Mohd. Yusuf Mohd. Yunus.

 Wed. 29.12.2021

Just a couple of days to the end of 2021, and my half-brother Yusuf has passed away at home in Batu Caves this morning.. He's due to be buried after Magrib today because several deaths were recorded for the local burial ground, and sadly even in death they have to que up.

According to syara', sibilings with the same father are not considered "step-brother" or "step-sister".

Yusuf was born on 1.4.1952. That made him 69 years, 8 months and 28 days old. He was no. 6 on our siblings' list of 13. There were 7 boys and 6 girls - an almost equal share. I'm the oldest at 77, with Umay Karsom, my half-sister, the youngest at 62. Dad died of a second heart attack at the KL hospital at 58.

I first met Yusuf at  Induk's house at Kg. Ibol.  That was also the first time I met his mother, dad's second wife. I went there for a kenduri with others, but I can't remember who, though mum didn't come. That I remember, because I  told her that Yusuf's mother gave me some money, paper money used instead of coins for small change at that time, when we got home. Mum wasn't pleased. We met near the bamboo clump in front of Induk's house. Yusuf  was wearing a shirt without any trousers. "Nak berak" was his mother's explanation. I was probably in std. 2,  and Yusuf may have been around 2.

Padir slept at Yusuf's mother's house once. Dad took him. Mum was again not happy with that.

I attended Yusuf's circumcision.  I remember we waited for him to come back from the river. He went there to soak up for a period of time. The ritual was to "soften" the skin of his male member and lessen, it was believed, the bleeding. I watched the mudim putting the bamboo clips, Yusuf sitting on a banana tree placed on the floor. I looked away when the mudim took out his clearly very sharp knife. Yusuf was probably in Std.  6, rather late for this "operation".

I also attended Yusuf's wedding, also at his mother's house in Terachi. I remember his mother asking me to "look after" Yusuf back in KL.

When dad died and left a modest amount of cash from his bank account, the 9 of us with mum agreed to pass all of it to Yusuf and the four of them, the step-brothers and sisters. I contacted all of them and in Yusuf's case, I found out where he was staying (in Pantai Dalam) and for the first and last time visited him there to give him their share. There were a few other meetings at kenduris later, and I did attend one of Yusuf's offsprings' wedding at his Batu Caves house. But that was it. At these rare meetings Yusuf was friendly enough. But there was no follow up, and we kept our own councils, I guess. Aini, the younger sister, I have maintained closer contact, because she's right here in Seremban. On top of that, my brother Dr. Din's daughter is married to Aini's step-son. Khairil, the handicapped youngest brother stays with Aini, so we also see each other when Aini and I make mutual visits, or attend the same functions. Umay is retired now in Selayang, somewhere, but I don't maintain contact, though we know one another. In fact when I was GM Felda Niaga I managed to get her to come for a job interview. I didn't attend the interview myself. I never do. I didn't tell the staff our relationship. I would've given her the job, as I've done to many relatives from KP and KL I'd called because of vacancies. Umay  didn't react well when posted with some "tough" questioning. She said to Ungku Hamzah something to the effect that she didn't ask for the job. She was called for the job. I thought that wasn't helpful, and taking her and having our relationship revealed later would not put things "nicely". When the panel omitted her name, I decided to let the matter pass.

I only found out about Yusuf's passing when I came home at about 4 this afternoon. I have no idea how to get there. Even if the burial was over, I would have gone to pay my respects. But Calit also doesn't know the way. With the KL traffic, the pandemic and the flood situation, I decided to call off any plan for visitation. Too bad. I have deep regrets.

God Bless you, Yusuf, Amin.

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

The Shah Alam floods.

 Fri 24.12.2021.

We went to Subang Jaya, Wednesday, to see our eldest with wife and daughter, victims of the Sri Muda "flood of the decade". We couldn't go earlier because he wasn't evacuated yet. They were lucky because they are on the 5th floor of the apartment, and their car on the 2nd floor of the car park. The 1st floor car park was inudated. When No.2 son sent the whatsapp video of the evacuation, the wife just cried, cried softly gazing into her smartphone.

I took Dekna's MPV because it rides high, and there was still danger of road floodings. We took the Putra Heights highway because the Federal highway reported danger on some stretches, and the Shah Alam highway was flooded in one bad spot. I didn't put on "waze" because it consumes battery, and I was sure I could find my way coming from the west to SJ.  I couldn't. Fortunately, I decided to top up fuel although Dekna insisted that the less-than-half gauge reading should be enough. So wandering around the myriad of  multiple junctions on top of so many multitiered roads in the SJ-USJ-SA townships with a loaded tank removed any fear of being stranded. After all wasn't much of my schooling and working life spent around these parts 20 years ago ? I can't possibly get lost. But if I didn't eventually see the "Subang Parade" building, I could have ! Once I saw it, I knew where I was, and made it to No.2 Son's house. We left Seremban at about 12.15 p.m. We arrived before 3. Not too bad lah.

We hardly stepped into the house before everybody inside started unloading the horrific stories of both human kindness and the irresponsible authorities. Both stories are continuing to be piling up on the media right this minute. Would you believe it, the MMMC is said to be even trying to interfere with the news, when the responsible sister government agencies should have stepped up, own up and push on !

This was said to be one of the worst floods affecting the KL-PJ-SJ-SA conurbation in decades.  That may well be true. But I see, read and hear for myself, and declare that this was the worst example of a government's total failure at a job they are supposed to be on top of. Once exposed, instead of making up for lost time, they dwell on giving unwanted  excuses. Shame on them !

Fortunately, human kindness hasn't been lost among Malaysians. We can only be thankful to God that there are still very many amongst us who don't hesitate to do our bit to assisst our fellow human beings in their hour of distress.  Words and pictures cannot do justice to the acts of mercy shown. Food and drinks, clothings and even boats were offered to help those stranded. My son said their power supply was quickly lost, and the disfunctional refrigerator was earlier already bereft of food. They benefitted from the public assisstance.

The political figures did eventually show their faces, sounded their voices. But all were "after the fact". These are the people who were quick to redress "political wrongs" in Melaka and Sarawak recently, but were less than quick to act, when it's a duty to do so, not an option.  People won't forget. People shouldn't.

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

Jayos in Jiboi.

 Sat 11.12.2021.

This was some weeks in planning, this Jiboi rendezvous this morning. But the friendship is much longer. 52 years, to be precise. The visit was for only 2 hours, much too short. We didn't even cover the part about Sayed Muhammad, our common boss back in 1969. Sayed Muhammad would take a lot of story-telling. Jayos said he's in Seremban every month. I said another date must be put in place, maybe lunch as well.

Fauziah was there, but couldn't sit still. She was attending to customers. This house serves as a "makan shop", complete with tables and chairs you wouldn't expect from outside the gates. Her elder brother also runs a restaurant, "The Tobing" near the technical school. I would go there once in a while. If I can get parking space. The place is always full.

I wanted to regale Fauziah with my anectdotes of Jayos she would not know of.  I couldn't even start. The words were all rushing to get out all at once. We just picked randoms bits here and there. Too much time has elapsed, too much ground to cover in one 2-hour sitting.

Jayos is a friend who was easy to make, right from the first meeting in Syed Muhammad's old Contract Officer's office. They were sharing a small room then. Today's fresh graduate officers would be shocked if confronted with a similiar situation. I was also sharing a small office with Ali Seru, a retired police officer taken by Datuk Samsu the Land Administrator as his field officer. I didn't feel any inferiority, nor had any negative thoughts about it. Certainly Jayos took it as a matter of fact.

