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. 

DEFINING AN AGRICULTURAL COUNTRY

We say that Malaysia pushes itself to become an agricultural country, wanting and wishing to produce food for its own people and trying not to depend on import as far as possible.Exposition the likes of MAHA biennially hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro based Industries is a showcase and even acknowledged as a global agro- exhibition. Exhibition as it is expects much from realty. All the best could be exhibited, exciting everyone with what they see or observe. The question always boils to the real production rather than the best of the best.

MAHA 2012 was held from 23 November to 2 December 2012 at Serdang Selangor recently. Many were excited by the products of agriculture they saw at the exhibitions. No I was not at the exhibition ground, missing out the grand show.

However I frequent markets either the weekly fair or the normal daily market places. Certainly they give us a good and fair picture of what are produced and what are not.The quantity and quality too define the production at hand.

A one day visit to the neighboring country and especially to the border town of Haadyai in Thailand recently gave an indicative of Thailand's agricultural production. A good morning walk with two friends from Putrajaya after the 'subuh' prayer exposes us to an open market close to the city centre, displaying the early morning activities of the sellers and buyers. More excitingly we were greeted with fresh greens and all the richness of food for the dining tables or kitchens where ever you choose to place them once you have made the purchase and taken the produce home.

We also explored the main market of the city and obviously perplexed with what we saw. The quality and quantity themselves far outstretched what we would find at many of the big fresh markets at home. We wondered and asked would all that productions for that particularly day find the market and buyers. Remembering tomorrow is another day and more would be added.  

Take a look at the following photographs which speak volume of the agricultural supply that are served at two markets on the same day. The prices offered or listed made us want to cart home most things only the transportation limited the quantity. Imagine the other market places in the country!. Maybe we underestimated the power of people to buy products either for home consumption or for trade in all the business places especially the restaurants and hotels in the country. Nevertheless we are thankful to have been given a golden opportunity to see the agricultural sector at its best i.e the products in the market places and not at exhibitions.

It is no surprise that lorry-loads of greens, fishes etc crossed the Malaysian border at Bukit Kayu Hitam and Padang Besar  every evening and moving on southwards even to Singapore.     

 We noticed that the Buddhist monks were at the market early in the morning, receiving 'donations' in terms of foodstuff from the sellers as well blessing them for their generosity.

 'Petai' ready for cooking and a kilo would have kept you contented for weeks.

At another section we found 'petai'and bananas. 'Pisang awak' fresh, ripe and would surely make good 'pisang goreng' A bunch costs RM2.00

 Now here is 'Pisang Bunga'. I was searching for 'Pisang Raja' and found that at another section of the market.

                           

The prices are in Thai 'bahts' and fresh 'dokong' at RM 6.00 a kilo

 

Housewives would be happy to find fresh vegetables for lunch or dinner preparation.

This section of the road near the city centre was taken up by the street venders from 6.00 till 11.00 am. Seeking out the market in the morning has become part of the attraction whenever we visit a town and especially in a foreign country. It's colourful as well as lively and gives us an understanding of the people and their production.

 Moving about  a kilometer away we came to the main market of the city. Here we found the produce in abundance and thus wondered whether they would be sold off. Maybe we were conservative not realizing the size of the population here and the nearby towns and suburbs.The greens were still our focus though we did go into the fish markets as well.

                                 

This shop particularly sells 'petai' and it's a galore.

 Hundreds of 'limau manis' in the plastic bags.

  In large plastic bags ' daun limau purut' . These go for the 'tomyam' dishes.

                

Take your choice and see anything familiar. This is part of the interesting thing discovering the familiar and the new.

 At the market such as these, you would naturally be snapping away photos after photos as the atmosphere presented a unique experience.  Leaving us to question where we are in the agricultural sector. Now that we are also operating a restaurant, the exposure at the market gives directions and benefits to our advantages too.

Friends Came Visiting

 After a good morning ride near Alor Setar, the group arrived at TT Gajah for breakfast and they had a hearty one at that.

A

 All cheers for having made it to Alor Setar and TT Gajah especially after all the planning.

 Dinner at Citarasa TT Gajah. The plates are ready on the tables and the dishes have yet to come.

 Before that light conversation was in order with them discussing the plan for the next day

Help yourselves! Surely these are not the shy types when it came for what are served for dinner.

Now these two bikers found themselves at the Haadyai Food Market and especially at this solely petai shop.

