FROM LAGENDARY LANGKAWI TO CAPITAL CITY PUTRAJAYA

 Several hotels on the island of Langkawi offer choicest accommodations.  One here, wooden chalets right in the sea will give you traditional as well exclusiveness. Imagine throwing your fishing line from your veranda. while seeping tea and being surprised by your catch. You will be surprised to see how old Malay houses have been restored on the island and have become 'luxury' homes especially for foreigners and visitors.

White pristine beach exclusive to the hotel complex gives the guests the relaxation and rest they look for plus peace and quiet with the closeness of nature close by.                

BEAUTY IN ALL ITS SPLENDOR

Back in 2007 I posted a story of Putrajaya with several photos of the capital city. Since then we have visited the place quite frequently and never tire of seeing the development on going. It has also become an icon, a touristic center with busloads of local as well as foreigners arriving daily. Happily you see them clicking their cameras or framing their best frames as reminders of their visit to the city, naturally with the background of their choice. The Putra Mosque and the Prime Minister's office complex seems to be the focus right now with the panoramic view of the lakeside added in. Thanks to the tourist guides or the bus drivers who prefer to halt near the Putra Mosque area. Maybe the food kiosks nearby would allow the visitors to have their lunch or tea break. Last week I was surprised to see a group of tourists from China celebrating their stop here and at the 'Nasi Kandar' stall especially having a whale of a time enjoying size-able plates of oven fresh succulent crabs and king prawns. Perhaps our tourist industry people need to observe the culinary choice of our visitors  and as such offer the best in this direction. Whereas the other food kiosks at the mall begged to be visited the 'Nasi Kandar' server was kept busy dishing out the favorites of the visitors. 

I believe observation of the visitors especially the foreign tourists at favorite spots would help the industry in many ways. Firstly where would they like to be photographed? What became their favorite background? Did they linger there much longer than usual? Souvenirs? What are their choices? Did they have enough time, besides the food break to take in the offers at sight. e,g a boat cruise on the lake? brief walk to other spots around the area where they had stopped earlier? At Putrajaya, the show case of the nation there's plenty to see, to know and admire.


As a regular visitor to the capital city, due to the exigency  of work routine surprisingly there are many that still escape my eyes. Firstly due to its size and secondly the constant growth and development.  Nevertheless let me share, several that hit me during the recent visit.




There are more visitor friendly and like-able places to visit at Putrajaya. One would be the new 'iron' mosque and since named as 'Masjid Tunku Mizan Zainal Abidin' since it was officially opened by the Yang Di Pertuan Agong himself 11 June 2010. The  mosque and the other touristic locations at Putrajaya guarantee that it will continue to be  a tourist hub. 


We were here earlier when the international hot air - balloon was on show or when the landscaping fraternity turned one corner into a garden. I believe the residents at Putrajaya and the nearby Cyberjaya will never be short of activities planned in the twin cities through out the year.

The imposing Perbadanan Putra Jaya office that undertakes control and development of the city with an arch that extended the view from the east to the west i.e from Istana Kehakiman ( Palace of Justice) to the Tunku Mizan Mosque at its western end encapsulate the thoughts,planning and strategy that has gone into the planning of Putrajaya as our capital city. Added to that several other Ministry buildings close by deserve scrutiny and attention too. Even if you are no artist, architect, planner, developer or engineer whose work naturally called for such review the existing  development deserve a close look and our pride for the nation.  

Three flag posts stand as sentinels. From the frontage of Istana Kehakiman you focus the view right through the arch and on to the Masjid Tunku Mizan at the western end.

 It can accommodate 25,000 jemaah or more. No fans, no air conditioning points or conduits to be seen.Yet it is cooling. Many factors and strategies have gone into the building of the "Iron Mosque"  Your view is extended to the outside as no walls blocked the frontage. 

You make like to refer to  http://en.wikipedia. org/w/Tuanku_Mizan_Zainal_Abidin_Mosque. 

