RAMADAN IN THE CITY

A view inside Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh Pulau Pinang, founded in 1808 by Tunku Syed Hussain Al Idid a trader and a prince of Arabic blood from Acheh. Situated in a once busy corner of commencial Penang in the 19th century , the mosque has undergone conservation works in 1995 and now continuing to serve the Muslim community in the area as it did before .


RAMADAN AL MUBARAK the holiest of the Muslim months. It starts Saturday 22 August 2009 and we are here at a suburb of Kuala Lumpur. After two nights of the tarawith prayer performed after Isyak , it is real consoling to observe the extensive devotion and commitment that Muslims in the city and its suburbs show at the start of Ramadan. At Masjid AlFalah and Masjid AlNur both in Subang Jaya we can only heap praise for the efforts shown by the Mosque Committee. We noticed that efforts were at full gear to guarantee that Ramadan this year at these two mosques especially will pull Muslims young and old, males and females to fill the safs in the mosques at all time; especially during the tarawith prayer. The devout can also break fast at the mosque together with colleagues and the mosque committee. It is comforting to say the least that well wishers and the committed have taken to support the mosque committee's call to provide for 'buka puasa' and 'more' (kenduri) or servings. It all served to bring a closer union of the jumaah and the khariah. Least of all the young children and youth continue to see exemplary commitment and actions with regards to religious duties. The mosques, brightly lighted, cooled either air-conditioned partly or fan-powered, public address system functioning and spaces allocated for both male and female jumaah all helped to pull the devout to the mosques. After all Ramadan seek all Muslims to perform their best , devoting to Allah and all His injunctions and for those who can afford give to the needy. This charity stands out.

We can't help thinking why mosques away from the capital city cannot get good support and commitment as found here. Firstly donation and support for 'buka puasa' or 'more' are hard to come by especially to fill all the evenings of Ramadan. Attendance at the mosque especially for the 'tarawith' prayers cannot pulled in all able bodied Muslims in the community. It seems there is a change-over or a reverse effect. Mosques in the smaller towns and kampong are losing to mosques in the city. Could it be that those who live in the kampong are now away from their bases and therefore help to bring that spirit and endeavour in the cities where they domiciled now? Whatever it is, it is a fortunate development. Balik kampong and Aidilfitri celebration will be a worthy celebration after Muslims have fulfilled their obligations right through Ramadan.

When I was at the mosque recently, this was what I found. No doubt all know that Penang once belonged to Kedah. That strong relationship continued. A casual glance turned to full attention when I noticed that the staf (tongkat) used by the 'khatib' on Friday prayer was made by a craftsman from Kedah almost 100 years ago


Close to Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh you can find this Malay mansion formerly belonging to Syed Mohd AlAtas,then a leader of the mosque committee and now turned into a Muslim Museum signifying the Malay traders once active and strong contribution to trade. Lebuh Acheh was a significant zone in Penang when pilgrims to Mekkah departed by ships to the holy land. Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh with its facilities offered a halting point because of its closeness to the Swenttenham Pier.


On the eve of the first day of Ramadan 2009, tarawith prayer was offered at this mosque in Putrajaya. Named after the Yang DiPertuan Agong Masjid Mizan Zainal Abidin could accomodate 20,000 jumaah and surely one of the biggest mosque in the country. It is learned that foreign visitors at this mosque would get guided tours as well introduction to Islam and its teaching

RAHSIA DI RUMAH TOK

Pemandangan ruang tamu di sebuah Rumah Melayu lama di Lorong Hattin Pulau Pinang yang kini merupakan salah satu projek konservasi Jabatan Warisan Negera . Disinilah saya menemui rahsia lama.

Dah lama saya mencoba mengingatkan kembali nostalgia keadaan di rumah lama semasa kecil lagi. Malah tidak terbayang juga keadaan dapur khususnya. Binaan dapur untuk menguruskan masakan siang dan malam tentulah jauh berbeza dari apa yang ada sekarang.

Kini tong gas dan peralatan khusus sudah mencukupi, tidak memerlukan ruang yang luas. Malah kalau letak di mana saja pun, ibu boleh menguruskan masakannya. Diatas meja makan pun, kita boleh melangsungkan masakan tanpa apa-apa gangguan. Tiada asap,tiada habuk berterbangan. Bukankah itu satu keistimewaan . Restoran masakan Jepun , Korea dan Thai antaranya kini menggalakkan pengunjung menikmati 'masak sendiri'. Ramuan dan dapur samada menggunakan gas atau letrik disediakan. Enak pula kerana ramai-ramai berebut menunjukkan bakat. Tukang masak restoran boleh rehat.

