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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SHAABAN NEXT TO RAMADAN

 As the days come closer to a much awaited month, we keep ourselves active in the normal way, meeting friends, visiting them where and when possible and in between  do what is possible to keep the momentum and be motivated. For sure an open house would permit friends and families to call at your place but it would not be possible to have open house all through the year. A solution comes naturally when we started and opened the restaurant. Much as we expected customers to visit and patronized, it hits the jackpot when friends and colleagues  come visiting too. Many of our friends have called and it has been a pleasure to meet them, unexpected mostly.  Neither we ourselves or them expected us to be in this business, though the business is managed by our son and his team. Unexpected it was when Dato Professor Abdul Halim Othman formerly of UKM and his family came for dinner last week.  It was an opportunity for us to introduce ourselves to each others family and struck the comradeship of our early youth and school days. Both my wife and I have enjoyed such meetings in the months passed and we are sure to continue meeting friends at our 'open house'.

 Abdul Halim Othman and his family

Gleneagle Hospital in Penang with a view from its 10th floor: a part of the sea frontage of Padang Kota Baru can be seen. The hospital is situated close to the Kelawai area, a busy hub with many high rise buildings around it. Below is a kiosk selling refreshment at the hospital. In the government hospitals canteen and such like kiosks would be away from the public zone.

Just behind the front apartment you see above would be one of the old Malay Kampong along Burma Road in Penang. Development that comes to this zone in the early 1960's has transformed the area into what it is now. I remember the Malays around this area would frequent the only mosque at Kelawai Road. Stopping at the the mosque after leaving the hospital I was surprised to see that the old wooden mosque has been pulled down and a new modern one built at its place. Certainly a far departure from what it was before, For the Asar prayer the jumaah was much to be expected for the constituent's position. Nevertheless I believe Friday prayers would get its full attendance especially as the 'Curry Kepala Ikan' restaurant is just a few yards away.

Having coffee at the Hospital's kiosk

        

In Penang you should try the 'Pasembor' served with fresh sea concoctions . The stalls at the corner of Kelawai Road and next to Padang Kota Baru have all kind of hawkers' food for your choice.

As the date shows, we seriously thought the days of seeing weddings as portrayed by P. Ramlee in his films have died. Imagine our surprise and pleasure to see a wedding function at Putrajaya graced by such display. The parents must have given the children their best

Wishing all visitors the best of Shaaban and more so in the month of Ramadan

MARCH TAKES ITS STRIDES

Just as fast like lightening, the months rolled on and we are already in the third month of the year. The speed or otherwise is measured by our achievements in what we have managed to do or otherwise. Naturally at our passage in time, it would not be fair to claim any records, but suffice to know that we have not been dormant but striving to do what should be done, necessarily for the home, family and community.    

One thing for sure, my intimation with 'Kotastar' seems to register the lowest contribution. Is it then an indication of slowness or inclination towards other matters or issues? Nonetheless the efforts must be strengthened otherwise one sure inhibition will die a natural death and the quest for writing and recording will ceased. More so the chance to contact with others in the cyber space.

Be that as it may be, perhaps a retrospect of the past weeks would help to pacify the reasons for the lack lustre. 

12/02/2014 The long shadow and the dry season that hit the country recently coincides with the harvesting season in Kedah..Sadly at other places the dry and rainless climatic condition scourged some of the padi planting zones in the Kedah. Some places in the country even reported a very cool low temperature with Mt Kinabalu recording a freezing one.

In loving memory of her father my wife has named the old house as Cafe & Dewan Arshad AlBanjari recognizing the family connection with Matapura of Banjarmasin.

08/02/2014 An old house has been renovated and the interior now as seen below allows for meetings and private dinner or lunch to be held here. The restaurant proper is just close by. The picture below shows the interior and a meeting in progress.

 

24/02/2014 Restaurant Citarasa TT Gajah ready to welcome guests for lunch.  YB Dato Ismail Sabri Yaakob Menteri Pertanian dan Asas Tani and MADA officers came for lunch after their tour of Pendang district hit by the drought.

 

YB Menteri and group at lunch in the restaurant.

1/3/2014 Pricinct 16 Putrajaya Community members held the Annual Dinner at Dewan Bankuet Marina Putrajaya Presinct 5 Putrajaya. Permintaan untuk ahli menggenakan pakain  'Arabian Night'  mendapat sambutan. Kesempatan berada di Putrajaya kami hadir dimajlis ini.