This posting merits a lengthy discourse, but suffice it to say that I make this brief notation as a reminder of more about Jayos later. I sms'd him about the brevity of the visit, and promised of more visits, now that I know he comes to Seremban often. He wanted to visit Bang Dek. They were together in Western Australia, studying. He said he'll do it later. I said he should visit him. He has not been in the best of health lately. He also lost his eldest boy, aged 53, during the peak of the PKP, though not because of Covid 19.

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

Sumpah Laknat.

 Friday 10.12.2021.

Najib can repeat his "Oath Before God" as often as he wants. In a "holier than thou" tone he says he's being judged by "this world's court". There's another "other world's court" waiting for him. So he'll face that other court, too? Would he repeat his alibi ?  Would he escape guilt ?. What exactly has he said to God in his "sumpah laknat"?  That he didn't personally ask for the money ? That he didn't personally transfer the money ? Strictly speaking he may not have done those things by himself, and he would not be lying in saying that.  But money moved in and out of his personal bank account. He drew money for his own use from that account. Lots of it. The records were produced in court. His personal expenditures were recorded and produced in court. Witnesses said it happened. And throughout the trial and appeal he gave false statements about not knowing JLow and other untruths, and these statements were disproved in court. He did his best to obstruct justice, when the truth would be revealed if innocent and unobstructed. The AG was sacked. The DPM was sacked. Officers were transferred willy-nilly. Ministers resigned rather than condone lies. "Oath Before God"? You don't do this frivolously. Not if you're a true Muslim. But if you can claim you are innocent, after the money trails have been laid bare in the court of law, you can utter any oath.

Criminals never admit their crimes. Support by sympathisers is no defence. Even "Tuhan" Harun had his supporters. They don't know better. Or don't want to know better.

Now your own siblings, your flesh and blood, want distance from you. Fortunately your parents are not around to see the sad sight. They must have turned in their graves.

The truth of the matter is, this was an unfortunate chain of event of setting up a fund without sufficient controls. As when lots of money is involved, greed and crooks soon smell blood. The rest is history. The downward spiral was so fast that "heads spun" and you're out of depth.  Only governments could deal with such sums. Fortunately for you, you had your fingers on the screws of government. Unfortunately for you, you're now screwed.

Even the USA and Australian governments have felt it necessary to call the whole mess the biggest criminal heist they have seen. You still pin hope on the Federal Court. As the late Muhammad Ali, the boxer, said, you have two chances - slim and none.

There's a Malay saying. You can't cover up carcass with a tablecloth. 12 years and 210 million. You can't cover up those, too.

Update Tuesday 23.8.2022: 

From the 4.7.2018  High Court hearing (4 years 1 month 19 days ago), through the Appeal Court,  the Federal Court this afternoon dismissed Najib's final appeal against conviction (all 7 charges) and at around 6 p.m. entered Kajang jail to serve his sentence. The main 1MDB case goes on. 

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

Auntie Rose.

 Sun 5.12.2021.

There is urgent need to complete the first 1,000 km on my brand-new scooter. So yesterday morning I rode to the park in S 2. After about an hour of walking around the lake, I decided to give Calit a surprise visit. Not that he's easily surprised.

With my crash helmet on, on my scooter, I honked at Ina who I saw behind the house gates. At first, of course, she couldn't recognize me. Then she quickly did, and opened the electric gates. And after I had sat on the arm chair, Auntie Rose suddenly popped her head from the kitchen. I didn't expect her there. Ina didn't say before that. Calit, too, didn't say when I was with him Thursday, just 2 days before.

My mother called her Kak Rose. So naturally I called her Auntie Rose. Officially she's Mak Lang Rose. The late Pak Lang Taufik was her husband, Ina's father, Calit's f.i.l. Calit, my youngest brother, married within the extended family, actually. Taufik was Wan Umi's son. Wan Umi was my late grandfather's cousin. Their houses in Bukit Temensu are only separated by a small village road. It used to be an unlighted dirt road from the main KP-Tampin road all the way to the old Tebat Kering village houses about a kilometer in. When dad built the family house at the end of grandfather's land, our postal address became also "Tebat Kering" (dried pond). At golf until today this has become a joke of which I'm the butt.

For a late 80-year old, Auntie Rose looks healthy. Her memory is still intact. She did not know me then but remembers my visit to her PJ house in 1969/70 when I went to pick up Kay for a date one evening. "Semi-detached bungalow. Section 22" she said, of the house. I can't remember the house-type or the part of town. She beats me there.

Kay's mother was Taufik's sister. Other brother-sisters of Kay also stayed there, Auntie Rose said. Kay and I went to the Rex cinema in KL for a movie. Those days driving in PJ-KL was easy. I can't remember the title of the movie, but remember I had the car pushed because the battery was weak and the car wouldn't start. We knew each other because Kay and sisters would visit my grandfather when they visited their grandparents, Wan Umi and Mai Godang (Big Ismail, because he was, for a Malay). The last time I spoke to Kay for any length of time was on the phone, when she called from the Subang Airport before leaving for studies in England. Where she met one "Syed". In her letter from England she mentioned this. "That's why" I said to Auntie Rose when she asked why I didn't marry Kay. Now Calit had taken over that matrimonial linkage.

Mom was fond of all her relations, and Auntie Rose was no exception. Calit's eventual marriage into that family certainly had her blessings. She'd be happy if she was present now, to see how Calit has settled down.

Auntie Rose said the children disallow her from driving now. I said I would agree, looking at the traffic in Seremban now. But Auntie Rose allowed, with a mischievous look, sometimes she "curi-curi" drive. That's just like her. In the past I would often bump into her all over the place in Seremban - in the bank, in the shopping mall. She was so active, she became a committee member of an ex-teacher group when she was never a teacher ! 

She has her own house in England Garden where Calit got married. Now the children want her to stay with any one of them. So she would move around among the girls. Right now she's with Calit.

I told Ina I haven't eaten breakfast when I came. I lied. She quickly laid out a nice one, and all 4 of us dug into it, including Auntie Rose. Her appetite seems good, and that's good.

Auntie Rose said Mak Cik Zizah, Taufik's younger sister, is helpless like a baby now. There's apparently a paid maid who feeds and washes her. She's in her 90's. Ani, her neice, now widowed after Mazlan died, is also suffering from Alzheimer's. Apparently Kay is in charge now. Through her, Ani has built a small cottage in the very large compound in the Bukit Temensu home. It's completed, but Auntie Rose said they haven't moved in yet.

Everybody sent me off on my SD198T. "Ride carefully" I heard Aunti Rose admonished. A true policeman's wife.

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

Golden Jubilee.

 Sat 4.12.2021.

50 years ago, yesterday, I got married. Tomorrow, Sunday, the kids are joining up to throw a party for us in KL, celebrating our Golden Jubilee.

We'd known each other long, my wife and I. Our parents knew each other even longer. When I told them my choice for a future bride, they were more than happy. Our families were in Tanjong Malim. At the Sultan Idris Training College, to be precise. Our dads were teaching the Malay trainee-teachers from the peninsula, Singapore and Brunei. I don't remember Sabah & Sarawak - they were North Borneo then. My family was in Tanjong Malim for 6 years. My dad and those like him were replaced because of the upgrading of SITC to eventually become a university. So the parents knew each other well, coming from Kuala Pilah , living in another state. My future wife and I did not know each other yet.