Keistimewaan semasa di Pulau Pinang baru-baru ini, tanpa diduga telah menggembalikan ingatan saya kepada dua kenangan khususnya. Pertama perihal dapur yang pernah diguna oleh ibu dan emak-emak saudara saya pada tahun-tahun menjelang 'Malayan Union'. Saudara-saudari yang teringat kepada peristiwa itu tentu tahu tarikhnya. Lama sungguh dari tarikh sekarang. Boleh dikatakan berada pada 'zaman tok naduk'. Peminat P. Ramlee tentu boleh mengimbaskan kembali sausana masakan dengan menggunakan dapor lama ini. Saya percaya ada adegan perihalnya.

Ini dia dapor zaman dulu. Dapor konkrit seperti ini terletak di tengah-tengah ruang luas dan memudahkan pergerakan suri rumah. Kolam air dan tempat mencuci pinggan mangkok juga berdekatan tanpa menghalang pergerakan mereka yang sibok di dapor.

Biasakah anda dengan dapur saperti ini? Ruang kosong dibahagian bawah khusus untuk menyimpan kayu-kayu kering atau bahan pembakar. Diatasnya tersedia tiga petak untuk meletakkan periok atau kuali atau apa saja alat memasak. Di sebelah kiri kanan juga tersedia dua lagi ruang khas. Teringat saya air panas sedia diperolehi kera'kettle' na atau kendi kekal di ruang bahagian ini. Kalau keadaan sebenar tentunya petak-petak kosong itu dipenuhi arang dan abu. Tiga atau empat masakan serentak diatas dapur tentu menarik minat semua penghuni segera ke ruangan dibahagian belakang rumah lebih-lebih lagi bila makanan sedia dihidang. Yang saya tahu ruang makan pun berada berhampiran.

+(tiada ruang untuk tangki gas bahan pembakar yang diguna sekarang, sebaliknya ruangan kosong untuk kayu berkas, tempurung kelapa dan arang. Ada pihak yang menjual bahan-bahan itu dan bagi mereka yang rajin mudah mencari sendiri)

Variasi dapur

berbeda mengikut kemampuan. Maklumlah dapur seperti kita lihat diatas hak orang atasan di Pulau Pinang yang mampu bukan saja mendiami rumah yang besar serta memiliki kemudahan-kemudahan lain pada awal tahun 1900. Apapun tidak terlupa kita kepada corong khas dibuat dari buluh, kayu atau besi untuk menghembus api. Kerapkali tugas ini diberi kepada anak-anak, tujuan menyalakan api. Salah guna penuh habuk dimuka pula. Percayalah semua ini jelas merapatkan perhubungan keluarga dan menarik semua berada di ruang dapur masing-masing menunggu untuk menjamu selera sebaik saja hidangan di sediakan. Jauh sekali dari sekarang bila kita sentiasa diruang tamu memberi tumpuan kepada peti TV sahaja.

Apa pula rahsia kedua? Bangunan diatas jelas menunjukkan rumah kecil dua tingkat terletak bersebelahan rumah ibu. Ada tangga yang membolehkan penghuni menaiki ke ruang atas. Ya hal biasa sahaja. Tapi inilah yang membawa saya kembali ke zaman kanak-kanak semasa kami sering bermain di bahagian rumah seperti ini. Tidak kelihatan pintu biasa untuk menghalang orang ketingkat atas. Tunggu sebentar, lihat gambar berikutnya.

Sekejap ada. sekejap tiada

Kedua: Hampir terlupa yang pada satu masa dahulu saya juga pernah ditugaskan membuka pintu seperti ini tiap-tiap pagi. Aruah Tok tentu sekali tidak mampu membuka pintu ini walau pun beliau ingin turun kebawah rumah awal pagi. Dapur, bilik air dan kemudahan lain semuanya di bawah. Waktu malam pintu ini ditutup. Tidak sesiapa pun boleh menaiki tangga dan jesteru itu masuk ke dalam rumah kecuali ia menggunakan pintu depan. Dan itu pun tertutup. Dengan pujukan mungkin ayah boleh buka pintu depan. Binaan tangga dan pintu seperti ini nampaknya tidak menjadi kegemaran, sesuai dengan struktur dan binaan rumah zaman sekarang. Rahsia dan keunikan binaan di rumah Lorong Hattin Pulau Pinang merupakan kegemilangan rumah-rumah Melayu pada satu masa dahulu. Saya amat bertuah dapat melihat semula dua binaan yang kini memperkukuhkan kembali ingatan kepada hal-hal lama. Syukurlah.

