Bang Enon.

 Sunday, 24.12.2023.

We were supposed to leave for surau At Tarbiah, Taman Malawati, Ulu Kelang at 8 a.m., because the funeral prayers were set for 10. These things never meet the target times, and this one didn't. But the one-hour delay leaving Seremban put paid to our timely arrival. When we arrived, they had already started the post-prayer tahlil. So at least we didn't completely missed the whole thing. We were able to pay our last respects for Bang Enon, 86, shrouded and laid before us, before being taken to the burial ground in Kelang Gate.

Dato' Dr. Mohd. Nor Abd. Ghani was my first cousin, 7 years older.  He was "Bang Enon" to me. Pak Lang Ghani, ex Sub-Inspector, was my father's older brother.  As a policeman, he was posted all over the place. His last post was in Kelantan. Bang Enon didn't follow him, because he was attending school in Kuala Pilah. Part of the time he stayed with us, I was told, because I can't remember.  He finished his 5th form in TMS, and went on to Form 6 in Seremban, then to the University of Malaya. He did his Masters and PhD in the US, after joining the MCS, and after marriage. Two marriages, in fact. His last post was the KSU in the Ministry of Transport, under Dr. Ling Liong Sik, an exFMC boy. Probably of the same age.

Bang Enon passed away in Ampang Hospital yesterday afternoon. He was only brought back this morning. I didn't find out the cause of death. I followed him in his internet postings, and he was always doing something - here in Taman Malawati and back in Kuala Pilah, both in his parents' old home in Ulu Bendul, and the in-laws place in Juasseh. As far as I knew he was healthy.

Mashitok caused the hour-delay. Disorganized as usual, he didn't call Calit until Calit came to fetch me. With Seremban traffic being what it has become, by the time we got back to S2 for him, and got back on to Plus, it was 9 !.

Some of the prayer crowd had left when we arrived at the surau, but there was still a good number of mourners doing the tahlil. Before I helped carry the remains into the waiting van, I was able to greet a few of the sad first cousins. Daro, from Kampong Melang, was extremely emotional, and I said "sabar, sabar". Enai, a brother, said he's now settled in Muar.

I wondered if Bang Piei knows of Bang Enon's passing. He wasn't there, but his house is quite near, also in Taman Malawati. They knew each other. Bang Enon and his first wife, Zahrah, took me in their car when they attended Bang Piei's wedding in Lonek. That was back in 1964, I think.

Dad put me with Bang Enon in his Section 11 house when I enrolled into the university in 1965. I didn't get a place in the 3 male residential colleges available then. But I didn't stay with them long.

When I was in RMC, Sg. Besi, Bang Enon attended one of my Sovereign Parade Days in place of dad. Much later in life, as the GM of Felda Transport, I got Bang Enon's help to get Ling Liong Sik to reconsider the new ruling on the speed warning lights for all lorries in the country. Eventually they scrapped the useless ruling. 

Even while an undergraduate, Bang Enon made a name for himself as a short-story writer. His stories often got published in the Malay papers under the pen-name "Norzah", obviously the combination of "Mohd. Nor" and "Zahrah".

Just now I texted Hafizi in Ipoh, inquiring if he'd heard about Bang Enon's passing. Hafizi was together with me in the university 1965-1968. That was how I found out that Bang Enon's second wife was Hafizi's sister. He said he heard about it from his nephew, a Dr. Azlan.

I met Zaiton, the widow, pulled by Calit, who pointed her to me. "I know, from Felda" I said.

There was Hashim Meon (Tan Sri, exKSU Ministry of Defence). There was Rais Karim (Datuk, Dr. , from INTAN and several other ministries). There was Zainal Taib, ex TMS, Cikgu Taib's son. We chatted, took some photographs, and even managed to suggest a golf game soon. But among family and friends, and on going talk of life matters, we recorded our bereavement for someone close.

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My book launch.

Fri, Dec 22, 2023.

Another year is closing in a week's time. It's the school holidays now, and Christmas is just 3 days away. And I just launched my first book last Sunday.

It took me 15 years to compile the notes that became the contents of the book. They were all there in my diary, sitting quietly, until Hank shook them out, exhorting me to let them see the light of day in a book. The jottings in my diary were never meant for publication. But Hank's challenge had to be responded to.  Finally, Sunday, I "tumpang" the FMC-PD's 70th Anniversary at the old camp, and "The Sungai Ujung diary - Talking Politics" was officially out on sale.

As required, I delivered my 243-word speech, and at the end of it presented a copy of the book to BB Wahab, our new Chairman of FMC-PD. And forgot to put my signature on it.

I said "tumpang" because the gathering was not about my book at all. It was a very well-attended, 2-day event, celebrating the birth of our old alma mater here in this very site in 1952.  Hank got Nawawi to include my book launch, although the book was not about the college at all. In my brief speech I mentioned that I don't feel I deserve this honour, but to decline would be rude. But in a way, the college had a lot to do in what I have eventually become as a person. I attended many schools in different places throughout my 18-year schooling, right up to university. But I credit FMC for some lasting friendships that leave positive impressions, leading to a mindset that was able to produce the written thoughts that filled my life diary.

The Dewan TSI had 120 seats, plus a row of sofa-seats for the VIP's. Every one was taken, with several more people standing around. It was a good crowd. In fact there were some of the wives with the children outside the hall, engaged in their own fun & games arranged. I could hear them from inside the hall.

Halim, the MC, made sure nobody spoke longer than necessary. Because all, except Nawawi, had notes, Halim didn't need to cut anyone. Nawawi, of course, was different. Normally he does the cutting, anyway.  He had no notes. He didn't need one. So it was easy for him to jump about, when speaking, and even took time to scold his nephew, one of the function's staff, for suggesting that he take the speakers' second rostrum, and not  Halim's.

We made good time in the hall, but wasted some time in the photograph session, but made it to the dining hall without much delay.

The durian supply, just like last year, was assigned to me. The durian feast nearly didn't happen. Strangely, although last year's function was  the same time of the year, this time the 3 suppliers I contacted in the previous 3 weeks couldn't guarantee quality and quantity to the 300 fruits we wanted, because of the ending durian season. Or so they claimed. Luckily, at about 11 p.m. Sunday 10th I managed to get hold of Deka, an old friend from Tanjung Jati. He got hold of Api, from Kampong Ibol, who confirmed that he had supply.

Immediately after our last committee meeting on Monday 11th, I pulled Hank to see Api and settled the order. I also wanted to test the fruit, because it was Orang Asli durian, and Hank could help vouch the quality. We found everything ok, and paid an advance. And my neck was safe.

Nawawi hinted that this might be his final act for FMC-PD, but don't believe him. Me, I'm more than happy I came for both days, and even brought my wife and a granddaughter to enjoy the outing. I'm very happy that my first book got a great launch. In fact I sold 29 copies in PD.

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World Golf's professional tours.

 Sunday, 10.12.2023.

USPGA just lost a star player, who jumped to Saudi LIV tour.  Spanish WGR no.3 Jon Rahm is the latest big, world-class golfer personality to accept the untold multi-millions to jump ship. 

That's what it is. The money.

Nothing wrong with that. Pro golf is about money. If you can make more of it somewhere else, you'd be stupid not to move there.

USPGA is not the only tour before LIV tour burst on the scene. In USA itself, in Europe, in Africa, in Asia and South America, and within these continents themselves exist different tours. The pros often make their ways through these to finally get admitted into USPGA. Because of the money. There were no objection, resentment, or opposition then. LIV is another such tour. Why the resentment ? To carry the logical argument - the more the merrier.