When I was waiting to enter the university, the headmaster of Tuanku Muhammad School, Kuala Pilah took me as a temporary teacher. This was around 1964-65. Then I met her. She used to walk past our house to go to her school, TKS. I also befriended one Nazri Adam, a fifth-former,  who used to mention her name, because his friend, Husin, was an admirer. We used to walk to the bus stand in town to look out for her, because she would take the bus to go back home. One time we did in fact saw her in the bus at the station. And she saw us, too. I think she knew who I was, because her sister, Ani, was in the same class at Methodist English School Tanjong Malim - Special Malay Class I & II.

I was staying in Ampang Jaya when working with Felda, my second job after graduating from the university. Then I found out that Tajuddin, her elder brother, was staying in the same road, 4C. She was already working, and staying with him. Before that they were in Kg. Pandan. Tajuddin, who was with the Ministry of Agriculture, phoned me at the office one day, to ask help arrange a meeting with Alladin Hashim, one of  Felda's directors. Tajuddin mentioned about her staying with him, assuming we know each other, even inviting me to come over. I knew her existence, sure, but we had never spoken. But it was a new start. And we eventually met and spoke to each other soon after that. I had just came back from Fraser's Hill one weekend. It was maybe 6 p.m. As I was untying my shoes on my front door, she sauntered by the house and greeted me. Immediately I invited her for a spin in the car. That was the start.

We were married in Kg. Tebat, Lonek 2 days before my 27th birthday.  She's 5 years younger. The aqad nikah was in the morning. The reception was in the evening. There was no electricity, and no running water, but I don't remember missing the air-conditioning my wedding night. She was reluctant, but I insisted, that consummation must not be delayed. It wasn't. Our eldest boy was born 9 and a half month later. Since then we had 3 more kids.  I'd managed to take all of them for holidays in Singapore, England, France, Spain, Japan, Hawaii, Australia and Disneyworld in Orlando, USA.

Now our 4 kids have kids of their own. One dozen of them, in fact, from ages 16 years to just 2 months. 10 boys but only 2 girls. We managed to give our kids full schooling, right up to tertiary level, and their spouses are all university graduates, too. All 8 have decent careers. All the kids have their own houses now.

It has not been plain sailing, these five decades, but who has ? I choose to look at the healthy, happy grandchildren. They are my love, and  their future my hope and prayer.

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

2 AGM's in 1 day.

 Fri. 3.12.2021.

Sunday 28.11.2021 was busy Sunday for someone like me. In the morning I attended the MUBARAK Malaysia AGM with 10 others here in Seremban for a Zoom meeting with other states representatives. That evening I had to register at 8.30 pm for the Bersatu Seremban Division AGM starting at 9 p.m. Both were held at the Royal Chulan, Seremban.

There was no reason to have that Zoom meeting for MUBARAK. The state border closures have been lifted, and gatherings with sop have been allowed. One good reason maybe was the saving on hotel and food. With 13 states and the Central Committee, those two over 2 days would have been substantial.

The Zoom meeting was not smooth, nor effective. Talk was by turn, and question & answer was impossible. And when the digital voting came, 2 of the 11 handphones could get through because of technical problems. Overall I think about 20 nationwide participants couldn't vote. 

The legitimate though belated query by Yazid Baba about the RoS approval for the postponed 2020 AGM was clearly not well-received by the Central Committee. One state member even went a bit far by chastisising Yazid for "trying to be difficult". I didn't think it was a fatal error, but they should have put the RoS' letter in black-and-white in the Secretary's report.

Seremban Division Bersatu AGM was it's second in the 6-year old history of the party. The Covid delay and bureaucracy notwithstanding, Bersatu's organization leaves much to be desired. The one lubricant essential to organizations, funds, underlines the party lethargy, because of its unavailabilty. When Bersatu held the PM's post, twice in the last 3 years, nothing was done about this. The Bersatu PM could have done much more. The concern for "looking clean" was admirable but childish. Now it may be too late.

I spoke about the recent Melaka bye-election. I left my notes to the Divisional Secretary for future reference. I made 4 points: the low turnout, the Chinese voters, the small majorities, and the election machinery.

The less than 65 % turnout meant the younger voters didn't participate. They could have made the difference.

The Chinese now only vote for DAP or, without DAP, only Chinese candidates.

13 out of 28 constituencies had an average of about 500-vote majority. A bigger turnout could easily turn this around, and 8 UMNO wins could have lost, leaving it with only 10.

I left the lectern with the rethoric question: was Bersatu election machinery its best ? I said I don't believe it so.

There is a lack of urgency about the coming GE 15 in Bersatu. Divisional talks have been pedantic. Small token assistance have not carried wide-spread news to the populace, and the pitiful quantum involved could turn people off, not on. This is war. The battle plans are not there.

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

My first scooter.

 Fri. 3.12.2021

After my first motorcycle, a Honda 90 cc (BN 3950) bought in Section 14, PJ, in 1965, after 2 Honda Cubs (1 stolen at the Kelana Jaya commuter station) and 1 Modenas kapcai, all 3 registeration numbers now forgotten, after 2 superbikes bought simultaneously in 1991 (a Honda CBR 600 cc no.BDP 600, and a Kawasaki Vulcan 750 cc no. WCR 6600), and after the last kapcai Yamaha LC 135 no. NCA 211, bought in 2007, I took delivery of my first scooter, a Yamaha NMax 155 no, SD198T (my house no. is 198) on 1.12.2021. It took XL Motor Sdn. Bhd. Bukit Rasah, Seremban 3 months. I paid a booking fee of RM 200 on 7.9.2021. I don't know if this was because of operational slow-down because of Covid 19, or just a marketing ploy. I'd almost wanted to tell Memi to change shop or model. He chose this particular make and model. He was footing the bill !

It's been a wet 2 days here, including yesterday morning. So it was only after 4 pm yesterday that I was able to test-ride. My 7-year old granddaughter insisted on following. Since her 2 twin brothers were taking a nap, I hurried her and off we went. We rode all the way to Pasir Panjang, PD, and turned back via Telok Kemang. It was starting to drizzle. We left the house at 4.30 p.m. We reached home at 7 p.m. I never broke 70 k.p.h. Running the brand-new engine, you know.

Memi came home early September, and took the old kapcai to buy cigarettes or something. When the 3 of us were chatting in the porch, he commented that the old bike isn't stable. There was a fall several years ago, but the bike rides ok to me, although there is an imbalance when taking a corner at speed. So I retorted "buy a new one lah". He surprised me by agreeing to it.

The old kapcai was supposed to be traded in for a cheap 1,600. Cheap because a Yamaha LC 135 pre 2010 is very popular, to both riders and thieves. There is no "cut-off" in this earlier model, and for a 135 cc motorcycle, it's surprisingly fast. I had touched 150 on an extended stretch. That's almost 100 mph, bro ! Even now this 14-year old bike can easily do 140. Such was the situation with these Yamaha LC 135's, my original insurers refused to continue the cover. I had to look around for alternative underwriters, and found one insurance agent on the second floor of an old shoplot near the Seremban wet market. The office is crammed with files from floor to ceiling, and I had to deal with a middle-aged Chinese woman who spoke to me from behind iron grilles, like the goldsmiths who are scared of being robbed. With the pandemic SOP, I had to renew the road-tax from outside the office, through another set of iron grilles. Phew !

After 1 month from booking date, I called the salesman, Ruslan. He had cautioned me about the stock for this model. I had visited 7, yes 7, dealers in Seremban before coming to Ruslan. No one had any ready stock of  the Yamaha NMax 155. Ruslan also didn't have stock, but if I was willing to wait for at least 1 month, he could try to get it for me. Now after one month the stock was still unavailable.. The second month was a repeat performance. Just before the end the 3rd month of November, Ruslan called with the good news. But he said he also had  bad news. The price had changed. I protested on the phone. He said to come over and discuss.