We were here on Friday and being early thus the empty hall. It had its share of full jemaah at prayer time however. The two, 13 meter high imposing glass walls on each side of the mihrab have scribes from the Koran: one quote from Surah 2 Al Baqarah and the other from Surah 14 Ibrahim  

The exceptional exposure of the Surah on the glass frame as photographed. You may refer to Al Baqarah (ayat) 148 - 153 for the choice and meaning whereas the other side of the mighrab refers to Surah Ibrahim (ayat)  40 - 47.

   "Istana Kehakiman'  Palace of Justice which stands at the eastern side of the extended mall to the Tunku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque at the western end. Yet another architectural structure that make up the complex.

We move from one corner to another. One moment at the legendary island of Langkawi  and the next at the capital city. Like many others due to the exigencies and nature of our work giving service in consultancy we have moments to observe and share. The contrast of nature as to design and development each makes an impact. The off- shore fishing boats basking in the twilight at Pantai Kok in Langkawi and a bowl of 'ulam' salad as you prefer with 'sambal belacan' closes with a reminder that tradition die hard.  

DISCOVERING TOURISM POTENTIALS

COME VISITING KUALA KEDAH

                 The fishermen and their boats returned in the early morning after a night out in the open sea.Their single outboard engine confined them off-shores. They are ready to transfer their catches to those waiting.

            

A good catch for the night and now the waiting crowd can make their collections. Grab any and weigh them for the price you have to pay. At this corner it is fishes; at another you can get prawns, crabs or cuttle-fish

              Or you can buy from these ladies with your choice already weighed . Imagine a kilo of good sized 'ikan temenung' for RM 2.00

 Having come home with their catches, they would be getting ready to go out again in the evening subject to the weather and tide.

Why do we need to think of tourism only when we refer to places and attractions around us? There are countless places, activities and happenings which color our lives and not necessary those focused in brochures, magazines or in the news.Maybe the desire to share and attract make us want to reveal the hidden secrets. Business ventures, marketing and opportunities creep in with the hope some economic ventures would flow when people gather in large numbers. With influx of visitors from overseas, foreign to our culture and way of lives, wanting to see those inherent here unfamiliar, strange and opposite to their life styles, almost everything become major attractions. Similarly when we visit countries or even districts outside our country and home, we too seek to find such attractions. 

A visit to Kelantan, at any time would propel you go for the 'batik' culture or  its culinary delicacies; in Malacca its historical site and a boat trip on the restored Malacca River, while of course the tea plantation and the greens of Cameron Highland when you are in Pahang. 

Come to Alor Setar Kedah, many would ask for Pekan Rabu and make a beeline to the shopping centre which open all days of the year of course, once a training ground for Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in his younger days as a trader.

So we open up our country side, our homes and our attractions in pursuit  of tourism potentials, no doubt  pumping million of ringgit for the venture beforehand . The more diverse, the more unique and incomparable the better.Sarawak now offers native music festival; Johore kite flying and Penang usher in bird lovers who rejoice at the musical sound of birds' chirping and melodious tones while offering sale and reward too. Langkawi seeks you to cool in the 'Tasik Dayang Bunting' or dive and snorkel into the water of Pulau Payar, the former close at hearts for maidens wanting motherhood and the latter sights of corals and sea-creatures  in clear sea waters. 

The restless footloose person of course is propelled to move either singly or in group. His or their tour made much easier by numerous economy flight trips, travel discounts and good internal transportation.


It was a huge surprise when we came upon an activity recently; delightful to the eye as as well as pleasing the gastronomy. More so when it is near home. Kuala Kedah being the estuary of the Kedah River is a fishing harbour as well as the gate way to the island  of Langkawi by a regular ferry service. For all the activities that you may want to discover at any fishing harbor plus the historical perspective, you would naturally look for the unique and most natural. What more when we came upon fishermen unloading their catches at a tributary of a river and a large crowd ready to buy what were for offers. The fishermen had just returned from their previous evening sea journey and were as anxious to get their rewards. A quick sale at the jetty specially built for the off-shore fishermen by LKIM would be preferable. It was by all means a beautiful sight seeing the colorful boats tied together alongside the narrow stretch of the tributary with mangrove palms on the sides; what more with the excitement of  the crowd waiting to collect their choice of fishes ,prawns, cuttle-fish, crabs or other sea products as they were hauled up together with the nets that hours ago were plunged into the sea  to reap the harvest. Either you wait for the products to be gathered by the fisherman or his assistant or you grabbed them as they fall off the net. Now isn't that exciting? Comparing buying them off the shelves or counters. Fresh and not iced. We had a good choice of 'ikan temenung' or 'ikan kembung' as known in the south for an extraordinary price of RM4.00 for two kilos.

