setaliboy - scribing memories

REMEMBRANCE 106: STALWART FADES AWAY

2012-01-09T06:00:00.001-08:00

When we spend the night at Nana's rented house within the vicinity of her own house in Persada Damai, Enstek, Labu, Negeri Sembilan, on 8th. December 2011, I was very touched when Aisyah asked me innocently , "Bila Tok Lid nak sihat." However her innocent comment It did not touch my feeling at all and neither it made me sad. I knew deep in her heart, she was very concerned about me. I have to use a walking stick for my balancing of both of my feet and my physical condition was worsened because of my gout and osteoarthritis. I could not sit continuously and as such I spend most of my free time on the bed pursuing my reading hobby.

Aisyah might have compared my physical condition with that of her paternal grand father, Yop. Although Yop and me are of the same age range, Yop was far more active than me. He could still play futsal and took part in bicycle echo challenge and could finish the challenge within the stipulated time. Apart from he could accompany his cousin in trekking up the Himalayas in late November 2011. The journey to trek up the snow capped mountains with the height of more than 4,000 meters took them 7 days while the journey down took another 5 days. It really need a maximum physical endurance to trail the journey up the mountain in the adverse condition of the weather.

SAHOCA 29: THOSE WERE THE DAYS

2012-01-08T18:26:00.001-08:00

Zam admiring the innovated motor cycles at the Kedah
Pusat Giat Mara exhibition at the ground floor of the Giant.

The magnificent innovated Honda Cup 65

With our newly acquired motor bikes in 1967 , we went around
in a convoy on our motor bikes enjoying ourselves at the
Parliament round about.
The self proclaimed King of the Road, Wan Min Wan Din on
his Honda 90 with Hashim Mohd. Noor as the pillion rider .
Halim Abdullah on Osman Ramlee's Honda 90 with Osman
himself standing piilion.

Two days before Christmas 2011, Zam and I came across an Innovation Day Exhibition of the Kedah Pusat Giat Mara held at the ground floor of the Giant at Jalan Tun Razak, Alor Setar. To my astonishment, I came across a splendid innovation on the Honda Cup 65 c.c. done by one the Giat Mara students. I was very impressed with the innovation as it reminisced me on my first Honda Cup 65 c.c. which was introduced in 1967. My motor bike registeration number was KB 18 which I sold it to Che Gu Shukri in 1970 when I needed the money for the down payment of my first car, Volkswagen with the registration number KB 7080.

Nalin told me that the original Honda Cup 65 is much sought after by antique collectors nowadays as compared to Honda 70 or Honda 90. The asking price of the original Honda 65 without any added make over fetches around RM 2,000.00 per bike as compared to the original price of RM 700.00 in 1967.

My association with my motor bike KB 18 stretched back to 1966 when I enrolled at the University Malaya for my tertiary education in 1966. When we enrolled at the University of Malaya in 1966, most of our classmates in Sultan Abdul Hamid College who were non boarders at the University Colleges were boarders at the newly built NUPW Hostel at Section 14, Petaling Jaya. The hostel was built by the National Union of Plantation Workers for the benefits of the plantation workers’ children on the initiative of its famous president the late P.P. Narayanan. The NUPW Hostel has since been demolished to make way for a luxurious condominium. As the number of the estates’ children was small at that time, the hostel’s administration under the chairmanship of the late Dr. Rama Subbiah offered the places for other students from non estates background.

If I am not mistaken, some of my SAHC mates who stayed at the NUPW Hostel were Abdul Halim Abdullah, Abdul Habib Mansur, Adlan Abdul, Mohd. Daud Hamzah and Wan Min Wan Din. As the distance to the UM Campus was almost 10 kilometers, we used to take a ride on Sri Jaya staged buses and continued walking up the campus for another two kilometers. The strenuous journey to the campus for the lectures and tutorials took its toll when we found that we could not cope up the tight schedules by riding on the buses. At the end of the year, we decided to buy second hand motor cycles from the money saved from our scholarships.

Wan Min bought a Honda 90 while Halim, Adlan and Daud Hamzah bought Honda Cups 50 c.c. Compared to my other friends, I was very lucky as my late father insisted on buying a brand new motor bike which cost around RM 700.00. As my late father who himself owned a Honda Dream 250 c.c. bought for me a new Honda Cup 65 c.c. with the money he borrowed from the Kubang Pasu Thrift and Loan Society. The borrowing process was shortened in two days as it was facilitated by his younger brother Syed Salleh who was the then Honorary Secretary. We all took our driving test at the Road Transport Department located at Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur.

As we were very confident with the prowess of our motor cycles together with our own physical abilities, we decided to ride our journey home to Kedah on our bikes during our yearly break in 1968. It took us two solid days to reach our kampongs in Kedah since we have got to rest for every two hours journey for the purpose of cooling off our motor bikes engines.

Heavy rains also hampered our journey as the road surfaces were were slippery and the road visibility was also reduced. During those days, motor cyclists were not compelled to wear helmets and it was indeed a treacherous journey home on our small machines with our bare heads. The roads then were narrow and winding and we were always facing the danger of the falling small woods that were used as pegs to tighten the logs on a timber lorries. We put the night at the Bukit Gantang Mosque, Perak when it was already late in the evening when we arrived at the mosque. The kind hearted Imam invited us to a home cooked dinner at his house. With the blessings of Allah, we all survived the journey back to Kedah the next day.

However, one of our NUPW Hostel mates, the late Mr Markali who joined us during the early stage of the journey met with an accident at Kepong. In the hazy early hours of the morning, Mr. Markali who rode a Ducati motor bike landed with a braced neck when he accidentally knocked against the Railway Crossing gate at Kepong. Nevertheless, Mr Markali the grand child of Saudagar Din of Alor Setar eventually passed away before reaching fifty due to kidney failure.

We have to rest our bettered body for a few days when we arrived at our homes in Kedah. We have learned our lessons well from the journey as our motor bikes then took a ride themselves on the Malayan Railway coaches on the return journey to Kuala Lumpur for our final academic year at UM. Among our group, Halim Abdullah graduated to ride super bike during our working years where as the others including myself were happy to ride on four wheels.

SAHOCA 28: THE DEMISE OF RAHMAN YAHAYA

2011-12-25T07:53:00.000-08:00

The late Abdul Rahman Yahaya (Standing third row No. 6 from right)

To our SAHC Fifth Formers of 63, I wish to convey the sad news of the demise of our friend, Abdul Rahman bin Yahaya from the Class of Form 5 C. The late Abdul Rahman has passed away peacefully at his residence 419, Taman Tunku Yaakub, Jalan Alor Mengkudu, Alor Setar on Saturday 24.12.2001 at 4.45 pm. We pray for the blessings of Allah SAW to place the late Abdul Rahman Yahaya amongst the faithfuls. AlFatihah

SIBLINGS 78: COMING OF AGE

2011-12-21T06:39:00.000-08:00

The tough guys of Kuala Lumpur members

The remnants of the Four Musketeers and their favourite
Papa Young who is always young at heart

Without wasting much time, they have recruited a new member

During the early nineties, Syun used to invite his nephews known as the Four Musketeers namely Ezman, Malan, Alin and Farly (names according to the order of their ages with Ezman the eldest and Farly the youngest) to Ipoh during the school holidays. With colourful Shah as their mentor, their favourite uncle would arrange colourful holidays activities whether it would be on land or above the sea. Even after Shah was married, the four of them were very at ease with their Kak Nadia.

Coming of age for the four of them were not according to their age seniority. Third in line Alin took the lead in getting into matrimonial wedlock in 2010 and became a father in 2011. As Alin is now a father, his time with the other three are curtailed by his fatherly duties as an ideal husband and father. As such we really missed Alin at the Rebung on the night of Saturday, 10 December 2011 when the other three members were there. The chances of having another reunion for the four of them would be very remote if the rest do enter into the wedlock of matrimony. However, the three of them would have the advantage of a fatherly advice from Alin on the business of family making.

REMEMBRANCE 105: FACES OF 1MALAYSIA

2011-12-21T06:38:00.002-08:00

I am very grateful to Allah for blessing me with three wonderful children which are the beacons of lights in my twilight years. Being average students during our school days, I do believe that Zam and I has meagerly managed to accomplish our duty in providing proper education to our three children.

Together with Zam, I have attended all the previous convocation ceremonies for Nana at University Science of Malaysia (USM) in 1996 and Shiwar at Technical University MARA (UITM) at Shah Alam in 2003. However due to my deteriorating prostrate and gout problems, I was certain that I would not last the whole duration of the Convocation Ceremony of Ezman at the Merdeka Hall, PWTC on Saturday, 10 December 2011. In my impending absence, I persuaded Nana to accompany her mother to the Convocation Ceremony.

Since Ezman might feel hurt that I would not be witnessing the conferment of his Bachelor of Accounting with Honours degree, I decided to watch the ceremony through the big screen provided by OUM at the Fifth Floor of PWTC. To my astonishment, I was very lucky to be part of the group that watch the ceremony via the big screen on the Fifth Floor. The group comprised of the family members from various Malaysian ethnic groups of the working adult graduates from both West and East Malaysia who were mostly mothers, fathers, grand parents and freshies who symbolized all the faces of our One Malaysia.

It was a very interesting experience that I enjoyed during 3 1/2 hours watching the convocation ceremony on the big screen. I managed to find a seat beside an Indian lady. Noticing her sulky stern facial appearance, initially I was very hesitant to start any conversation with her. However after about half an hour, when her grand child passed to her a bagful of maruku, she then offered me her maruku. Happily I obliged her offer and that broke the ice.

Mrs. Laksmi was from Sungai Petani and her family of ten came down Kuala Lumpur in a hired van on the early morning of Friday, 10 December 2011 to witness the conferment of a degree in Information Technology and Management to her younger sister in law from the AIMST, Merbok. She did not have enough sleep the night before and that was why she was very groggy watching the convocation ceremony. After hearing her story, I was taken aback because at the first instant, I thought she was an aloof person.

The kids were the most vibrant group who enjoyed themselves on the fifth floor. They mixed easily with the rest of the kids from various ethnic groups and from all over the . They even devised their own instant play games among themselves and they could not care less when their elders informed them that their parents would walk down the stage to receive their scrolls. The children's antics displayed the true spirit of One Malaysia concept.

REGIMENTED DISCIPLINARIAN EZMAN

Although the Graduating Students' Procession would start at
8.30 am, being 100% obedient to the instruction, Ezman was already
ready in his graduation robe at 7.10 am and he even took his
place at the rendezvous point outside the Merdeka Hall even
before 7.30 am

Being a strict disciplinarian on his diet and regimented in
his physical exercise routine, Ezman could still adorn the same
lounge suit that he wore for his graduation of DIA at UITM
Shah Alam in 1976 . Kudos to Ezman.

At 7.59 am, since I wouldn't be at the Merdeka Hall
for the Convocation Ceremony, I accompanied Zam
and Nana to the Merdeka Hall without knowing in advance
that Jim would also be there.

Since I have instructed all the family members to adorn proper
attire for the family post convocation photography session such as
Batik shirts for the men, my initial plan was to change into my
Batik shirt after accompanying Zam to the Merdeka Hall.

