NOVEMBER 2014 ROYAL BELUM VISIT

It has been several months since I am back here on the blog. Not that it escapes me to pen down the happenings and observations that passed by through the days of the past weeks but directions towards other obsessions perhaps divert the attentions.  By doing that I too missed out from getting close to other blogger and friends especially who continue to pen down their stories and observations. Never to worry since the writings are there and only a click will get you to read them.

Where do I start to reel back the past months that have been filled with activities? I guess several throw backs with pictures would do it. My camera at the ready helps to capture the activities, happenings , observations etc keeping the records which otherwise would be lost and erased the next moment. Here in the confined of the smart phone or the camera the vivid scenes or characters are kept intact. It helps especially when you need to recount or recollect as I am about to embark on.

The opportunity to be at Putrajaya fortunately allows us to meet with families. On one occasion my sister and her family joined us for a good morning walk by the lakes near the home. Added to that there was the opportunity to attend a wedding invitation of one of the members of Presinct 16,  a close knit group akin to being in our own kampong   

         With our sister and her family at an exercise station near one of the Tasik at Putrajaya

  The homes at Presinct 16 Putrajaya

           

    Would it dawn upon yourself to meet with a nephew, a former student of the school when I was the principal and friends who joined on a cycling trip to Perth at the reception? The linkages continue when the Precinct 16 community group organized a trip to Royal Belum Perak. 

                            

7-9 November 2014 found 25 seniors ( 5,6,7 Series) embarked on a boathouse for 3D2N adventure into the Belum Valley in Perak. It was a testing time for the 7th Series to keep in momentum with the younger group but the activities pushed all to enjoy what was programmed and Belum Valley is a place to be visited for those who care and love flora, fauna and the treasures of our jungles and lakes. It was also a return to the base where who had moved into a year and more ago when a tourism project under the Northern Corridor Agency was implemented.   Lakes, waterfalls, fishing and the comforts of the  'houseboat' with outboard motors for trips to the islands and places close by plus the warm serving of breakfast, lunch and dinner with fresh water fishes servings etc plus the camaraderie helped to make the trip a successful one. It makes us think why we would go visiting places beyond our shores when here it is the best of its kind. 

                                At Sg Rouk Waterfall, one of several to be discovered at Belum

      Members of Precinct 16 Putrajaya who traveled  by bus to Belum and the two of us joined them after our drive from Alor Setar.

         The house boat which can take up to 40 passengers complete with the amenities you would find at home. The owner and guide Sdr Abd Mutalib an ex-army officer familiar with Belum would assure comforts as well as safety and guidance.. 

          BELUM ( land before time) sits astride the East -West Highway as you drive from Jeli to Grik and crossed the two bridges at the lakes. It also joins to the Temenggor Lake at its southern and eastern part.   

 

  They had their fun and excitement fishing in the lake.

  Not necessarily being in a Jurassic Park but you will admire the giant growth of existing trees at Belum

  You may choose to stay in the Boat House or stay in the several chalets built for Northern Corridor or the Royal Belum Authority

An opportunity to visit a 'Kampong Orang Asli' is possible since there are several in the Belum Valley. You will notice their homes are built of natural materials found in the jungles.

Now should you need or feel that the adventure into the Belum Valley is your next program for a family visit do feel free to contact if you should need a helping hand. I can assure you even the family would love and enjoy the short trip.

POSTINGS PRE AND POST 23 AUGUST 2014

The time line as given marked a significant date in my life hitting a two digit number in the progressive years of my life and remembering that would be best to recapitulate the activities or programs that passed by within that vicinity. Firstly Ramadan and Syawal would definitely take preference and therefore activities if any were related to that special months.  Nonetheless these photos accompanying best tell it all. 

The house where it stands has been there for many years but never had this perspective before. While in the compound of the neighbor's home, only then I saw its new angle and beauty and so it is seen framed by the leaves and branches of our neighbor's home.

This is 'Pondok Maharizan' , home of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at Titi Gajah Alor Setar Whenever he and Tun Siti Hasmah are back in Alor Setar they would be staying here. During Ramadan he came home for several visits and I had this golden opportunity to take a picture of him with one of my grandson. A picture the young man would treasure many years later. He may not realize its significance just now. I only realized that Tun Dr Mahathir had put his arm on Danish's shoulder after viewing the photograph later. Truly a father's touch. Be it as it is I would believe that I have several good photos of this 'Negarawan', maybe able to compare with some of the press photographer's collections. 

The first day of Syawal would of course see all of us at the local mosque closes to you. Dressed in the best and not necessarily in new attire Muslims , men and women plus the children too attended the morning AidilFitri Prayer. At our kampong, it was a pleasant surprise for many, especially for those that returned home for the occasion to see Masjid Tuan Hussein in its new face lift brought about by the mosque's Committee. 

The morning and afternoon session must have passed with full of enjoyment and refreshment to have caused the young persons as depicted in the photograph below. Only three hours after noon and ALL of them are in deep slumber. Surely affected by walking, visiting and consuming all the delicacies laid on the tables at places visited and at home. That would not be an unfamiliar situation for many of us too many years ago.

  

This was one happy moment when all the children and grand children were at home and a golden opportunity to have recorded this photograph.

The Old Collegian Association had a Hari Raya Gathering at Putrajaya on 15 August 2014. Place: Office of Tun Dr Mahathir It was an opportunity to meet old friends again and signifying that the SAHC Old Boys Association is still functioning. It was here that with all the laughter and happy mood that prevailed Tun Dr Mahathir on asked to give a speech began by saying that he wished to be serious and delivered his speech amongst other things requesting all present to be aware of ENGLISH as an important language for MATHS and SCIENCE implying that to continue and expand in the two subjects one would need to know the media of English as daily hundreds of research papers are published or issued and one would be left behind if unable to keep in steps with them. That is if you would want to progress.