Pintunya ditutup rapat .Adakalanya ruang diatas menjadi tempat bermain pula atau ruang penginapan.

P.S Above : Two discoveries while visiting an old house under conservation works at Hattin Lane Pulau Pinang.. No. 1.The kitchen (cooking corner) as it stood in its original condition at the back of the house and No. 2 The staircase with its particular drop door closing the staircase when required.)

TILING AWAY IN PULAU PINANG

This panoramic view of the south-eastern corner of George Town gives an idea of the existing tile roofs that cover a section of the city. The assembly at the left hand- corner of the picture are students of St.Xavier's Institution. The school as we see has an extensive tile roofing too. Viewed from Bay View Hotel.

Another view but with lesser concentration of tiles roofing due to the nature of the buildings.Seen across the channel is Butterworth town.

Chinese or V tiles on the battens for the participants to view. An exercise at arranging them for steadiness, correct placement and no leakages were carried out. Participants learned the correct methodology

Singgora Tiles, each piece costlier than the Chinese or V tiles. Buildings on the East Coast: Kelantan and Trengganu used this tiles and the name indicates its origin from Thailand. 'Marseilles' is another brand tile in the market.

It's a long due visit to the island though only an hour drive from Alor Star if you could weave through the traffic on the Penang Bridge. This weekend happened to be our chance to see the island since its recognition by UNESCO as a heritage city in partnership with Malacca. Still it was no 'makan angin' right through since we came to attend the third series of the Jabatan Warisan Negara's conservation workshop. At least my wife did - fully.

Chinese type tiles on these buildings look intact and neat.

This Chinese temple built in 1895 has been restored and renovated. It is marked on the tourist heritage trail map. Pulau Pinang being a busy port in olden days, therefore the seafarers built this temple in respect of their patron saint. The distinguishing tiles marked the characteristic of the building which must have required skilled craftsmen.

As the subject matter goes, it is more concerned with 'TILES' and how refreshing to know the varied types that encapsulate our roofs and give comfort and protection all these years. If there is a roofing fraternity, then definitely PULAU PINANG can be called to become its chief proponent for continuance of tiles roofs all over the city. While many other cities have transformed their bird's eye view, the island existed without much change. An aerial view discloses brown tile roofs all over the city center. The excitement grows when the workshop participants go down to discover various types of tile roofing, including mode of cleaning and the practical laying them on the battens. A site visit to a building under conservation works, give a complete picture of things and other expectancies when working with heritage buildings. Here participants got on to their knees and hands again to realize the rudiments and necessities of engaging in heritage buildings and conservation works.

The practical experience was carried out at this 'Strait's Eclectic' or 'Anglo-Malay' mansion situated at Lorong Hitin. Built in the early 1920's it typifies houses as that of Syed AlAtas at Jalan Armanian and Syed Sheikh Al Hadi's at Jalan Jelutong.

Another heritage building is the E & O Hotel. Recently refurbished and renovated it continues to give an air of resplendent and old world charm. Notice the extensive tile roofing

Before it was a typical Chinese Hotel in George Town ,now it has taken a new image. The roofs too have acquired fresh tilings.

Earlier at Taiping and Ipoh, the department had focused on timber and lime respectively being two proponents of the building industry especially involving restoration works. This latest workshop, tops it all, since almost all historical and heritage buildings would require tiles as replacements. Still the varieties of them need to be explored and explained. This is what the participants come to discover. I sat in for several of the papers to understand the basics. Still it was a good excuse to leave the classroom and roam around centuries old Pulau Pinang streets to shoot pictures of buildings with semblance of tiles' usages. Pictures would help to show the definite needs for conservationists (architects, designers, builders, relevant agencies, related consultants etc) to realize future potentials, while citizens become aware of their heritage and its value. Penang richness in heritage buildings has endured itself to visitors and during the weekend it gave that secret away. Hordes of foreign and domestic tourists have found their way to the island. The three-wheeled trishaws though a dying mode of transport continue to meander the streets carrying happy and curious faces as they take a leisure tour of old Penang.

Pulau Pinang seems to have a treasure trove of such shop houses, of varied style and design. It is no surprise that the owners have started to restore them to their glorious days and in fact with more significance alongside their current usage. Bed and Breakfast or Travellers Lodge at such exotic buildings seems to attract foreign tourists to enjoy homely atmosphere.




