At last something other than Padang food

Finally I tried something other than Padang food, I guess if I keep on eating padang food my heart surgeon friend will be more than happy to have me under his knife.

We had lunch at Dapur Sunda, a nice restaurant serving good Sundanese food, well at least my stomach did not reject it. Dapur Sunda (Sundanese Kitchen) is well known for its traditional West Javanese menu that includes charcoal-grilled chicken, goldfish pepes (steamed fish wrapped in banana leaves) and a selection of traditional desserts and cocktails. It is located near Menteng not far from Maharadja Hotel.

Jakarta's big MACET

We missed the flight back to KL on Wed. The flight was at 1830, unfortunately we only arived at the Airport at 1930. I went to the MAS office at Sukarno-Hatta Airport, explained the situation and they gave me a new ticket for the next day, and it cost me nothing, it happened too many times they said.

It took us 4 hours to reach the airport when the normal journey time should be only 30-45 minutes. Traffic was at a standstill. I was told later its caused by flooding.

While waiting in the jam we saw a really packed train on the flyover, note the people sitting on the roof.

Trip to Jakarta

I had to go away to Jakarta on Sunday, took the evening flight and by nightfall checked into a dinghy Hotel Perdana. Our customer wanted the latest update on the moulds ordered from the Jkarta and Shah Alam factory. It seems that the Shah Alam moulds are at the advanced stage compared to the ones in Jakarta. After a long meeting with the guys from PT Krama Yudha Tiga Berlian we had take them around to one of our subsidiary's subcontractor to check on the latest development. After that its Nasi Padang time.

Khatam Quran - Aini

Aini did her Khatam Quran ceremony during my cousin's wedding in November. Taking cue from sahabah of our Rasullulah s.a.w. , Abdullah Ibn Abbas , one of his noted amalan is to attend Majlis Khatam Quran.The benefits to be present at such a gathering is manifolds.According to one Hadith,there will be 70,000 malaikat in attendance

" When the Quran is read, listen to it with attention, and hold your peace: that ye may receive Mercy. " Quran 7:204

The Khatam al-Quran marks the completion of reading of the entire Quran, the holy book of Islam. Aini , with her cousins, are required to read verses from the 30th and final section of the Holy Quran before his parents, his Quran teacher and invited guests. Once she completes her reading, she kisses the hands of his Quran teacher, and each of the guests in that order. She then descends from the dais (pelamin) where she was seated while reading the Quran, to join the prepared feast.

Allahummarhamni Bil QuranWaj’alhu lii Imaaman Wa Nuuran Wa Huda Wa RohmahAllahumma Dzakkirni Minhu maa NasiituWa’allimni Minhu maa JahiiltuWarzuqnii TilaawatahuAana Al Laili Wa Aana An NahaariWaj’alhu lii HujjatanYaa Rabbal ‘Alamin

Ya Allah Kasih Sayangilah dakudengan sebab AlQuran ini Dan jadikanlah AlQuran ini sebagai pemimpin sebagai cahaya sebagai petunjuk dan sebagai rahmat bagiku Ya Allah ingatkanlah daku apa-apa yang aku lupa dalam AlQuran yang telah Kau jelaskandan ajarilah apa-apa yang aku belum mengetahui Dan karuniailah daku selalu sempat membaca AlQuranpada malam dan siang hari Dan jadikanlah AlQuran ini sebagai hujjah bagikuYa Allah Tuhan semesta alam

The ceremony was followed by the wedding of my cousin. Which was a grand affair set in the colonial surrounding of old government quarters in Kuala Kubu Baru.

P/S: Aina n Aina even had the chance to pose with their favourite leading actor, Rosyam Nor who attended the wedding

Melayu oh melayu...

We've seen some negative comments about the Malays mushrooming on the net. This racial slur only underline the fact that underneath the racial harmony our leaders projected to the the world at large, there is a huge wave of discontent among races. Yes I do read those comments, sometimes we need a big jolt to help us open our eyes wide to realise it. Some comments like the one below.....

While the stupid malays scream and shout, the non-malays quietly dominate the economy of this country.