They are bikers, not youth but seniors in the range of the 5th and 6th series . Sometimes even the 7th series may be in too. They came from Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur. Not necessarily on their bikes i.e cycling right from the the two cities but carrying their folding bikes in the car boot and ready to do exercise upon reaching terracotta of Alor Setar.Three members flew to Alor Setar and the bikes made available to them. Several of them were members who cycled at Perth a few months back. It was a get-together as promised and it came through meeting again and now in the north of the peninsular with them having a magnificent sight of the rich Kedah rice-fields at this time of the year.

The vast greenery of the Kedah Plain near Gunong Keriang and where our visitors absorbed the view as well as visited the Padi Museum. Come a few months later it will be a golden field when the padi ripen.

No doubt feeling tired and a restful break with a good cup of coffee helped at Hj Salleh Kedai Kopi did wonders.

The nine magnificent in front of the gate to Istana Anak Bukit with seven folding and two mountain bikes for the ride in Alor Setar. Many would remember how we rode our bikes in the 50's and 60's. Even school boys and girls cycled for more than 10 miles to get to schools and back. It would be thought as a tragedy now. Thankful that cycling has come back.

KAMPONG BUAH PALA - PENANG

YOU MAY RECOLLECT STORIES ABOUT THE KAMPONG IN PENANG. It was in the news several years ago involving the residents, Penang state government and all concerned especially the political parties and individuals. Not leaving behind the Police and  Rela who were called to provide security when things got out of hand. With all the hula -valu however  it died a quiet death soon after. 

The episode for its glorification and confrontation also came to be labelled as "The High Chaparral" for its Indian and the cowherds settlement. You could easily refer to the story and its ending or settlement if any by clicking the button of your computer.

Strangely another similar story seems to repeat itself in Penang when a small piece of land along Burma Road hit the headline when it is being sold for almost RM 30 Million with a demand for payment to be cleared in thirty days.

How will the second episode end? Let's wait.

However let me disclose what has transpired with the "High Chaparral " case.

 What was a cowherd village in the quiet suburb in Glugor and adjacent to the Royal Malaysian Custom quarters now stands the high rise apartment buildings you see in the picture. I took the picture early one Friday morning, noticing that the apartments have not been occupied yet though all seems ready even with an extensive parking sections. 

Now one wonders what has happened to the original claimants to the land? Do they get even a chance to enter the gates much less walk into the apartments? Have their lawyers succeeded to fight their case to the end? Where were the so called champions? Sadly such stories get repeated. With luck it hits the headline. More often than not it lies in the shadows unknown and manipulated leaving the victims poorer in all forms. Land and property issues grabbed the media quite often. 

             
Taken much earlier in the morning with the high rise Royal Custom quarters in the foreground. The parking section of the 'High Chaparral' is seen lighted up.

The picture showing one of the houses at the village being demolished much to the regret and disappointment to the owners.





   

55TH MERDEKA ANNIVERSARY -MALAYSIA

IT IS THE 31st of August 2012. A public holiday and a long weekend too. Malaysia celebrates its 55th anniversary with the normal parades and speeches by its leaders especially the prime Minister. Switched on the TV or radio you will be reminded of its historical development. We missed out on the parade or spending good time seeing the TV program this morning. We had other important assignment to complete. Yes we went shopping on this public holiday. But we had to travel 200 + kilometres to and fro to get to the destination and back. We came to know that a certain factory in Kulim would be holding a special sale today and the next two days. I came to know from the visit that the factory had such sale once in six months and this was the day.

Kulim in Kedah has its industrial zone but this is the first time that we ever visited a factory in the area.  Now what do we buy here? Let me answer by showing you the following photographs. 

                                                           On offer at RM7.00 a piece

       Large colorful plate for  RM4.00 each and mug of the same color at RM 4.00 too

          Large dinner plate at RM 7.00 a piece.

 The bulls in the crockery shop ! No it is housewives, shop owners, wedding planners etc who came here to get a real purchase of quality goods. It is a Japanese factory that exports its product  but once in a blue moon open its doors to local purchasers offering not discarded items but quality goods that one failed to see any reject marks if any. At its offered price it is a grab.
 