The Chartered Bank of Penang Island. Being a Sunday morning, therefore the quietness and unhurried atmosphere.

You would have pushed your money into this night safe had you been in Penang in the 1950's when the Chartered Bank utilised this safe for convenience of its clients. You can do the same now but at a better safe box.

It was an enriching experience for me too as I discover treasures and richness of our heritage. For what there are in our own towns and villages we must try to salvage and help to preserve less they fade away. Jabatan Warisan Negara being a department under Kementerian Penerangan, Komunikasi dan Kebudayaan Malaysia is doing a yeoman service in this direction.

Penang Town Hall


A business house situated at Beach Street. When nearby you would likely make your way to the "Whiteaways' an exclusive department store pre Merdeka time.

Swettenham Pier where large ships used to dock here. Recently upgraded it awaits luxury passenger ships to call here and making the island once again a touristic hub.

As a consultant firm, we look forward to an appointment by Badan Warisan for works on heritage building, working together towards preserving the old treasures for continuity.

A golden opportunity like this comes once in a blue moon. When can you get the chance to knock two big birds with a tiny stone? We did it in Penang from 14 to 16 August 2009. I abandoned the motorcar for a good walking exercise while clicking the shutters at random for a good collection of Pulau Pinang images.

Every where you go around the former business enclave you will find old buildings restored and and in spanking conditions. Won't be for long, before they are occupied again.

The Immigration Department Building at the corner of Beach Street .

Masjid Kampong Melayu recently restored by Jabatan Warisan Negara is also situated in the business zone of 'Tanjung'

Masjid Kapitan Kling has also been restored to its original identity while establishing the extensive business zone of the Indian Muslims of 'Tanjung'.

Adjacent to Masjid Kampong Melayu you will find this row of restored 'wakaf' houses.

An old map of George Town dated 1798 shows clearly the topography and morphology of the settlement around the cape i.e 'tanjung'. In complete evidence till now the trading houses located at Chulia Street ( Malabar Street), Pitt Street ( Masjid Kapt Kling Street), Light Street and Beach Street proved its truth. Being close to the harbor and 'Swettenham Pier' this commercial center saw its duplicate in Singapore. The once famous 'Change Alley' sector with the surounding commercial houses and harbour facilities is almost identical.The above nine photographs identify the various buildings that saw their hay days during the last century

A passing observation: The gardener is hard at work but the yellow petals should be left scattered on the ground giving this corner near 'Padang Kota Lama' a natural resting zone.

No more than 10 minutes bicycle ride from 'Tanjung' this zone known as Padang Kota Baru or the 'esplanade' has taken a definite departure from old Pulau Pinang. Though there are several homes restored to their prestine originality, large spaces have modern highrise buildings on them now. Maybe that's the beauty of Pulau Pinang, a healthy coexistence between the two.

In mid 1950's I attended St Xavier's Institution and cycling was part of our daily exercise and mean of transportation. Cycling on the British made 'Raleigh' bicycle or other makes was delightful since the roads were well tarred and smooth. The weekend escapade brought back memories of 'tanjung' when trams and later 'trolleys' were in vogue on the streets.

Surely we need to highlight heritage buildings in our home ground just as Pulau Pinang has secured international recogniition.

Still it appears that 'tiling' has taken the better side of things pushing me to toil overnight to put things on record.

KASUAL 'SHOTS' KINI ' VINTAGE' SATU MASA NANTI

Protokol diutamakan. Tiga bendera dikibarkan. Sebelah kanan bendera 'Malaysia' dan sebelah kiri bendera 'Kedah Darulaman' Ditengah bendera peribadi Sultan Kedah. Nyata KBDYMM Sultan Kedah berangkat ke majlis yang sedang diadakan.

Gambar-gambar berikut ini diambil pada bulan Julai 2009, merakamkan sausana dan peristiwa sempena kehadiran KBDYMM Sultan Kedah , Sultanah Kedah, Perdana Menteri Malaysia dan Menteri Besar Kedah pada satu majlis perasmian. Apapun jurugambar memberi focus kepada situasi yang menarik kepadanya dengan harapan menjadi kenangan dan ingatan masa depan. Jenis kamera dan lensa yang digunanya membuatkan gambarnya menarik. Lebih daripada itu peluang merakam datang hanya sekali. Tidak heran gambar-gambar yang dimiliki itu menjadi 'vintage' satu masa nanti. Ia tidak dimiliki oleh orang lain, tidak ada gambar yang serupa.Masing-masing jurugambar mempunyai focus atau tumpuannya tersendiri. Menggeledah album lama saya percaya saudara akan berhadapan dengan gambar-gambar dan wajah yang ketinggalan tahun atau abad. Tentunya amat manfaat. Gambar itu sudah diklasifikasikan sebagai 'vintage'.