                       

  Presint 16 Jawatankuasa Persatuan Penduduk 'Super Link Presint 16'

                       

Kanak-kanak menyertai 'musical chair'. Dua orang cucu turut mengambil bahagian .                                       

Wah! Saudara juru acara majlis dengan pakaiannya. Tak hairanlah beliau di pilih sebagai Johan berpakaian ala Arabia.

                        

Sdr M Kassim , seorang lagi ahli dan juga jiran kami di Presinct 16

 Our grandson braved himself to enter "Ketegori keluarga' and won himself a price.

The community at Presinct 16 Putrajaya has always been active and gets strong support from the members. Activities held throughout the year had a good following and the annual function brought the community together.

Crowning what seems a lack lustre month arrived on 03/03/ 2014. This would naturally makes March and the following months dotted with activities, particularly attending to the new arrival. Happily and on record we could say that we have enough members ( grand children) to set up a rugby team if girls can be included. I could be the master coach and with still three reserves standing by. Another grandson comes into the family and delivery was at Hospital Colombia Asia. Wow! Can you expect the South American country to have its hospital here in Selangor? Yet that's what it is called. 

03/03/ 2014 In the morning as we moved to the railway station at Putrajaya, I caught this morning sun as it moved through the branches signaling that haze that over - casted the sky especially in Selangor was clearing. ( As the traffic on the road gets heavier each day the ERL connecting Putrajaya and KL Central serves the commuters and senior citizens get their good share of discounted tickets )  

Never realizing that in the evening a much brighter signal was to come via the telephone. Only a few hours later, he is able to give a smile to the world as the pix shows.

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Maybe I am justified that February has been a bad contribution month in relation to my submission to Kotastar.blogspot.

    

CITY LIFE A CHANGING LIFESTYLE

Thursday 5 December 2013:  This morning we were in the city. At first together with the young office and departmental members who were in their attires waiting at  'PUTRAJAYA SENTRAL' for the KLIA transit to take us to 'KUALA LUMPUR SENTRAL'. Mind you there is no mistake in the spelling. The Putrajaya Railway Station, similarly Kuala Lumpur central railway station go by that name and spelling. 

I find it absorbing and interesting to look at things and where and when possible click the shutter and there you have the moment captured. In this case the first two pictures have stories of their own. Maybe on a casual and fleeting observation you may not see the secrets and the lifeline they displayed but with the evidence at hand you realized the sanity and the life style adopted. The fellow passengers stood in proper order, one behind the other, queuing before the train arrived at the point where the doors would be when the train stopped. Give another look and you will notice at least they don't stand ideally but busy .... reading. It's either the pages of a book or the screens of their hand-phones.Messages, twitters, blogs, news, music, radio programs, games etc are items you get on your cell phones and connectivity gives you sound and music too.

 

Similarly, another group close by are at it in the same way. All oblivious to the surroundings and the fellow human beings around them. All are casually dressed, black being the favoured colour and the haversacks have become good companions. I remarked to my wife that once mothers carry their young babies in similar styles. Well is this then an adoption or adaptation? One thing for sure the sale of such bags is a hit. Is it lighter or easier carrying the bag in this manner? For sure you have both hands free.

It is not hard to guess that daily such routine applies and you wonder how much the group pay to things that move around them and realize the human factors participating.

The transit train arrived as announced and we moved into the  carriages, each one taking his seat or standing in the crowded train that arrived at the city centre in quick time. Another routine in the daily mobility of persons has been casually observed.

Then in the city, Kuala Lumpur continues to present its never halting expansions. The earlier train ride was a good respite from the normal traffic to the city. As I walked to KLCC( Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre) I noticed this part of the city, a section sandwiched by two tall buildings, yet it occupies a business centre of a unique kind, designed as a restaurant or a coffee-house even offering an open-air first floor.  It even advertised that a 'flea' market will be opened here.

Now are we so congested or devoid of space that we allow for such construction to take place? A few minutes later, I came across these two brave workers who are already in their gears, checking that all are clear before they are hoisted up into the sky to begin their duties for the day. One moment you see the road cleaners and the next the window cleaners in the sky. 

Hopefully they will not repeat what we saw earlier at the railway station  ... taking a short break, having a breather and a casual look at their hand phones while up there.

Questions? In future will books be on sale for the masses? Will reading newspapers and magazines  be a continuing affair? Will persons carry pens for the normal usage i.e for writing as clicking away on the phones continue to be the norm? Will we be knocking into each other and likely to say 'hello' and be introduced? Many of our lifestyles and norms seems to depart from what it is now!