The excitement of pricing, plus the variety of choice did not end there. As we walked away from the jetty, leaving other customers to make their choices, we halted at a cafe close by. Its speciality fresh cooked curry or fried  ikan temenung' served with rice, 'salad' (ulam) and 'sambal'. Service is opened while fresh fishes is available from the jetty nearby. The aroma plus the excitement of customers at the cafe and the jetty made the morning an unforgettable experience.You had your breakfast here as well as a load of of fresh seafood at more than half the price you would pay at the local market. The excitement, the color and the tasteful hot breakfast dishes served here would make your visit deserving as well as knowledgeable.  

Stray further up the road you would come to the old fort of Kuala Kedah once  the fighting ground for the British, Siamese and the Selangor Sultanate in the earlier centuries. If you would care to go across the sea, then an hour and half later you would be on the holiday island of Langkawi.

ENTWINING NATURALLY

Blazing through the rocks as the water from upstream flow through the park

A 'Book Village' in a park created by nature is one of a kind exceptional in our world

ENTWINING NATURALLY ON THE LEGENDARY ISLAND OF LANGKAWI

Nature helps to curve many features. These photos of roots and branches are striking. I suppose as  a beholder it brings many ideas to mind.Do they initiate you to reflect of anything? For one they initially  entice me instantly a  word: reflective or a representation. Foremost I get a definite "entwining' or 'linkage'. Surprisingly you are reminded of such compliments or good relationship not while in the community at large but while thrashing in a park. You would of course see loving and dear couples strolling with arms twine between each other.Nature has its secrets too.

Langkawi being an island offers all the ingredients tourists or visitors look for.Yet there are many undiscovered treasures waiting. One is a park just outside the city of Kuah with a natural captivation of its own. Once it housed the international 'Book Village' since remained closed for upgrading. Locals and visitors however make a beeline here during weekends. Children especially having the best time of their lives.

We were here recently and such the discovery. We would vouched that the 'Book Village' or the reading facilities here as initiated earlier would be a treasure trove since it is located in the most beautiful natural park.No amount of money would be able to create such beauty.It is a loss and a crying shame if such beauty, peace and tranquility is not shared and enjoyed by many.

Hopefully the intention to revive and make this part of the island visitors' favored spot will be a reality soon.

Meantime we share the secrets with you.

 

Loops and circles yet they never get entangled. 

  Verdant treasures of Langkawi. The forest and the greenery will mesmerized you

Can a fish be above water? It takes many forms. Here the roots encircled to produce what it is.

There are many more of such creations if you care to walk right round the park           

THE DEEDS OF A FATHER

The large open space of a Malay home minus the furniture allows for a gathering of neighbors and guests for functions especially religious do. The windows open wide guarantee cool flow of air.

 A gathering of guests especially friends and neighbors for a 'khenduri aruah' and reading of Surah  Yassin at the home.

   The ladies 'Marhaban' group came to add their participation. 

The two staircases as always attracted guests to have their photos taken there. It was as such before and now still. 

 The greens and the river in front of the home lend a homely   atmosphere

 It has taken a year to rebuild this traditional home, taken from its original site piece by piece and reassembled as it is now. On site a friend lent his old motor-cycle to add to the age of the home.It is now known as "Teratak Warisan" ( A Heritage Home).

 This young nephew gazes out, perhaps wondering what it is all about. The 'deeds of the father' he understands since he is lovingly cared by both parents. Hopefully he will continue to do so when he grows up.