Malay rights means:

• if you are Umno malay, you get university seat even you are fool
• you must be given 5% discount whenever you are buying a new house-No matter how rich you are
• you must be given shares. Once you got, you can sell it to non-malay and asking for more shares
• it's the duty and responsibility of government to keep feeding with sliver
  spoon
• the malays will never learn anything other than blaming non-malays for their failure.
  
  And i always wonder y u guys build so many mosque for u guys dun even attend it...

I believe that in every race and culture there are always going to be good people and bad people. Most times we find more good than bad ones, unfortunately it is always because of the actions of the minority, the society as a whole is blamed for it. I would dismiss the notion that Malays are lazy. Malays are a hard working lot, just look at the paddy farmers, fishermen etc, the only snag is, low productivity and the idea of moderation, more like 'cukup makan sudahlah'.

A truly bangsa Malaysia by 2020? I don't think so, not yet.

MITSUOKA cars pulak dah

I was driving along jalan 222 P Jaya earlier today when I saw another foreign car showroom but this time its more like a classic car showroom. The brand name is Mitsuoka and I imagine it must be like the Bufori gang from Japan :) I am not too sure about the pricing though but it is aimed I think at the luxury car segment. It looks like the old Jag (see pic)

NATIONAL ACCOUNTANTS CONFERENCE 2005

Today is the first day of NATIONAL ACCOUNTANTS CONFERENCE 2005 at PWTC, Kuala Lumpur. As usual I have to attend it.

Its not so much about attending the event, I am only there to get the 16 CPE points. CPE being Continuing Professional Education, and I have to get the points every year as long as I want to be a member of MIA-Malaysian Institute of Accountants. MIA Member shall complete at least 20 CPE credit hours of structured CPE learning each year, this is to ensure the learning process doesn't stop once one qualified. That a small price to pay if one wants the initial CA(M) - Chartered Accountant (Malaysia) after one's name, oh yes not to forget the yearly fees too.

The 1st session was not too bad, by Hermawan Kartajaya, the President of World Marketing Association, one of the “50 Gurus Who Have Shaped The Future of Marketing” appointed by The Chartered Institute of Marketing, United Kingdom (CIM-UK) and has co authored a few books with Philip Kotler. So a marketing man advising accountants on how to rebrand the profession. He also showed us another way to appreciate Rod Steward's, "Have I told you lately" song.

Another interesting speaker Datin Paduka Sharifah Mazlina, the Malaysian Solo Expeditor who broke the world record by being the fastest person to cross Antarctic from South Pole to Hercules Inlet using ski sailing in 22 days. I was really impressed. MALAYSIA BOLEH.

Cemerlang.........?

Seen on the way from Alor Setar to Penang. I prefer to read it as Cemerlang, Gemilang, TEMBERANG

Mr DOKPE

Mr Muhammad Nuruddin DOKPE . What is DOKPE? When asked what it means, Nuruddin answered, "DOKPE tu, nak pergi mana". And I thought it means "dok buat apa", gosh, kids nowadays, they invent their own terms.

Of Federated Malays States

Going into history, I read this information on the flag of the Federated Malay States:

In 1895 a first Malay federation under a British protectorate was founded (including the four sultanates Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, and Pahang). In 1905 a flag was introduced: horizontally white-red-yellow-black (each colour stands for one state, in the order listed here); in the center a lying oval in white with a running tiger.

Source: National Geographic 1917.
Title: Flags of the World (Our Flag Number)Medium: article
in a non-vexillological sourceMain author(s): Lt. Commander Byron McCandless; Gilbert GrosvenorLanguage: EnglishSource title: National Geographic MagazineSource number (date): Vol-XXXII No-4 (1917.10)Source pages: 281-420. In the back of the October 1917 issue of National Geographic, it was noted an advertisment that notes that the Flag Issue would be reprinted in both cloth and leather versions around December 1, 1917. The issue would be called Flags of the World

In 1946 other sultanates joined, and the Malay Union was founded, and two years later (1948) it was renamed the Malay Federation. In 1950 a new flag was introduced.
Jan Oskar Engene, 24 June 1996