I suggest the real reason is, again, money.

Previously, none of the other tours (and I mean "nil") had  money large enough to rival USPGA.  Saudi Arabia is a different story. USPGA is intelligent enough to know the big difference now.

The big sponsors are going to be the real losers, if LIV steals the world golf thunder. That's the crux of the matter. They will have to sort out their strategy in stopping the dollar-spillage. But let me assure you, in the end they will find the way. That's why they are big now.

I've played and followed golf for 37 years now. At 79, I still carry an official handicap of 17. Ask any golfer if that's not remarkable. I've followed Tiger Woods since he won his 3rd consecutive US Amateur title in 1995. So let me say, let there be more tours. It'll good for the game.

Malaysia built its first golf course in Taiping in 1885, one year before USA built its first one. (Of course, Taiping is closed now.) Where are the Malaysian pros now ? We can't even make a name in South East Asia, much less the rest of the world.

Vijay Singh made his way to USPGA, even getting to WGR # 1, through the Sunshine Tour and the European Tour. He could have been the first Malaysian World No. 1 Golfer, if our government had been sport-savvy. Vijay was a pro in JB and Sabah, and after marrying a Malay, asked to become a citizen, and was rejected ! 

Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and now Thailand produced world class winners in both men and women golf. This is 1 game where size does not matter. But unlike the others, Malaysia just doesn't have the talent pool, and the management to run the local circuit to produce this talent pool. Take it from me (2 holes-in-one and 1 eagle - check the records). Our managers (political or whatever) are just not into serious sport. Nobody has made them realise that there's fame and fortune in sports. We have 30 million people vs 7 in New Zealand, which has World Champions in many sports. Even land-strapped Singapore runs a world FI circuit on its city streets, aware of the benefits. What do we do? Close an already well-utilised F1Sepang!

Let the world golf tours compete for players AND spectators. Let the sponsors work for their money. We should see an improved display.

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79

 Tuesday 5.12.2023.

Would you believe it ? 79 years ago I was born, at the end of the Japanese Occupation, the first of  9 siblings from the same parents. I have to say this because my dad decided to have another 4 siblings through another mother. All 3 parents are gone now, together with eldest half-brother Yusof not long ago.

Maybe I should look back in time, before I enter the 8th decade tomorrow.

Birth date was 5th December, 1944, also a Tuesday,  19th Zulhijjah, 1363.

Primary School was in Kuala Pilah, and then in Tanjung Malim, and then Standard 6 back in Kuala Pilah. 

Secondary School was in Kuala Pilah, Port Dickson, and Sungai Besi.

University was the only university at that time - the University of Malaya, graduating  in 1968, at 23 + years of age.

I started working the same year. It was Melaka, then  KL- Seremban a few times, Port Kelang, and finally back in Kuala Pilah until 55 years of age.

Marriage was at exactly 27 years old. 4 children came in a span of 12 years, with 3 boys and the youngest a girl. She'll be 40 next year. There are 12 grandchildren - the oldest 19, the youngest 2.

The Hajj was performed at 38+. The only Umrah was done early this year, 40 years later.  I've arithmetically completed my solat qada' of 30 years, covering all the years back to age 10. Fasting misses were rare. Alms and sadakah can't be revealed - I don't want to lose "credit". So the "external" ibadah seems covered.

31 years of work and the retirement years since seem "ok". Nothing to shout about. But nothing to be ashamed of, either.

Health has been acceptable, though it could be better. Medication for the standard blood-pressure/blood-sugar age-affliction keeps everything, through now a bi-annual medical examination, under control. Golf and 2-hour walks through each week ensure the minimal physical exertion advised. So the "external" health regimen also seems covered.

That leaves the "internal" part.

For that, I try to keep on reading, writing, and lately, drawing, to maintain the mental activity. I'm still riding my scooter (155cc only, compared to the 750 cc I used to ride decades ago), but the sense of balance seems lessened, so I've to be careful. Hopefully, mental deterioration could be avoided. 

And that is where we are now. I thank God for His Blessings.

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Hj. Jamaluddin Hj. Ibrahim.

Tues Nov. 14, 2023.

At about 11.30 am just now I stood with the others in our funeral prayers in Mesjid Sendeng, Ampangan, Seremban, for Hj. Jamaluddin. He was 89.

He was my brother-in-law's brother-in-law, of the Hj. Ibrahim, Ampangan, clan.  He died in Jalan Kent, KL, yesterday, but the family wanted him interred here, in the Hj. Said maqam in Seremban. The entire vast family considers this ancient cemetry, now officially closed, their own - Hj. Said, the religious teacher, was a close relative.

I also came because of Idah. She couldn't come because of the 3 grandchildren in the house. The youngest, 2,  is in hospital right now because of lung infection. He's on breathing machine, in fact. Our daughter is with him. Idah would have come, otherwise.  She worked for Hj. Jamaluddin for a few years until I married her. The office was in the MARA building on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, KL.

I would send her in the morning, and picked her back after office, when we were engaged. That was for almost a year in 1971. I got to know Hj. Jamaluddin then. We even went to his one-storey bungalow in the Bukit Belachan area, Ampang, I think. I met the late Khatimah, Hj. Jamaluddin's younger sister, there. Ari's marriage to Wira, another much younger sister, came many years later. The late Khatimah went on to become an Exco in the State Legislative Assembly. Ari's family fortunes emanated from that. 

I lost contact with Hj. Jamaluddin after my marriage, but after Ari's marrage to Wira, Idah would somehow reconnect with his ex-boss. So, his life's progression was in Idah's knowledge, right until the health issues because of age. I did meet him a few times, during family weddings etc. He remembered me well.

Hj. Redha, ex YB, led the final prayers just now. I think 80% of the congregation was family, but even so, it was a large enough crowd.

As usual, while waiting for the remains to arrive from KL, we met old friends and family members at the mosque. The usual banter and catching-up got everybody talking simultaneously, despite the somber occasion. Hj. Ishak even managed to talk of the "Bintang Tiga" communist incident in Rantau. I wonder where that came from. But I think it's history lesson that shouldn't be lost. I have a few similar stories  in Bukit Temensu - one relating to Tengku Fakharuddin; another to "Ah Ting" the coffee-shop operator.

Most followed the hearse to the cemetry, but I took my excuse. I had in fact gone there first, because that was Ari's message. But there was a change in plan that brought everybody to Sendeng mosque just now.

Farewell, Che Jamal, God Bless you.

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Long weekends, weddings & traffic snarls.

 Sunday, Nov 12, 2023.

Long weekends, weddings and traffic snarls go together. That was the scenario this time with 2 weddings and the Deepavali celebrations, spread over two days and about 180 km return. The distance between the two locations and the Saturday-Sunday appointed times, when the Indian community celebrated its Deepavali this time, cost me a total of 12 hours. 75% of that time was on the road to the two sites, Saturday in Kuala Pilah, Sunday in the Ampang Jaya area in KL.

I'd long maintained that the large number of private vehicles on our roads is caused by our poor public transport. What are the ratios of cars to road distances in this country, and cars to population ?

Saturday was Abin's daughter's wedding at the Melang Inn Hotel, KP. Sunday was Kak Lang Noi's grandson's wedding in the Majestique Palace in Ampang Jaya. Abin is a first cousin. Kak Lang Noi a second cousin, and she called twice. So the weddings couldn't be missed, traffic jams notwithstanding.