I was so engrossed with the candid behaviour of the children that I even
forgot to change into my Batik attire prepared by Zam during the post
convocation family photography session.

I was the odd one without Batik shirt

The over anxious nervous Zam with Nana accompanying her
looked more confidence after visiting the Ladies room

Nana and Jim who was still in his T shirt

VIEWING CENTER FOR THE GRADUATION CEREMONY
AT LEVEL FIVE PWTC

Everybody was rushing for a resting place while awaiting the
conclusion of the convocation ceremony

At 8.28 am, almost all the seats were taken at the viewing
center at the fifth floor

I managed to get a seat behind the grandfather from Banting and
his family

The grand father and his grand children taking over the settee
when there was a temporary vacuum

When the Negara Ku was played at 8.54 am, Malaysian sense
of Patriotism was at its best. Young and old proudly stand up in harmony
in respect for the National Anthem

At 10.56 am , Ezman walking down the stage to receive his scroll

FAMILY OF ASP AUGUSTINE GAGA A/L LAKONG
FROM THE SIBU POLICE DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS,
SARAWAK WHO WAS CONFERRED WITH THE DEGREE
OF BACHELOR OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
WITH HONOURS

Mrs. Augustine Saga is a graduate teacher in Sibu, Sarawak.
She was conferred with a Master of Education at the 10th.
OUM Convocation in June 2011. She has obtained her first
degree of Bachelor of Education from the same Alma Mater.
She is a Bidayuh while her husband is an Iban.

I met Mr. Augustine Gaga and his family in the lift while
accompanying Zam and Nana to the Merdeka Hall at
8.00 am. I admired the calmly composed Mr. Augustine Gaga
who was fully dressed in his convocation robe as compared
to Ezman who has already departed for the Mereka Hall at
7.00 am. Mr. Augustine Gaga was very pleased when I warmly
congratulated him on his academic achievement without even
knowing him in the first place. I met Mrs. Augustine Gaga while
watching the convocation ceremony on the fifth floor.

Mrs. Augustine Gaga and her two children looking for
empty chairs to sit while observing the graduation ceremony
on the big screen

From left: Catherine (Form 2), Batholomew (From 3)
and Mrs. Augustine Gaga

FAMILY OF SERI DEVI WHO WAS CONFERRED
THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
AND MANAGEMENT WITH HONOURS. THEY WERE FROM
SUNGAI PETANI, KEDAH.

All dressed up in colourful sarees for the special occasion

FAMILY OF SHAMSUDIN BIN JAAFAR FROM SEREMBAN
WHICH WAS CONFERRED WITH A DEGREE OF BACHELOR
OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT WITH HONOURS

I was sitting beside Shamsudin Jaafar's family. The family
of Seri Devi were in front of me while the children of Mr.
Augustine Gaga were a seat behind me

Shamsudin's eldest daughter inquiring her mother on the
time of appearance of her father on the big screen

The youngest son of Shamsudin could not care less for his
father's impending appearance on the big screen. He was
enjoying his new acquaintances with the grand children of
the Malacca Nyonya

Another family with available seats but instead chose
to lean at the edge of the windows. His daughter is firmly
holding the bouquet of flowers for her mother. Her younger
sister enjoyed the comfort of the settee with her grand father

Their youngest toddler sleeping peacefully without any concern

THE BABA FAMILY FROM MALACCA

The children of various ethnic groups innocently courting
friendship among themselves. The nyonya from Malacca with
her splendid kebaya nyonya looking after her grand children while
their mother would be receiving her Bachelor With Honours
Teaching Primary Education.

The settee has been conquered by the One Malaysia children

BOUQUETS AWAITING TRIUMPHANT GRADUATES

There were no angry birds bouquets at the entrance

Only dreaming of a another degree

Securely guarded by Mr. Farly

Favourite cousin ready with his own bouquet for Ezman

My grand children joining me in waiting for the emergence
of Zam, Nana and Ezman. Because of their rivalry, they took
turn to hold the banquet which their mother has bought for
their Ami Chik

Alia's turn to hold the bouquet

Afique's turn with the bouquet

Nuraisyah and Afique with their bouquets

Flanked by my grand children

Afique's turn to hold the bouquet of flowers while posing
for a snap shot from Shiwar

Freshly conferred graduates coming out from the Merdeka Hall

Adli on Jim's shoulders waiting patiently for Ami Chik
and his mother

Finally Ezman emerged from the Merdeka Hall

Adli still waiting for his mother

On the majestic stairs of the Sri Pacific

Farly with the impression of an able bodied guard

Adli was very tired waiting for Ami Chik felt asleep
on Jim's shoulder

THE ELDER FROM BAU DISTRICT, SARAWAK

He is from Bau District in Sarawak. He is very proud that
his son in law is conferred with a Bachelor of Education.
His whole family flew down from Sarawak to witness the
convocation ceremony. He was a very cautious man for
he did not oblige me when I asked for his name.

The Bau Elder waiting anxiously at the Seri Pacific lobby
before departing for Sarawak on 11.12.2011

The Bau Elder following his son in law departing for Sarawak

The Bachelor with Honours Teaching (Primary) Education
graduates from the Third Session posing for the photography
session cuddling her youngest son

FACES OF ONE MALAYSIA AT THE SRI PACIFIC LOBBY ON
SUNDAY 11 DECEMBER 2011

REMEMBRANCE 104: SHARING SUCCESS

2011-12-21T06:38:00.001-08:00

When Ezman graduated with a Diploma in Accounting from the University Technology MARA (UITM) in 2001, he was offered to pursue a degree course of Bachelor of Business Studies with Honours (Finance) at Alor Gajah UITM Campus in Malacca. Accompanied by her sister, Nana, Ezman has approached the then Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Professor Shahol Hamid pleading for a change of campus to UITM Arau, Perlis with the reason of taking care of his ailing parent. Beyond our expectation, surprisingly Ezman’s request was granted by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) UITM Shah Alam.

Meanwhile Ezman was also offered a permanent post as a financial clerk W 17 at the Kedah State Secretariat . Due to our insistence, he reluctantly accepted the offer although deep in his heart, I believed that he wanted to accept the offer from UITM. It was hard for Ezman to accept our argument that he should give priority to his career opportunity rather than to pursue for a higher qualification without the assurance of a career at the end of the day.

Our argument was that he should grasp the career opportunity that come first on his lap while he should also pursue his study for a degree through distance learning from any recognized university. For an advancement towards a professional degree, a degree of Bachelor of Accounting would be a better choice as compared to Bachelor of Business Study (Finance).

I searched high and low for the best choice of a distance learning programmes offered by the various higher learning institutions. Unanimously we settled for the Open University of Malaysia which offered the most flexible and practical study programmes for a working adult. Ezman then started his quest for a degree in Bachelor of Accounting with Honours in 2007.

It was a day of rejoice for our family when Ezman was conferred the degree of Bachelor of Accounting with Honours (BAC) by the Open University of Malaysia (OUM) at its 11^th. Convocation on Saturday, 10^th. December 2011 at Dewan Merdeka, Putra World Trade Centre. It was in fact a day of gratefulness for the whole family as we strived together to assist Ezman in obtaining his mission in tandem with our family motto: “Coming together, sharing together, working together and succeeding together”.

To achieve our spirit of togetherness, I booked in advance four deluxe rooms at the Seri Pacific Hotel, Kuala Lumpur with the sincere hope that all my immediate family members would be together to share the momentous occasion. Apart from that, the Merdeka Hall was only a walking distance of 5 minutes from our hotel. However, we are just the planner, but only Allah decides. My wish to have a full attendance did not materialized because my daughter in law, Marini could not join the family because of her tight work schedule with Air Asia in Alor Setar. However we were very pleased that Mr. Farly could join us and in fact he was a source of enjoyment for the grand children.

Nevertheless I was grateful to Allah because the entire family from both sides has contributed immensely to make Ezman’s convocation a very memorable remembrance for our family. On Thursday, 8 December 2011, on our way down to Kuala Lumpur, Pak Tam @ Nari gave us a treat of our favourite Nasi Bryani Tanam at Ipoh. The next day on our way to PWTC, my youngest sister Za treated us to a tasty breakfast at her quarters in Putrajaya.

Breakfast at Za's Putrajaya Quarters

On Friday night, 9 December 2011, we treated Mr. Farly to a modest birthday dinner at the Chicken Rice Restaurant at the food court of The Mall. As Mr. Farly has reached the quarter of a century mark, we wished him a very happy birthday with the following connotation:

Grateful to the blessing of the Almighty,

For the last quarter of a century,

Today is no more a choice but your duty,

To search for a competent sweet lady,

Competent to fulfill the needs of your belly,

Competent to satisfy the ideals of your family,

So we wish you a very happy birthday, Mr. Farly,

Don’t waste your time, please start early.

From Bin Saad family

Friday, 9 December 2011

Engrossed in choosing the menu

Adli handing over Bin Saad's birthday present to Pak Farly

Discussing who should unwrap the present

Farly reading the connotation to Adli

After the convocation ceremony on Saturday, 10 December 2011, I treated the whole family at the Japanese restaurant on the first floor, Seri Pacific. The location of the restaurant was very ideal for Ezman as he could move straight for the family photography at the studio on the same floor.

It was all O.K. for the grand children with the Japanese Restaurant

Japanese restaurant ready for our invasion

Enjoying the Japanese dishes

The dishes were promptly wiped out. I was wrong when

I assumed Mr. Farly was satisfied with the Japanese menu

when he finished his plate of rice in a zippy

Alia trying her tempura

Ezman handing his mortarboard to Afique

Nuraisyah handing our shared souvenir to her Ami Chik

Afique with the mortarboard on his head

Ezman overcame with emotions when we presented him with

our congratulatory message: Together we congratulate Ezman for

"Coming together, sharing together, working together and succeeding together”.

"Never forget your humble academic beginning , for winners never quit and

quitters never win."

Waiting for the post convocation family photograph

at studio adjacent to the Japanese Restaurant

Post convocation family photograph without Marini and Adli who was soundly asleep in the hotel room.

On the same evening, we dropped by at Ad’s Restoran Sajian Alor Setar at Ampang. We were fortunate to meet Ami Leh and Bibi at Ad’s restaurant. After consuming a plateful of rice at the Japanese Restaurant, Mr. Farly could still consume another plate of nasi Sajian Alor Setar. It was the first visit for Nana and Ezman at Ad’s restaurant.

Sitting from left: Ami Leh and Bibi sitting.

Stading from left: Dr. Hajjah Aminah, Ad, myself, Zam, Nana and Ezman

Farly waiting for his plate of nasi Sajian Alor Setar

We were also very fortunate that Abang gave us a treat at the Rebung Restaurant in Bangsar. Nami and Mat came all the way down from Shah Alam to join us at the restaurant. Malan also dropped by at the Seri Pacific to guide us to the restaurant. We were quite sad because Alin could not make the trip because of his fatherly duties. Otherwise the reunion of the original four musketeers namely Ezman, Malan, Alin and Farly would be completed. Apart from the boys who brayed the sound of lamb whenever they consumed grilled lamb, Mat really enjoyed his dinner that night with the attitude of ‘damn with the cholesterol, I am fully protected by my medicines.”