The original price agreed upon was cash OTR 9,800. I advanced 200. Now they want 500 more. After an exchange, I finally relented. I know every agent has a different price. That one in Senawang quoted 11,500 cash, 1,200 more. With a back box & rack, and  an additional insurance cover for "all riders" it came to 10,966. Memi gave me 9,500. Adik was supposed to give 1,600 for the old kapcai that he wants, instead of being traded-in. But so far he'd only given me 1,000. So I had to make up the difference of 466. Now, compared to the 7 K I doled out for the kapcai 14 years ago, this was like gratis.

Really, I'm grateful  No. 3 son had said this was his gift for my 77th. birthday, which falls on Sunday, 5.12.2021. Jayos said it's a lot of money for a birthday present, and I agreed. Lucky you, Jayos added. Ong whatsapped just now. He has been one of those who warned about motorbiking at this age. "Be careful" he said. I have to. After the PD ride yesterday, the scooter behaves different from a motorcycle.

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

Ombong, Kak Ngah & Aju.

 Fri 26.11.21

I could title this piece "Tiga Dara Pingitan", my first cousins. All three are single now. One is a widow. The second one a divorcee. The third a spinster. This last one I can never understand. She wasn't bad looking. In fact all three were very pretty young ladies once.

I had gotten hold of Jimi at his house at around 8 yesterday morning. He had already been booked by a doctor to take him to Juasseh or something. On my insistence, he cancelled the booking, but the doctor said "ok". I gave Jimi RM 50 as compensation, and while saying "no need-lah" he grabbed it and stuffed it into his small drawer under the car's dashboard. We came back to the house at about half-past-one, so the five hours worked out to RM 10 per hour, and that's ok to me.

First I had to go to the Department of Agriculture, Jempol. I've not been here for years. Bandar Seri Jempol looked well-developed, with nice wide roads and nice looking, apparently well-stocked shops.  I don't see the need for the locals to go to Bahau anymore. Many of the more famous brand-names are here. This is the purchasing power of the Felda settlers from Serting Complex and other adjacent Felda schemes like Pasoh, Lui and Keratong. Yet Bahau, too, has grown since the last time I was here. In fact Bahau is obviously bigger and definitely busier than KP now. I popped into a shoe store and a pharmacist. Both carry large stocks and seem well-patronised

The Department of Agriculture visit came fruitless because there is a confusion of substance in the matter of the land-use referred to in the Mukim Grant. I suggested to Taufik to call or write back to the Police so that the Police correct their earlier official request. Anyway, I told Taufik he can take his time.

We drove back via Serting Ulu. I wanted to stop at the mosque to ask for an old classmate, Mustaffa Daud. He was from Kg. Parit near KP town, and was with the Custom. Now retired, he moved back to the wife's kampong here. This was from Shaari "Mak ayo". But we missed the mosque because it's further up to Simpang Pertang, when we had instead turned to Batu Kikir from Bandar Seri Jempol, which is the opposite direction. 

We turned back to Bahau at the Batu Kikir junction to give Din Pendek a surprise visit. I'd visited his clinic only once before. Din took us for roti canai at the restaurant in the same row as his clinic. He had to leave because he had to carry out Covid vaccination somewhere close by.

The next stop was Ombong Azi, Kak Ngah Ipon and Aju, the "tiga dara".

The three are sisters. Their old house was at Kubang Rusa, maybe 3 km away. First Pak Long Jamaluddin built his tall Malay wooden house here in Juasseh Kapitan, after Ombong, his eldest daughter (that's why she's "Ombong") got married. Later Ombong and the late husband Along Nordin also moved out of Kubang Rusa when they built their own double-storey brick house just next to Pak Long's. Both Ombong and Along Nordin were school teachers. Ombong went to Durian Daun Teachers College in Melaka. I always told her it should be daun durian, not durian daun. She was also the one to introduced me to the Tamil "rendek". At that time she said it meant a couple "making romance" to each other. Only later I learned it's Tamil for "2". I guess in her case it meant the same thing.

There was a lot of catching up for us. It's been long since my last visit here.  I used to visit Ombong and Along Nordin often when they were in Kubang Rusa. In this house I came a few times. I was married. I was still a bachelor when they were in Kubang Rusa..  When I got married I came as the groom in their Volvo 122 to Lonek for the marriage ceremony. Ombong also used to teach Ari before he moved to KL. An incessant phone ringing from Pak Long's house finally took away Kak Ngah. Her last post was as an Ustazah in one of the army camps in Seremban. Aju is much younger than me. When she was schooling in TMS or TKS (both close to each other) she would stop over at our house in Tebat Kering at the end of classes before walking on to the bus stand in Kuala Pilah town. Our Tebat Kering house is close to both schools.

Ombong said Alang Ipin is not well. We're the same age, and were close when still schooling in KP. I used to sleep over at the Kubang Rusa house. He went on to Germany for his engineering degree, and now has a Korean daughter-in-law. That's international. Ombong said he's still in the same house in Subang Jaya. Maybe I should surprise him.  I could go with Jimi again. We could also visit Amat  Openg in Sg. Buluh. Jimi knows the place. Amat's real name is Ahmad Nizam (I think) but Along Nordin called him Amat Aji Openg bin Boyo. There was an Haji Openg in Sarawak at that time, as was also a Temenggung Jugah Anak Bariang. That's how the "boyo" came about. Another  brother Alang Ipin called "Mr. Balun", a name I've kept for him until now. Real name Fadhlun, a former CIMB bank officer. Still single. Even Ombong doesn't know where his house is, now that he's retired.

These are close first cousins who are separated by family and work.  The fleeting moments with unplanned visits are cherished, though few and far between now.  The older folks have left us. We can only hang on to the remainder, and all are getting on in years. But we can still laugh at funny stories of the past.

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

 

The Gombak-Lonek dates.

 Wed 24.11.2021.

We were in Lonek a day earlier to prepare for today's return reception of the Gombak marriage ceremony between Kamil & Zalikha last Sunday.

Idah undertook the giant-share of the gift-preparations, including the 4-hour wajeek  cooking and packaging. I assured the Gombak trio that came that this wajeek is special and must not be missed. But today what was really special was the poetry Idah read before the adat menyembah.

Syair Pengantin.

Teruna bongsu kesayangan ayah

Dibawa selalu kemana arah

Lelaki tunggal tiga beradik

Kini dah besar jadi pendidik.

Jodoh bertemu kehendak Tuhan

Yang ini satu jadi pilihan

Sama sebaya sama sepadan

Moga abadi jodoh pertemuan.

Sanak-saudara rakan dan taulan

Beramai-ramai beri sokongan

Semua gembira dalam prayaan

Kasihnya ayah dalam ingatan.

Ibu dan kakak dalam keluarga

Kekal berdamping berkasih-sayang

Mahligai kini sudah dibina

Semoga bahagia yang berpanjangan.

Needless to say, there were a few tears.

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

Ismail Yassin.

19.11.2021.

Wednesday I called Ismail for a game Thursday. Just 9 holes. Kak Tun picked up the phone, and Ismail agreed when she passed it to him. Kak Tun took back the phone and cautioned that Bang Mail can't hit the ball now. Just for the walk, and maybe some putting, but taking the buggy, and that might be ok. She drove him to the club,  at 8.15. I told her to come back in 2 hours. She came back 10.30. We were already waiting at the car park.

Dato' Ismail Yassin and I go back to 1995, when I first met him at the club and began our golf together right until Thursday. That'll make it more than 26 years. And with intially 15-3-3 right down to 2 ringgit per hole, RM 25 K might have changed hands. Mostly it has been my way ! In the last 2-3 years, before the pandemic, I'd given him strokes for all holes except the pars-3. And a lot of "preferred lies". It has been not only at SIGC but also other courses in other states. But Thursday, sadly, I found that, as Kak Tun said, Ismail can't play anymore. He's 83.

Ismail has an interesting career. He was a college-trained teacher and Kak Tun was his pretty student. They got hooked.

Wanting to do better, after marriage he took up Law at the Inns-of-Courts, London, taking Kak Tun along, and returned to work at PKNNS for a brief period, before putting up practice in Melaka. During Rais Yatim's time, Ismail ran for the UMNO state seat of Rembau and became a wakil rakyat. He says many times he represented the MB at state functions, to the vexation of Yazid Baba (according to him).  Musa Hitam even sent him to the UN at one time. He joined all the associations around town - the ex-teachers, Perkim, later Veteran UMNO, MUBARAK and several others. I suspect he also surreptitiously joined the "Ibu Tunggal" association without anyone else knowing, ha ha.

He got hooked to golf in Melaka, he says. It was natural. He had time and opportunity, and he had been a school athlete. And he must have been a useful golfer. It's easy to be turned off, otherwise. Coming back to Seremban, there were the scores of keen players at the only golf club in town.  He played with the whole crowd, from regular members to  the VVIP's, including Undangs and Royalty.

There were health issues before, sure,  but he overcame them, including a minor stroke. In fact he completely recovered from that particular attack. He was unflinching in the search for cure and good health, and drove far and wide for providers. But now  it's age, I suppose, and no one escapes that.

As Kak Tun got into the driver's seat, I said " let  him walk around Bukit Chedang in the morning, and ask him to finish 1 liter of water daily". Ismail has had a good run, and earned his rest. I pray that he settles in comfort, surrounded by loved ones.

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

Kamil mau kawin II

 Mon 25.10.2021.

Less than 2 years ago we all were in Telok Intan doing the exact same thing that we did yesterday, in Gombak - getting Kamil hitched. Even the guide car did the same thing - it must have broken the Plus speed record. I had no choice but to try and keep close. I didn't know the address. Later he ( the guide ) explained that he felt I was too close and wanted to keep some distance. No wonder he kept his heavy foot on the gas pedal ! Luckily Dekna's MPV was powerful enough. But actually the guide couldn't go fast enough. It was Kamil himself driving in his new Toyota Vios. He couldn't wait to be with his intended.

I don't really know what happened in the Telok Intan case. I heard there were some second thoughts on Kamil's part about having to move to Sibu. We didn't meet the girl then, because she was in Sibu. I could have given my observation, otherwise. This one in Gombak, she was the first person to welcome us.  I greeted her from my driver's seat. We had reached her house, and she was directing us to a parking spot. I drove close and winded down my window. "Salam lah" I chided. She smiled broadly and did. "Ni ke orang eh ? Nama sapa?" I heard my wife at the back of the car "ngado-ngado eh!" chiding me.

The road was congested with the residents' vehicles. I had to park about 50 m. away, by the side of the road. My passangers had alighted in front of the house, so Ari and I walked back. Apparently we were early. The Elder Brother to the mother of the girl hadn't arrived from Bandar Mahkota. But the waiting time was gone unnoticeably. Ari and the women kept on a steady exchange. We were outnumbered, the men. That was one factor. But the women were chatty, anyway. And I discovered one more possible reason Kamil ditched Telok Intan for this one. She's royalty. From Pahang. Her mother, as I'd guessed because it's Gombak, is Minangkabau. But the parents separated when the girl was 10.

I'd come secretly prepared, with the speech and the do'a, although I knew Ari was asked to handle things, and Bal's younger brother is the Imam from Cheras. But the Elder Brother, when he finally came half-an-hour late (the excuse was they were waiting for the cakes), was prompt and business-like and made the rest short and sweet. If I were to use my notes, it would be more lenghty because I wrote some "pepatah-petiteh". Not to be unnecessarily long, but to suit the "adat meminang" traditions we should try to perpetuate, I feel. The dates were annouced by the Elder Brother, and the ring was slipped on the future bride by Bal, Kamil's mom. That was it, and food was served.

It wasn't 1p.m. but we were quite hungry, having left Seremban at half-past nine and not stopping anywhere for a bite like we normally do. The food was simple but good. There were some Malay cakes, too. Cik Ani had called and asked to drop by the house. Since business was over, we took our leave. On the way out I spoke briefly with the Elder Brother and the young uncle, but we touched on a surprisingly wide area of subjects, including business and, of course, current political affairs. As usual I was free with my opinion, but the Elder Brother, a bona fide businessman, was measured.

I was lost, so Kamil had to be the guide again to Taman Malawati. We stayed a while. Cik Ani had prepared tea and cakes, plus we also brought some stuff fro the girl's place. I did my zohor, and Wafa had  followed me upstairs. She wanted to go to the toilet. She came out, and I said "basuh tangan!" and she dutifully went back to wash. She's 7 and in Std 1, but like children today, quite familiar with the smartphone. I was groping for the camera app. Wafa got it for me. That single snapshot of the girl is proof.

Duan wanted us to stop for mee curry at the Serdang R&R. We did. I looked for some fruits to take home, but none seemed appealing. So off we now went our separate ways. But not before I told Kamil to make this the final one. They're the same ages, and seemed comfortable with each other. She's gainfully employed in the private sector, and Kamil has already bought an apartment in Sikamat, so things look boringly normal. Behind Kamil and Bal, as we talked on the drive home, I said make the kenduri a memorable one for Pak Ijoi's sake.

There was still time for Asr prayer when we reached home. But I felt suddenly quiet fatigued, and lied down. I remember it was 6. I fell asleep and didn't get up until the Magrib call to prayer.  And all I did was drive from Seremban to Gombak and Malawati and back.  Must be getting old !

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

A walk in the park.

 Sat 23.10.2021.

We agreed on today a few days ago, Hank and I. I suggested to Calit separately to join us, but he had an excuse, as usual. But the breakfast part he readily agreed to.

I'm talking about a 2-hour walk, not in the park, but in S2 today, followed by breakfast at "Urban Tastes" close to "Mydin" where we agreed to rendezvous at 7.30 a.m. I was there at 7 sharp. Hank came at 7.30 sharp, but 30 minutes late by my count. Considering his house is close, at Rasah-Kemayan (one of the numerous S2 neighbourhoods) and mine is 5 km away in Ampangan, Hank was totally out. But I expected it.

In the end it was an enjoyable morning. The banter was incessant and covered decades and worlds past. We're in our late 70's. I insisted, and Hank agreed, that we enjoy the scenery while we can. I was jubilant that Hank promptly agreed to the walk planned and in the end it was thoroughly fun.

I'm not sure how far we walked in the 2 hours. It was slightly briskier than leisurely because of Hank, and he tired first. I think we probably covered 5 km. Normally I walk faster, like I did in my Forest Heights hikes before this, which I did alone. Today's walk in S2 was precisely because I wanted Hank to join me. The Forest Heights track is a good one, but today's track in S2 was also good. I suggested, and Hank agreed, that we do this again next week.

I'm new at this. Golf was my choice of exercise before this. But the "chikugunya" I contracted 3 months ago meant that this walking thing friends suggested should be tried. They are right. I'm making it my other exercise form from golf. I had walked solo before today. Company makes it more fun, I find.

