their damnest to delay any BA projects within the 5 states from coming into fruition. This, will be their battle cry then that the BA has failed to deliver!
2. They intend to catch the BA flatfooted.
But as I mentioned, it is only my personal belief.
ps ps. I almost forgot to mention: the only reason for this entry is because several have asked about my 'disappearance' and have listed me as a Missing in Action case. :)
I saw this WWII film 'The Battle of The Bulge' which Robert Shaw starred as a Nazi General. The film, was an enactment of a true battle which Nazi Germany had initiated to delay the Allies on their western front. The Germans took the Allies by surprise and gained huge grounds, and they were confident that the battle would be turn the tide for them. Their confidence - along with their remaining army - soon took a battering when the Allies regrouped themselves and launched counter attacks. Soon, the toll began to tell as the Germans - facing a severe shortage of men, equipment and supplies - had to retreat to the other side of the German border.
In the movie, the commanding officer of an SS Panzer Division, had an ambition of not winning the war then, but to prolong it. As - what he said in the movie - he was a professional soldier, and professional soldiers live for wars, and not peace. I can't say whether this part of the movie is history, but towards the end of it he died. Ironically, the battle did not save Germany, but brought a bigger catastrophe as more than half of the once great nation were conquered by the mighty Soviet Army, and along with it, the entire eastern Europe.
What I mean to say here is, the 6years I have been active on-line is a bloody long time. And as mentioned earlier, though the war is far from over, the results of PRU12 has left many on-line activists disoriented but perhaps, for the moment. When I mean by on-line activists here, are not the political bloggers and writers, but those who send news and information, many a times even plucking from those same said political bloggers. And many of these on-line activists are now plain tired.
Just prior to PRU12, some friends who attended the PACA training in Gombak, were told that the next SPR Chief is a bigger devil than the reigning one. Perhaps, the reason why the current chief's contract was extended was to pull wool over the public eyes. As Rashid is expected to retire soon, the new chief will supposedly come with a new clean slate. But as a devil that had been said about him, he will work doubly hard to be meaner and dirtier, just to give the lilliputians a victory.
Likewise with the lilliputians: the man from Pekan can be the worse tyrant Malaysia will ever know. With their General Assembly and office elections bound for this year, their ranks may be further weakened with dissensions amongst their very own. And should the man from Pekan takes the leadership, there will be no doubt he will wield his iron fist, putting many under the ISA at the same time. This man who has never tasted life as an ordinary citizen - knowing the economic hardships and of escalating inflation - will be portrayed as a man of the people and for the people. How could this be?
Earlier today when the Press questioned his links to the Altantuya murder trial, the PM dared to mention "there is no proof". Well, damn you PM! Damn you Najib! And damn you who support them either blindly or not! Have you then forgotten those many who still languish in Kamunting under ISA charges and all because the government could not gather sufficient proof? Incarcerate Najib under the ISA then!
No! No matter how tired one may be, the struggle still has to continue.
I have forgotten the names of 3 Sahabat of Rasulullah s.a.w. who were martyred in a battle, and even the actual details. But I will try to write the accounts as I remember. The first, a Standard Bearer, was killed by an arrow. As his body falls limp to the ground, another came to hold the flag of Islam waving, but he too was killed. Then another came and held the flagpole, but an enemy severed his right hand. He then held the flagpole with left, and that too was severed. Using the bloody stumps of both hands, he held his position. But the enemy was all around him and they severed both his legs and he fell - martyred in battle in a seemingly simple but courageous act of keeping the flag of Islam high.
Though we may never be able to equal the 3, insyAllah, we will try our best to continue this struggle. If we fall, there will always be another to replace us. We understand fully well that we are dispensable; but to those lilliputians and their allies, do you?
ps. On PRU13, my personal belief is that it will be held sometime within 24-36 months from now. I have only 2 theories for this belief for now:
1. The lilliputians will try their damnest to delay any BA projects within the 5 states from coming into fruition. This, will be their battle cry then that the BA has failed to deliver!
2. They intend to catch the BA flatfooted.
But as I mentioned, it is only my personal belief.
ps ps. I almost forgot to mention: the only reason for this entry is because several have asked about my 'disappearance' and have listed me as a Missing in Action case. :)
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