In 1946 the British decided to do away with the pretence of protectorates and constitute the whole of Malaya / Singapore as a Crown Colony called the Union of Malaya. Very bad move, since face is all in the East. The Malayan Federation in 1948 restored the sultanates as protectorates within a federation with a High Commissioner. Penang, Malacca and Singapore were of course still sovereign British territory but were Settlements within the federation, with Resident Commissioners.
Andrew Yong, 13 November 1999

from http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/my1905.html

More information on state anthem

Following the previous note on the Negaraku... I was informed that amongst other state anthems used have been the following as highlighted by a "Adlan Benan Omar" of MCOBA@yahoogroups.com,

Johor - Dondang Sayang (1897) lyrics by Capt Mohd SaidHaji Sulaiman (written 1910)

Selangor - Chantek Manis (1898) Raja Bot, replaced in1908 by Allah Selamatkan Duli Yang Maha Mulia (DOrtega) and in 1960 by Duli Yang Maha Mulia (current)

N. Sembilan - Bunga Tanjong (1898) Berkatlah Yangdi-Pertuan Besar (1911 - Andrew Caldecott)

Terengganu - Allah Peliharakan Raja Kami 1927 (HashimBakar)

Kelantan - Lanjutkan Usia Sultan Kami 1927 (MSMenezes)

Perlis - Amin Amin Ya Rabbal Jalil 1930 (Tuanku SyedHamzah Jamalullail)

Kedah - Allah Selamat Sultan Mahkota 1937 (JamesRedhill)

Pahang - Lagu Pahang 1923 (Mary Sworder)

begitulah ceritanya

Toll plaza, Penang Bridge. WELCOME TO PENANG 

To the peak of Penang Bridge 

Floating Mosque

Masjid terapung (its built on concrete stilt on water, so it appears to be floating).. on the way to Batu Feringhi, Penang

careful..... jatuh nanti :) 

Terowong MENORA

View from the NORTH Side, coming from Kuala Kangsar going to Ipoh and the Jelapang toll plaza

Dari Penang ke Kelang

Finally on thursday 6am we started our journey to Klang, from Batu Feringghi, Penang

Alor Setar

After a few days of 'makan' and stuff... its time to drive around. I saw this house, I thot its a surau with a big Bismillah on the porch..... rupanya rumah orang

the Tower

Maybe this is a good place to jalan-jalan cari makan

to Alor Setar, Kedah

1.Udin at Sg Buloh rest area
2.The kids and cousins/uncles/aunties at Aloq Staq

As usual we made our trip to Alor Setar. Traffic was good, maybe its because of 2nd day of raya, most people are either relaxing in the kampung or too full in the stomach to drive out. However things were different after Ipoh. Suddenly there appeared to be more cars, all doing their leisurely drive. Hurrah to PETRONAS and SHELL for the free coffee and MILO ya.

Its Eidul Fitri

3rd Nov 2005 the first day of Hari Raya. I thought it would only be on the 4th (Friday) that we will celebrate Eidul Fitri. Good thing that the Penyimpan Mohor Besar announced raya on Thursday, lucky the rendang we cooked on Wednesday.. still fresh, all 6 kilo of beef, "paru" and "limpa" 4 kilo all still juicy on Raya morning.



As usual its the kids' time to celebrate. We went down to Pulau Indah (used to be called Pulau Lumut) for a visit to al the relatives and on the way back we had a peek at the Star Cruise jetty (photo) to check out if any of the Supertar Cruise ship is berthing. Lucky there was one.

is the word KELING derogatory?

The Kampung Keling Mosque, Melaka

During the final day of Ramadhan, while waiting to break fast, I had a chat with my dad, just a simple chat trying to pass away time. Out of nowhere the word KELING came into the discussion. My Mom like to use that word and I keep on telling her that she should control the usage of that word as we have quite a few families of Indian origin in the neighbourhood.