That done and the program ended with a group photo taken with Tun and Dr Siti Hasmah. As much as the group came for the friendship and celebration of AidilFitri they were left to take home a message that they should elaborate to their children and grand children for their future career and expansion.

Yes it was also an occasion  for the gathering to wish Tun Dr Mahathir and Tun Dr Siti Hasmah a great Happy Birthday belated wishes. 


As usual, when away from home you would plan where possible to include other programs in the schedules especially when we receive invitations from friends. Post Hari Raya would of course see invitations to attend wedding functions. One was at Putrajaya too and it was from one of our neighbours of Presinct 16. I choose to highlight the theme of the function and direction taken by the host and hostess to make the event a memorable one.

A garden scene was chosen as the theme and as the bride and bridegroom sat on the stage a group performed the 'Zapin' to an accompanying music much to the surprise of the guests. Necessarily our attendance at such get-together allowed us to meet friends whom we have not met regularly since they live away from our normal circle. More so a golden opportunity to know new friends as well.

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LET'S CONTAINED IT FOR A TRY ....

This picture may be familiar to many as it appears in the local  press to herald the opening and current show piece of Putrajaya Flower Show when it was opened to the public in June 2014.The colorful umbrellas along the main entrance pathway helped to cover the visitors from the noonday sun especially but the colorful display of "fluoride 2014" .in the show area cast away any fear of the scorching sun. 

Our attentions however were glued to the container home on display. Not that we have not seen containers used as offices for the construction industry however hats off to the planner and designer of this project who realized the potentials of the box as a home and a very beautiful and homely one at that. It's a double storey one with garden landscape added.  Imagine collecting branches and harnessing them as fences. Unique and indicating what we too often forget the ability and durability of materials around us for many purposes.

 "The main entrance to the container home, arrange in a T formation"

     

"Possibly not many look at this fencing, but when you do then realize the potentials of the discarded materials around us... wood especially. Most important the 'idea' that it threw. I would guess 'Robin Hood and his group or Tarzan' would have barricaded their camps in similar style."

                  

 " The bottom section with added flooring and designed side walls. On the right is the small courtyard with stairs to the top floor.

    

'The top section opening to a garden landscape view'

                           

'The courtyard and the stairs to the top floor'

                                           

'The view from the upstairs box'

"It gives a thought of doing something like this. Then again it has to be a 'gotong royong'  to collect the branches and arranging them in the manner as seen. Nevertheless 'SALUTE' to the designer and grateful that we are made to realize the potentials"

        

     ' From the upstairs box home'

   "Yes even the side wall can be organized to look like this. Yes truly a GREAT idea and if you have a piece of land somewhere along a flowing stream and right in a fruit orchard, why not get on to organize one like this. I am sure you could get old containers to come to your aids. But a group of friends to assist that would be another question. Good luck to those who succeed. 

It would be a great HARI RAYA CELEBRATION FOR THE FAMILY if you succeed.

Below three pictures of other designed products on show at the 'flower show' held at Putrajaya recently. We were there on 17/06/2014. You contribute RM1.00 for entrance and the ticket will allow you to reenter again if you visit the show ground again on the same day. You would have to pay 'tons' to enter the Chelsea Flower Show in UK.

A MOST GRATEFUL PROJECT

I know she must be grateful for the current project that Anak Arshad Architect has been monitoring as the lead consultant for design, construction and completion of a mosque at Bakar Arang Sungai Petani Kedah. As an architect an opportunity to design and see the completion of a mosque is an opportunity that comes not too often. When it does you can be truly thankful to Allah SWT.   Thankful and trusting that it could see the building being used in good time. AAA has designed and completed mosques before and the opportunity and trust given allows for creativity in line with the request and option of the owner or department. However in this case the design and construction of the mosque is sponsored by a single person who naturally bears the complete package of its cost himself. We know there are persons who take upon themselves to contribute for such construction. However meeting one ourselves and working in association with his hopes and commitment is another matter. Thankful that there was that trust and opportunity. Yes not always you get an opportunity to design and build a mosque together with the team of consultants, the contractor and especially the donor. 

A recent visit on site allowed for inspections, feed backs and comments of the project with actions to be taken by the contractor for immediate actions for completion by designated date. Surely the mosque committee and the jumaah want to see a quick completion so that they could use the mosque if possible during Ramadan. The donor rightly must himself be happy to realize that his objective has become true.

Though the pictures may show that the building looks ready for use there are other issues to be solved and completed before it can be commissioned. In the following weeks further inspections will be done to justify that all procedures are adhered  to. Much as many look forward for the new mosque to be opened for public use, the team of consultants too wants to see that the project would be handed over with blessings and satisfaction of the donor and the committee members of the mosque. However several other departments including Jabatan Ugama Islam Kedah have the last words.

                                                        

Main Hall   (Dewan Utama )

 

                                                         

second floor for Muslimah

                                       

The new Extension of Masjid Abu Bakar Al Sidqi Bakar Arang Sungai Petani with the old mosque at the right corner

 Signages

             Dewan Serba Guna ( Open hall on the ground floor)                  

                 

From the Open Hall on the ground floor can be seen the classes for (Tadika dan Kafa), ablution hall and 'dewan Urusan Jenazah'

(Upon completion and official opening of the mosque, a follow up will appear)

Kita sama-sama mendoakan yang terbaik dan mengharapkan masjid mendapat sambutan penuh daripada jumaah sekitar bakar Arang Sungai Petani dan tidak lupa syukur serta bertambah rezeki kepada perdermanya