Abin is in a wheelchair now, not paralysed but weak in the legs. She's 70 +. Kak Lang Noi is not in a wheelchair, but is also weak in the legs. She'll be 80 end of this year.

Abin lost her husband, Sulaiman, a few years ago. She stays in Kuala Jempol, which is closer to Bahau, but had chosen to have the reception in Kuala Pilah. I wonder why, because the groom is supposed to come from Jempol also. In fact Abin had family here in Melang, but the old folks are all gone now.

Kak Lang Noi is from Bukit Temensu, where my maternal grandparents were. Both of us were also born here at the end of the Japanese Occupation - we're the same ages. In fact we attended Quran-reading tuition together, under one Lobai Net who hailed, would you believe it, from Kuala Jempol. The evening classes were conducted in Bukit Temensu. I remember another classmate, Chandoh (a nick-name), Hj. Malek's daughter from across the Sg. Pilah river in the "Seberang" kampong. When I was the GM of Felda Transport in the 80's, Chandoh telephoned me out of the blue, asking to help take her son into the company, which I did. Chandoh has died. I wonder if the son is still there, in the Shah Alam  Depot.

I also took in Kak Lang Noi's first cousin into Felda Transport. She's Alwi's daughter. Alwi was Mak Cik Limah's brother. Mak Cik Limah was Kak Lang Noi's mother. My mom was close to that family - our houses in Bukit Temensu were just across the KP-Tampin road, maybe 100 m apart.

In fact in a way I also gave Alwi's daughter (I've forgotten her name) her husband. He was also taken by me after his mother, a Felda settler from Pasoh, I think, approached me to take him into employment. I've also forgotten his name. They met at work.

When Kak Lang Noi got married to Mutalib, from Sawah Lebar, she moved with him to KL, where they have been ever since. That's how the grandson's wedding was in KL today. And that's also why I bumped into Dr. Onny at the reception. Onny's wife is from Sawah Lebar. She's also a doctor. Onny said he's semi-retired now. Just as we were chatting away, my younger brother, Dr. Din, came to our table. So there were 3 doctors from KP sitting together.

This is the style now, having wedding receptions in rented halls rather than at home. It makes sense. You have more space, air- conditioning, ample parking, and toilet facilities. And afterwards you just leave. In the house you face at least 2 weeks of cleaning. At least.

The Melang Inn Hotel affair was nice. It was comfortable and the food was very good, in taste and variety. The Majestique Hall was equally nice, but in the food section I think it was second to Melang Inn Hotel.

I told Kak Lang Noi I don't know when we'll meet again. We're both in our 8th decade, and living so far apart. But we have our own grown families, and there may be some occasions together left.

I was with Calit, in Dekna's car. We went back to Seremban via Shah Alam, because I wanted to check the venue for my meeting on 24/11. But it was the same laboured drive back the way we came. There are just too many cars on the road.

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Planning for the final 70th. anniversary.

Fri Nov 3, 2023.

Tuesday, 31.10.2023,  Nawawi got about a dozen of  us, class representatives for the 1952-1961 PD Budak Boys  group, together at the pool-side building of KGNS. The ostensible purpose was to finalise plans for our 70th anniversary "do" on 17.12.2023 at PD, but we covered more ground in the end.

This was the first time for BB Wahab, ex Navy No.1, who agreed to the offer to take over as President from BB Radzi. Radzi had asked for relief, because he has some plans in his home-state Perlis. Time would be a constraint.

Incidentally, Mat Sham also requested for temporary relief as the Treasurer. He's having some legal problems with his bank because of a 160K scam involving his credit card. So, Nor Shaari came, because he had also gallantly agreed to assume "the account-keeper" post in the meantime.

Let me see, so there was Wahab, Nawai, Mat Sham, Nor Shaari, Rahman, Halim, Raymond, Hank, Danker, Ismail, Tajuddin and me - 12 of us. That was for meeting. At lunch later BB Ghani and OP Khamis joined us for lunch at the Chinese restaurant. Ghani is the current President of KGNS. Khamis paid for the lunch, I was told. I've been in touch with "Early Thursday" (Khamis Awal lah!) on the whatsapp, but haven't seen him in years. He said he has had to lay off golf for almost a year now because of some problems with his left arm, and it showed.

Nawawi greeted me with "where's the durian?" just like I said would happen to Hank in the car earlier. Anyway, 17th December is a long way away, but I approached Mat. Sham and Nawawi during lunch to confirm the order, verbally. It's set. I'll arrange for delivery, and Mat Sham will sponsor the fruits. 100 seems a nice round figure, but Mat Sham asked to make certain the number coming.

Nawawi displayed all the figures on screen, noting our continuous activities. But as Nor Shaari, Mat Sham and Danker commented, this group is "fading fast". By definition it is what it is - the 1952-1961 people. Not like the OPA, which is on-going. So many BB's are not around now. Too many have passed away. Many have migrated. Very many are in physical decline. And many simply don't maintain contact. That's life, I guess. But the BB had striven to go on as a group, and that's where we are today, and thank God for it. And Nawawi is very much the catalyst.

I left home at 8.30 am to hitch a ride with Hank. It was supposed to be 9 sharp at S2 Mydin. Of course Hank was late. But we made it on time to KGNS, in spite of some strange turns despite the "waze". Returning to Seremban, we stopped at Amcorp Mall and visited the second-hand book corner. I bought 5 books for RM 50, and gave Hank RM 10 for a golf instruction book for his grandson. We put on "waze" again but promptly lost our way because we were turning and turning in the Balakong area until finally Hank asked to shut down "waze" and he somehow got us to the recognizable Mines area and on to the "Lekas" to Seremban. I finally reached home at 8.30 pm. That's a full 12 hours.

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Hammas the evil one?

 Sat Oct 14, 2023.

This is what "they" are trying to paint on the world media right now. The evil of Hammas.

You know, they can never get it right with Muslim proper names that carry no surnames. So you have the "Sirhan Sirhan" case in US. Who carries 2 names like that ? 

To paint a picture of destitute, you always walk barefooted. That seems to be the mark of absolute poverty. 

In the middle of a huge flood, trying to save the life of a stray cat epitomises ultimate kindness. Human life is common-place.

And killing children is  unmitigated evil. 

So, without checking first, the senile President of USA quickly says Hammas has slaughtered children. Advised too late, they swallowed their words now and say it's not verified news.

US has carried out enough warfares, legal or otherwise, to know that when rockets and guns are used in war, human lives are lost, no matter of what  ages.

Like the Ukraine-Russo war, where one side of the news  seems to hog the narrative, in the US-Europe pro-Ukraine favour, the pro-Hammas demonstrations in European capitals are submerged news.

Israel now declares that ultimate annihilation of the Gaza strip is the military objective. Of course these utterly cruel words not only do not get condemnation from USA and Europe (and Australia), they are actually saying they support Israel, no matter what. Even a half Indian US Vice-President says so.

Please study the illegal formation of Israel only 70 years ago.  Palestine goes back to biblical times.  Find the real cause for the Hammas attack now.

Remember the German's genocide of the persecuted  Jews during WWII ?  Who welcomed them in the Middle East? Now the lives of 5 million illegal Israelites are worth everything, and 100 million Arabs worth nothing?

You push a rat into a corner, and it'll fight to death. 

Hammas is a movement. You can't destroy a movement with guns. 

USA and Europe are apparent world powers now, militarily and economically. But just look over your shoulders. There are 1.4 billion Chinese in China looking in now. And forget about UN. Like Russia, China is a permanent member of the Security Council. All talk and no play is the standard UN modus operandi.