My dad feel strongly that the word is not derogatory, in fact he pointed out historical reasoning that that particular word has always been used even in the Malay Annals (Sejarah Melayu) for example, occurs in the second chapter dealing with the exploits of RajaChulan, whom the emperor of China is said to refer to as 'Raja Keling' or even such as Hang Nadim's visit to'Benua Keling' - which must refer to India generically. This reminds me of a debate not long ago that a group is planning to sue Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka over the usage of 'keling' in the dictionary even when the DBP dictionary has already designated the word as "kata kuranghalus" followed by the remark of Badruddin Amiruldin (BN-Jerai) in Parliament on Oct 25 (see also Bernama)

Sabri Zain pointed that Nicholas Belfield Dennys' 'A Descriptive Dictionary of British Malaya' (1894) defined 'Kling' as "a general term for all the people of Hindustan, and for the country itself". Scareboeus is quoted in the 16th September 1887 issue of The Penang Gazette as stating that "the word Kling is a most interesting one and points to a connection between the Straits and India reaching nearly as far back as the time of Alexander the Great, the only trace of which remains in its continued application to the natives of Southern India."He adds that the word was not only used in the Straits but all over theDutch and Portuguese possessions in the East Indies.What is important to note, however, is that none of these examples ofthe use of the word or references to 'kelings' - from the Sejarah Melayu in the 16th century down to the British travelogues of the 19th century- were in any way used in any derogatory sense or intended as racial slurs. It was simply a word to describe the people of South India or their descendants in the Peninsula. We've heard of 'keling mabuk todi' or 'keling karam' - but I doubt if 'India mabuktodi' or 'India karam' would be deemed less of a racial slur.

I guess those terms must be looked upon as one of our invaluable heritage to be preserved! in the days of yore,"kelings" travelled on ships from the indian ports and anyone who has been in their company must be accustomed to their love ofover-dramatizing situations and exaggeration. This is a historical perception of "kelings" and it is essential to keep such term intact so that future generations may not lose sight of their cultural roots. Our past colonial administrators have labelled the malays as variously as "indigent","indolent","lazy",etc etc but i do not recall that any malays ever clamouring forthese references to be removed.

Maybe Norman Fernandez in the article in Malaysiakini ‘Keling’ remark: MIC impotent, without dignity and Premnath Badruddin belongs in circus should take a note here.

Photo: Masjid Kapitan Keling, Penang

Oh and some info out of the topic... if you are really a fan of Penang Nasi Kandaq, try the Nasi Kandar right next to Masjid Kapitan Keling in Penang. Its only available at night and even at 2a.m. you will find people queuing in front of the shop.

NEGARA KU.. original or Ciplak?

edited from http://mcoba.blogspot.com/

The recent furore over the government's attempts to keep fiddling around with Negaraku as they please has annoyed most Malaysians (For history of the Negaraku see http://www.answers.com/library/Wikipedia and http://www.national-anthems.org/)

"Negaraku" was selected as a national anthem at the time of the Federation of Malaya's independence from Britain in 1957.

At the time of independence, each of the eleven States of Malaya that made up the Federation had their own anthem, but there was no anthem for the Federation as a whole. Tunku Abdul Rahman, organized and presided over a committee for the purpose of choosing a suitable national anthem. On his suggestion, a worldwide competition was launched. 514 entries were received from all over the world. None deemed suitable.Next the committee invited elected composers of international repute to submit compositions for consideration. The composers chosen were Benjamin Britten, Sir William Walton who had recently composed the march for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, the American opera composer Gian Carlo Menotti and Zubir Said, who later composed the National Anthem of Singapore. They were all turned down too.

The Committee then turned to the Perak State Anthem. On August 5 1957 it was selected on account of the "traditional flavour" of its melody. New lyrics for the National Anthem were written jointly by the Panel of Judges— with the Tunku himself playing the leading role.At the time this melody was, while still the State Anthem of Perak, also a well-known and popular Malay song under the title, Terang Bulan ("Bright Moon").The song had been very popular on the island of Mahé in the Seychelles. where Sultan Abdullah of Perak had formerly been living in exile. He heard it at a public band concert on the island, a song to a popular French melody, La Rosalie, originally composed by the lyricist Pierre Jean de Beranger (1780-1857), who was born and died in Paris.