REMINISCING THE YESTERYEAR AND GRATEFUL FOR IT ALL

Many years have passed by. Many an experience have been tested and involved. We too have had our share of our own breeds: sons, daughters, grand sons and grand daughters etc. Over the years, since we have ourselves  touched the status of a sexagenarian or even an octogenarian maybe we want to focus and recollect what we have acquired since. Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in his latest book, an autobiography 'The Doctor in the House' did not fail to have an account of his father detailing how much he benefited from him. Maybe that spurt this topic too.

My father Mohamed bin Abdul Raoff died when I was still a teenager; not having completed my Senior Cambridge Certificate or the Standard IX in the school ranking. Now of course the fifth form or the SPM examination. I mentioned the word "acquired' just now meaning in all senses a huge contribution in all its conglomeration and specifically dear to our hearts of course 'knowledge' .

The 'old man' a terminology quite often used in reference to our dad seems to relish his seniority even though the referrer himself maybe younger still. Yet it puts him already on a high pedestal. Recognizing him as a senior person, a doyen already. A sage. Of course learned in all his wisdom.


I am often distressed at disclosure such as " The sins of the father" which suggest the misdeeds leaving many to believe and yet never discovering the natural and grandeur contributions heaped by him. Could be our own failure too, never or least writing or mentioning the better sides. I would like to make amends and put on record my own story with the hope it will spark awakenings.

The 'Teratak Warisan' is a case in point referring to the heritage home we have managed to rebuild and on another piece of land. It has been sixty years and more when my father as a school clerk built a wooden home as a shelter for the family.Whereas many of his friends, then bought motor cars popularly known as Austin, he invested his money on a home; replacing the older one standing on the plot of land at 9 Jalan Sekerat off Jalan Baru ( Jalan Putra). Alor Setar. I remembered the two Malay carpenters or house-builders to be specific and especially Pak Said a former prison personnel who toiled days and months to build the house. It was no easy task lifting and erecting the heavy pillars and allocating the beams in their positions via brute strength. Mind you no machinery to assist. The chosen hard timber such as 'cengal' or 'tembusu' which father acquired from Baling and Changlun withstood the test of time and remained perfect till today. Even the 'meranti' boards for the floors and walls  were perfect. Extraordinarily ninety percent of the timber were reassembled again to make the house that we rebuilt.  Yes they succeeded in giving us a beautiful home. My father enjoyed his home for only a few years but my mother lived to her senior years comfortable in the home her husband and my father had built. We treasured the time we grew up there.


With the completion of the rebuilding of the old home recently, it struck upon me how fortunate and blissful we have been all these years. Yes the good deeds of our fathers hunt us; hitting hard our tepidity of never valuing their innate contributions. Our fathers left us treasures, heritage, peace of mind and above all a wonderful shelter. No we never realized their worth. maybe we were searching for something else. Never discovering yet it was there.  They must know and endure hardship having lived through the depression years, the war and the emergency. Not us we live through years of rebuilding and comforts. They saw the urgency and need.


The good deeds of our father, speaking of course of the bread earner who has left us are many folds. As a public service person he left his pensions to the wife. Our mother in all her endearment used the financial assistance to bring up the family. The house standing where it was guaranteed shelter and safety for decades later. Wisely and passionately adjusted the property and whatever trusted upon us would remain lasting gifts. Grief and regret only when heritage goes with the wind; sold off, mortgaged and unredeemed. 


Having rebuilt the old home, in all its originality excepting the roofings and the heights and positioned in a rural setting by the side of a river with several mature fruit trees on site, it could only mean success. We could imagine both father and mother smiling at the thought that their home lives on.

It was thus at the 'khenduri aruah' that we had recently on the occasion of moving into the 'new' home that I mentioned of the fortunate who were left with treasures but sadly failed to see its very existence and yet lamented over the lacks of things. Maybe they too have forgotten the education and training they have acquired; all the characteristic traits of a good man and woman and all the wisdom of growing up. Many of the elders at the 'khenduri' concurred. Much as they too have received 'treasures' from their parents they too have invested and dedicated many for their children. They are intangibles of course for the moment. Many would hope that their homes too would be cared as we have done for 'Teratak Warisan'.

It has taken us on a course of rebuilding  and yet it has reshaped us to realize the magnanimity of our parents: father and mother. Truly they have given us richness beyond calculations. No ringgit but intangible assets in all their glories. Wishing that this outburst of sentimentality, regret or overjoy will make the reader wants to discover the treasures that he or she has acquired or would acquire later. InsyaAllah.

A KAMPONG HOME DEAR TO OUR HEARTS

Spot turfing, two 'cempa' trees planted in the compound, smoke from burnt dried leaves and the morning freshness conjure the kampong scenery . There were  evenings when smoke help to disperse the mosquitoes and lent a scent not to be forgotten.

 PERHAPS it is one of those refreshing morning, one dreams of. After a late breakfast of 'nasi lemak' wrapped in banana leaf, not one but two 'bungkus' together with hot cups of tea we found myself at our new kampong home waiting for the contractor and his men to  come and start work on the landscaping of the area around the house. You could possibly upgrade the house compound in your own time and pleasure but it would be a haphazard and unplanned sort of way not knowing really how it would look like in its finality.  But with people who know what they are doing, you would see their craftsmanship maturing in no time. Then again, many decades back we could possibly toil away throughout the day but exercise of such nature shy away for the moment.

A comment read recently said the you could take a Malay out of his kampong but not necessarily the 'KAMPONG' out of him. I would agree to such dictum knowing the sentimentality and nostalgia that the kampong atmosphere built within a person. Much as modernity, high rise buildings, furnished homes in the cities and all the sophistication geared towards making live better and happier, it could not take away the nostalgia and the old world charm of yester-years.  Those who have at one time or another lived there would begged to return to such natural splendor. Thus the 'balik-kampong' syndrome and the annual rush every year during the eve of Aidilfitri or long weekends.

The roominess and the richness of wood plus the unique structure of the Malay home, where ceremonies one after another have taken place, games we played as children inside and outside the home, memories of mum and dad, grand dad and grand ma in their  characteristic ways help to conjure times when we grew up in the old home. Alas many of us have lost that touch practically since many of the old homes have disappeared: replaced by modern brick buildings or the old place have been sold off or the family have moved away from their roots.   

           No fence, no gate. Its openness and the mature fruits trees plus the bushes and tall trees with bird chirping away guarantee that the kampong home rebuilt will usher many more years of happiness for the family and the community around. 

The games we used to play under the house! Never far from the caring eyes of the family. All kinds of games were indulged in. Bamboos  from nearby bushes became shooters with paper bullets to scare the hoots of the gang members: 'Fighting" fishes were scouted, kept in glass jars, observed for their beauty and color and even combated for.  It was healthy and safety as everyone was around the home. Alas it is not so now. Playing games would be away from home. 'Futsal' at special arena and never under the house with pillars as sentinels. Laughter , shrieks  and all that bring identity and recognition to the 'kampong' scene have faded albeit disappeared now. Revived even temporarily it would be God sent. 

How it brought back some semblance of the good years to see the grand children frolicking around the house and finding the heap of sand a hit with what they are discovering.

Here's hoping the brief conjures some flashbacks of times you were growing up in the kampong and hopefully the nostalgia can be retained where possible. It also sets on record that the old home that we set out to bring back to life is now completed.

12 RABIUL AWAL MAILADUL RASUL

                                  

Madinah modern buildings with characteristic features of the old.

     An example of 'khat specially with the word "Muhammad" saw. Islamic calligraphy as an ornamental writing would be the decorative features in mosques, suraus and homes.

  The green dome of the Prophet's Mosque at Madinah is a familiar sight to those who have the privilege to visit the city and rewarded a thousand fold for having prayed there.

 Pilgrims on completion of their 'Haj' would be presented with a copy of the 'Koran' each as they depart for home from the airports. The holy book is printed at a large factory in Madinah. We had the opportunity to visit the centre and besides the huge sparklingly clean floor area as from the above photo you marvelled at the well kept garden with thriving greenery and flowering plants.

 MUHAMMAD RASUL or PROPHET his name emblazoned on one of the main doors of the mosque opened 24 hours of the day, seven days in the week and throughout the year.

Pilgrims and visitors find peace, solace and sanctity when at Madinah. Millions during the Haj season take shelter under the canopies that now surround the open courtyard outside the mosque. In the evening Koran classes are held and you will find children in groups with their teachers busy reading and reciting the verses from the Koran. Their readings vibrate in the huge hall alongside jumaah with their prayers.

THAT WOULD BE THIS 15th of FEBRUARY 2011. Next year it will fall on 2 February and in 2013 the celebration falls on 24th January. The occasion is none other than the birth date of Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Born  on 12 Rabiul Awal, the third month succeeding Muharam and Safar in the Muslim Hijrah year and that being on 23 April 571 . The Muslim Hijrah year being a lunar system has 354 days in a year instead of the 365 days of the Gregorian year. Thus the different dates of the occasion.

Muslim countries will celebrate the occasion and in Malaysia it is also a public holiday with ceremonies at federal and state levels. Processions and 'ceramah' will surely be part of the celebration to honour his birth with talks of his live and activities as the prophet of Islam. The celebrating nature pervades throughout the country, with district,mukim and kampong levels having their own programs. Not forgetting homes with their own celebrations too. Right through Rabiul Awal and Rabiul Akhir 'Mailadul Rasul' or 'Maulud Nabi' will feel the Muslim community's calender and assure a greater sense of knowledge, attitude, love and respect for Islam and Muhammad s.a.w the last prophet and of Islam too. 

The celebration will renew and strengthen the faith and kinship of the Muslims in their religion while fostering greater friendly (ukwah) with everyone. Many would be enthralled by the singing and recitation of religious songs, nasyid including the rhythmic and melodious 'marhaban','qasidah' and 'berzanji' that would naturally ring out from mosques, 'surau'and homes.

Naturally enough we will recapitulate the past remembering the time and moments when we were part of the celebrations. Unnatural if you have never been touched by such celebrated nature before. 

Right now we are transported back to Madinah al Munawarah or Madinat al Nabi with vivid memories of the city and especially with Masjid Nabi and the mausoleum of Prophet Muhammad itself. At this city too there is Masjid Quba the first mosque to be built in Islam. Fitting that we share some of the photos of this holy city with characteristics of its own which undoubtedly recall you to visit it again and again.

That the authorities have developed Madinah as it is now, turning a desert oasis into a beautiful city with  Muslim characteristics remained a hallmark and pride for Prophet Muhammad  s.a.w and in association with its name Madinat al Nabi. Anyone who has visited the city will notice its dominant softness and respectability oozing from the hearts and souls of its citizen. Then again it is the second holiest city of Islam.    

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Peace and quiet. Clean and neat throughout the day. Everything placed where they should be for the convenience of the devout. Zam-Zam water in its container, carpets spread out on the marble floor; air conditioned oozed from the bottom of the pillars and the holy Koran ready for everyone who wished to read the verses. This is what you will forever remember of Madinah.

Look above and you will discover the decorative treatments to the insides of the domes

In earlier years this would be the only canopy you would see in the courtyard of the mosque. Now it has multiplied giving respite to pilgrims and visitors against the noon day sun while adding a touch of uniqueness to the city itself.

While of course 12 R'Awal 1432 or 15 February 2011 remained marked in the diary, the calendar or the hand- phone as a date not to be forgotten and your attendance at the function on the occasion of Mailadul Rasul is called upon. 

MAY PEACE BE UPON ALL

AWAKE TO A BLISSFUL DAY

No doubt all of us got out of beds wishing for a fine day. It is indeed too. We have all rushed to do what we do likely the other day and yet have other chores charted out or ticked in the diary or whatever note form we used. Yet I cannot just skit off without feeling bad over things that continue to happen. You are peeved over the continuing road- accidents during festive seasons, senseless killing, robbery and drugs abuse etc.

Angry, furious, mad, hateful, ticked off, peeved, bad and call it whatever you want, it is ONE common basic emotions we have come to grasp. Go through a day without getting angry at someone or something? Probably not. Thankfully there are many levels of anger. " I am angry to have missed that visitation" rather than " I am angry that he has accosted off with my RM1000.00" are two levels of anger. