A loss, and a family day.

9.2.2016.

Saturday-Monday were the Chinese New Year holidays, and the kids had arranged for the first ever "Ujang-Banun" family day. Of course it's a great idea, and held at the ancestral house, the second and third generations of the Ujang-Banun family obviously enjoyed the family gathering.

Sadly Jehan, Bang Tai's second child, passed away just last Monday because of complications from organs failure, at the Tunku Afzan Hospital, Kuantan. She was 47. They laid her to rest at the foot of her doting father's grave. Sadly also, she wasn't specifically named in the prayers offered at the mosque Saturday night held for the family members gone. Kak Inam and Akmar naturally couldn't come because of their very recent bereavement, but that's no excuse for forgetting about Jehan. I'm especially saddened now because I'm just also as guilty.

With a few m.i.a. I think the tally was probably about 120 people, young and old, from 9 siblings. The thought mooted about the setting up of a welfare fund is certainly possible. I contributed in that the 20-ringgit monthly contribution w.e.f. January proposed by me carried the day. I told Bang Pin, who was elected chairman of the Welfare Committee, to co-opt No. 3 Son, and that at the end of this year the fund could accumulate RM 9,600. Someone could donate 400 to make it a round figure of RM 10,000. The current projected members of 40 needs only 10 more for qualification for the formation of a legal cooperative. This should help the fund operationally. 

For a first-time event, it was eye-opening.

Firstly, large families need to have a reason to get together every now and then.

Secondly, a lot of positives can come out, like the proposed welfare fund.

Thirdly, a lot of talent was uncovered. The running of the 3-day event was smooth in spite of the bad weather throughout most of the period. Many had the gift-of-the-gab. Two conducted "motivation" sessions, and there wasn't shortage when a do'a had to be recited. And  the inevitable karaoke session - there were plenty of participants -  good, bad or ugly !

Participation. I think that's the key word. 

They're talking about a repeat in two years' time. I said to Ai "good show". Only the food needs to be improved next time. There wasn't quite enough of it, nor was the quality exceptional. We'll all learn.

I had occasion to talk to Ku Am and wife, Yati.

With Ku Am (of Kedah Royal stock), it was more serious stuff - the Mukriz affair in Kedah. According to him Kedahans appreciate what Mukhriz has done in the last 2.5 years, and that they are very aware of the political implications. The UMNO SecGen's statement that the PM values the voice of the 14 rebels more than that of the grass-roots is not lost to them. With Yati, it wasn't so serious, but not less important. When Jehan died, only two families or their representatives failed to turn up - Yati's and Eikhwan's. Her excuse was work. I told her death in the family merits respectful condolences.

The 3- night homestay cost me 250, and Dekna 440. That's fair because she took up most of the rooms and made most of the mess.

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It's about Mahathir.

21.1.2016.

The Wednesday brouhaha in Alor Star involving the 14 Divisional UMNO heads was all about Mahathir. The son is just a scapegoat.

The presence of Najib's staff at the meeting prior to the p.c. is telling. I mean how stupid does he think we all are ?

All this talk  about UMNO's cooperation with PAS, an old  sworn enemy, and this bunch of idiots can't even get along with their own boss ? C'mon-lah !

First of all, as with Najib's case, you can't remove the MB with  a press conference. Otherwise Najib would have been long gone.

Secondly, who's making the performance assessment ? When I was a GM, none of my subordinates were  in position to do that.  Only the MD and the Chairman had the power.

Thirdly, it's only 2.5 years ago that UMNO squeezed back to power in Kedah. The State Assembly now has 19 UMNO memebers, 15 PAS and 2 MCA. Taking out MCA, UMNO has a majority of only a measely 4 over PAS. At the p.c. exactly 4 Divisional heads, plus Mukhriz, the 5th. one, were missing. Can they get the simple majority ? Having just scraped through the last GE, shouldn't they work to strengthen the party instead of weakening it further ?

Since then people have fought back on the side of hapless Mukhriz. The MB has made his stand - only the people can decide. He was duly elected, appointed and consented to by the Sultan, and he's staying put.

Why are Najib's supporters so scared of the old man, that a son  is perceived dangerous and needs to be removed ?

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The UMNO 2015 AGM has just ended. Call it the Najib show.

12.12.2015.

Najib wound up today the opening speech he made on the first day. Nobody else, not the Vice Presidents, certainly not the Deputy President, were allowed to speak.  Every time he shouted into the mike, the delegates roared back their approval. And so ended the 2015 Najib show. And democracy in UMNO. 

Has it solved anything ?

Is the behaviour of the delegates  consonant with the rest of the party members not in PWTC ?

Where do party members speak about real issues ? The whole world has been talking about 1MDB and the 2.6 billion donation, and not a word of explanation, nor the demand for it, came out from either the delegates on the floor, or the Supreme Councillors on the dias. The sacred creature Najib created has been declared off-limits from the AGM. This way maybe the mess will go away ?

Having the floor to himself, in front of a captive audience, Najib sounded magnanimous. 

"Be a gentleman - I'm a gentleman"

"I'm offering the olive branch" 

"It's up to Muhyiddin, to make peace or war"

"Have a big heart"

Of course Zahid and Hishamuddin, the two loyal Vice-Presidents, echoed Najib. Zahid asked Muhyiddin, his party superior, to have a big heart, like his boss. Hishamuddin asked Muhyiddin, also his party superior, to apologise, to his first-cousin, Najib. Both must have  swallowed their prides when they were asked not to speak,  a childish cover for the Muhyiddin's ban at speaking.

Sure, be big-hearted, and carry that invisible olive branch. By all means be the true gentleman. But sack Muhyiddin first. Sack Shafie Apdal. Sack the AG. Transfer all the officers at short notice.

Some gentleman !

"I'll fight to the end !" What can he say, since he refuses to go ?

Muhyidden isn't playing to the script. He says he has nothing to apologise for. 

The 2,000 odd delegates behaved as expected, cowed by the President standing in front of them. That's UMNO politics. As the current PAC Chairman said, everybody is "cari makan".

The rest of the Malays in the country have been watching. They're not cowed by  the UMNO President. In 2008 they deserted UMNO in large numbers at the polls, because of the ineptitude of the then President. Muhyiddin became the kingmaker; the President was ousted and Najib took over. But Najib learned a lesson. Oust before being ousted ! But the rousing welcome Muhyiddin received when visiting the Youth, Wanita and Puteri AGMs whose openings he was denied,  was not been missed by Najib & co. 

Najib has won the battle.   For now. The show is over.  Now for the war.

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Najib's speech at UMNO's AGM 2015.

11.12.2015.

I have to write this bit, even as the AGM is still going on, and even if this time Veteran UMNO Malaysia was given only 5 Observer's passes.  I didn't get one.

I want to say that in his opening speech, Najib did all his usual shouting and rabble-rousing, and obviously hitting out at his two most prominent critics who were present, knowing full well that they can only squirm and swallow their anger  because they can't answer back. Some guts, Najib !

You quote the UMNO constitution about the role of the Deputy President to assist the President. But you fail to mention the role of the President to allow the Deputy President to be one.  Why would you let Party members go through all the hassle of  party elections and select all these committee members if you're not going to let them do their work ? In as much as the President is owed respect for the post he's elected to, so does the Deputy President own the right to act out his position, which obviously includes speaking at party meetings like this one. 

You shout about democracy and popular vote. Denying the popularly elected Deputy President the basic right of speaking is democratic ?

Forget about tradition in UMNO, that the no. 2 man always opened the Wings' Conference. What does the Party Constitution say ? 

With today and tomorrow, there are still two days left. Let's see what happens.

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Datuk Wahid.

7.12.2015.

We got to know each other, Datuk Wahid and I, because from 1978 to 1995 we were together in Damansara Utama. Our wives became close friends. We sort of tag along.

This afternoon Idah and Dekna, with Wafa brought along, together with me visited Wahid at the Tawakkal Hospital on Jalan Pahang. For the last two months their children had put him in the Senior Citizen ward in the old wing. He's suffering from  early dementia.

Idah and Kak Zah cried as they embraced each other. When we moved to Seremban in 1995, No. 1 Son, and later No. 2 Son, stayed at the old house in D.U. for a short time. During the fasting month Kak Zah used to send "buka puasa" to the house. Once when she called and got no answer, she phoned Idah, who requested she called again. In fact it was already eight, and No.1 Son had fallen asleep without breaking his fast. Kak Zah did all that. We can't forget that.

Wahid couldn't recognize any of us.

He should be about 78, because he is the same age as Bang Tai, who was 76 when he died. They were old MCKK friends.

Wahid cried and kissed Idah's hands when we took leave. Some sad thoughts must have passed through his mind.

Kak Zah said the hospital stay costs 5.5 K per month, not including the medicine. Idah was thinking why not get a nurse to care for him at home. It'll be more covenient. And cheaper.