The Europeans left their countries for liberty and fortune in USA 300 years ago. They didn't "find" America. The "Red Indians" were already there. These original inhabitants are now consigned to desolate reservations. The immigrant European American descendants now espouse "democracy" and capitalism as the means to worldly paradise. But they have never stopped using the weapons of war to spread their new-found faith. 

Dropping the devastating, untried atom bomb was easy, because the target was Japan. You think the Japanese have forgotten?

Since then, just count the number of countries USA illegally invaded, and the millions of lives innocently lost, directly attributable to this "mission" of democracy and capitalism. Even as one crazy past US President is fighting for his style of "democracy", the world watches to see if a new breed of world-power bearer takes over, and soon. I'm certain we'll see new evil.

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Justice denied ?

 Tues 19.9.2023.

I'd wanted to sit down and put my thoughts about the DNAA case of  Jait for more than a week, but I couldn't sit down. This morning I told myself "write now or you'll never write about it."

Having 2 practicing lawyers in my immediate family, and 2 others from among first cousins and nephews (one a serving State Syariah Chief Justice, the other an Assistant Commissioner in the Police), and playing golf twice a week for the last 9 years with 1 ex Federal Court Judge and 2 ex Appeals Court Judges, I have an inkling about the Malaysian Judiciary and our legal system. I should. That does not make me tolerant of, or understanding about the quirks of Malaysian legal proceedings.

I know "dna" has come to assist courts world-wide in legal cases brought before them.. It was not there from the beginning. Tragically many miscarriages of justice have been discovered with the use of dna, when wrong convictions  were meted out without it earlier. Now DNAA?

I'm not making jokes with words. Justice is God-like. But the Malaysian Judiciary must be making a sick joke with the DNAA for the DPM. And to stress the injustice, at the same time a thief convicted with stealing RM 22 from a mosque was given a 10-year imprisonment by the same judicial system.

Stop playing with technicalities and legalese hair-splitting. Bring out the truth and use facts to decide cases. Years have passed by in this particular court case. 47 charges have been tabled. How many lawyers from both sides have taken part in the whole affair? And just like that, one day before the AG retired, he said "DNAA"!

I'm told that the Golden Saying is that Justice must not only done, but must been seen to be done.  There's even a saying that justice delayed is justice denied.

I don't see justice done. I see justice denied.

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A life - never insignificant.

 Sat 2.9.2023 (16 Safar 1445H)

Let's mark that date.

It's not about a high official, a Statesman or of Royalty. But it's of a life. It should never be insignificant.

We waited at Calit's surau after Solat Asr.  Idah and I were there after Zohor. Calit had reconfirmed that the arrangements for his late brother-in-law were for after Asr at that surau. The van eventually arrived at about 6 p.m. Remember, it was a journey from JB, a long way away, made longer by the weekend highway traffic that slows everybody. But the next journey is longer.

I watched sadly as the mother stooped to lovingly kiss the exposed face. Many times, all over that exposed part, quietly crying, hands on the shroud, her shoulders held back by assisting hands. I came close to tears myself. Other relatives followed - siblings, cousins. A lot of time was given for this final touch of farewell.

A decent number made up the final congregation for the solat jenazah led by the surau's imam. Any one of the brothers would have made a touching act in leading this final prayer. It's his fate, like all of his sad life. We make our supplications. The Almighty Receives everything.

For me, it's a goodbye with no hello. 

I never met him. I didn't know him. But I know of him, and the circumstances of his tragic life. 

Family ties obliged my attendance today, but I would have come anyway. I write now so that perhaps the poor soul is not lost and forgotten. The late father I knew very well. The surviving, grieving mother I know very well, too. My late mother was fond of her, and she had a lot to do with Calit's marriage into that family. But we were relatives anyway.

Could a different life-story have been written ? We cannot make judgement.  It's cruel and unfair to turn over the tragic history of the poor departed. We must accept God's Will. Still, the thoughts of an alternative scenario haunts me, and I didn't even know him.

Let us pray that God Accepts him, and Forgives him for the state he was in, and put him among  the blessed.

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The 6-state sour story for Anwar & Co.

 Fri 18.8.2023.

It's 6 days since 6 states went to the polls on 12.8.2023. 

Anwar & Co. pulled no punches. Coming from the position of power, Anwar used all the tricks to try and upset PN, and bolster PH chances. BERSATU's account was frozen. Hadi, Muhyiddin and Mahathir were fair games. Sanusi was singled out for political destruction, right into using the Police and the Courts of Law. The compliant IGP even made that strange public announcement about the 3 am arrest of Sanusi, that this was done because the Police might have difficulty in staying in touch with him, conveniently forgetting that the acting MB had Police escort all day long, every day. 

Well, it all backfired. 

PN got an additional 60 more seats than they had in PRN14.

Kedah, Kelatan and Terengganu cut PH's seats from 34 to 5. These 3 states remained solidly PN, cutting PH seats by a whopping 85.3%.

PPinang, Selangor and NS cut the PH's seats from 123 to 92. These  3 states remained PH, but they lost 25.2% of their seats.

In NS, 12 of the 31 constituencies (38.71%) that PH won, had tiny majorities of between 78 and 693 only. The MB in Sikamat had a 22% loss in his majority. To top everything else, the turnouts in all 36 constituencies were  much lower than the 83% in PRN14. They ranged between 60.03% and 71.86%. 

Low turnouts favour the incumbents. The overall turnouts for all 6 states were:

Terengganu  74.79%

Kedah           73.86%

PPinang        72.67%

Selangor       72%

NS                 68.35%

Kelantan        60.96%

The success rates of the Parties were:

Party                           Contested            Won             %

DAP  (PH)                       47                     46              97.9

PAS   (PN)                      127                   105              82.7

BERSATU   (PN)             81                     40               49.4

PKR   (PH)                       59                     26               44.1

Amanah    (PH)                31                       8               25.8

UMNO     (PH)               108                     19               17.6

Gerakan    (PN)                37                       1                 2.7

PN         146 / 245   (59.59%)

PH           99 / 245   (40.41%)    

Perhaps the voters are weary of elections. Certainly, the absentees are not pro-PH.

One confirmed fact is the 90% Chinese votes for DAP.

It's a 6-state sour story for the story teller.

..........................................................................

 

   

G. Gnanalingam Boy 200799 A Coy. 10.9.1944 - 11.7.2023.

 Fri. July, 14, 2023.

In 1957, we were classmates in Std. 6,   Tuanku Muhamad School, Kuala Pilah, one of the earliest English schools in NS, built in 1930. Our class teacher was Mr. D'Cruz. Mr. D'Cruz later left to join the School for the Blind in Johor Baru. I never met Mr. D'Cruz again, but Aziz Hitam said he met him once in the train somewhere. In 1956 I was in SMC II in Tanjung Malim. 

Gnana ( he told us to pronouce it "Nya-na" - nobody in FMC got it right up to today) was actually only 3 months older than me.

We also stayed in the same area, the Government quarters in the "Residential Area", Jalan Tunku Burhanudin, Kuala Pilah. My father was a teacher at the Sekolah Kebangsaan "A". Gnana's father was with the PWD (JKR now). 

There were 2 younger brothers - Param and Siva, who used to kick a ball around with us, brothers, in the field next to the Tamil primary school in front of our house - 142 Jalan Tunku Burhanuddin, Siva, the younger one, became a university lecturer. I don't know what happened to Param. Gnana never joined us.