 

Our choice for the day plus others as well. Not to worry as these plates will be part of the items in the kitchen for our opening restaurant. Coming soon

Now back at home we have a look at some of the other items also bought at the counter .Come to think of it, we thought Langkawi offers good items price wise too. Now from the purchases made AND with further discount at the paying counter you would prefer to locate such factory outlets if any. I guess you have to listen to the grape vines from people who know the market.

 Signing off with good wishes to all for the 55th Merdeka anniversary. Maybe a different manner of welcoming our 1957 anniversary. How did you fill the day?


* the bluish effect in the photos is due to the canopy laid over the concourse of the factory where the items were on display.

CEREMONIES OF LIFE (2) - ON THE HAJ CALLING

SUCH POSTERS AND ANNOUNCEMENT APPEAR IN THE TOWN AND AT AIRPORTS WISHING THE BEST FOR THE PILGRIMS WHO MAKE THEIR JOURNEY TO MAKKAH AND MAY THEY RETURN WITH 'HAJI MABRUR'

 AT HOMES AND MOSQUES SURAH YASSIN IS READ IN RESPECT OF A SAFE JOURNEY TO THE PILGRIMS WHILE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH RELATIVES, NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS.

SHOES AND SLIPPERS ARE LEFT OUTSIDE; THAT BEING CUSTOMARY AS VISITORS ENTER THE HOME

A HAPPY MOMENT AS ALL GATHERED IN THE HOME, LED BY THE IMAM OF THE COMMUNITY TO RECITE SURAH AND DOA FOR THE BEST

IT'S THE TIME FOR MUSLIMS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD TO DIRECT THEIR ATTENTION TO ALHARAM AND MADINAH. THE HAJ MONTH HAS BEGUN SINCE THE FIRST OF SYAWAL AND ENDING 10th OF ZULHIJJAH 1431H.

A million of pilgrims have already made their way to the holy city. A million more will journey there before the expiring date. Over the last few months, embassies, consulates, travel agencies and pilgrimage boards have been working hard to accommodate visitors to Makkah. Chartered flights designated KT( flight number) have left KLIA and several other airports in the country for Jeddah and Madinah carrying their loads of Malaysian pilgrims. Malaysia's Pilgrim Board known as TABUNG HAJI has been at it for decades now, committed to make Muslim pilgrims from Malaysia get the full privilege to travel on their Haj journey with comfort and satisfaction. For sure from their initial registration, saving, request for the pilgrimage date, approval and full arrangement for departure to Makkah including medical checks, specific  courses for the Haj itself, passport and visa requirement, flight, ground transportation, accommodation, meals, luggage arrangement, home coming etc are arranged by Tabung Haji. The board sees to it that medical facilities are provided to its members while they are there. Medical personals and even chefs are transported to the holy city respectively to care for their health and their taste buds. It is with honor that Malaysia's Pilgrimage Board is recognized as one of the best in the world for its arrangement. 

It is to be expected there is a VERY LONG queue to get approval for the Haj journey. We are made to understand more than 500,000 from Malaysia alone are in the line to get their stamp of approval  to be invited there. Many have to wait several years before their turn. Meaning of course if you register earlier your chances are better, giving better space for your fund to accumulate at the Pilgrimage Board. For many it is a life time saving. Thirty years ago, it would have cost our Muslim pilgrims less than RM 5000.00 per person. Now it is almost double. Specific package trip with extras attached could see you contributing five to ten times the current price range. Added to all that, there are also many return visits to perform the Haj and the seniors do get preference  .

Islam's Holy Pilgrimage is one of its pillars. For millions all over the world it is one journey in their lifetime. For them it saw a saving throughout their working hours; to prepare in all respect for an obsession that have to be met. For sure not many Muslim countries have the satisfaction of the pilgrimage board as our Tabung Haji; for them it becomes more challenging if not hazardous.

The Haj Journey is no doubt one of the important ceremonies of life. You would be one happy soul to know at one time you have been selected to make the pilgrimage. Much happier too realizing that you are not alone but your partner in life or your parents could be also on that important journey. Most likely husband and wife have planned to make the journey together. The Haj is no holiday trip but a religious obligation built with rites that have to be performed demanding good health, strict observations , timing, frequency and in settings unfamiliar to oneself amidst almost three million people gathered at one point. Yet at its completion its satisfaction at its extreme. You achieved a grant for the continuing life time  as you are known as a Haji or Hajjah demanding upon you a stricter lifestyle in according to Islamic rules. Your visit to AlHaram would not probably be the first and last time. You request and pray that you may visit the two holy cities again. 