We were back at Mydin by 9.30. Hank couldn't suggest a place for breakfast, so I called Calit and he immediately came. That's how we ended up at "Urban Tastes". Calit said this place is popular with the young crowd, which made our presence an exception. But the menu was a bit disappointing. There was no English or American breakfast. I settled for nasi goreng kampong, in spite of the "urban" sign, and Hank settled for mee, while Calit settled for pasta, which is actually also mee. The bill was settled by Hank. He paid with a 100-bill, and I pointed to the amused waitress, "see, orang kaya". To comfort him I said the next one would be on me. I'll see if I can wrangle out of that, too.

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

4-month mosque break.

Sat 25.9.2021.

Yesterday I went for my first Friday prayers in 4 months. I couldn't believe it when I counted the months. My golf record says it was sometime in early May when the government reimposed the tougher movement control order because of resurgent cases of Covid 19 in Seremban and most other districts in NS.  September 24 was the phase 4 implementation that eased life back to some semblence of normalcy.

In that period I lost close family members and old friends to the pandemic. In almost all cases I couldn't even visit to show condolence. Sad. Family life as I know it had disappeared. Only the new-fangled devices kept us in touch, thankfully. Now many quarters are saying we should get used to it. The situation may last years. God Help us.

I couldn't stay away from one dismal news after another, peering at my pc and smartphone day after day. Topping everything is the political mess, in or out of Parliament. This is the 3rd. government in as many years. The frog-jumping and the blame-game are as crazy as the pandemic-control. The big-guns embroiled in the high courts are bending the letters of the law even in their imminent "gone cases". Then the big-guns in the administration are getting away with stolen money in the most incredible stories of high misdemeanours  being exposed weekly. Next, the state agencies are sleeping on their jobs, at least here in NS. Water and power disruptions are incessant. Counter services stopped through these times. You can't pay your road-taxes, your water bills and your municipal dues - they ask you to go "on-line" but keep the appointment-time off-line. Today I read the police is suggesting senior citizens' driving licences be withdrawn unless they go for medical and other tests. The argument is that many old drivers are involved in accidents. What about other drivers - women, youthful, handicapped etc ? Look at the statistics. Look at other countries. One old man has an accident and you ban all old men from driving ? One policeman breaks the law and all policemen are lawbreakers ?

In spite of the enforced break from mosques and religious activities, or maybe because of it, everyone is becoming ultra-religious now. Dresscodes and religious restrictions are fodder for the pseudo-ulamaks and bigots.  I say read the Quran. Read the Sunnahs. Look at history. Islam put society and public interest right there on top. There's ibadat and there's muamalat.

Meanwhile, old golf kaki's are crying for my scalp. The club has reopened, and my ankles are still swollen with "chikugunya". I had to sit on a chair at Friday prayers yesterday. I hope I can get back on the golf course at the end of the month. You buggers watch out!

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

Making it 12.

 Tues 7.9.2021.

Yesterday morning, Monday 6.9.21, Dekna gave us our 12th grandchild, the 10th. boy, in a heavily lopsided sex balance. As I write this, both mother and child are still in hospital. We expect them to come home tomorrow. Everything seems ok, so far.

Looking at the numbers, I see 12 is more than one football team, with one to spare. Dekna's now 4 would add to the din in the house.  The other 8 would turn everything upside down when they come together, once this sop thing goes. Even with 3 before this, my room had been the target for depositing all the toys and foodstuffs. No amount of threats worked.

The oldest is now 16. At my age I'm behind Tok Mail, some of whose grandchildren are already out of university although he's only 6 years older than me. Arshad has at least 2 more years to enrol into any college.

So the gap is 16 years between the oldest and the youngest. But 10 of them are in school, leaving only 2 who have many more years of staying home.

Happily, the kids seem blessed with good health, except for Arshad's early scare with asmathic symptoms which have been overcome. He's now taller than his mother, who's not short for a Malay. His uncles on that side are tall, as also on my wife's side, so he might grow tall, too.

Looking at their birth dates, they all seem to be evenly spread out. Only Safar and Jamadil awal record no birth, and Rejab and Sha'ban record 2 each. The other Hijri months show one birth each. Combining the parents on my side, and with Idah and I, Rejab and Sha'ban are the most prolific months, with 8 of the total 16 birthdates (50 %).

All the kids have their own houses now, and all are gainfully occupied. I have no real worry for the grandchildren's upbringing. Only the questionable schooling system evades my comprehension. I hope to live long enough to see some of these little rascals making it through college. They're always in my prayers.

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

Pin.

 Sat 4.9.2021.

Pin died at about 8.30 Friday morning at HTJ after nearly 2 months in a coma, from pneumonia and subsequent massive organ failures. He was not quite 53. Friday is considered a holy day by Muslims.

I first met Tajul Ariffin when his parents and I were staying at Jalan 4C Ampang Jaya, way back in 1969, not long after the May 13 riots. Later they moved to their own house, "Juwita". just down the road. I forget the number, but it's just 100 yards away. It was at 4C that I met again with Pin's auntie, my future wife, and that's why I remember.

Pin was a hyperactive, naughty boy who would greet guests to his house with a wide grin and a stare. Bang Piei one time jokingly remarked "nak terokam ko?" when he came visiting.

Ari was also staying with Idah and Pin's family at 4C. I would see Ari sometimes with a blue jacket on in front of the house. 

Once Pin fell into the large concrete drain in front of the house and had a bad cut on his head, but otherwise was ok. Time flew, and I remember Pin went to UiTM Kuantan for his accountancy. Years later, when he had set up his own accountancy firm near Kg. Baru, KL, when I asked him how did he fare at his exam, he said "cukup makan je". We all went to his wedding in Kuala Selangor or somewhere there, I think, and through the years saw him being successful in his work, and more than successful in enlarging his brood. At the last count he had 8 kids, I think. By now Pin had become the quiet, well behaved one. His parents remember him as the good, quiet son.

When his parents moved to Seremban in the 90's, Pin stayed at "Juwita" until a few years ago. They bought the house just behind Pin's parents' house and sold off "Juwita". Ever since, the TDS house kept on being renovated, the last one being the outdoor parking opposite the road. But to me the house has remained a mystery because the tall, heavy metal gates have always remained shut, and the view is completely blocked. Even when Pin joined our takbir Raya group (before covid 19) that went to all the members' houses, Pin's house always got bypassed. Pin wouldn't say why. We didn't ask why.

When I was the surau chairman, I asked Pin to join our committee as treasurer. Bang Dik asked not to take him, but Pin agreed. When I left I don't know if he remained.

Somewhere along the way, after marriage, Pin joined the tabligh movement. And today his children are also in this, but they have not neglected their studies. In fact they have done very well, with several outstanding performances, not just "cukup makan" like their father. Pin had gone overseas with his missions, including to Mekkah, India and New Zealand. I know these are taxing on the purse and family life, but Pin seemed to have managed them, somehow. Md. Noh Jidin said public accountants must participate in their annual conferences and courses to maintain their licences, and wondered how Pin handled those, with his extended tabligh trips. Bang Sudin also told me that once he asked Pin why he didn't try to get more accounts to audit, and Pin said he was happy to maintain RM 30 K a month.  If that is nett, then he was very ok, because Memi told Idah he makes about that now, and he's an employee only.