However Nami was still traumatised by the sight of the Melaka Fruits.

The entrance of Rebung Restaurant

Datuk Chef Ismail, Rebung's proprietor

Battle of the bulges

Very contented Mat joining the fray

Enjoying our dinner

Kak Teh assuring the total satisfaction of her guests

On our way back to Alor Setar on Sunday 11 December 2011, SBSK treated us to a farewell lunch at the Meru Golf Club. We were indeed very grateful to all the family members from both sides of the family (Bin Saad and Al Idrus) who has made our trip to Ezman’s convocation a very momentous occasion with full of love and affection in sharing the success of a family member.

One for the road with Mohd. Nasri Bin Saad

Mr. Farly inquired about the name of "Bin Saad". Bin Saad was the surname bestowed to the late Ku Ahmad Ku Saad (grand father of the late Mohd. Salleh Khir bin Haji Bahari) by the Siamese Authority in 1915 in recognition for his service as Finance Minister for Province of Satun, Southern Thailand beginning in 1896. All the descendants of the late Ku Ahmad Ku Saad could affix the surname of Bin Saad to their names regardless whether it was male or female. If ever Mr. Farly was the subject of Thailand, then he would be known as Wan Mohd. Fazli Bin Saad or his sister would then be known as Wan Amalina Bin Saad.

Alhamdullillah for the blessings of Allah.

The fountain of love and affection of the Bin Saad family

REMEMBRANCE 103: SAYANG SARAWAK

2011-12-21T06:36:00.000-08:00

Di pagi hari Khamis, 3 November 2011 bersiap sedia untuk
bertolak ke Klinik Waqaf An-Nur (KWAN)

Dari Kiri: Ridzuan (Pen. Setiausaha Jabatan Zakat),
Dato' Haji Mohd. Noor Rafie (PTG), Dato' Syeikh Ghazali Yaacob
(Setiausaha Jawatankuasa Zakat) dan Y.A. Dato' Wira Syeikh Yahaya
(Ketua Hakim Syarie Kedah)

Jamuan pagi hidangan kuih tradisi Sarawak di Klinik Waqaf
An-Nur (KWAN), di Bangunan Mecchuma, Jalan Haji Taha, Kuching

REMEMBRANCE 102; KELUBIAN HAS GONE ASEAN

2011-12-01T07:08:00.000-08:00

Fourth and Fifth Kelubians in the early eighties

Many has been recalled by Allah and many has also migrated out of Kelubi.
At present, not even one Kelubian in this picture faithfully residing in Kelubi.
My fear is that in a few years time, Kelubi will be folded in our history as the village
that once my ancestors has opened and flourished

The original Pak Long Ku Baharom's house before the make over

The new looked Pak Long's House that Ku Azmi has rebuilt

The three mangosteen pillars upholding the Sumatran roof structure

The arrival of the bride at Kelubi

Far left: the bride from Menado

The host, eldest brother Ku Bahador welcoming the guests
at the wedding reception

Ku Bahador who has led the groom's delegation to Menado welcoming his counterpart from Menado while his uncle, Ami Daud watching intensely

Ezman holding on to my late father's rattan walking stick while I was busy
snapping pictures of the reception. As the ground was still messy with recently
improvised crusher run tarmac, everybody has got the tread along cautiously in fear
of being injured.

From left: Kak Yeh, Asma (holding camera) and Zam waiting for the arrival of the bride

Smiling Ku Azmi with his new bride

After attending Fauziah Murad's daughter's wedding reception at Alor Setar on Sunday, 27 December 2011, Zam and I with Ezman at the driving wheels pushed north to Kelubi Luar. My second cousin Ku Azmi the youngest son of the late Pak Long Ku Baharom and Wa Lah has invited us to for his own recent wedding reception to a Menado lass from the Northern Sulawesi Province, Indonesia.

For that special occasion, Ku Azmi, a businessman has hastily erected a new addition to their original ancestor's home. The new wing has an Asean flavour whereby the workmanships were from Indonesia as well as from Thailand. the new extension has a unique architectural design which was in fact very difficult for a simple layman like me to comprehend. Ku Azmi has even cut down an old mangosteen fruit tree from their inherited orchard in Kelubi Dalam and used them as decorative pillars of on the frontage of the house.

Ku Azmi who is also referred as Pak Su is the youngest son of the late Pak Long Ku Baharum, my late father's cousin. I did not know in depth on the present nature of business Ku Azmi in involved, but he used to sponsor the service of an Indonesian maid to his late mother, Mak Long Lah in Kelubi when her physical condition deteriorated. Ku Azmi has four other elder siblings namely:

1. Ku Bahadur, retired Public Health Inspector residing at Sik Dalam, District of Sik.
2. Ku Kassim, an Ipoh businessman (deceased due to cancer).
3. Ku Muhammad, a Police Sergeant in Penang.
4. Ku Asma , attached to the National Sport Council residing in Kuala Lumpur.

By his daring action in successfully wooing a Menado lass and brought her home to Kelubi , Ku Azmi, a fifth generation Kelubian has followed a tradition of Kelubian going Asean. The first Kelubian who has gone Asean from our extended family was Akashah, the eldest grandson of Ami Leh. Akashah has married a lass from Palembang, Indonesia last year. If I am not mistaken, I was made to understand that one of Ami Daud's sons has also married an Indonesian. Their actions was in fact symbolised our small contribution towards the assimilation of Asean bond of friendship between its people.

However when Ku Bahadur's delegation was In Menado for the wedding reception of bride's family , they did not dare to come out from their hotel room when the final Sea Games football match between Indonesia and Malaysia was shown life on the TV screens in the hotel. They were afraid of being lynched alive because Indonesia has lost the game. So much has been said about Malaysian and Indonesian bonding relationship as a big brother to another younger brother.

Congratulation to Pak Su Mee with the hope that he would not tarnish the good name of the Kelubians. Insya Allah.

REMEMBRANCE 101: MEMORIES OF PAK MURAD

2011-12-01T06:57:00.000-08:00

84 YEAR OLD MAK SIAH

From left; Ismail, Syed Zain and Muhammad

It was a very sentimental wedding feast for me on Sunday, 27 November 2011. A week before Ezman brought home a wedding reception invitation from his Collegian friend Muhd Fuad bin Rahim. Ezman was bewildered because he did not his friend’s family. However his friend told Ezman that the invitation was from his parent especially his mother Fauziah. Muhd Fuad advised Ezman just to mention to me that it was from the daughter of Pak Murad and Mah Siah. He was very confident that I would remember that special bond of relationship between our two families.

When I received the invitation card, old memories came cascading down my head. The late Pak Murad was the Forester Grade One which was in charge of the Langkawi Forest Range just before Merdeka. My late father was his subordinate holding the rank of Forester Grade Two. The late Pak Murad thought my late father the technique of sea fishing and both of them together with the boatman the late Pak Hussain would always out at sea after their office hours. We seldom bought fresh fishes from the market since their catches would be sufficient enough for our three families.

The late Pak Murad has 9 children whereby his sixth son Muhammad and seventh son Sulaiman were in the same age group with me and my cousin, Syed Mahmud. As such we spent our school holidays together in Langkawi and I really enjoyed their companionship. We lost contact with each other after the late Pak Murad and my late father were transferred out to the mainland. After 1959 when I entered the secondary at Sultan Abdul Hamid College Alor Setar, my acquaintance with Muhammad and Suleiman faded away because of the lack of communication facilities.

After a lapse of nearly 52 years, it came as a surprise to me but it would naturally provide a golden opportunity for us to rekindle old fond memories of teenage relationship during the late fifties. Muhammad has joined the Police Force and retired as a Superintendent Commanding a Field Force Battalion but we have never crossed path during our service in the government. As such I told Zam that I must attend this at whatever cost. Although I have not met Muhammad for the last 52 years, yet I managed to recognise Muhammad the instant I met him at the wedding reception at Pusat Aktiviti Pejabat Daerah Kota Setar, No: 1331, Lebuhraya Darulaman.

I exchanged pleasantries with Muhammad’s siblings that were present at the reception especially his elder brother Ismail who was my chief clerk during my stint as the Land Administrator at Sik District Office in the early seventies. Grateful with the blessings of Allah, I did not expect to see Mak Siah who was present at the reception. Mak Siah is already 84 years old but sad to say Mak Siah did not recognise me or even remember my late mother, her closed confidant during the Langkawi tenure.

Compared to my four siblings who are still alive, three of Muhammad siblings has passed away namely:

1. Ramli (deceased)

2. Marzuki (deceased)

3. Hahsim

4. Ismail

5. Fatimah

6. Muhammad

7. Sulaiman (deceased)

8. Fauziah

9. Ghani

SIBLINGS 78: DIA

2011-11-14T19:15:00.001-08:00

DIA

Ketika Dia masih ada,

Kita sentiasa alpa,

Kita juga mudah lupa,

Kerana kita sentiasa berada,

Di dalam zon amat selesa,

Kini Dia sudah tiada,.

Barulah kita mula terasa,

Terkeluarnya kita dari zon selesa,

Tiada lagi tempat untuk meminta-minta,

Bantuan dari air tangan Dia.

Ketika Dia masih ada,

Kita sentiasa meminta-minta,

Kita mengeksploitasikan kepakaran Dia,

Kepakaran memasak berbagai aneka,

Menghasilkan masakan berbagai cita rasa,

Citarasa pelbagai rakyat biasa,

Menepati cita rasa Satu Malaysia,

Malahan cita rasa Tok Kong Cina,

Sehinggakan Perdana Menteri ( Kedah) kita,

Tidak boleh lupa sayur keladi Dia,

Kita juga turut berbangga,

Bahawasanya air tangan Dia,

Mampu memenuhi cita rasa golongan diraja.

Ketika Dia masih ada,

Di kala kita sesak di dada,

Untuk menempah jamuan dengan segera,

Bagi keperluan keluarga kita,

Mau pun keperluan jabatan dan bos kita,

Kita mesti mengingati Dia,

Tanpa banyak bicara,

Terus kita mendesak Dia,

Tak kira waktu atau pun masa,

Tak kira di bulan apa sahaja,

Tak kira di bulan biasa,

Atau pun di bulan puasa,

Mahu pun di Hari Raya.

Ketika Dia masih ada,

Kita terus meminta-minta,

Tidak pernah pun muhasabah seketika,

Tidak pernah bertanya bagaimanakah Dia,

Tidak pernah bertanya sihatkah Dia,

Tidak pernah bertanya mampukah Dia,

Menunaikan permintaan desakan kita,

Kerana kita dah amat amat biasa,

Dengan jawapan nada positif Dia,

Kerana jawapanya sentiasa YA, YA dan YA.

Tidak pernah menolak bantah bersuara,

Tidak pernah juga mendesak meminta-meminta,

Kerana Itulah sikap keluhuran diri Dia.

Ketika Dia masih ada,

Andainya jawapannya bukan bernada YA,

Terus melentinglah kita,

Dengan gurisan hati yang membara,

Berbagai tohmahan dilempar kepada Dia,

Memilih kasih kepada siapa,

Hanya menunaikan ikut pilihan Dia,

Tanpa kita sendiri menilai siapakah kita,

Untuk menilai bahawasanya Dia,

Mempunyai parasaan seperti kita,

Mempunyai kebatasan masa,

Mempunyai kebatasan usia,

Mempunyai kebatasan daya tenaga,

Kerana dia juga manusia biasa,

Manusia biasa seperti kita,

Hamba Allah kepada yang Maha Esa,

Namun tindak balas Dia,

Tetap tersenyum dengan selamba.

Ketika Dia masih ada,

Kepada suami Dia super manusia,

Melayan suami tanpa keras bersuara,

Peel suami yang caca merba,

Terkenal dengan kepelikan cita rasa,

Kononnya mengekal kesihatan di kala muda,

Banyak makanan yang tidak disuka,

Melebihi pakar diet antara bangsa,

Walau pun makanan dicemuh dan dicela,

Namun Chicken Chop boleh juga,

Walau pun mendadak paras gula,

Di keesokan harinya.

Ketika Dia masih ada,

Cara makan suami macamlah raja,

Ketam perlu diasing tinggal isi sahaja,

Tulang-tulang ikan perlu dibuang juga,

Walau pun pelbagai rintangan yang ada,

Namun taat Dia kepada suami amat ketara,

Kukuh berpegang kepada prinsip Dia,

Kepada suami Dia tak pernah derhaka,

Walau pun ke tahap meninggikan suara,

Kerana syurga itu tetap berada,

Di bawah tapak suami tercinta.

Ketika Dia masih ada,

Tidak kira apa orang lain sinis berkata,

Keterlaluan tahap ketaatan kepada suami Dia,

Dia tetap melayan suami seperti biasa,

Bagaikan melayan Pak Balung dalam seloka:

Kasih dicurah sayang diberi,

Makan dihidang minum disaji,

Tak perlu kais tak perlu cari,

Beras padi datang sendiri.

Ketika Dia masih ada,

Menanggung derita berbagai sangsara,

Pelbagai rawatan dan pembedahan yang dirasa,

Kemoterapi untuk merawati kanser,

Penukaran lutut untuk bergerak lebih selesa,

Rawatan gigi dan pembedahan di mata,

Pembedahan jantung juga telah dicuba,

Sikap positif Dia terhadap kehidupan amat perkasa,

Selagi jantung berdenyut Dia tidak berputus asa,

Mencuba-cuba dan terus kekal berusaha,

Dia melalui segala dugaan dengan bersahaja,

Hanya berserah sepenuhnya kepada Maha Esa,

Namun Dia juga tidak pernah lupa,

Menghargai setiap jasa anak-anak buah Dia,

Sentiasa bersyukur kepada jasa-jasa mereka,

Sehingga ke akhir hayat Dia,

Masih tetap menyayangi Dia dan keluarga.

Ketika Dia masih ada,

Bila mana Dia menghampiri ajalnya,

Masih bersikap tidak mahu menyusahkan sesiapa,

Sempat lagi berpesan kepada cucuanda,

Bahawa wang tunai sudah pun Dia sedia,

Untuk menampung kos pengkebumian Dia,

Itulah sebenarnya Dia,

Di ambang penghujung nyawa,

Masih juga bersikap kental waja,

Sentiasa tawakal kepada Yang Maha Esa.

Kini setelah Dia tiada,

Adakah kita sudah lupa,

Kepada jasa-jasa murni Dia,

Menyediakan makanan seluruh keluarga kita,

Masakan moden dan juga purba,

Masakan Siam, Melayu atau pun Cina,

Semua permintaan tidak pernah dihampa,

Menjaga rumah ketika kita tiada,

Jarak jauh dan jangka masa,

Langsung tidak diambil kira,

Bersedia menjaga ahli keluarga kita,

Ketika menunaikan Rukun Islam kelima,

Menyediakan jamuan yang menyelera,

Ketika memasuki rumah pertama,

Menyedia serunding dan acar di bulan puasa,

Agar kita menunaikan puasa dengan lebih sempurna,

Rendang perut pasangan ketupat di hari raya,

Kerabu emping snack Dia yang luar biasa,

Semua jasa-jasa Dia bagaikan permata,

Kini tinggal kenangan amat berharga,

Tidak mampu terbayar oleh kita,

Hanya Allah yang dapat membalasnya jua.

Di detik dua puluh lima minit selepas tiga,

Di dalam keheningan petang yang hiba,

Di hari Ahad, 20.11.2011 tarikh yang unik jua,

Terhentilah dengan tenang degupan jantung Dia,

Disaksikan adik ipar Noraini dan cucuanda Sara,

Zamzam, Mak Zoyah dan juga Mak Chik Salha,

Takdir menentukan yang lain tidak dapat bersama,

Walau pun telah menunggu bersama sekian lama.

Di wajah kaku terakhir Dia,

Terukir senyuman kepuasan Dia,

Keshahduan dan keserian rupa Dia,

Mencerminkan kedamaian jiwa,

Bahawasanya Dia telah bersedia,

Tawakal untuk menghadapi yang Esa,

AlFatihah untuk Dia,

Sama-samalah kita memohon doa,

Semoga Arwah Mak Teh Gayah Kita,

Ditempatkan Allah di kalangan para syuhada.

Amin Ya Rabbal Alamin.

(Pohon kemaafan sekiranya tersinggung di mana-mana pihak kerana bukanlah niat saya sedemikian rupa.
Cetusan rasa ini hanyalah sekadar nukilan terindah bersama semasa hayat arwah Mak Teh Hajjah Rokiah @ Gayah binti Mohd. Noor. Nukilan ketika dikarantin dari bersuara : Hari Jumaat 2.11.2011)

SEKIRA KEADAAN KESIHATAN MENGIZINKAN, TIDAK PERNAH MENGHAMPAKAN SEBARANG JEMPUTAN DARI ANAK-ANAK BUAHNYA

SUAMI TERCINTA SENTIASA MENGIRINGINYA
DI KERUSI RODA IHSAN KAKAKNYA HABIBAH

SENTIASA MENGUKIRKAN SENYUMAN KETIKA BERSUA

PERWATAKAN MAK TEH YANG TIDAK MENGGERUNKAN SENTIASA MENJADI BAHAN USIKAN ANAK-ANAK BUAHNYA

KINI DIBAHUNYA TERLETAK TANGGUNG JAWAB MEWARISI PENJAGAAN SUAMI YANG TELAH DITINGGALKAN

KINI BARU DAPAT MENILAI TAHAP PENGORBANAN ARWAH HANYA MELEPASKAN RINDU SEKADAR MENATAP WAJAH YANG SUDAH TIADA

PENGHARGAAN KEPADA KEIKHLASAN ULAMAK KERDIL KITA MENYELESAIKAN URUSAN PENGKEBUMIAN ARWAH DI TANAH PERKUBURAN MASJID DERGA PADA JAM 11.00 PAGI, HARI ISNIN 21.11.2011

TIDAK PERNAH LOKEK DENGAN ILMU DI DADATETAPI TIADA ANAK BUAH YANG MEMINTA
Untuk resipi buboq asyura, sila merantau ke Siblings 50

MENINGGALKAN AMANAT KESEMPURNAAN PENYEDIAAN BUBOQ ASYURA KEDAH PURBA

DISAHKAN OLEH PAKAR-PAKAR MAKAN BAHAWA MEMANG BUBOQ ASYURA MAK TEH MENYELERAKAN HINGGAKAN KE WILAYAH SHAH ALAM

REMEMBRANCE 100: HCMC SHOPPING PARADISE

2011-11-14T08:16:00.001-08:00

Ho Chin Minh City adalah syurga membeli belah untuk pelawat dari Malaysia. Mutu jahitannya amat tinggi dan corak pakaiannya pula sesuai dengan cita rasa rakyat Malaysia . Kalau kehabisan duit Dollar atau Dong, Ringgit Malaysia juga boleh diguna pakai.

Tak puas dihitung dengan jari

Calculator dihitung pula, mata isteri tetap mengawasi juga

Walau pun duduk terlenggak dengan mengah , beli tetap ku beli

Bila hati terpikat dengan sesuatu barangan,
tak tahu bahasa Vietnam, penjualnya dikuitnya saja

Bila dah penat berdiri, duduk pun jadilah.
Beli barangan ditujulkan saja semacam kuih tunjuk di Pekan Rabu

Bila gian membeli, berseorangan di malam hari pun tak kira,
hendak beli, beli juga

REMEMBRANCE 99: 24 HOURS TAILOR

2011-11-14T08:06:00.001-08:00

During our dinner on Tuesday, 18th. October 2011, Shiwar told me that he has found a tailor shop that specialised in 24 hours suit. The said shop was a few blocks from our hotel and the cost of a suit was only US 95.00. Shiwar also wished to try a US 95 lounge suit for himself the next day.

On Wednesday morning, 19^th October 2011, I went to the tailor shop which was just five shop lots from our hotel. My Sang Tailor specialized in 24 hour tailoring which offered US 95. dollars per suit. Based on my experience with 24 hours tailoring in Bangkok, I was not very convinced with the quality of sowing and at such I was very reluctant to order the lounge suit.

When I saw there were a few linen clothes on display, I inquired what was the price for a short sleeve shirt similar to the one I was wearing. The quality of the linen on the shelve was identical with mine and the seamstress quoted the price of US 19 dollars @ RM 60.00 per shirt.

The linen shirt I was wearing cost me RM 240.00 per shirt in Alor Setar. Without hesitating I ordered 2 pieces of short sleeve linen shirt which the seamstress promised to be ready in 24 hours time. True to her words, when I went to the shop at 12.30 pm the next day, my two linen shirts were ready for delivery. My adviser, Shiwar did not even order any suit from the 24 Tailor shop. .

My Sang Tailor which was 5 shop lots to the left of our hotel

My Sang Tailor specializes in custom suit and also pakaian traditional Melayu

The displayed price of US 95 per suit

The seamstresses in the shop do the measurement and cutting and then
outsource them for sowing

The seamstress, Miss Nancy sending the cut clothes to the outsourced
contract tailor.

Miss Nancy with my linen shirt ready to be worn in 24 hours

Miss Nancy ordered for me a young coconut which cost only 2,000 dong @ RM 0.32 per fruit .
Ezman bought by himself a similar coconut from the same vendor with a cost of 4,000 dong @ RM 0.64

REMEMBRANCE 98: RELUCTANT TRAVELER

2011-11-14T07:48:00.000-08:00

“Bang Zain, for your own good, your must overcome your predicament. You should not be cooped up in Alor Setar or otherwise you would go crazy. You should be enjoying your retired life by traveling around with your grand children assisting you. You should buy a traveling wheel chair which is very light and very convenient for air traveling. Even your grand children would be able to push you around,” That was what my cousin, Syed Izhar advised me when I paid a courtesy call at his house in Ampang late last year.

Ad’s wife Dr. Hajjah Aminah indicated to me on the type of traveling wheel chair that I should buy. With that spirited advise from them, really bought a traveling wheel chair from Poly Pharmacy in Alor Setar. Encouraged by the presence of the wheel chair, my daughter in law Marini straight away booked Air Asia special discount package to Ho Chin Minh City in early February 2011. The return flight fare to Ho Chin Minh City from Alor Setar in the month of October 2011 cost only RM 300.00 per person.

