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.

    

THE CONNECTIONS : TIME TO PONDER AND BE GRATEFUL

THE CONNECTIONS

With the plug pushed into the socket, you would naturally get the electricity and your house is lighted, the TV is on or the air conditioning unit is blasting to cool you. Simple. Much appreciated by families and we would cry foul if otherwise.

Now let's look at ourselves. Do we have connections? Surely and certainly but more often than not we brush that aside assuming a take for granted discourse. 

The inherent connection of gangsters with the underworld is made clear to us with movies or novels that tell the linkages granting that they would find hard to survive without the support of the other. How true that is remained the mysteries of the files in the police or justice department.

But we do need connections - even to get things DONE fast and with success we need help or assistance. Our connections with friends or friends of friend's come handy and expected. Recounting the past, our movements through the decades surely cannot escape the connections that came our way. We owe and salute all the assistance that have come our way. 

Moving on from our previous service or career we would naturally accumulate much connections : especially in terms of friends and office or career colleagues. These are true and sincere connections that give spice, assistance and foremost continuing friendships. However as days go by, that connection begins to wain by nature of displacement, transfer and irregular meetings face to face. How often when we meet again, it takes time to recollect and to remember names.

I find therefore a need to be circulating where and when possible so that the connection continue to hold. It is therefore a grand opportunity when former office staffs meet again in a big way; when students call on their former teachers or when association of members function to keep this spirit of togetherness alive.

Two pictures which bring former members of Universiti Utara Malaysia together with the formation of Persatuan Pesara UUM. It was a golden opportunity to say 'hello' to one another and exchange news. Hopefully the Association will continue to bind that linkage.

 How fortunate we are especially to be able to meet daily at our local Mosque or 'Surau' thus the connection of neighbours or community in the area, kampong or 'taman' is guaranteed. Majlis Khenduri often held in the community helped in a big way i.e if you show yourself there. 

Personally I find it heart warming when my former students call to say 'hello' and further still meet at opportunities that bring us together. When students of 1959 (at their primary class and students of the 1964 ( Secondary School) get together you feel a great sense of 'achievement' in the simple diction that they remember you and remain friends and no more 'guru dan murid'. 

Connections in all its greatness bring light, refreshment, happiness, knowledge and gratefulness in ways that keep you confident, secure and happy in the sense that there is continuity.  

The Opening Month ....Journeying Through January 2014

The calender saw the month of January 2014 stripped away and replaced by February. So too our diary closed its pages for the month. However not many people keep diaries now, especially to record what has passed through the days, weeks and months. If there are they only noted appointments, meetings and dates to be remembered.  

Possibly the camera and the smart phones have taken over that role, remembering intact and with great exclusiveness the happenings, especially in relation to what you have encountered and experienced. Searching through the snapshots of the month, I have the following pictures to record my activities and surprisingly declaring that as a family we have not been idle but moving around guided by programs and invitations as expected at this juncture of life.

January or R'awal 1435H saw invitations to weddings and one was at Putrajaya when the grandson of Tun Zahir Ismail ( the late Speaker of Parliment Malaysia) met his bride. Amongst the guests were Tun Dr Mahathir and his wife Tun Siti Hasmah. The picture shows the guests at the wedding taking the opportunity to meet the former Prime Minister. For many it was a golden opportunity to record the occasion. 

4 Jan 2014

Another day we had the golden opportunity to meet with Saudara Hj Hashim Abdul Rahman and his family at Putrajaya too. Hashim lives in Canberra Australia since he graduated in Computer Science in early 1970's. Without the prospect of entering that specialized career then in Malaysia, he saw the opportunity to do so in Australia. That took him there and remained since. We met him and his daughter together with his grandson and grand daughter. An ex teacher from the former Malaysian Teachers College at Brinsford Lodge England he traveled often between Australia and Malaysia and on occasion touched the Hawaian Isle as one son has started a career there. Truly we can never predict where we would be. A widower he has kept himself busy with religious and social activities . 15 January 2014

17 January 2014  ' Vendetta Abuse of Power' is the title of the book. We were at the official launching of the book at one of the hotel in Petaling Jaya by Dato Rais Yatim. Dr Shaari Isa, a friend and former bursar at Universiti Utara Malaysia is the author of the book that chronicled the story of Syed Kechik, his contributions, loss in Sabah and more so his struggle and continuing efforts by his brother to right the wrongs. It was however a first opportunity for me to see a grand book launching accompanied by my son Abu Bakar Sidqi.

Guests and the media were at the function with MPH as the publisher. Below Dato Abdullah Abd Rahman of MPH presenting a souvenir to Dato Rais Yatim. Dr Shaari Isa accompanies..