The period before your departure to Makkah for the pilgrimage is full of appointments and planning. More satisfactorily relatives, neighbors and friends rejoice at your fortunate calling, wishing theirs would be the same too. They call at your home to wish all the best and both honor each other with forgive and forget for any ill feelings or misdeeds if any created. Probably not to be missed is an invitation to friends and neighbors to your home to read Surah Yassin, requesting for a safe return journey and the fulfilling of duties for Haji Mabrur. The journey to Makkah has in fact begun at home. 

You may have notice scenes of joy and sadness at the airports when the pilgrims depart . Embraces, kisses,'bersalaman' are the order of the day. Everyone wishes good health, safe journey and a fulfilling mission to their love ones who are departing. Some may have lingering doubts that they may not see their relatives  again. That would be quite probable a half century ago. Facilities and arrangements at Makkah , Madinah and Jeddah are at their best now and pilgrims are made welcome by the authorities. However with a huge invasion of people confined at one particular spot on a special occasion you may expect some shortcomings. So it is best to keep a weather eye out for something.     

The wonderful scene does not stop at that. Wait till the pilgrims return home. Satisfaction, happiness, gratefulness, blissfulness embrace them. Happier still when they embrace their love ones as soon as they come out of the gates at the airports. The full meanings of the Haj is known only to the returned pilgrim as he or she steps into a new life.

For all the goodness and directives in preparing for the Haj, we are always reminded of its true objectives i.e to be sincere, truthful and focus. All for Allah and only HIM. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w has reminded of time when people go to Makkah for Haj with other objectives in mind.  Quote below refers. We pray that does not happen in our lifetime or later. InsyaAllah.

Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!


Nota:
(dalam rangka persiapan mental, bakal haji hendaklah berniat ikhlas, keberangkatannya ke Tanah Suci adalah semata-mata kerana Allah, bukan untuk tujuan lain. Rasullullah s.a.w pernah memperingatkan menurut hadis riwayat AlKhatib Al_Baghdadi daripada Anas:

" Akan datang suatu masa bagi umat manusia di mana orang-orang kayanya mengerjakan haji untuk melancong, kalangan menengahnya untuk berdagang, orang-orang besarnya untuk riak dan ingin dipuji dan orang-orang fakirnya mengerjakan haji untuk meminta-minta"  

CEREMONIES OF LIFE

a.

A ring being placed on the finger of the young lady. She must be thankful and grateful for this special day in her life.

 

b.

         The delegation brought five gifts with them. In return it's  seven pieces for them to take home.

THERE ARE CEREMONIES. A GALORE OF THEM. STATE AND NATIONAL CEREMONIES ARE NO EXCEPTION.

But through out our live ceremonies hemmed in too never sparing their calling and demand. Yet many a time we forget about them because they are not official yet they contribute to be part of our well being, development and maturity dictating our culture and beliefs. You may have just celebrated a birthday, maybe your own or your darling's wife or your daughter's.It is a simple case of reminding that they have added another notches in their life's and a fervent wish for many happier occasions to come. No elaborate planning at all.

When you help to orchestrate such celebration then you may realize their significance and their enduring attachments to our live circles. Last Sunday I was asked to help in a ceremony that saw the enjoining of two souls that simply marked their new adventure in live. "Majlis Perjodohan dan Pertunangan" you may call it. It's an engagement do yet rich in its ways, simple and can be complicated if handled amiss. No it is not simply the giving of a ring to the girl of his choice but the attendance of representatives from the lad's family to the girl's house or in this case at our home. At a prearranged time they arrived. The space between 'Zohor' and 'Asar' would be a good choice. All were welcomed and invited in. Pak Cik, Mak Cik, Abang and Kakak 'bersalaman' greeting each other in our best traditions. 

The living room is spacious enough to allow the guests and the hosts to sit down on the carpeted floor. The living room furniture has been put aside otherwise hindrances to such occasions or when congregations met for prayer and 'doa' at home. The room now gave a voluminous feel void of the decorative furniture. Being the host  and representative I greeted all in the customary tradition thanking all for their attendance and visitation.