When the D day arrived, I was still very reluctant to go because my physical predicament would jeopardise the convenience of my fellow family group members comprising of;

Omar Sanai Marzuki – Marini’s father.
Wan Mansor Chee Baharom
Noraini Salleh Khir – another OKU member.
Syed Muhammad Ezwar – my son
Marini Omar – daughter in law
Zamzam Khirani Mohd. Salleh Khir
Syed Mohd. Ezman – my son
Muhammad Ayie . – Shiwar’s compatriot at PKNK

Due to the rapid fire insistent of my family members and also on Marini’s holistic pledge that she would take care about the traveling well being of myself and Noraini, I reluctantly agreed to join in the group. So on Monday morning, 17 October 2011, we departed for Ho Chin Minh City and arrived back at Alor Setar on Friday night, 21 October 2011.

True to her pledge, Marini really did a wonderful in ensuring our smooth traveling to Ho Chin Minh City and back. Bless you Marini for the excellence performance but I should be thinking twice for another group journey by Air Asia because of the inconsistency of availability of wheel chair at LCCT . The long walks really hurt both of my tired legs with gout and arthritis .

Noraini on my traveling wheel chair assisted by Shiwar
lowered down by a mobile ramp

Safely on the tarmac

Walking down to the arrival hall at LCCT on 17.10.2011

Waiting for the arrival of my wheel chair from Air Asia

Still waiting for the arrival of the wheel chair

Finally my wheel chair arrived

Noraini's obedient son Farly wheeling her mother

Marini wheeling me to the departure hall at LCCT

Ezman pushing the baggage cart to the departure hall at LCCT

It was indeed a leisure walking for us since Marini efficiently
performing our departure routine

Waiting with full gear ready for departure to
Ho Chin Minh City

Confidence with the presence of both wheel chairs, waiting anxiously
at the LCTT departure hall

Finally arrived safely at Ho Chin Minh City Airport

Noraini waving at the Vietnamese on the airport wheel chair

I was also wheeled down to the airport arrival hall

Our efficient Vietnamese tour guide, Erra Fazira with the white board
bearing my name waiting for our arrival at Ho Chin Minh City

The steep stairs waiting for us at the Hoang Hai Long 2 Hotel

Noraini assisted by her husband and myself assisted by my own
walking stick threading carefully down the stairs

When you are in a lion's den, behave like a lion.
When you are in Vietnam, behave like a Vietnamese,
That was what Omar Sanai and Mohd. Ayie did in Vietnam

Mohd. Ayie is now a different person,
He thought Vietnamese wears leather stocking shoes
for outings and that was why Ayie did in Vietnam

Arriving back at LCCT on Friday, 21 October 2011

Could not join in the faster walking pace of the others.

The long walk to the LCCT Arrival Hall

REMEMBRANCE 97: RIP-OFFS WITH REJOICE

2011-10-29T04:04:00.001-07:00

INTRODUCTION
HEADING FOR CYCLO RIP OFF

On Monday, 17^th. October 2011, before making our final journey to check in at the three star hotel, Thein Loc Hotel at Pham Ngu Lao Street, Mr. Muhammad Wong, the sole proprietor of the Halal Satay House Restaurant at Nguyen Van Troi Street, gave us a fatherly advice on the dos and don’ts that we should abide while we were in Vietnam. After enjoying a splendid dinner at his restaurant, Mr. Wong’s advice came in very handy to us since it was our maiden visit to Vietnam.

Apart from the Vietnamese language which was already foreign to us, the Vietnamese currency was also another confusing factor to us. Easily we would become a millionaire in Vietnamese Dong if we exchange them with RM 160.00. However with one million Dong, we cannot even buy the smallest original knapsack bag of Samsonite. Mr. Wong kept reminding us that although Ho Chin Minh City (HCMC) is a vibrant prosperous city, yet Vietnam is in fact a communist country. As such, we should familiarise ourselves with the stern faces of its government officers who are always willing to assist tourist in distress.

Before our departure from his restaurant, he kept reminding us not to be intimidated by the famous cyclo peddlers. One of the common rip-offs in HCMC involves cyclo peddlers demanding exorbitant sums at the end of a cyclo tour. Nevertheless, if we do wish to experience the cyclo riding just for nostalgic reasons, Mr. Wong advised us that rather than hopping blithely into the seat when the peddler smilingly says “price up to you”, clearly negotiate for a fair price up front. It sometimes pays to sketch out numbers and pictures with pen and paper so that all parties agree on the quantum to be charged by the peddler.

Unfortunately, more often than not, “misunderstandings” do happen. Even if you bring up the matter up to the authorities, the tendency is that the authorities might always give the benefit of the doubts to the peddler. Being a socialist country, naturally the sweat and tears of the cyclo peddling power are much more valuable as compared to the taxi drivers who drive effortlessly on their fuel power.

As the Malay old wise saying says ”the mouse deer may sometimes forgets about the trap, but the trap never once forgets about the mouse deer”. Unfortunately my folly has proved that the old wise saying was indeed accurate to the latter.

Together with my new Samsonite backpack and a topi on my head, riding gleefully on the cyclo around HCMC . Can you imagine Mr. Prom could stop the cyclo in the middle of the busy street just to snap this picture

PART ONE

THE CYCLOS OF HCMC

Antique HCMC Cyclo

Cyclo is similar to our trishaw but its ground clearance is much higher than our trishaw in Alor Setar. Although our trishaw is a double seater, cyclo on the other hand is a single seater. The cyclo peddlers are very conversant in English as most of them are former South Vietnamese soldiers. it's tough living for the cyclo peddlers, especially as the Cty's Authority is trying to phase out the cyclos entirely. As such, me must not just assume that the peddlers are trying to cheat you because they has got to generate a tremendous amount of strength in peddling the cyclos just to earn a daily meager income.

It requires skill and determination peddling the tall cyclo in the midst of the congested traffic flow

As Asians are mostly aware about the cyclos' scam, most of the cyclo passengers are Westerners

The gathering points of the cyclos peddlers are beside the shops adjacent to the Ben Thanh Market

Some cyclo peddlers resort to transportation of goods on the cyclos when there are less demand from humans.

PART TWO

EXPERIENCING A CYCLO'S JOURNEY INTO THE HEART OF HCMC

Because of the physical impediment on both of my knees, I did not follow the rest of the group that has gone on the package tours to Mekong Delta and Cu chi Tunnels. On the morning of Wednesday 19 October 2011, as I was strolling along the street in front of my hotel. I was astonished when I saw a topi (hat) for sale at the souvenir shop beside our hotel. The Vietnamese topi was very similar to my late father's Forester's official uniform during the pre Merdeka years.

My late father's official head gear was a topi which was khaki in colour and it was made of cardboard lined up with khaki canvas. On the other hand, the Vietnamese topi was green in colour and it was made of fiber glass. As the topi it self reminisced the memory of my late father in his forester's uniform, without hesitating, I bought the topi for 60,000 dong @ .RM 9.60

While I was fully engrossed with the topi, I did not realised that my antics has been scrutinised by a cyclo peddler beside the souvenir shop. After putting the topi on my head, I heard a greeting from the cyclo peddler. " Sir, you must be from Malaysia. Would you care for a ride in my cyclo."

Showing my physical inability by demonstrating to him my walking stick, my curt answer was "So sorry my friend, I can't even step on your cyclo. Let alone riding on it. Very sorry my friend."

The cyclo peddler was not easy to give up when he replied," Don't worry Sir I will help you up to my cyclo,". He then demonstrated to me by lowering his tall cyclo at a kerb in front of the hotel, so that I could then easily step on the cyclo without much effort...

Seeing his earnest in pursuading me and at the same breath remembering Mr. Muhammad Wong's advice, I inquired, "How must does it cost for a ride."

Confidently the cyclo peddler replied,"Very cheap Sir, just 15,000 for a ride."

To be sure with the figure, I requested him to write the figure in my note book. Without hesitating, he wrote the figure 15,000 dong in my note book. Confident with the written figure, I then mounted his cyclo with the understanding that if ever I would be cheated 30 times over, it would only cost me 450,000 dong @ RM 72.00. With that assurance on my mind, I boarded the stylo and hoped for the best. My journey into the world of the unknown commenced at about 11.30 am from the steps of our hotel....

The cyclo peddler quipped, "Welcome aboard, Sir. My name is Mr. Prom, Sir.".

Mr. Prom, the persuasive cyclo peddler

PART THREE

MISCONCEIVED PERCEPTION

Since the first time I met Mr. Prom, the cyclo peddler, I was fascinated with his personality. I could easily communicate with him because he was very conversant with the English language. He was also very knowledgeable about socio cultural history of Vietnam especially about the historical development of Ho Chin Minh City. He learned to master his English during his stint as a soldier in the then South Vietnamese Army. He is 60 years old but his physique did not denote his actual age as he managed to pedal his cyclo with me on board effortlessly.

Mr. Prom was very talkative and in no time, we were already talking about our families. Similar to me, he has also three children which are all boys. He shared my vision that education is paramount in determining the social mobility of our children. He was even impressed with me because all my three children are university graduates.

With his meager income from his cyclo business, he is also trying his best to provide good education to his children. I praised him for his positive attitude as he has also achieved progress in providing good education to his children. His 23 old eldest son was already in his final year tertiary eduction while his second son has just enrolled at a Technical Institute. Whereas his youngest boy is still studying at secondary level.

Observing my style of behaviour, he guessed that I must be a retired Government servant. When I told him that I have already retired 10 years ago, Mr. Prom straight away guessed my age as 65 years old. His guess was on target and I believed he has a vast knowledge about Malaysia. He could even converse in a limited Bahasa Melaysia.

As such, I believed a lot of Malaysian tourists has frequented Ho Chin Minh City and may be a few has even seeked the service of Mr. Prom and his cyclo. That was why for the success of his cyclo business, Mr. Prom has acquired the skill to converse in limited Bahasa Malaysia.

I was very impressed with Mr. Prom because he could narrate non stop about the historical background of each historical site and heritage building that we passed through our journey through the heart of HCMC. Apart from witnessing with my own eyes all the interesting points of HCMC, I was also very contented with the journey because I could snap photo shots at the eye level on the cyclo as if I was standing on the road.

To have a clear view of the photo objects without any hindrance, Mr. Prom has even pulled down the cyclo hood cover. Without the cover, I felt very at ease because I could snap photos from any direction that I prefer. Indeed the cyclo journey with Mr. Prom was really an opportunity that I treasured most in my visit to HCMC. At that moment, I did not have a needle of doubt on the sincerity and genuine hospitality of Mr. Prom.

THE PHYSICAL JOURNEY

Departed from the vicinity of Ben Thanh Market at 11.30 am

The tower of Ben Thanh Market at the top right hand corner.

Crossed to Ham Nghi Street towards the Saigon River

The cyclo peddler is immune to the busiest crossings at the five junctions of the Ben Thanh Market

Buses and motor cyclists crossing each other on the busy street

HISTORICAL BUILDINGS AND STATUES OF HCMC

The Statue of Tran Hung Dao, along the Ton Duc Street. The monument was dedicated to Tran Hung Dao, the national hero who defeated Mongol Emperor, Kublai Khans' invading forces believed to be 300,000 men in 1287

Floating Restaurant at the Saigon River

Opera House @ Municipal Theater at intersection of Dong Khoi and DL Le Loi.