Two restauranteurs met. Abu Bakar Sidqi with Auntie Annie talking business at Auntie Annies Restaurant in Nilai Negeri Sembilan. Famed for her culinary cooking, her restaurant pulled in visitors and the ambiance of the place was an added factor.    

   Some of the dishes especially of Minang Cooking  met our likings.

19 January 2014 saw us on the road and leaving Putrajaya in the morning found us halting at Simpang Pulai near Ipoh with its green lay-by and affording a good breather for the tired bodies and then continuing for another 200 kilometres and more before reaching Alor Setar. The signage along the Highway tells that Bahasa Malaysia has never been adopted as the media though it is an obligation and necessity. The hills of Ipoh too with its quality marble seems to be eroded with the passing of time.   

In the evening upon reaching home we met with friends who had traveled from Kuala Lumpur as well as Kota Bharu to be in Alor Setar on the occasion of the Sultan of Kedah's birthday celebration. Tunku Khadijah Tengku Abdul Rahman, Syarifah Nur Aza, Tengku Yusoff and wife were  at Citarasa Restaurant.It was a happy occasion when we met old friends.

23 January 2014 saw me traveling north and to the Universiti Utara Malaysia Campus at Sintok. It was an opportunity to meet with old friends and former staff of the University. It was an occasion after thirty years when the administrators realized that an association of former staff of the University has to be formed and this was the launching ceremony of the Association. Hopefully the Association will grow and function successfully supporting ex members of the University. 

Come 23 January 2014 it was an opportunity to celebrate Maulidur Rasul at Titi Gajah and specifically at Restoran Citarasa TT Gajah. Guest Speaker was Ustaz Husammah from UUM. Neighbours, friends, relatives and former students attended. At the same occasion Dewan and Kafe Arshad Albanjari was officially opened. 

      Megat Hj Salleh introducing the guest speaker.

Five former students of SMSAH Jenan and Tunku Bendahara of Kodiang at the function remembering old times.  

 29 January 2014 saw us departing for KLIA by flight and exiting the terminal at KLIA one is pulled to give glances at the attractive displays of several new stalls that graced the corridors. The air journey that normally takes an hour landed much later due to heavy traffics at KLIA. The rush home for the Chinese New Year celebration added to the heavy traffic in the air and on the road.

 The varieties of handbags in the market especially in the up market sector see the women folks at a puzzling moment for the choice of one. It is recognizing the original from the fakes.

 30 January 2014. My wife's program to attend an old classmates gathering over dinner took us to a restaurant by the side of the lake at Putrajaya. It was a meeting that linked friendship with new friends and trust that other similar meetings will find their ways again.   The magnificent few of Putrajaya graced us from its vintage point.

31 January 2014  It was the last day of the month and yet again another wedding khenduri has to be attended and this was at Banting Ulu Langat. However over dinner at one of the restaurant in town we had a good choice of sea food and local dishes served. The price of 'ikan siakap' at RM 40.00 a piece indicated the pricey item that is part of the news at this point in time. It was your choice to have it cooked or to pick another dish.

 

Sometimes during the course of our visits and traveling, we unexpentingly meet with friends. This was one occasion when over breakfast I met up with Professor Hamid who hailed from Kelantan. Golden opportunities like this comes unexpected and a great reward..

How fortunate that the small camera that you carry with you manage to keep the records and it falls back on you only to rewind and trace back the moments. How otherwise would you bring back the past moments?

WELCOMING THE DRY SEASON

Spring time brings colour to the temperate countries while winter puts everything white. Two other seasons have reasons for the populace to enjoy the sunny sides of things.

However in Kedah and Perlis especially we have two distinct seasons ... the dry and the wet. Significantly the stormy sides of Kelantan and Trengganu especially late in the year signifies that the dry season in our states is fast approaching, It may come sooner or a bit later.

However January 2014 has already given a sign that the dry season has already touched us. Therefore expect, dry, cool wind to blow from the east with no rain forthcoming. The firemen will be kept busy putting out grass fires. Plants would require good watering etc , etc  ....

This picture heralds the entry of the dry season in Kedah. Many other flowering trees and plants will follow casting their blooms soon. 

Significantly we greet the 14th and 19th of January 2014 with Maulidur Rasul and the Birthday of The Sultan of Kedah.

Hoping that it will be a blissful year as bright as the colourful scene of this wayside tree along the Alor Setar - Bukit kayu Hitam Highway  .......  07/01/2014

THEY DESIGN FOR OUR COMFORT

Often we come across designs that delight our senses but do we stop a while to admire and heap thanks to the designer and establishment that give comfort as well as peace of mind. The opportunity to travel within and outside the country allow me to look at things, discover the people's ability to design things and naturally offer the best. More often just grateful that  they are there for our convenience while of course thankful that there are people who cares for comfort and esthetic for fellow humans.  The past may have their establishments rendering cultural and historical significance while the present seek for the best that can be given.