1 SHAWAL (HARI RAYA AIDIL FITRI)

Today is Thursday 1 Shawal 1434H / 8 August 2013 and Muslims through out the world celebrate Aidil Fitri the first day of Shawal after leaving behind the previous month of Ramadan, which saw Muslims observing the fast for the whole month beginning dawn to sunset. It is a great festive day seeing families getting together even meaning many returning home to their bases even if stationed or working in other parts of the country or even outside the country. This annual gathering allow parents to meet their siblings and other close relatives and friends. For today specifically Muslims are forbidden to fast though for the next six days starting tomorrow they may do so as so specified religiously.

For today especially visits to homes would mean being entertained to delicious servings of various kind of food and delicacies. Never the less it is the gathering with audible wishes of 'forgive and forget' or 'ampun dan maaf' between one another young and old, parents and siblings. The morning starts with the community gathering for the 'Aidilfitri' prayer at the nearby mosques and thereafter the love ones adjourning to the graves of their dear departed to offer prayers and respect. 

  

Children especially enjoy this special festive days as they receive envelopes containing 'duit raya' from their elder relatives as well as their parents. The more energetic boys and girls who made their ways to the 'open houses' will gain a good collection laughing their way homes at the end of the day.

From the news report we hear that thousands gathered at two  open houses held at Istana Negara Kuala Lumpur and Seri Perdana Putrajaya respectively held earlier in the day today. "Open House' will be held in other places too in the next few days throughout the country identifying the uniqueness of our Malaysian society.

Our visit to our neighbour early today meant that we had the golden opportunity to meet with Dato Paduka Mukhriz the Menteri Besar of Kedah and his wife. The Menteri Besar likewise would hold an 'open house' at Seri Mentaloon the official residence on 10th August 2013

                        

 The families meeting with the Menteri Besar of Kedah and wife.

 Later in the day, the ' open house' concept saw its great success when families and friends convened at our home. It is an golden opportunity to meet with families far and near as well friends. Like wise we too take the opportunity to visit other homes as well binding closer unity and friendship.

This is one of the great virtue of Aidilfitri when we come together and forgive and forget apologizing for faults, mistakes or whatever that have transpired between one another in the past. The children especially live on to remember the celebration, the delicacies and the envelopes with Aidilfitri Ringgit Malaysia enclosed as token for the visits to homes.

Nonetheless families never failed to remember the dear departed, missing them for their non presence at this juncture and celebration.

RAMADAN THE QUESTION. HOW DO YOU BREAK THE FAST ?

Ramadan is the fasting month for Muslims. It strikes a lasting impact each year it comes around. Much as it heralds the first of Shawal after a month of fasting during the day and celebrated by all, it necessarily bid a farewell with thoughts whether we would be fortunate to welcome the month again the coming year. The religious obligations that we performed during Ramadan far outstretched any other months in the Muslim calendar.  

This morning the attention is focused at looking the current obligations of Muslims breaking fast at sunset. 'Obligations' to an extent when we depart from our home and instead break fast outside thus not being with the whole family. Maybe the attractions and callings or invitations do take us away from the family and allow us to be with others for the occasion.  

A, With friends and neighbors at the mosque.

No you do not have to travel away from home but just arrive in time at the local mosque for reading of the prayer and helping where necessary with the jumaah. You simply sit with the rest of the neighbours and breakfast with the the call of the 'azan' The dishes are served either by the mosque officials or the caterer. No one lingers for the maghrib prayer soon calls upon all to be in the mosque. All will leave for home after the prayer and prepares to return for the Isyak and Terawith prayer soon after. Much as at our local mosque only the male jumaah attend the breakfast session, there are mosques which see the family attending the breaking of fast. This surely assures a healthy growth in the community. 

 

B, At a hotel or restaurant in the city. 

Advertisements in the newspapers and hoardings outside hotels and restaurants invite customers to breakfast at these places. Naturally they showcase the delicacies and menus that are attractive in combination with the price set. A family which takes to this invitation will naturally pay a RM 50.00 per person or more, not counting that they have to leave home to arrive at these establishments. Naturally the atmosphere added to the 'luxury' of the establishment not forgetting the display of dishes which catch your eyes.

      The servings that tempt you but the how much can you eat?

No this now appear as a display item at the restaurant, though they must have been a hit before

This was all that come to be placed on the dining plate.

       At a middle eastern restaurant in Kuala Lumpur

C, At home or a restaurant in town particularly at Restoran TT Gajah Alor Setar

 

We offer a good rate for breaking of fast at RM 20.00 per person with the homely atmosphere and local dishes added in. This is just like breaking fast at home too. A surau on site offers the necessarily need of the guests.