A colonial building with a sweeping staircase. There are weekly scheduled programs of classical music and traditional Vietnamese theater.

A brief stop at The Opera House door steps

Contemporary sculptures in the garden in front of the Opera House

The City People Committee (City Hall) which was built 1901 and 1908

The sculpture of Ho Chin Minh symbolically protecting the young by cuddling Vietnamese children in front of the City Hall

War Memorial Museum

The Saigon Notre Dame which was built between 1877 and 1883

The Central Post Office. HCMC 's grandiose French style main Post Office.
Built between 1886 and 1891 and it is the largest post office in Vietnam.

The Reunification Palace at Dinh Thong Nhat Street

The striking modern architecture building was rebuilt in 1966 by the Vietnamese President Ngo Dienh Diem on the site of the former palace for the French Governor-general of Cochinchina in 1868.

Before the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975, the palace was known as the Independence Palace or the Presidential Palace which was the symbol of democracy of the South Vietnamese Government. Hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese and 58,183 Americans died in vain trying to save the then symbol of democracy in South Vietnam.

PART THREE

INTERESTING FACES OF HCMC

Its does not matter if you are small or big.
Everybody has a place on the busy street

COLOURFUL VIETNAMESE HELMETS

Motorcyclists with interesting helmets on their heads

Colourful helmets on varieties of motor bikes

BICYCLES RULE THE STREETS

It is very rare to see mountain bikes or other types of modern bicycles with gears in HCMH. Mostly the bicycles are basic in nature and as such the cyclists on the old type old bicycles require raw power of cycling. It is very rare also to find cyclists suffering from obesity or even the people in HCMC. In fact almost all the Vietnamese are slim in nature.

A cyclist in the middle of the street

A cyclist with his pillion rider beside the kerb
along side the other motor vehicles on the street

Another cyclist pedaling for survival

Lady cyclists leisurely joining the fray

A lady cyclist on the middle of the traffic with her goods to sell

PEDESTRIANS ALSO RULE THE STREET

With all sort of motorised vehicles passing the street which seemed to be chaotic and in a very haphazard manner which might result in numerous road accidents. Ironically it was not because the traffic etiquette in HCMC is much different from ours. As for me, I believed that HCMC streets are really not for the faint heart pedestrians. If you are hesitant and wait for the opportunity of crossing when the traffic flows are less chaotic, then you have to wait until past midnight.

HCMC Traffic at 6.00 pm

The HCMC traffic is still chaotic at 10.00 pm

It was very fortunate for since Mr. Muhammad Wong gave us this golden advice: 'Don't be scared at the chaotic traffic flows on HCMC streets or otherwise you will stuck at the road side." All of us were indebted to Mr. Muhammad Wong's advice which stipulated that you must always cross the busy streets at the zebra white lines. Your pace of walking must also be a little slower than your normal pace and then forget your chaotic surroundings and be dammed with the bombarding traffic flows towards you.

The Vietnamese traffic etiquette is very unique whereby motorists would always accommodate and respect pedestrians crossing the street. They would always honk at you signalling that they were coming towards you. They would then circumnavigate around you without even affecting your walking pace. The constant and slower pace of your walking steps would help them to determine the maneuver they would have to take.

To prove the validity of Mr. Muhammad Wong's advice, Shiwar and Ayie tried their luck in crossing the main Tran Van Dung Street at the highest peak hour in the afternoon. The husband of an European couple who were very hesitant to cross the same street commented on their folly, "Both of you must be very brave or are you really stupid. You are indeed digging your own grave.".

With the grace of Allah, both of them managed to cross the street safely thanks to the accommodating attitude of the Vietnamese towards pedestrians especially the foreigners. The European couple was still at the other side of the street when both Shiwar and Ayie waved to them good bye.

The most important factor is to cross the street at the white lines.

Shiwar, "How on earth can I cross this street?."

Ayie to Ezman, " I give up., I am still single and I can't gamble my life on the street of Vietnam "

Another couple of laddies confidently crossing the busy street

WELL KEPT SIDEWALKS AND PARKS

The Vietnamese are very regimented in keeping their parks and sidewalks clean and tidy for the benefits of the masses

All the sidewalks in HCMC or its outskirts are well maintained and very tidy

For the sake of tidiness, the authorities also do not restrict the sale of the local handicrafts or other types of goods on the clean sidewalks.

Very tidy and clean sidewalks although a vendor is seen selling her products

Newspaper vendor selling cigarettes and light drinks on the sidewalks

Well kept parks
In the morning you can often see people practicing the art of slow motion shadow boxing or thai cuc quyen

In the evening, HCMC citizens would flock to the parks
to enjoy the freshness of the environment

Even visiting Malaysian also flocked to the park enjoying its serenity

Benches are placed strategically for resting place of tired feet.

Ideal place to relax during lunch break

FAMOUS HCMC ENTANGLED ELECTRIC AND TELECOMS LINES

Illusion of entangled telecoms lines which actually function efficiently.
The entangled lines were even used as the motif of T shirts for souvenir

Electric and telecoms lines strung across the street

Apart from its historical buildings, the HCMC is also proud of its high rise
buildings or even a building similar to our TM Building in Kuala Lumpur

Another elevation of the look a like Telecoms Building

PART FOUR

END OF A WONDERFUL JOURNEY

FINAL STOP OVER AT SIDEWALK COFFEE VENDOR

After almost 1 hour 20 minutes on the paddles, Mr. Prom suggested that we should stop awhile to enjoy the taste of the traditional Vietnamese coffee while resting his exhausted tired legs . Sympathetic to his exhausted legs, I innocently agreed to his suggestion.

Finally, we stopped at a traditional Vietnamese coffee vendor on the sidewalk at the Lee Thi Hong Gam Street. When I wanted to step down from the cyclo on my own, I felt both of my feet were numb. Seeing my predicament, Mr. Prom seeked the help of his cyclo peddler friend to carry me down the cyclo and placed me on the low stool of the vendor. I was very grateful to Mr. Prom and his friend for their assistance without even realising that I would be entering the final phase of their scam technique.

Showing my gratefulness to their assistance, I invited Mr. Prom's cyclo friend to joined us at our coffee table. I was baffled when Mr. Prom's cyclo friend refused my request to take a photograph of him for remembrance. When Ezman called me up on the hand phone asking my whereabouts, I informed Mr. Prom that it was high time for me to go back. His answer was in the affirmative but he took his own sweet time in finishing his drink.

I climbed on Mr. Prom's cyclo at 1.12 pm and we pushed off towards Ben Thanh Market. Mr. Prom's cyclo friend also followed us on his empty cyclo. When we reached at a deserted bus stop on the street of Ham Nghi just across Ben Thanh Market 5 junction, Mr. Prom wanted to help me down from his cyclo. I asked Mr. Prom why should I have to ascend from his cyclo since we have not reached our final destination yet i.e. Hong Thien Loc Hotel. His curt answer was that we would not be able to cross the street on his cyclo at the peak rush hour. As I was already in the vicinity of the Ben Thanh Market, he suggested that I should finish my journey on foot.

HIDDEN QUOTED PRICE

Convinced with Mr. Prom's reasoning, I then proceeded to inquire about the price tag. Immediately Mr. Prom pull out his HCMC map with the designated cyclo route and also the quoted prices which he failed to show me before our departure from my hotel. The quoted prices were as follows:

a. 15 minute ride around the vicinity of Ben Thanh Market: 15,000 @ RM 2.40

b. 2 hours ride around HCMC: 800,000 @ RM 128.00

I was astounded with the price since it was 54 times more than the original price that Mr. Prom wrote in my note book. It was also far my anticipated price of 30 times over i.e.450,000 dong. Mr. Prom the showed the digital time on his watch which displayed 1.50 pm . In other words, it was already more than two hours and 20 minutes journey on the cyclo together with the two stop overs.

I wanted to argue further with Mr. Prom to reduce the total amount since I was not on the cyclo for the whole duration. I abandoned the idea when I saw Mr. Prom's cyclo friend also stopped over at the bus stop and proceeded towards both of us. At the same time, the bus stop was also empty since there were nobody else waiting for the bus. I was indeed lonely and alone after being pushed to the corner in that precarious situation.

I then realised then I have been rip off and as such I should make myself scarce from them as fast as I could so as to avoid any further embarrassment. I immediately paid 900,000 dong for the 2 hours 20 minutes cyclo adventure to Mr. Prom and dashed from the bus stop towards the Ben Thanh Market forgetting even about the pains of my knees.

THE TRAP NEVER FORGETS THE MOUSE DEER

After being duped in that manner and recollecting the events of the day, then I realised that I have been drawn into the trap since Mr. Prom greeted me at 11.30 am. Mr. Prom did not show me the whole scenario of the quoted price which stipulated that time was an essence in determining the price tag. Then I realised why Mr. Prom kept requesting me for stop overs at a few places for the purpose of resting his tired legs. It was part of the ploy to add to the total amount accrued time on the cyclo journey.

The final stop for coffee at the traditional Vietnamese coffee sidewalk vendor was also another clever ploy to prolong the time to exceed 2 hours whereby the stipulated price tag would be at the minimum of 800,000 dong. While the activities of shoe shining and writing of the testimonials added weight to the ploy. I also believed their kind hospitality deeds towards me was not genuine but just to soften my heart with generosity so that I would feel more indebted to them. To add salt to the injury, I even paid for the coffee for Mr. Prom's cyclo friend.

I believed Mr. Prom has pre planted his cyclo friend into the scheme when his friend was already waiting for our arrival at the sidewalk vendor. He even refused my request to photograph him since it could be also turn as evidence of identity against him. His pursuit to the empty bus stop on his empty cyclo was also another ploy to frighten me so it would be easier for both of them to squeeze my purse.

Their ploy did worked out for their benefit for it really frightened me and influenced me to conclude the business with Mr. Prom as fast as I could. After crossing the street to Ben Thanh Street, I was grateful for the blessings of Allah whereby I have managed to endure the scam unscathed. At the same breath, I realised that my experience in dealing with various types on clients for 33 years during my tenure as a government servant was indeed no match to the well oiled scam of Mr. Prom.

Indeed the trap never forgets the mouse deer but instead the mouse deer often forgets about the trap.

LINGERING TACTICS

While waiting for the coffee to be served and to recover my numbness, I wrote a favourable comment in Mr. Prom's note book which would be then shown as testimony to other potential riders or rather victims on his cyclo. To instill my confidence in him, Mr Prom has also showed me various positive testimonials of Mr. Prom's credentials in his note book prior to our departure at 11.30am.

After finalising with my favourable comments in his note book, Mr. Prom introduced me to a shoe cleaner. At a cost of 2,000 Dong ( RM 0.32 ), the shoe shiner then shined my pair of shoes back to its original condition.

The traditional tree shaded side walk coffee vendors accommodate the blue collar workers with its cheap price tag without compromising the original flavour of the coffee.

