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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