Sultan Idris of Perak was invited by Queen Victoria to go to London in 1888, the year after he was proclaimed Sultan. He was accompanied by Sir Hugh Low, the British Resident of Perak and he took Raja Mansur, eldest son of Sultan Abdullah Muhammad Shah II Habibullah, with him as his ADC. When their ship reached Southampton a representative of the British Government came on board and asked Raja Mansur -in his capacity as the Sultan's ADC - to give him the music of the Perak State Anthem so that it could be played when His Highness was given a ceremonial welcome. Raja Mansur thought it would be undignified to reply that Perak had as yet no State Anthem, so he decided to create one. He explained that he had not brought the music with him but he could hum or play the tune if someone could take down the notes, and when the Bandmaster arrived he hummed the music of his favourite tune from the Seychelles.

When the Bandmaster had gone ashore Raja Mansur went to the Sultan and told him what he had done and when they drove in state to Buckingham Palace he reminded the Sultan that when he heard the tune he must stand to attention himself as it was now his own State Anthem. From that day onwards Perak adopted this as its official Anthem and was probably the first Malay State to have one.

The tune was later introduced into an Indonesian Bangsawan (Opera), which was performing in Singapore. In no time at all, the melody became extremely popular and was given the name Terang Bulan.

The tune became a Malayan "evergreen", playing at parties, in cabarets and sung by almost everybody in the 1920s and 1930s. Traditionally Negaraku was introduced with a short drum roll "which beckons the audience to attention, and heralds a stately pace, where the nation sings its pledges of loyalty to King and country then comes a stirring crescendo of drum rolls and cymbals, which culminates in a poignantly dignified ending.

"The anthem was given a new quick march beat in 1992, which proved unpopular. Some Malaysians have gone as far as to say that the altered tempo resembled circus music, and was the subject of much derision.

In July, 2003 it was reported in the Malaysian press that the anthem would be rearranged for the second time and the title and lyric would be changed from Negaraku to Malaysiaku. There was a public outcry of dismay and the change of name was scrapped, but the anthem was re-arranged and returned to the pre-1992 pace by composer Wah Idris.

YM Datuk Syed Danial Syed Ahmad, MCOBA, wrote:

Negaraku sebenarnya bukan diciplak. Namun terdapat kontroversi tentang asal-usulnya. Lagu yang dimainkan di gazebo di Seychelles bernama "La Rosalie", kemudian menjadi 'Terang Bulan' atawa lagu Setambul yang dipertikaikan samada keroncong Jawa atawa lagu Melayu Malaya, kemudian lagi menjadi lagu kebesaran Perak 'Allah Selamatkan Sultan', dan kemudian lagu kebangsaan Malaya/Malaysia 'Negaraku'.Di muzium muzik Perancis di Paris, saya pernah bertanyakan mengenai ‘La Rosalie’ tetapi tiada yang boleh membantu mengesahkan iramanya. Saya pernah mencadangkan melalui tulisan kepada pihak atasan pada tahun 1993 untuk dicipta lagu kita sendiri dan bukan sebarang lagu yang dipertikai milikannya. Tiada hasil selain mantan PM mengubah sedikit rentak kelajuannya dari “slow march” yang pernah diperlikan oleh mantan Dubes Republik Indonesia di Kuala Lumpur pra-Konfrontasi Djatikusumo.Namun oleh kerana Malaya akan menyambut jubli emas kemerdekaan dua tahun lagi, mengapa tidak didesak sang pencipta beradu usaha mencipta lagu kita oleh kita bagi kita?

Berikut adalah tulisan beliau (Mac 1993) yang menzahirkan harapan agar Lagu Kebangsaan Negaraku dan Panji-panji Negara diubah:

Tabik saya kepada yang berwibawa
Semoga diterima dalam sentosa
Suatu cadangan sekadar usaha
Untuk menjana kebanggaan bangsa

Malaysia menjelma 16 September
Hampir tamat dasawarsa ketiga
Tidakkah sampai masa dan ketika
Bendera dan anthem direka semula?

Lagu Kebangsaan dinyanyikan selalu
Berasal dari Seychelles kita diberitahu
Menjadi siulan orang-orang terdahulu
Sangat popular di hilir dan hulu

Awal abad di suatu hari
Kisah Sultan dari Cempaka Sari
Ke London baginda berangkat pergi
Menghadap Raja Inggeris pelindung Negeri

Sultan Idris Mursyidul-a'dzam
Pemerintah Perak Darul-ridzuan
Ketika tiba di Victoria Station
Disoal: How shall we play your Anthem?