Whereas the white collar workers enjoy their coffee breaks at the proper coffee tables placed under shaded umbrellas at established side walks cafe

The waitress in green and yellow jersey effortlessly serving her customers

A motobike passed by unassumingly between our miniature coffee tables

Sympathied with their fates, I bought a few books on the memories of War
sold by a war veteran without both legs

THE ART OF DRINKING VIETNAMESE COFFEE

Mr. Prom illustrated to me the correct way to consume the Vietnamese coffee. The vendor would place a glass of thick Vietnamese coffee with a 2 inches in height . The sugar was placed at the bottom without being stirred. If we could not consume the very thick black coffee , ice cubes would be added upon. If we wish to consume a thinner black coffee, then we should stir the coffee to our desired level of taste.

My desired thickness of kaw black Vietnamese coffee.

To optimise the true genuine feeling of the Vietnamese coffee, I was advised to consume the tea placed in the kettle after finishing a glass of Vietnamese coffee.

I joined Zam's group in the evening and was awarded by another traditional side walk coffee vendor in front of the Hong Anh Shopping Mall at Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street.

After having been baptised by Mr. Prom on the technique of enjoying the flavour of drinking traditional Vietnamese coffee, I then transferred my newly acquired knowledge to Ayie. Ayie was not so confident with my advice and as such he just consumed the coffee according to his normal style.

The coffee vendor was very sympathetic to my physical impediment and happily he placed 5 stacked of chairs for my convenience

After drinking the coffee in one gulp and tasted raw sugar at the bottom of his glass, then Ayie acknowledged my skill in drinking the traditional Vietnamese coffee.

Heading Towards The Grand Finale of Rip Off

CONCLUSION

I did not blame Mr. Prom for his treacherous ploy, since I considered myself as a loser in the fair battle game of the minds. The blame was entirely on both of my shoulders since I was the one who agreed without duress to take a ride at Mr. Prom's cyclo. Apart from that Mr Muhammad Wong and Mrs. Erra Fazira (our Vietnamese tour guide) has repeatedly reminded us not to be intimidated by friendly and innocent looking cyclo peddlers. Mrs. Erra Fazira even assured me she could get honest cyclo peddler delivering the same service at a price of just only 300,000 dong.

From left: Mrs. Erra Fazira of HCMC aad Mr. Omar of Sarikie.

Any way, I have also enjoyed the comradeship of Mr. Prom during the ride in his cyclo. I was also indebted to him in enlightening me on the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam. What saddened my heart most was only the way Mr. Prom treated me as his potential prey whereas I innocently considered him as my truly new Vietnamese friend.

Looking back at the incident, I did not have any regret about it because my rejoice was much greater with the experiences I gained during my two hours ride on Mr. Prom's cyclo. It was indeed my joie de vivre experience in HCMC which I will treasure until infinity. Given another chance, I would still ride on a cyclo powered by sweat and tears around HCMC even with another price tag of 800,000 dong.

What is the value of RM 128.00 or 800,000 dong as compared to the similar price of a premier taxi ride from KLIA to the city at high speed with its stereotype scenery of straight roads and concrete jungles along the route against a 2 hour slower journey down memory lane with a live show of rich cultural and sociopolitical heritage of Vietnam.

Even if it was indeed a pre planned rip off by Mr. Prom, I still consider the experience as a rip off with rejoice. Thank you for sharing my pearls of experience in Ho Chin Minh City, Vietnam so that it would be a invaluable lesson learned from this misadventure for others..

REMEMBRANCE 96 : WONDERS OF SUNGAI PIAL, YAN

2011-10-28T22:50:00.001-07:00

The famous Gulai Semilang from Sungai Pial

Mr. Saad, the Yan District Office driver, hand delivered to my house the delicacy of gulai semilang Sungai Pial on the kind auspices of Mr. Zahari Ismail, the District Officer of Yan. Mr. Zahari not only presented me the semilang curry but also together with the clay pot container for our keeping. As Zam was overwhelmed with the goodies, she has also used the clay pot as her medicinal storage.

As I was not abled to attend Yan Disrict Office Raya Gathering on 25 September 2011, Mr. Zahari promised to send the famous Sungai Pial semilang curry to my house. I did not take it seriously as I thought just wanted to console me for my failure to attend the gathering. To my surprise, on Sunday, 16 October 2011 the semilang curry together with the clay pot was hand delivered to me. I was indeed indebted to Mr. Zahari for remembering me, his former boss in the Kedah Economic Planning Unit in the late eighties. The delivery really reminisced me our well glued team at the SEPU.

OHMS 20: KUBANG PASU KPO

2011-10-01T07:22:00.000-07:00

SAHOCA 27: SHEH THE GREAT

2011-10-01T00:22:00.001-07:00

OHMS 19: MY SIFU

2011-09-30T20:10:00.001-07:00

OHMS 18:: LIFE TO THE FULLEST

2011-09-30T20:08:00.000-07:00

SAHOCA 26: JALIL VS SHUAIB

2011-09-30T20:07:00.000-07:00

OHMS 17: LIGHTS AT THE END OF TUNNEL

2011-09-30T20:04:00.001-07:00

REMEMBRANCE 95: OLD LEGS NEVER DIE

2011-09-30T09:08:00.000-07:00

OHMS 16: MAN KERDIL

2011-09-30T09:07:00.000-07:00

REMEMBRANCE 94: TRIBUTE TO MEMORY

2011-09-30T09:01:00.000-07:00

SAHOCA 25: SMONE TAHLIL FOR HALIM

2011-09-27T01:42:00.000-07:00

Both educationists Haji Mohamed Lebai Endut (left) and
Mohd. Shuaib Che Din (right) met for the first time after 50 years

Haji Yaacob Mohamed

Haji Mohamed Lebai Endut

Haji Harun Ali

Haji Ismail Ibrahim busy with his briyani Mansoor

Haji Syed Zain (left) and Haji Mohd. Saad Shafie (right)

Haji Abu Bakar Yaacob

From top " Syed Zain, Harun Ali, Mohd Shariff Saad,
Ismail Ibrahim and the cane, able companion of Syed Zain"

Haji Abdul Halim Abdullah (left) and Haji Abu Bakar Yaacob

One of our Special Malay One 1956 classmates, the late Abdul Halim Mat Ninggal has passed away peacefully at 10.14 pm at the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital, Alor Setar on Thursday 24 March 2011. He was laid to rest at the Derga Mosque Cemetery before the Friday prayers on 25 March 2011. The late Abdul Halim Mat Ninggal was 67 years old and in his memory, his classmates of the Special Malay One 1956, Sultan Abdul Hamid Primary School held a simple Tahlil Prayers for him on Saturday, 30 July 2011 at my residence at Taman Tunku Mahmud, Pumpong.

We pray for the blessing of Alllah SWT to place the late Abdul Halim Mat Ninggal among the faithfuls.

SIBLINGS 77: THORNS AMONG ROSES

2011-09-27T01:25:00.000-07:00

Smiling away after consuming the sumptuous foods that has been prepared by them for themselves @ sendiri bikin sendiri sedap

Three thorns among the roses

Clock sifu, Mr. Perumal concurs with Munirah's clock collection

The last to arrive, the last to depart

The ladies with their proper dining etiquette under the watchful eyes of Miss Somchit

The ladies eating away leisurely when Miss Somchit finally joined their table

Bidding farewell to the senior host with the high expectation of being invited again

Bidding farewell among themselves

The stern assistant monitor, Noriah pleading with her friends not to take home the foods. Noriah's motto of the day " You can consume as much as you like within the four walls but you cannot consume not even a drop of Miss Somchit's laicikang beyond the four walls of Munirah's house. "
Every body abides by the rule of the day

Every body taking back their empty food containers

Farewell to Munirah and her beloved mother

On Saturday, 17 September 2011, Zam again asked me to accompany her to her classmates' another do or rather post Aidilfitri's gathering at Munirah's house in Sukan Menanti, Pantai Johor. After assuring me that she has obtained the permission from their gathering's monitor, I obligingly agreed to accompany her.

I did not register any regret of accompanying Zam because all the foods on the table were very tasty indeed. All the foods were prepared by the ladies themselves and they brought along the best foods that they has prepared. If the foods were available during the Ramadan Bazaar, I strongly believe that the foods would surely vanish by the blink of your eyes.

I could not identify the foods in details but I knew that Rahmah has prepared clasped glutinous rice (pulut dakap) and stirred glutinous rice (pulut kacau), Zawiah with her beef rice (nasi daging), Miss Somchit with her famous laicikang.  Mrs. Guat Tam also brought along a punch bowl which I could not notice any sign of food in it.  Pak Haji, the master chef  only brought only her empty stomach because she was busy with her neighbour's  feast. . Apart from that, I saw three types of fried meehoon  laid on the table beside an assortments of mouth watering traditional cakes and cookies.

Last but not least, the last person to arrive was Norpah who brought along her own cooked casting  net bread (roti jala). The monitor commented that Norpah was late because she has got to cast her casting net (jala) at various parts of the Kedah River to get her casting net bread before coming to Suka Menanti.    After tasting her casting net bread, I strongly believe that she did not has to cast her casting net because  own cooked casting net bread (roti jala) was also par excellence with any famous fisherman chef .

Apart from enjoying the tasty foods, I was rather fortunate to have the company of another four thorns among the prickly roses.  Their presence together with the pleasantness of the hosts really portrayed the true meaning of Suka Menanti.  With that number of thorns around, it would be impossible for the roses to prick us as they wish..

REMEMBRANCE 92:THE FALLEN MUSKETEER

2011-09-25T07:14:00.001-07:00

Today, the same hill looks much lower whereas in the late fifties, we felt it was really an uphill task to climb the same hill up to the its crest

On Tuesday, 16 August 2011, at 1.05 pm, I received a call from Ghaffar, the Assistant District Officer of Padang Terap informing me that his father, Haji Yahaya Ahmad has passed away at 8.45 am at the Jitra District Hospital. Hearing the sad news, I drove immediately to Kelubi although it was raining heavily in Alor Setar. The late Haji Yahaya Ahmad or Daq as we used to call him was one my closest childhood friends and he was a year younger than me. He was born in Kelubi and spend his whole life of 64 years in Kelubi. He was also a fourth generation Kelubian like me.

Friends paying their last respects to the late Daq at his residence in Kampong Kelubi

During the school holidays in the late fifties, I used to spend my school holidays at my late grand father’s house in Kampong Manggol which shares a common border with Kampong Kelubi. My late grand father was the supervisor of the Chettiar Rubber Estate on Lot 522 Mukim Jitra. While the late Daq stayed with his foster father, the late Pak Mat who was also a supervisor of the adjacent Chinese Rubber Estate on Lot 506 Mukim Jitra.

The once has been estates that the Musketeers used to roam about are now the playing fields of the housing developers

During these School holidays, together with my two cousins, we used to involve our self in a lot of activities either they were physical activities or even participating as audiences in story telling or syair recital in the Estate's quarters. One of those non physical activities was syair recital sessions.

One of my late grand father’s estate worker was the late Pak Ngah Hashim who stayed with his family in one of the estate’s collie lines. The late Pak Ngah Hashim was a a good story teller and he was good at reciting the syair. Hikayat Siti Zubaidah was one his favourites. He could recite the syair in melodious intonations perfectly according to the rhyms of the syair with natural physical demonstration. It has a deep impact on the audience to the extend that most of the lady audiences would shed tears during the sad episodes of the syair.