I am talking of 'comfort room', 'men and women'. 'Damas' and 'Caballeros', in short 'the toilet'. We used to hear of dissatisfaction over Malaysian toilets and invariably agreeable to the conditions then prevailing. That there has been improvement and a great change is undeniable. Now everyone is likely to have a peace of mind when approaching the 'gentlemen' or 'ladies'. Many of course place a small levy for usage.

Our recent visit to Bandung Indonesia surprisingly disclosed facilities or conveniences that should be emulated by many. Have a look at the following photographs and you will agree with me that it is 'extraordinarily' exceptional and first class.

Our normal search for the 'comfort room' this time was  rewarded by a pleasant surprise. We not only saw the normal narrow corridor that led to the zone but instead was greeted by this wide pathway towards a lighted or bright zone with entries left and right to the 'peria' and 'wanita' (men and women) sections.

At the end of the corridor, we came upon this pool with fishes and greenery, the left turn led to the 'ladies' and the right to the 'gentlemen'. I was unable to have a look at the other sector but what was registered on camera of the right section pleased the eyes and rightly showed that the establishment really took pain as well commitment to give the best without spending much for the upkeep and maintenance.

The 'gentleman' zone is enclosed with creeping vines as a privacy factor yet continuing the greenery of the whole public toilet at a shopping small in one sector of Bandung City.

It won't be fair if I only choose to show the 'public zone' of a foreign country which fortunately or otherwise we had the chance to encounter. Therefore following this, one at home ground will need to be exposed, congratulating the community concerned at their efforts to improved a much talked about topic or issue at one time. 

MEE BANDUNG DAN AIS BANDUNG - APA PULA YANG ADA DI BANDUNG?

BANDUNG sebenarnya tak asing kepada kita, sekurang-kurangnya kita sentiasa menikmati 'mee bandung' dan sekali sekala mencoba pula 'ais bandung.' Para pelancong khusus dari Malaysia berduyun-duyun ke kota ini yang terkenal dengan barangan dari kilang-kilangnya. "Factory Outlet' menjadi sebutan ramai dan penerbangan Air Asia merupakan satu-satu pengangkutan udara yang mendarat di lapangan terbang Bandung. Anehnya tidak terdapat penerbangan tempatan seperti Garuda atau SriWijaya yang mengguna lapangan terbang Bandung.

Mereka yang mendarat di Jakarta jika hendak ke kota ini perlulah mendapat teksi, bas atau perkhidmatan keretapi . Perjalanan tentu memakan masa lebih daripada tiga jam.

Kami mengalami peristiwa itu apabila dipandu terus dari Lapangan Terbang Jakarta ke Bandung. Jalan yang sesak bermula dari Lapangan Terbang Jakarta lagi menyebabkan perjalanan itu mengambil lebih daripada empat jam.

Kebetulan kami ke sini bukan untuk berperwisata tetapi kebetulan menyertai satu persidangan. At least my wife attended the conferance and I was able to take time to see parts of the city while the program was on.

So enjoy viewing the photographs accompanying as we found the city keeping close with its historical and geographical origin, preserving its characteristics and able to sustain the old while developing and extending with a huge population of more than 14 million people.

  

Cool and refreshing, resemble Cameron Highland  and the sun comes up quite early in the day. By Malaysian time it was 8.18 am as registered on my camera. In fact it is an hour behind at Bandung. 

 The cool highland location of Bandung made it a favourite week-end destination from the populace of Jakarta. Greenery and flowering plants added beauty to the city.

                                

 This landscape garden was at the hotel where we stayed

The wooded area around the province must of course provide quality wood for the furniture industry but my close encounter with this masterpiece at a shopping arcade indicate that there must be excellence craftsmen in the  province while of course not denying the availability of quality wood..

The picture shows one 'factory outlet' which sells products produced in Bandung. We never got to see any factory but the amount of goods of various types and quality assure that the production must be strong both for export and home consumption. The large number of Malaysian buyers naturally allowed RM to be accepted by the sellers at most establishments.

If in Malaysia we had heritage buildings reflecting British presence in the country, Indonesia has Dutch built buildings to show its linkages with Holland. We had the opportunity to visit a great building currently used as the office of the Governor. It is named as Gedong Sate for the sate stick that tops the building as a symbol. The view from its highest point is as seen in the picture below.  A dinner reception was held in one of its hall. Observe its ceiling height.

Imagine being serenaded when you are having breakfast. This two musician were at their best during breakfast time at the hotel we  stayed. Don't be surprised that guitars are freely available at this city and at a take away price too. I ended taking home one, hoping to start plucking away or let my son do justice at it.  

Bandung  in Jawa Barat invites you to visit the city and the current return air fare is as good as visiting one of our towns in Malaysia.