Pasukan Pencaragam Polis DiRaja (Kedah) masih utuh dan bermain di majlis-majlis rasmi. Orang lama masih mengingati pasukan pencaragam ini pernah bermain di Perbarisan semasa Aidilfitri di perkarangan Masjid Zahir atau di Padang Court Ia merupakan satu-satunya pencaragam polis selain Pencaragam Polis DiRaja Persekutuan.


Satu barisan wanita utama duduk untuk bergambar rasmi bersama KBDYMM Sultan Kedah dan YAB Perdana Menteri Malaysia.



Ini barisan lelaki utama , dua dari kiri YAB Menteri Besar Kedah dan disebelah kirinya YAB Perdana Menteri Malaysia dan KDYMM Sultan Kedah. KDYMM Sultanah Kedah bersebelahan Tuanku Sultan Kedah.


Puteri Sultan Kedah ( baju kuning) memberi tumpuan penuh kepada ayahandanya yang melakukan acara perasmian.




KBDYMM Sultan Kedah bertitah merasmikan Kompleks Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan di Bandar Muadzam Shah Alor Star






Barisan Tetamu VVIP. Lelaki bersongkok . Warna kuning diutamakan

Turut hadir Brig Gen (Rtd) Datuk Jamil Khir Baharum Menteri Hal Ehwal Ugama Islam'. Pada majlis seperti ini kita berkesempatan mengfocuskan lensa kepada perseorangan atau situasi yang menarik. Lensa zoom jika ada membantu menghasilkan 'candid' shot.

THE TALKING POCKET MACHINE

NOTHING connects you to persons more easily and definitely than the portable phone, This is not the first time I have misplaced or lost one. Yet the lessons are never learned or precautions are never taken. Going without the handy connector for a day or more may be peaceful but unable to get on to someone or to receive messages etc may also be daunting. Imagine hunting for a public phone, when you want to call for a taxi service? Then again without it, you have lost all the connectors. How many numbers could you remember? You may press the choice numbers and in all probability it will come back " The number you called is not registered or something in that order"

Now it comes to recording or discovering all the relevant phone numbers again. Before that you have of course rushed to the nearest kiosk to get a replacement, Regretting for not taking proper care. You will be surprised to see hundreds of used hand phones on show and for sale. No wonder the hand phone market is so lucrative because people do advance to higher technologies and go for all that it gives besides the ringing tone. Your choice? Depending on your seniority and technological apprehensions. I would go for the most uncomplicated and necessarily the same brand and edition of the previous phone.

As a necessary precaution or a definite action, you need to notify the telephone company of your loss. Your previous number must be barred less you want to cough out extras when you next bill arrived. That is if the phone has been found and surely not by you. Thankfully you can still reuse the previous number. Meaning that friends and relatives may still call you and that graciously lessen the task of searching for their numbers and names. Yes that is the challenging task as opposite to uncompromising because you always failed, no matter how many times you have faced the same predicament to have a backup. In the next few days or so you will have the inevitable task of searching for names and numbers less of course you want to wait until you receive incoming calls or messages, Or maybe it is a restful spite at least,

Contents in your phones are privacy to yourself. Besides the names and phone numbers, it may also contained other documentation, pictures or videos. I know for sure there are one or two specific shots of a historical nature or personalities. All pushing me to take the necessary actions of a backup in case it is repeated. Pictures should be transferred or erased rather than left to hibernate for its durations.

While on this story, it would help to garner us to be more careful and precautious. It is advisable that you take care how you list the names in your handphone. A family recently found themselves in a big predicament. A large sum of money was withdrawn because the wife lost her handbag through snatching plus all documents inside. An sms lovingly made to her husband to provide the pin number was an error unfathomed. The hubby did not checked back. All because the listing in the phone gave the intimate secrets.

" Sayang" ,"Abang"," Hubby", "Darling" are all taletales. It is advisable the listings show no indicators.

The snatcher was crafty as well as fast. Maybe there are lessons to be learned when you miss the handphone.

For the time being it would help if I get calls to help in filling up the empty folder. Thanks.