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Is UMNO defunct ?

7.12.2015.

As a party member since 1987, with 10 continuous years as a delegate to the annual General Assembly from 1987 to 1997, four-and-a-half years as a State Legislator from 1995 to 1999, and currently a Central Committee member of the UMNO Veterans Club, a State Committee member of the Ex Wakil Rakyat Society (MUBARAK), as well as an incumbent UMNO Branch Committee member, I have every right to a say in the shenanigans going on in UMNO right now, even as it's preparing for the 2015 Annual General Assembly this week. 

The Party controls the government. Not the other way round.

Muhyiddin is the no. 2 man in UMNO. He was elected by party members, not appointed by the President, like the loud General Secretary, Ku Nan. To deny Muhyiddin the right to speak in the Party's Annual General Assembly is simply wrong. If members allow this to happen, they deserve the destruction that's befalling the party. 

It was the PM's right, even if it was not right, to remove Muhyiddin, unceremoniously, from  the DPM's office. That was administrative. But to do that in the Party's affairs is flawed. 

Even as the discerning rakyat debate on the cheapness of the DPM's sacking, this constitutional manipulation demands immediate correction. Or face the dire consequences. 

Najib, and all who back him for whatever motives, cannot discard the Party's constitution and traditions just like that. All are watching, not just the 3.5 million UMNO members. 

Even if attention is given to the 2,000 odd delegates gathering at the PWTC in the next few days, their response to this public display of personal revenge  on the part of the President will decide what happens to UMNO as a political power in the Malaysian political scene.  I say "even if" because notwithstanding the General Assembly, the grass-root members will have a mind of their own, and they had voted with their hearts in 2008. They can do it again.

The question is, is Najib so scared of Muhyiddin ?

I say that if this error is not corrected, UMNO is defunct. Mark that date "7.12.2015"

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Yusof Ahmad.

24.11.2015.

There he was, on bed no.5 in the HDW (High Dependency Ward), with an oxygen tube in his mouth, a feeding tube in his nose, and other wires on his body to monitor his heartbeat and bp, in deep coma, my old friend,  Yusof bin Ahmad, 76, at the Sungai Buloh Hospital outside KL. It was about 12.40 p.m., visiting hours, today Tuesday 24th November, 2015.

The attending nurse said he's now 5 days in coma. It's the heart. Yesterday was bad, and the doctor had given him the maximum dose of whatever he was administering. Surprisingly today, though still in coma, he seems better, though the bp is still low, and he remains in critical condition

The old TMS group had whatsapped the news 2 days ago. I had to be in KL today, and as usual I took the bus. When I finished my business at about 11.30, I took the train from KL Central to Sg. Buloh, then a taxi to the hospital, which was less than 10 minutes away.

I first remembered Yusof when he and my future "biras", Shafiei Ramli, were demonstrating the marching movements on the TMS field, in front of the school hostel. They had both just came back from the Outward Bound School, Lumut. This must have been around 1959 ! (56 years ago).I wasn't acquainted with either of them at that time, but I knew their names. Shafiei was the headboy. I can't remember if Yusof was a Prefect. I called Shafiei after my visit just now.

Later in life Yusof married my second cousin from Sawah Lebar. Yusof is from Gunung Pasir. This was his first wife. She died much later from breast cancer, and he remarried, a bit later, his present wife,  from Seremban. For a while they were running a mobile market van in Paroi Jaya, where they were staying.

When Yusof was working at the Survey Department at College Road, KL, at first the family was renting a house in Kampong Baru, close to office. Later they moved to Ampang Jaya, and we became neighbours, one street away. Then I moved out, but they stayed on until the wife passed away in hospital in Kuala Pilah. Actually the first time she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she responded to medical treatment, including mamosectomy. Years later the cancer tragically returned. 

I used to go out with Yusof, when we were in KL, both when he was in Kampong Baru and Ampang Jaya. Of course we visited each other often in Ampang Jaya, but lost contact when I moved out, but now and then we'd bump into each other. The last time I spoke to him was on his mobile, when my brother Ajit gave me his number. At that time he was staying with one of his kids in Seremben 2, where Ajit is. That was after his eldest daughter, born when they were in Ampang Jaya, had just died, also from breast cancer.

I didn't stay long at the hospital. I pray Yusof recovers.

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NB

Sadly, Yusof never recovered. He died one day after my visit.

May God Bless you, my friend.

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