The delegation too had brought with them several trays with 'gifts' for the occasion including the indomitable 'bekas sirih' ( betel leaves container). These were placed in the middle of the room. Tact and humour thrown in I mentioned that not often that we had visitors like this at home. "It is pleasant and great of course but why the trays and their contents? " Pak Hj Ayob a man of experience and equally my age too took the mike that was handed to him, recited some 'surah' and graciously thanked us for the friendly welcome. He conveyed 'salam' from the families at Padang Serai Pokok Sena where they came from and expressed their true intentions. The mike helped to define what were said and helped to focus the attendees attentions. A stage known as "meresik" or seeking to know if the flower in the garden has been plucked yet has not become necessary as the visitors have been consented to approach. And so they did today in respect of an engagement for the 'dara' and 'teruna', the former being my niece and subsequent arrangements if there is agreement or consent. The gifts they brought along included a ring symbolic of acceptance. Simplicity reigned as the issue has no doubt been acknowledged earlier. Only the verbal consent by me as spoke person would seal the agreement. Only then we moved further to the next stages.

"Syukur" and "Alhamdullilah" expressed. That done, now come to declaring the "mas kahwin", "belanja kahwin" and other "hantaran" or gifts on the part of the would be bridegroom on the wedding day. The first two items are necessary while the the gifts are left to discretion. Necessarily a piece of ring, gold and diamond is an added request. As spokes person I mentioned the request as earlier conveyed to me by the parents of the would be bride. The request was accepted. Imagine if the demand is high and the representation could not decide promptly. Anyway when it comes to such issue I suppose discretion takes its direction. Face value is at the forefront. Negotiation at its simplest order could be said to be the procedure then. All went smoothly. Yet I have seen proceedings that lasted longer than it should just because too many questions were asked and no answers given. 

This is one ceremony. A very important one at that. It marks an extraordinary stage in the life of a young man and a young woman. It meant that two persons have found love and blessed with their parents acceptance and commitment they would soon embark on a life of their own. They would leave their families, away from the confine and control of their parents to start a life and family of their own. Maturity and independence meet them soon. In the meantime officially engaged both the 'teruna' and 'dara' have to prepare for their up-coming marriage day with compulsory attendance at a marriage course plus other necessary duties. For sure they are reminded to uphold religious obligations and traditional decorum at all time.  

The gathering is not over yet. "Majlis menyarong cincin akan menyusuli". It was time for the young woman, the subject of this story to be sited amongst the gathering and the engagement ring to be placed on her finger. The honor is given to the mother of the bridegroom to be. She approached the young woman and lovingly placed a ring on the 'jari manis' of the left hand of Wan Nursyazwani bt Megat Nasir, her would be daughter-in-law.

Thus she and her family together with Megat Mohd Nasir and wiife would meet again to decide on the dates for the marriage ceremonies. Dates? It has to be at least two separate timing; one for the bride's side and another for the bridegroom.

The delegation left after a light refreshment. All were pleased with the outcome. Significantly it assures friendship and cordiality between people who were strangers only an hour or two ago. Personally I feel happy too to have helped and gained an experience not often offered to many persons.   

Looking back, there are many treasured moments that we experienced yet many escaped our attentions either because we were too young or since they were organised on our favour less our own involvement or commitments. The very day we were born is exemplary. Photos and videos now help to reminisce. Next perhaps our first day in school. Had our parents to stay back till the school break off at noon? How were we dressed and what of our first visitation to the school canteen? Majlis Berkhatan or circumcision is another with the added naughtiness and old traditions. Our acquirement of the first job, our marriage ceremonies etc all saw the involvement of our parents. They have been all along behind us assisting in no small way till we leave their homes to be on our own. Still the linkages continue with some unknowingly getting assistance even though their parents have aged. Yes ceremonies will continue till the last one. All along it has been with assistance of others: families, neighbors and friends.

I am reminded that many have helped me in seeing through the ceremonies of my life. Thank you. The least you could do in the seniority of age is to assist where and when it is due. Our definitions and commitments would help in circumstances where traditions seems unconcerning and forgotten. One last ceremony however, will not see you there helping out. Trusting only  others come forward.             

c

"Selamat Datang" Now don't we have a duty to perform this afternoon?Pak Hj Ayob now I leave it to you to say your pieces. We don't have scripts to read but it is intereting how things develop.

d

Tuan Hj Ayob representing the male side explaining his side of the story and the occasion can be pleasant as well as characteristic of our  tradition. Notice the five pieces of gifts that came together with the visitors.The betel leaf container takes the main position.