 

Idah took Pin's passing badly, and Dekna said her mom was crying a lot. I told her your mother took care of Pin when small. She related how kind Pin had been to some members of the extended family. When Sumaiyah was hospitalised for her long sickness, Pin gave Bal RM 1K, and no one else knew this. Sham said Pin was the first family member to visit when she moved to Seremban from Singapore.

Before Covid 19 I would have Raya gatherings on the 3rd. day for family members. Pin's large entourage never missed these. He'd ask my wife "buat apa Mak Idah?" She'd say "datang je lah !" Now we'll all miss him. God Bless you, Tajul Ariffin.

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

Tiger Woods.

 29.8.2021.

An American sportswriter posted his story about the 25th. anniversary of Tiger's pro career yesterday. Tiger made his debut as a pro at the Greater Milwaukee Open on 29.8.1996.  He was just 4 months past his 20 at that time. He broke 80 at age 8 in 1984. I'd just gotten my 24 handicap about that time. To play to a single handicap (81) would take me another 20 years.

I'd moved to Seremban in 1995. I'd followed Tiger since they televised his 3rd consecutive US Amateur title in 1996. Like his first Major one year later at the Augusta Masters 1997, where his opening 9 holes was for 40 (4 over par), this US Amateur was also won from behind at the second round of the finals. I have not stopped following Tiger since, every time it's on tv, regardless of the 12-hour time difference. Translated another way, it's "no Tiger, no golf" for me. 

This occasion of his 25th year as a pro must not pass without comment. Golf has been my one addiction since a friend brought it to me 34 years ago. Except I found it at 43, and Tiger at 2. And I'm still trying to find that elusive sweet swing that once in a very long while comes and disappears again. I can understand the very rare special talent that Tiger surely possesses to make him the great golfer that he is. Tok Molod is forever crying "Jemenez", or "Garcia" and whoever just appears to lead the ongoing competition on tv, and he's serious about it, too.  Ong and I share the true admiration for the talent of Tiger. I reminded Ong about this date yesterday, but no comment has come back so far.

The sportswriter listed the 25 great achievements in the 25 years. He seemed to have got it. But I would rather give it my angle.

At the top I would put the 3 consecutive wins at the US Junior Championship, 1991 to 1993 from age 15, followed by the 3 consecutive wins at the US Amateur Championship, 1994 to 1996. Sports writers call it "the six-peat".  15 is not the tough age entering a national Junior golf tournament, although you are playing against the same field of people. And to win it for 3 consecutive years is  incredible. But to follow that up with the tough US Amateur tournament that is repeated 3 years in a row, again, is just crazy, and is truly unbelievable. No one else has done it. Not even Nicklaus. Some golf experts even believe that the US Amateur ranks with the Majors. 

The percentage of his wins against the starts is the second great achievement. For the PGA tour, Tiger has won 82 from 359 starts (22.8%) That's more than once every 5 entries. That includes 15 Majors, second only to Nicklaus (18). But Nicklaus has only 73 PGA wins and 2 Amateur titles. To top it up, Tiger also held all 4 Majors simultaneously when he won  the US Open, the Open, and the PGA Championship in 2000, and the 2001 Masters, for the "Tiger Slam." Again, no one else has done that. 

The third achievement has been the consistency of play as the measure of golf talent, and don't I know this, playing my club everyday it doesn't rain. Tiger has made 142 consecutive cuts in 7.5 years. He has the longest continuous reign as World No. 1 at 683 weeks. Second is Greg Norman with less than half, at 331. At the 2000 Open at St. Andrews, without once using his driver, Tiger never once went into any of the 112 bunkers, and these were real men-traps. I've been to St. Andrews, in 1989. Comeback is a test for steadfastness. In all his Junior and Amateur wins, in his first Augusta Masters win, as well as his 2019 win there, and his play-off win in 2008 US Open, there was unwavering steadfastness when not leading the tournament.

Tiger gave what appeared to be unjustified over-confidence, boastful even, in the interview by a fellow pro soon after turning pro, when he said he intended to always play to win, that second "sucks". Curtis Strange smirked "you'll learn".  But  Tiger won 2 of 7 starts (26.8%) as a pro. He won his first Major in his second year by 12 strokes. Strange  learned. So did all of us, including his fellow pros. 82 PGA wins,  41 European Tour wins, and 24 other worldwide wins have shown that Tiger certainly has learned.

Of course, the money made is the ultimate measure of success. According to Forbes, Tiger has earned a grand total of more than 1.6 billion.  156,382,473 (less than 10%) has been earned on course, the rest off course. The total works out (excluding 2021) to 64 million per year, or 5.3 million per month, or  177,778 per day for 25 long years. Not bad.

Sure he can afford the mansion, the yacht, the jet and the 100 million alimony.

Will there be another Tiger Woods?

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

The 9th. PM

 Sat 28.8.2021.

We'll be celebrating our 64th. "Merdeka" day in 3 days' time. In that time we've had 14 General Elections. That works out to 4.57 years per GE. We've had, by now, 9 PM's. That works out to 7.11 years per PM. But 3 (33%) of the PM's have come in the last 37 months, or less than 4% of the total time.  That works out to  12.33 months per  PM.  There must be  some sort of records, set somewhere, surely.

4.57 years per GE seems all right by any standard. 7.11 years per PM also seems ok. The current Parliament is 37 months old. The next GE isn't due until May 2023, about 2 years away. That's ok, too, even if a fresh GE is called tomorrow. The 3 PM's in 37 months is something else.

When the 8th. PM made the "Sheraton" move in February 2020, less than 2 years after PH pulled the carpet from under UMNO and BN, people were  caught by surprise. It was thought that PH had no less than 130 seats in the 222-seat Parliament. There was no reason for the 8th. PM to dump the PH partners of DAP-PKR-Amanah and the Sabah/Sarawak allies. UMNO was the sworn enemy for GE 14. UMNO had even kicked out the 8th.PM less than 2 years before the GE. And now he personally brought back UMNO to power by renegading on PH and, worse, on the campaign promises! Now the whole gang of kleptocrats, mired in on-going high-profiled court cases, were "invited" back into government ?

The 9th. PM has done what UMNO is always capable of. Play out its saviour, the 8th. PM. There was this new cabinet, with the 8th. PM on top. After the incessant politicking when the people were sufferring  Covid 19, the 9th. PM and his UMNO team pulled the 8th. PM down and got for himself the PMship. He put back a new cabinet. But except for the new PM, himself, the crockery in the cabinet is the same one the 8th. PM put there. Perhaps it's better said in Malay - "kabinet baru dengan mangkuk lama" - new cabinet with old crockery. A cabinet  to put things in, like books and crockery. "Mangkuk" is crockery. But "mangkuk" is also colloquial for "useless, hopeless, stupid, inter alia".

They also say, when something is never going to happen, "don't hold your breath". But I think you can hold your breath for the collapse of the 9th. PM. The proviso is, they start concentrating on Covid 19.

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

The 8th PM

 Mon 16.8.2021.

Finally today the 8th. PM tendered his long demanded and long awaited resignation to the Agong, ending the shortest term in Malaysian history. Counting from 1.3.20, Muhyiddin was PM for 1 year, 5 months and 15 days. 

The Agong made him Interim PM until a new PM is selected in Parliament. He has ruled out any General Elections for now, for obvious reasons. Now the wild scramble  intensifies, because it has already started before this. I saw on BBC the US Army aircraft being mobbed by fleeing Afghans, with the plane rolling on the tarmac and hundreds of people clinging to it, some on the closed doors. The newscaster mentioned some deaths following falls. It's exactly what's happening here now.