Part of Lot 522 Mukim Jitra where the smoke house for drying rubber sheets and the estate coolie lines were situated. Both of the estates (lot 506 and 522 Mukim Jitra) has been leveled to make way for housing developments

During the school holidays, for the benefit of the school students, the late Pak Ngah Hashim would recite his syair every night at his house. As there were no other mode of entertainment in the estate such as the radio, the youngsters in the estate would converge at his house after the Isya prayers. For each night, the late Pak Ngah Hashim would recite his syair for the duration of about one and a half hours. He would continue the next nights until the end of the whole story which would consume the whole school holidays.

My cousin Bang Mud and my second cousin, Chin would also joined me at my late grand father’s house during the . school holidays. Being a close neighbour, the late Daq would also joined us in the story telling session at the late Pak Ngah Hashim’s house . During the day times, after finishing our daily routine chores in the estates, the four of us would pursue other physical activities such as hiking and enjoying the tasty fruits such as rambutans, langsat, mangosteens and durians during the fruiting seasons. Influenced by the comic of the Three Musketeers, we used to call ourselves as the four musketeers.

The four musketeers used to hike up the hill behind the estate just to enjoy the scenic view of the Jitra Plain from the top of the hill’s ridge. We used to haul up rice, salted fish and plain water to be cooked for our lunch. We put a sudden stop of our hiking venture up the hill when we found out a fresh trace of a resting place of a tiger at the same spot where we used to camp.

After finishing the secondary schools, the four of us parted ways pursuing our own paths of life. Bang Mud became a teacher, Chin joined the Royal Malay Regiment while I joined the Kedah Civil Service. The late Daq stayed put in Kelubi but he has acquired a vast knowledge about traditional medicine and became famous for his traditional healing prowess. I once met a couple from Kuala Lumpur who came up north just for the sake of seeking the late Daq’s healing services. To us, who were his childhood friends and who knew his background deeply, we did not have much confidence in the late Daq’s traditional healing prowess. On the contrary, those who has seek his traditional healing services, they has a very high degree of confidence in his healing capabilities.

When I assumed the duty as the District Officer of Kubang Pasu in 1985, I recommended him for a grant from the Small Industries Fund whereby he could buy proper producing machinery tools that could enhance his production capacity in producing traditional medicines. With these new tools, the late Daq has managed to increase the volume of his traditional medicine and thus managed to widen his sphere of marketing.

Apart from selling his traditional medicines, the late Daq also involved himself in selling door to door religious books. Being a good salesman together with his intensity towards his holistic works, the late Daq managed to perform his Haj. Although the late Daq has never ventured out of Kelubi for a long duration with his impaired eyesight but he has a far sighted vision for his children’s education. He leaved no stone unturned in his endeavour to provide proper education to his five children. His struggles were not in vain for the late Daq managed to turn all his five children to be educated good citizens of this country.

For his eldest son's tertiary education, he dared even seek the generosity of His Royal Highness Tuanku Sultan in granting the Royal Education Endowment Fund for his eldest son, Abdul Ghaffar to pursue his tertiary education in the University of Malaya. Abdul Ghaffar has successfully graduated from the University of Malaya and later on joined the Kedah Civil Service. I envied the wisdom of the late Daq as compared to me who could not even produce another KCS in the family although I am already in the family of KCS.

The late Daq has created another history when he coolly invited HRH Tuanku Sultan for Abdul Ghaffar’s wedding in Kampong Kelubi itself. Being simple and straight forward in his thinking, the late Daq did not realised the intricacies of the protocol requirements when involving the movements of HRH Tuanku Sultan. Another third generation Kelubian, Dato’ Seri Osman Aroff, the then Menteri Besar was aghast when told about the matter. When the late Daq told Tan Sri Osman Aroff about his intended menu for the maiden Royal visit, he immediately donated 100 kilos of local beef for the wedding feast in addition to the foods that the Kelubians would prepare for the Royal reception..

Tan Sri Osman Aroff called me up and ordered me to give my assistance in ensuring that the wedding ceremony was done in confirming with the requirements of the Royal Protocol and also not to drag down the honour of Kampong Kelubi into the drain. As the late Daq was the father of the groom, naturally the late Daq was placed at the main table with the HRH Tuanku Sultan. Initially, the late Daq refused to sit on the main table as he was very alien with the eating etiquette together with the proper dressings that he would have to wear. He relented when I agreed to sit beside him at the main table. As he was not familiar with the fork and spoon, I advised him on the type of foods that he should consume without creating any embarrassment on his part.

With the blessings of Allah and together with the cooperation of the whole Kelubians and the District Administration, the first Royal visit to Kampong Kelubi went on smoothly without any hitch. Even to this day, on behalf of all the the Kelubians, I am very proud of the late Daq’s achievement in making the first Royal Visit to Kampong Kelubi a momentous occasion. That was the first and the last Royal visit to Kampong Kelubi.

With the sudden demise of the Haji Yahaya Ahmad @ Haji Daq, the Four Musketeers has lost one of its colourful members whose friendship remains steadfast in our memory. The surviving three musketeers namely Syed Zain (65 years old), Bang Mud (65 years old) and Chin (66 years old) are also not in the best of health either.

We pray for the blessings of Allah SWT to place the late Daq among the faithfuls. Insya Allah.

Surviving musketeers

From left: Chin (66 years), Syed Zain (65 years) and Bang Mud (65 years)

REMEMBRANCE 91: ALOR SETAR FAST TRACK

2011-09-20T06:58:00.001-07:00

Who says Alor Setar is a sleepy old town without any excitement what so ever. Alor Setar has proven the critics wrong by the roaring sounds of the drift cars racing on Friday, 13 May 2011 at the vicinity of Stadium Darul Aman, Alor Setar. Stadium Darul Aman again experienced another thundering shrieking motor bikes when the 6th. Petronas Kart Prix was held on Friday 22 July 2011.

Alor Setar is indeed a sleeping town no more.

Crowds converging at the Drift Car Racing Circuit adjacent to Seri Malaysia

The track being laid down

Toyota cars rules the racing track

Another Toyota car taking the stride

THE 6TH PETRONAS KART PRIX

The racing track for kart prix is being cordoned off for safety measures

Able bodied marshals inspecting the racing track for its worthiness

The racing track is cleared for racing

The chief marshal all the way from Shah Alam

The race begins

The lead rider taking the curve

Followed through by the other riders

The unlucky rider is taken for a ride in the ambulance to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital

SIBLINGS 76:TENTH SYUN'S BREAK FAST GATHERING

2011-08-21T01:59:00.001-07:00

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4

SIBLINGS 75: THORN AMONG ROSES

2011-07-28T23:45:00.001-07:00

Final checking by Noriah to ascertain the acceptable amount of fruits
the Monitor's car

With the bigger capacity of his car's boot, Ana must be the happiest of the lot because the bigger amount and assortment of fruits that would reach their destination in Suka Menanti

Beaming with pride for the very fruitful outings to Pelubang

To have a superb 70 year old body like me, my advice to you, "Consume as much as you can but later on must also work like a horse to commensurate with what you have taken."

Mr Perumal happily collecting the fruits for the take away by his wife's former students while enjoying the delicacy of serawa pulut durian specially prepared by his wife

COLLECTIONS OF MR PERUMAL'S ASSORTMENT OF ANTIQUE CLOCKS

SOBEHAH'S SON'S WEDDING IN SUNGAI PETANI ON ON 25.06.2011

At wheel chair bound Sobehah's son wedding at Sungai Petani on 25th. June 2011

When Zam asked me to accompany her to one of her schoolmate functions, I was quiet embarrassed because I would be the only thorn among the roses. Either my thorn would pierce the roses or on the other hand, the bunch of roses could choke me to death. That was why I kept to myself during the first few meets because I might expose my weakness of talking a lot which might pierce the eardrums of the roses.

As time passed by, I began to adapt myself well with the roses. Not all the roses voices were sweet and soothing to the ears but not all were thundering to the ears either. However with the fusion of both of the extremes, then there were harmonious melodies to the ears and full of warmth to the heart. Apart from that, I was also not the only thorn among the roses but there were also other unfortunate thorns that has survived among the roses.

Zam’s schoolmates are very active in their schedule or unscheduled activities. Their activities were well-oiled because of the efforts of their vocal and active coordinator who could spit fire. Whether you like it or not, she is the live wire of the gatherings. Being a single mother and a teacher by training, unconsciously she is the monitor of the group that has successfully provided the glue and grease to the organization. With her zealous efforts, the activities of Zam’s schoolmates has blended cohesively which has the ingredients of solidarity and sustainability among their schoolmates

Now, I begin to enjoy their gatherings because the monitor herself could smother the beatings from others while at the same time she expects others could smother her spitting fire. For now, I do really feel at ease with these kinds of arrangement but I would be always on the alert that I might be caught with sudden surprises.. Insya Allah

On Saturday, 26^th July 2011, we have a very fruitful visit to Mr. Perumal and Miss Soomchit’s orchard mansion at Pelubang. As usual, Zam’s classmates brought along their home made varieties of foods. The visit was very fruitful indeed because it was at the right time and the right place together with the right hosts of Mr. Perumal and Miss Somchit. The magnanimous pair made in heaven made us ashamed by letting the flood gate open to us with the total freedom of picking any fruits of our choice regardless of the types and quantities.

Mr. Perumal himself plucked the ripe fruits such as rambutans, mangosteens, dokong and durians. We rendered our helping hands by consuming them and bringing his collection of fruits to our cars. It was the most pleasurable tasks for us and deep in our hearts we were really hoping the magnanimous pair would invite us again for the next fruiting season. However our day dreaming was shattered to pieces when Mr. Perumal informed us that he wanted to put up for sale their much loved mansion together with the orchard.

Their British Cottage Architectural mansion on the sprawling two acres high tech orchard embodied their life long ambition after their retirement from their services. Both of them has reached their epitome of success and they have enjoyed their life to the fullest and they have reached their plateau of nirvana. Their magnanimous deeds has also brought joy to the lucky receivers including their former students. As age has outpaced them, both of them has decided to move into another phase of their life. They has decided to move back to the town with a smaller space of home which would be within their physical capacity to manage efficiently.

Along his journey of 70 years of life, Mr Perumal has also acquired another life style which was colleting of antique clocks from the four corners of the world. Mr. Perumal is not just like any other antique collectors, but he is also a master craftsman in clock repairing. He in not a stingy clock repairer but he has also rendered his skills for a good cause.

On the insistence of his former SAHC , Dato’ Noraman Raffee, Mr. Perumal has repaired many Mosques’ grand fathers’ clocks around the vicinity of Alor Setar. Although he is willing to part off with his much beloved mansion on the sprawling orchard at Pelubang, Mr. Perumal does not has the heart to part with his life style of collecting of antique clocks. As such, apart from Miss Boonsoi Somchit, his collections of antique clocks would faithfully follow Mr. Perumal into another phase of his life. For all of us, we do really wish that Mr. Perumal and Miss Boonsoi Soomchit would remain in their heavenly orchard so that we could pursue our fruitful endeavours to Pelubang for many many years to come.