Caranya Melayu menandakan daulat
Nafiri ditiup dipalukan naubat
Tiada lagu kebangsaan dibuat
Untuk berdiri bertabik hormat

Hendak mengaku tiadanya lagu
Tentu nampak kodinya Melayu
Disiullah baginda saat itu'
Terang Bulan' laksana buluh perindu

Nota disusun irama pun digubah
Istiadat sambutan diatur sudah
Bendera Perak pun berkibar megah
Anthem dimain di Buckingham indah

Sekembali baginda di Kuala Kangsar
Diperihal lawatan kepada Orang-orang Besar
Cerita keadaan yang hampir mencemar
Ketiadaan Anthem menyebabkan gusar

Dititahkan kepada jelata sekalian
Jadilah 'Terang Bulan' lagu kebangsaan
Liriknya disedia lantas dimasyhurkan
Lagu dinama "Allah Selamatkan Sultan"

Selepas 27 hb Julai 1955
Kerajaan sendiri pula menjelma
'Malaya Merdeka' laungan bergema
Anthem Negara ula perlu dijana

Diadakanlah peraduan lagu-lagu
Masuk pencipta seperti J.Boyles & A. Soliano
Terbitlah lagu 'Putera-puteri' & 'Benderaku'
Tetapi kesemuanya tak diminati Tunku

Maka Kabinet berfikirlah sejenak
Anthem-anthem Negeri pula disemak
Daripada sembilan adalah gamak
Yang boleh dipilih Menteri terbanyak

Masih terpukau dengan 'Terang Bulan'
Yang mendasari lagu Perak Darul-ridzuan
Kabinet memilihnya tanpa mengkelan
Sebagai Lagu Kebangsaan Persekutuan

Menjelang terlaksana gagasan 'Melayu Raya'
Cantuman Brunei, Sabah, Sarawak & Malaya
Soekarno yang iri menganjurkkan pesta
'Terang Bulan' dinyanyi untuk berdansa

Terhina tersipu si Kamaruddin Idris
Dutabesar kita hatinya terhiris
Maruah kita sengaja digilis
Dek tahana Bung yang dihasut Iblis

"Terang boelan di oedjoeng kali
Buaja hidoep disangka mati
Djangan pertjaya hatinja lelaki
Lain di moeloet soes lain di hati"

Demikian sebahagian senikata dinyanyi
Konon dari keroncong Jawa asli
Pungkoq digoyang sambil menari
Sesudah mengaib kita dikonfrontasi

Malaysia XXX dan XXXVI Malaya
Masih berkongsi lagu Negeri & Negara
Apakah tiada modal dan upaya
Untuk Anthem sendiri dicipta?

Terluang masa lima purnama
Bagi dihebah kepada semua
Memanggil pencipta masuk ke arena
Mencipta Anthem baru lirik dan irama

Seperkara lagi panji-panji negara
Berjalur 14 berbintang dan hilal pula
Putih biru kuning & merah menyala
Tetapi termodel kepada bendera Amerika

Barangkali bersempena tiga dasawarsa
Kewujudan ita senegara Malaysia
Bendera baharu wajarlah disua
Sebagai lambang Malaysia perkasa!

Nota-nota:
1.Dasawarsa=sepuluh tahun = decade
2.Seychelles= pulau buangan Sultan Abdullah
3.Cempaka Sari= pusat pemerintahan Perak dulu
4.Gusar=murka
6.Tanggal 27.07.1955=Pemilihan Umum pertama Malaya
7.'Melayu Raya' =gagasan awal sebelum 'Malaysia'
8.Kamaruddin Idris= Dubes Malaya di Jakarta
9.Lima purnama= dihitung dari 16 April 1993
10.Hilal= bulan sabit=crescent.

And hear these: (just click on the links)http://paultan.org/wp-content/Mamula_Moon.mp3
http://paultan.org/wp-content/terangbulan.mp3