There have been many names tossed in the last few weeks.  A few had openly offered themselves. The truth is anyone's guess. No party has more than 42 seats (DAP). PKR has lost 30%, and UMNO has lost about the same number,  soon after the GE, but now the remaining UMNO has broken into 2 parts (pro Zahid and anti-Zahid) Bersatu had been the biggest gainer from UMNO and PKR deserters, but has also lost 6 in 2020. Sabah and Sarawak are up for grabs. A handful of Independents could make a lot of money. Like it or not, the same tenous coalition would have to be conjured. You can't trust anyone in Parliament any more, SD's and press conferences notwithstanding.

With the pandemic far from receding, with sop's being ignored, with vaccination in turmoil in some centres, with shops and businesses  closed, the Parliamentary circus is really sickening. I hope the people remember this when the next GE comes around. Choose the person, not the party. Scrutinise the backgrounds and the qualifications.

Under the circumstances, perhaps the Agong should appoint the "Mageran" to run the country and put Parliament on hold. The lack of a dominant party should be a valid reason. 

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

Awal Muharram 1443.

 Tues 10.8.2021.

Today is the first of Muharram, 1443 Hijriah. I was supposed to recite the new year's supplications, something I'd always done before, at Magrib yesterday, but only realized it after receiving sms's from a few friends after Isya'. At fajr today I raised my hands to Allah for forgiveness for the past year's deeds, and asked for guidance for the next one year, amin. Better late than never, I guess.

Following the Islamic lunar calender, I'm exactly 80 today. I was  born, also on a Tuesday, on 19 Zulhijjah 1363.

The Police called last week asking to bring my gun licence book, which I did yesterday. After 2 visits for the same case upon requests by them, I thought this would be the final visit for this year's delayed process.  Alas, it was not to be. I have to come back on 23/8 to collect the signed document. Because the Inspector is not around today. Can you believe that?  And to put salt to wound, they also demanded I settle unpaid traffic summons. When I checked with the counter clerk, I was told I have 7 summons dating back to August 2006 totalling RM 1,000 !  I told the clerk I never received these, because I always paid my summons in the past. She suggested I wait for December for a 50% discount. I'll do that. I jotted her number on the copy of the list she gave me.

This is the same case with JPJ regarding my road tax renewal. It was supposed to be 15/7. By then they have changed the procedure to on-line appointment. Since 16/7 I have tried countless times to get the appointment but kept getting "booking closed" because of overbooking. I turned to the Post Office, but they, too, have resorted to on-line booking, and like JPJ, kept saying "heavy traffic". If it's on-line they should stay open.  And SAINS, in spite of it's name, is not scientific at all. They closed their UTC office, and yesterday sent the 3rd statement for arrears when they won't collect payment.

Now I'm thinking, is the government trying to help us, or to harrass us ? We're trying to pay here, not to collect money.

For me, almost bedridden all this while because of "chikugunya" fever, there was some relief when the Tokyo 32nd Olympics came 23/7 -8/8.  It was strange to see the empty venues in spite of the elaborate preparations. It cost the Japanese government 15 billion. How will they recover that, with no attendance and a 50% drop in tv viewing ?  Even the PM is supposed to be in trouble politically because of the games.

However, the performances in the games were astounding, if the full circumstances inculding the 12-month delay are considered. The salute to the athletes and their backers must be given. They have trained since Rio 2016, then the delay, and now the restrictons because of the pandemic. On top of these, the temperature surpassing 30 and humidity of more than 75 hampered the athletes. And yet 40 Olympics with several world records were still broken. The 400 m.hurldes must be understaood to fully comprehend the 45.94. That time for the flat race would have put the runner on the winner's podium in the national games for the different countries participating. The Olympics points system gives this particular run more than 1,300 points, or third highest in Olympics history.

Malaysia came back with 2 medals (1 silver, 1 bronze) and is placed 66 in the tally, fortunately not last. We should look at Australia and New Zealand. Australia has about the same population as Malaysia. They got 46 medals, 17 of them (37%) gold. New Zealand has on;y 7 million people. They got 20 medals, 7 of them (33%) gold. They got 1 gold per million population. The US (no. 1) had 113 medals to China (no. 2) with 88, but only beat China by 1 in gold with its 39 to China's 38. In depth, however, US was far superior with it's 350 million population against China's 1.43 billion. In comparison, India with 1.4 billion people only collected  7 medals with 1 gold. There is a lesson in there somewhere.

On the pandemic front, we're still stuck right in the middle of it. It seems only the politicians are thriving, and Parliament is not even in session!. With 10,961 deaths, the death/million figure is 334, higher than India (307),Phillipines (262), Thailand (94), Vietnam (38), Singapore (7), and China (7). Of course China, India and Indonesia have numbers I cannot believe.  And for 2 years I had to be the imam in the house for 4 Hari Raya prayers. Schools have been closed for forever. What's going to happen to their education? The point is, we're still in a deep hole here.

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

The 4th Raya prayers at home.

 24.7.2021.

This posting is one for the record, because I'm not exactly inspired to write anything right now. But too much has happened in the last 2 months of June and July, 2021 not to say something.

The overwhelming situation has been the effect of the pandemic that "officially" started in February 2020. The movement restriction order has meant that life as we know it has been completely changed. The shops and government offices, the sports centres and facilities and public services have been largely closed, denying the basic needs all of us face. 

The vaccination programmes have been implemented rather well, actually, regardless of the confusing propaganda, real or otherwise. Idah and I, and the four kids have all gone through the vaccination thing, at least the first phase of it. There were the reported fevers etc. but everybody seemed to have overcome these.

Unfortunately for the last 22 days I've been suffering the effects of the "chikugunya" fever. For the first 10 days I didn't even know it was chikugunya until I went to see Dr. Miszua. I've since finished the tablets he gave for my temperature and body aches. For the last 3 days Idah suggested I take effervescent vitamin C tablets and panadol, instead of going back to Dr. Miszua for the continuing body aches, and surprisingly that seems to work. But overall it has been a miserable 3 weeks of July. And incidently, 20 people in this housing estate got chikugunya. So 3 days ago MBS sent their fogging team, after one of us called them about our predicament.

So that went for the Raya Haji this year, too. The 3 children and families could come back, of course. The 2nd Raya Haji prayers were at home, making it the 4th Raya prayers like that since Raya Puasa 2020. But this time there were no more tears to shed. The Raya prayers were just something we had to do.

There was one small religious act I did I might not have done without all these sufferings, maybe. For the first time in my life I fasted on the day of the "wuquf" - "puasa sunat wuquf" on 19th July, which was the 9th of Zulhijjah, the day all pilgrims for the haj must assemble in Arafah, before proceeding to Muzdalifah and the to Mina to complete the haj. Without the stay in Arafah, there's no haj.

I said "small" act because it's only "puasa sunat". In fact it's a much desired act for the pious.

The big irritations have been the office closures. There were insurance policies to renew, road taxes to renew, and other services to pay, but many couldn't be done. They're all still hanging in the air.

The other distress has been the uncontrolled, ridiculous prices charged by the stall operators. I'd felt sorry for them because of the closures. But the prices they charge are too much. Lemang used to cost 9-10 per bamboo, and the rendang about 3-4. Beef used to be 20 per kilo. I had to pay 18 for the lemang, 7 for rendang and 35 per kilo for "soup tulang".  Petai went for 1.20 per fruit. Now I don't feel sorry for these operators any more.

The Olympics have started in Tokyo, after the on and off statements from all quarters, whether connected to it or not. With the lingering aches in my muscles, and the pain in my heart, maybe these games that I love to watch would bring some relief.

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