This JKR connection continued right up to university 1965-68, because when Gnana and I bumped into each other at 'varsity he would say "your uncle said..." this and that. That uncle, Abdul Rahman, of Jalan Raja Ali, Kampong Baru, KL, was also in the JKR. He must have been talking to Gnana's dad and the talks were passed on. Jalan Raja Ali was notorious for the Kampong Baru regular floods before the authorities finally fixed the Sg. Bonus problem.

We were together often in TMS, because both of us classmates joined the Scouts, the Scout teacher being Mr. D'Cruz himself. Many afternoons and some weekends  saw us in our grey Scout uniforms together doing the usual activities those days. I don't know what they do now, but we had to work for our badges in "tie the knots", hiking, camping, cooking, first aid etc. I remember we once had a district level Scout "Campfire" at the Lake Gardens (yes, we had a Kuala Pilah Lake Gardens) and one of the Indian boys sang the Tamil song that went "....dingra ding gale, meenachi, dingra ding gale ...", that part of it I remember to this day. I sang it to an Indian Civil Servant (from India) who was with me in Birmingham, England, for a Rural Development course in 1974 and gave him a surprise.

Then of course both of us went to FMC, Port Dickson, with others. When we moved to Sungai Besi in 1961, Gnana was on top of me in "A" coy, and I was below in "B". That's how Gnana got to visit Burkhan in Nyalas, because Burkhan was also "A" coy. This visit I learned later when I went to Nyalas  and also saw the photo.

At university we would occasionally meet each other at the Arts Concourse. The student population was small then, although UM was the sole university in the country.

I knew Gnana was with MTC, because I would meet him at the Weld Supermarket, KL, the first and only supermarket at that time. He drove a red sports car, then.  

I learned that he got married to the Chinese girl from MAS. I also learned much later that his son married a Malay girl, and has given himself a Muslim name.

When I left Felda and moved to the North Port, Port Kelang, I ran into Gnana again, at a gathering there. I can't remember what the function was. I was surprised, because although I know he had left MTC, it was to join up with a Malay entrepreneur doing some advertising, and surely not involved in any port business. He came alone, tie-less in long sleeves and slacks. "What are you doing here?" was my surprised greeting. "I'm with West Port". I knew there was a West Port. But I thought he was employed as an executive there. Gnana didn't elaborate. I didn't know he owned West Port ! I'd ask him for a job if I knew ! The rest of my career would have been different !

What I learned later was that the West Port concession, like Air Asia later, was up for grabs. An OP, Ling Liong Sik, was the Minister of Transport. The KSU was a Kuala Pilah boy. It was all completely above board, for sure, but things can certainly become smoothly-handled when we deal with people we know.

Forbes listed Gnana as the 13th richest Malaysian recently. He was worth US1.4 billion (RM6.52 billion). Not bad for an OP !

When my daughter got married, Gnana sent me some cash in the ordinary mail ! I suppose when you have 1 billion, you can afford to lose 1 thousand in the mail.

We had a session at the auditorium at RMC Bukit Belimbing yesterday, with the whole teaching staff, on the topic of the history of the College. As one of the speakers, I mentioned about the passing of Gnana on the afternoon of 11th July - 2 days earlier. I said "sadly, 2 days ago Gnanalingam passed away."

Gnana, I'm proud to have known you.

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The grandchildren's time now.

 Sun 9.7.2023

We're one week into the second-half of 2023. At year's end I'll be exactly 79, which would be virtually 80 by all reckoning. That'll be something - for me.

In one month's time, 6 of the 13 States (Kedah, Penang, Selangor, NS, Terengganu and Kelantan) would go to the polls again.  This would be their belated 15th. State elections. Of the other 7, Perlis, Perak and Pahang had their 15th on 19.11.2022, Melaka's 15th was on 20.11.2021,  Johor's 15th  on 12.3.2022,  Sabah's 16th on 26.9.2020 and Sarawak's 12th on 18.12.2021. As I'd said before, this confusing affairs of state is both cause and effect for the present confusing state of affairs.

What's noteworthy for me, though, is the fact that my two eldest grandchildren, Acad and Iman, are about to enter tertiary education this month, after their recent SPM examinations. It's the grandchildren's time now.

Acad will enrol into UiTM; Iman Unisel. It's the real beginning for them in their preparation for seeking livelihood and family lives. 

Things would only get harder before they get settled. That's life. All the classroom work they went through, and more importantly, all the general education they received, would now be called forth. Still, parental guidance must be offered to steady their youthful minds facing the real world outside. They're protected now in the ivory tower. Real life would be real tough on the ground.

Last night Ari celebrated his 70th birthday, when he proudly announced the scholastic successes of his nephews and neices in the very same SPM exams. I was there. In my heart I'd prayed that they all justify the pride held by their uncles and aunties by achieving the worldly successes promised by their wonderful school results so far.

..................................................................................

Atan.

Tues 20.6.2023. 

Atan, 61,  died in  Ampang Hospital, KL, yesterday at around 10.30 a.m.

Only last week Idah and I visited him at that government hospital. It was  our first visit after hearing about his admission. He said he'd been in hospital for 3 weeks. That, sadly, was also our last visit on our late nephew. His late mother was Idah's eldest sister.

Since retirement, Atan had not been of the best of health. There were a few internal problems. I don't have the exact idea of the ailment. At the hospital during last week's visit, he was complaining of aches and discomfort, and even asked me to say a few prayers to make the pain go away. The hospital lunch in front of him remained untouched, and he had his shirt unbuttoned and his trouser legs rolled up, a picture of stress. Otherwise his face and physique looked normal to me.

Having returned from 9 holes of golf at the club, I had a wash and a change of clothes, and then some refreshments. That was when the sad news came. I called Dekna, suggesting maybe we could go in her MPV, so she took emergency  leave. But Ari called and asked to join him in his car, which we agreed, because 1-year old Habib had to be taken care of and Dekna, therefore had to stay home.

Ari drove Thareez's MPV with the 4 of us. I set the "waze" app, and we made it to Masjid al Ubudiah in Ampang just after Zohor. Without "waze" we couldn't have done it.

The remains had been washed and wrapped in the white shroud. It was brought into the mosque, and relatives were allowed to view and even touched Atan, with the top of the head cover unwrapped.

The funeral prayers were performed immediately after solat Asr. There was a very good-sized congregation. Atan was taken to the burial grounds in Ukay Perdana.

Atan was the youngest and last member of the Kak Mah's family. Bang Baharom died in Makkah during the hajj. Kak Mah died in Lonek.  Anak Eda died in Seremban. Anak Din died in Sg. Besi. And Ros died in Rawang. 

Born on  Raya Haji, which is in 9 days time, Atan was given the name Adharudin (Raya Adha). This caused a bit of a problem when we visited him in hospital last week. We all called him Atan. I said to look under "Azharudin". The clerk couldn't find one. Then I said try "Adha-rudin" Then she found it. I can't understand why she couldn't spot Adha close to Azha, the unimaginative clerk.

I was happy to have given him his life-time employment, when in position to do so. And Atan also found his future wife in his place of work. So that's 2 from me. I pray the widow and children will do well after Atan's absence.

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Goodbyes to 2 good friends.

 Wed 7.6.2023

This sad week I'm bidding adieu from afar to 2 close friends - Rahman Tahir and Aman Shah Khalid. Their passing was last weekend. I  only got the sad news days later. Rahman lived in Kajang. Aman was in Perlis. I could have gone to Rahman's funeral. Regretfully, Perlis is just too far away. A long time ago we were close.

Monday 29th. last month Maulud received news from Dato' Shahbandar that Aman, his younger brother, had died before he could reach him in Perlis. He had been seriously ill after a fall, which I heard from Dato' Shahbandar himself at the club.

Aman and wife, Salomi, made a surprising visit to my house 10 years ago. They  were visiting relatives here, and Aman wanted to pass to me his book printed 2 years earlier "Yesterday, Tomorrow, Sharing My Thoughts". But they were in hurry. There were other visits to be made before the long drive back to Perlis. I learned then that Aman had a stroke 10 years before that.

I'd written about Aman before. This friendship started in 1968, more than half-a-century ago. The internet had kept us in constant touch. There were a lot of those naughty exchanges, but the friendship was genuine. The distance kept us apart. 

Rahman  I'd also known at the same time as Aman. He was a house-mate in 1968-69. We were renting the 2nd floor of his elder brother's house in Kampong Baru, KL. My younger brother, Fadzil, and Aziz Kadir made up the four tenants.

We were there when the May 13th race riots happened. In fact I witnessed some of the more gory scenes on the 2nd day of the rioting.

Fadzil later became the Group Managing Director of the Felda Group. Aziz went on to do his PhD in the US, and later became the No 1 in the RRI. Not bad for the Kampong Baru tenants.

Rahman later served in the Malaysian Embassy in Belgrade, before the country's break-up. He had 3 daughters, all graduates and doing very well in their current positions. One is in the US, married (the only one) and has bought a house there. Looks like she's putting down roots. She came back on Rahman's demise, but didn't make it in time for the burial. It was the daughters who insisted that their dad, suddenly falling very ill,  be admitted to the expensive and private KPJ, where he died.

I'd last visited Rahman and Aishah in January 2020. I just had a sudden urge to see him again. I'd been to the old house of Aishah, and also the present rebuilt one, before. I recalled we had a happy reunion, this time. When I left, I hugged him and tearfully said "when will we meet again, Man ?".  It was the last time.

I'd kept track of Rahman's well-being through Jay, his younger sister. We meet at the club regularly. She's a keen golfer. When Mat Salleh, her husband, was still playing, we had even played together a few times. 

I knew Jay through Rahman when still in Kampong Baru. That was years before she knew Mat Salleh. Rahman joked "if you want Jay, you have to give me a diamond ring". I was single, but she was in Seremban. I had no diamond ring. Years later at the club, I told Jay the story.

Rahman was a "Romeo". He was in the PM's Department. KL was not the traffic hell it is now. He would ask me to join him for movies with girls he knew. One even came to our rented place. Another one we took for durians in Cheras or Kajang, I forget now. There was also a girl working in a carpet shop on Batu Road (now Jalan TAR,of course) he would visit at her rented place, taking me along. Aishah and marriage came later. I know it was a happy one. 

Aman was 1 year my senior. Rahman was 86. I'll always remember them.  Both came into my life at the same time. Now they have also left at the same time. Relentless Time plods on. I try to hang on to the memories.

....................................................................................

2 weddings and a late Raya.

Sun 28.5.23

Two weddings and a late Raya were squeezed into the weekend. Dekna's MVP saved them for me, because they straddled PJ, SA and PD. That's Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam and Port Dickson.

Lela & hubby personally came to the house to invite us to their daughter's wedding at Kota Damansara, PJ on Saturday. Husain couldn't find our house, but whatsapped his invitation to his daughter's wedding  at Kg. Lanchung, SA the same Saturday. This afternoon Maulad joined me to Tok Zahar's overshot Raya Haji at Pantai Gemok Beach, PD. Overshot ? Why, today is already 8 Zulqaidah, eight days past Syawal, the Raya month. And Dekna's MPV ? My 2 alternative transports are not ready to brave the traffic jams faced.

PJ and SA are 40 minutes apart, in addition to the 2 hours needed from Seremban. It's only about 60 km and should take one hour at 60 kph. The Saturday traffic took care of the additional hour. 

To allow for attendance of the 2 weddings on the same day, I had Sam pick me at Kota Damansara at 1.30 and had No 2 Son take Dekna's MPV to his house (taking Idah along). Sam got me back to take the MPV home at 4 pm. From Kota Damansara, we picked Misrun from Kelang to Husain's kenduri at Kg. Lanchung (but we went in Misrun's MPV). We were there with nearly 1 hour to spare from the 4 o'clock closing time. Get the drift ?

I was spared the exhausting driving between Kota Damansara and Kg. Lanchung. But the Seremban drives up and down had to be personally endured through traffic that was pure hell !

As arranged, I had to pick Maulud at the club at 10 am today. He was early. Again Dekna's MPV came to the rescue. We were at Tok Zahar's Tg. Gemok beach resort house before the appointed 11.30 time. Sunday PD traffic was, as expected, heavy, when we were going. It was heavier when we returned. This is Sunday, after all. Still, it was heavier than expected.

Tok Zahar spent his Raya holidaying in Europe with his family. He's missed the month of Syawal for his Raya celebrations here, as the result. But it's only 1 week off, and a celebration is a celebration. Maulud won't argue with that. That's why he was early. For our golf, though, he's always late.

Tok Zahar had a good turnout, although I thought the women outnumbered the men. His explanation was that his wife is active with their weekly prayer group. A number of Taman Guru people (Tok Zahar's neighbours in his Seremban house) came.  But I said to Maulud that Tok Zahar looked disappointed some of his Judges comrades had not made appearance by the time we were set to leave at about 1 pm.

We took the PD Garrison route returning to Seremban, just to see the picnickers on the beach. On the highway it started to rain. It's welcomed. The heat has been extra high the last few days.

.............................................................................................

Salleh Hassan.

 Thurs 25.5.2023

Salleh Hassan came with Khamis back in 1976. Salleh was from Felda LBJ near Seremban. Khamis was from Felda Solok Menggong, Alor Gajah.  These two Felda settler dependents joined the Felda service for NS. This was 47 years ago.

Salleh, 66, succumbed to cancer yesterday morning, about 8.45 am, at home, after a long  treatment. Khamis passed away many years ago, from diabetic complications.  Here I'm looking at two former staff  I knew from their first day of work, and both, sadly, are no more.

Wahid, another former staff from the same Seremban HQ, took me to visit Salleh maybe a year ago, upon hearing that he was ill. He was still up and about at that time, but the cancer was already affecting his health. That was the last time I saw him.

Wahid called with the sad news yesterday around 10 am from KL, so he couldn't visit immediately. I had a hospital appointment, and similarly was unable to visit right away. So we agreed to visit the house together in the evening, once Wahid was back from KL.

It turned out that the nearby mosque was having a tahlil for Salleh after Isya'. Wahid and I were entering the mosque compound just as the azan was heard. 

There was a good crowd at the mosque. Wahid said this is normal because of the large surrounding community. Quite unsual, the tahlil was right after Isya' before the sunat ba'diah. First, the imam led in reading surah al Mulk, asking for relief in death of the believer, a first time for me. Then the tahlil and the supplication for Salleh, named.

We spoke to Salleh's two sons briefly, before going to his house, nearby, to see his widow. She knows Wahid well, of course. She was the one who called Wahid in the morning. The night before Salleh had lifted a heavy umrah bag, and had gasped for breath. The Police permit for burial and the other documents for processing Salleh's remaining worldly business are in hand, the widow said.

When Felda LBJ was sold to the developer, the settlers receive very big payouts. I remember talking to Salleh, advising him to invest the money in ASB, and using only the necessary amount to purchase a Proton Saga if he wanted to have a car. The millions paid out would be gone in no time if not invested wisely, I told him. Wahid said last night that Salleh had managed his money well. He's wondering how the inheritance would now be settled. I said his sons are well educated, and one has a very professional job with Rahim & Co, the real estate people. So this inheritance thing would be in good hands.

The Seremban Felda HQ is vacant now. I was among the first occupants when the building was completed in 1976. We used to rent the vacant bungalow owned by the Dr. Chong family. Then we moved to the shop house at Jalan Rahang, next. Our own office building, when vacated, used to be rented by MAINS, but they now have their own tall tower with the letters "Allah" on top, like the TH building in KL. The 3-storey Felda HQ was where Salleh, Khamis, Wahid and I were, the time I was in Seremban. The lake gardens is just next to it.  Felda had a different set of people, then, Wahid contended last night.

Everything is a memory now.

................................................................................

Use "Allah" if you want to.

 Fri 19.5.2023

 

Use "Allah" if you want to, whatever religion you practice. I don't understand all the furore now, and it's not the first time. Just like the first time, many years ago, it's the issue of the translation of a Christian book referring to God. It's the same God. We just call Him differently. "Allah" is just Arabic for the Almighty. Now Sarawak, with their new-found political clout because of the weak PKR PM, is exploiting the situation and reviving the old noise-making.

"Allah" is not the property of the Muslims. The honour and right of the Muslims are not contaminated because non-Muslims use the word.  They are not using "Allah" in an offensive way. They are bowing before their "Allah", their God, in the same way "Allah" is held by the Muslims.

The holy truth that Muslims hold to be contained in the Quran is not lessened by non-Muslims burning the Quran. What they destroy is a man-made book. They may even have spent money to get a copy to burn.  God's words remain intact.  The feelings of Muslims are of course hurt by the insult intended. Muslims have every right to object against it.  We are all supposed to be civilised, and respect the feelings of others. Otherwise we are uncivilised, uncouth and stupid.

The Quran says to each his belief.  There's no coercion in Islam. There is only One Maker. Islam says we live our own lives, and all return to Him.  The Day of Judgment determines the correctness of our chosen paths.

In the meantime, let's share the insight each of us receive, by whatever way. If we are good human beings, we spread the insight among our kind. Let's not get tied down to words misunderstood. Don't let our shortsightedness or short temper impair  true view.

Muslims believe it was Abraham who first brought forth the revelations of  the Scriptures recognized by the Quran as the Holy Books. Only the hands of men altered the contents over time. The Muslims believe the Quran, compiled in the times of the 4 Rightful Guided Caliphs, was saved from the same fate by maintaining the same exact version ever since. Let us read and try to understand the Quran from the learned jurists, and not get agitated by myopia, thin skin and ignorance.

Only God Knows the truth.

................................................................................

FMC-PD Raya do 7.5.23

 Mon 8.5.2023

I came early. Naturally I left early,too. I had to. The borrowed car had to be returned before 4 pm.

So, after the painstaking preparations by the committee, the 2023 Aidil fitri celebration for "FMC-PD 1952-1961" at the OPA penthouse must be deemed a success. All who were supposed to come, did (except one or two, as usual). The food was great. The camaraderie was obvious.  The noise was loud. So loud that Halim the MC had to shout into his mike to be heard. The other speakers - Halim "Cina", Radzi and the current OPA President didn't do what the MC did, and their words were just drowned by the din. This was no disrespect. We just couldn't stop talking to each other, making up for the lost time since the last time.

The whole thing was scheduled for 1100 hours to 1500 hours, to use the military parlance. I was the first to arrive, resplendent in my baju melayu as instructed (I whatsapp a photo to prove to Hank). The parking area was still empty, but I chose to park on the road side facing the way out. I knew the place would soon be full, and I didn't want to be boxed in when I want to leave later. 

The reception area ground floor was just being readied. The roasted lamb and the rest of the food and drinks were just being unwrapped on the 3rd. floor. The tables and chairs were all ready, filling up all available space except the President's office and the small board room. But it was just me and the food people. Nawawi came immediately after me, without his baju melayu. He put them on later.

I even had time for a cup of tea, toast and half-boiled eggs at the Dengkil R&R. I asked the cleaning lady to clear a table for me. When my order came, I paid for it and gave the change to that Flores woman. She said she's a Christian. When I arrived at the penthouse, it wasn't 9.30 am. I was 1 hour 30 minutes early. I also beat Halim.

Hank couldn't make it, in spite of being in the thick of all the preparations right from the beginning. That's why I had to borrow the car to come. For a few days now, Hank has this bad cough that he doesn't want to spread to others, he says. Nawawi arranged for a nephew to replace Hank at reception.

Well before the crowd arrived, the mouth-watering smell of the roasting lamb wafted into the eating hall. One of the committee members told the caterers to close the glass doors,  to keep out the kitchen smell. I told the large woman standing near the door that the smell of the roasting lamb was nice and appetising and the door should remain open.

I helped direct the arrivals to their tables, all numbered by intake years and "VIP" grouping. In the end, except for the very senior grouping inside, everybody just settled with their old friends and enjoyed the food and cendul and continued with the incessant banter.

As Radzi said in his speech (which I could hear because I was seated just next to the rostrum) this was a Raya gathering continuation of past years. The change of venue was because of the declining numbers for the FMC-PD group. This was why about 9 years ago this group was formed. This was felt necessary, so that the old seniors would not lose touch with the continuing main OPA.  

The OPA President acknowledged the efforts of the FMC-PD group. In fact the museum project initiated has been taken up by the OPA and should become reality soon. He announced the OPA's contribution for today (I asked Halim Cina "berapa?" but he refused to say), the OPA's own Raya later this month, and the oncoming Annual Dinner.

Hank asked to collect from Abu Bakar Sulaiman 2 of his recently published books that he had ordered. When I asked how much, Bakar said "later lah". I glanced through both books. I thought they're heavy stuff.

Ahmad Ayob reminded me of his kenduri on 2.6.23 at the Flamingo Ampang. It's his granddaughter's wedding. Granddaughter ? You're old, Aba Jiwa !

Aziz Rahman was informed about his friend Ismail Kamat's condition. He said he'll  visit after I showed him the photo. I gave him the address.

Suki complained I didn't answer his call during Raya when he visited his uncle in Tebat Kering, near our old house. I said I'd have answered, but I missed the call. And I didn't go back to KP anyway.

I left without telling Nawawi. He'd stop me. But he caught me on the phone at 11 pm. I pacified him by saying next time I'll bring some durians. He said no. Next is the trip to Perlis for Radzi's harumanis. I said Radzi said this season his orchard had failed. Nawawi said we could go across the border.

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78th version of the Eid il fitri.

Tues 25.4.2023

With a sigh of relief we cleared the last scrap of litter from our family Raya gathering last night at close to midnight. The 3rd day of Eid il fitri, for many years, has been our family Raya day, here in Seremban. And as if there is a tacit agreement among us, the immediate kinsmen have accommodated the date in their own Raya celebrations.

It was a near miss, though.  I'd already mentioned the date to my own family, and the assent was almost automatic. My own siblings were quickly contacted and informed, and almost all immediately confirmed attending. 

Satay was the immediate order, because Wak the seller needed notice to purchase the "perut lembu", my favourite. This item is not always available because it's normally discarded.

Then out of the blue Idah said to cancel this year's gathering because Mizi wants to have his "aqiqah" on the same day.  I said no way. I'd even already informed Ari, the father, about the gathering, and he said ok and made no mention of the aqiqah. "Discuss lah, first" Idah retorted. I said I already told you, and I'd already told my siblings. I won't change the date. I'd order the food if you insist on going to Mizi's.

I don't know what followed on Idah's side, but as I made further preparations with the children, she relented and joined the discussion. I made no inquiry about Mizi's aqiqah, but Mizi and Ari and their family members all came to our do in the end.

For the first time, though, Idah didn't cook any of the dishes served. Din visited, and knowing our plans, suggested we order from Ani's step-daughter, because for a few years now she'd been doing some catering. Din gave the number, I called, and that was that.

Memi was very much into the preparations, insisting on several things like large cooler fans, extra tables and additional menus, and taking direct action on them. In the end he took care of the entire expense.

Ari said the "mee curry" was not the same as Idah's. Other than that remark, I heard no complains about the food. By the time the last guest left at about 10 pm (the start was 10 am), the tables were completely cleaned.

These were siblings and first cousins, and Idah got the receiving end of their generosity. Her two side pockets were stuffed with envelopes with cash. I received maybe 20 % of what Idah got, and I counted mine at 430. That means Idah  possibly got more than 2K. 

The important thing was this was a success. With the years that rolled by, this must be cherished. As a reminder of life's reality, sadly, our immediate neighbour was mourning its tragic loss of a family member.  Mansor Ahmad, 68, succumbed to several grave internal complications at the hospital on the Raya day itself. We all paid our respects at the house, and last night I joined the "tahlil" held there. 

I dozed in front of  the tv  while waiting for the refilling of the attic water tanks to complete. I have 75 gallons of water in the attic for use in the 2 toilets. Because of the gathering, the storage usage was much higher than normal, while the intake remained small. In a short time the tank's hold had been drained. I had to bring a hose from the direct kitchen supply onto the ceiling tank, and started refilling. I know it takes about 2 hours to fill up the 75-gallon  tanks. That's why I sat at the tv to wait. With all the days' activity, I simply dozed off. Until shouts of " water. water, overflow!".

Actually it was the overflow pipe pouring it on to the kitchen roof. I got to the ladder and removed the hose, closed up the ceiling opening and happily retired. 

The 78th Raya Puasa celebration was a success. Except for my sister Ati, all the siblings on both my side and Idah's made it, from as far as Kg. Soi, Kuantan, East, to Antara Gapi, North, to Paya Besar, Segamat, South, and of course nearer here, Bangi, Bahau and around the Seremban area. A number of  first cousins and other offsprings also made it, from as far as the United Kingdom, and nearer home Singapore and Terengganu. Ibrahim and Aziz, my 2 surviving besans also came. In the course of answering the numerous phone calls in the last few days, 4 old friends were roped in - Jayos, Hank, Maulud and Durai.

When I met Rashid, my front neighbour, at Mansor's tahlil, I thanked him for allowing some of my visitors to park their vehicles right inside his house compound, and he wasn't even invited. He understood.

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Visiting unwell friends in Ramadan.

 Tues 18.4.2023

27 Ramadan 1444

Joining a few friends, I've made 3 courtesy visits of other friends this Ramadan, of those not in the best of health.

We visited Mazni in Kg. Pilin, Rembau, Aziz in Bangi and Dato' Ismail Kamat in Gedung Lalang. Mazni and Aziz are members of our FMC PD Group.  Ismail is of  MUBARAK NS. 

Mazni suffers from various internal complains, and the major malady of a walking impediment. Of outwardly stout build, Mazni cannot walk without his 4-wheeled "walker". He has 2, in fact - one used indoors, one outdoors.

Our group, travelling  in 2 vehicles, comprised of BB's Radzi, Nawawi, Md. Sham, Hank and I, and the OPA Sec. Mazni was waiting outside his house, complete with the yellow BB t shirt and, for my first time, long pants. He was always in shorts before.

As usual, Hank overshot the gates, causing Md. Sham's MPV to overshoot and make a u-turn about 100 m/ away.

As usual also, Mazni had a lot to say. Radzi helped by piling question after question.

Mazni was intake 1955, and is 83. He can't move without his wheeled crutches. But he said that didn't stop him from going to Hat Yai recently. We had a few "makan" with him in Linggi and Seremban before, and Mazni's appetite wasn't hampered like his walking.

Mazni lives alone now. The children visit him often, and a girl comes daily to the house, doing her work-from-home there.

In return for the 2 hampers brought for him, Mazni gave everyone a box of cakes each. I passed a "kuih ros" box to Radzi, and kept one myself. Unfortunately, I came to Mydin's, where Hank picked me, on my scooter. By the time I reached home, my kuih ros were all broken to small pieces because of the jarring ride. They still tasted good, though.

Our trip to Bangi was half-way hampered by a highway maintenance crew doing, of all things, some road painting. This can be done at midnight on this notorious Rembau-Seremban stretch, surely. Don't they use their brains ?

The waze app saved us, though. Locking on the address on my smart phone, other than that jam mentioned, we reached Aziz's Bangi house without trouble. A couple of sharp turns we went through would surely had us lose our way.

Like Mazni, Aziz was waiting at the door.

Aziz is 4 years younger than Mazni. He had a stroke which still affects his speech slightly, and one arm is lame.

Aziz wasn't able to talk as smoothly as Mazni, but by Nawawi's account, there's plenty to tell, really.

The fruit baskets were given out, and shortly later we took our leave. Our 11 am start was approaching 4 pm.

Hank had to send me back to my scooter parked at Mydin. The sky was really dark when we reached the mall. "It looks like heavy rain" Hank said. "Got my rain gear" I said. It hadn't rain, and the rain coat is tedious affair. I thought I'd move fast and be home before the sky breaks. The sudden downpour halfway home soaked me through.

This morning 7 committee members from MUBARAK NS made it to Dato' Ismail Kamat's rented house at Gedung Lalang. I was the last to arrive for the 10 am visit.

Ismail is 85. Only very recently we heard that he's bedridden. 

He was an active member of MUBARAK NS, holding various senior positions. But during and after Covid 19 he stopped attending our functions. His whatsapp chats remained active, however, except in the last year or so.

Md. Noh Jidin, an accountant like him, on many occasions had asked me about him, saying that he heard that he's not well. I told him that we were in contact on the whatsapp, although we haven't seen each other for some time. I used to play golf with him, with his Kelantanese friend, but the last game was a long time ago.

His condition is in fact quite alarming. His wife cried when we asked about his daily affairs, underlining the seriousness of it all.

Ismail can still recognize us. He even said, weakly, "on the way", his favourite words to me whenever we had a golf fixture, and I called when I didn't see him at the club already. But there's significant weight loss, and he can't get up by himself - truly bed-ridden.

Ismail was the other Ismail's classmate when in school. Ismail Yassin was with us this visit, but he still walks, albeit with a walking stick.

Ismail had a colourful and successful career, coming back from studies in Australia. In fact he had an Australian wife, and with kids, I believe. But to this day he lives in a rented house. I wonder why. It's not your ordinary house. The large double-storey bungalow in the large compound belongs to a member of the royal family. In fact when his father-in-law died many years ago, he also left a large bungalow close by. But that house remains vacant and abandoned. I don't know the secret.

It was sad to see a friend in the frail condition, confined to his medical bed. I was asked to recite a prayer. I asked God to forgive Ismail for his lapses. 

We all prayed for speedy recovery.

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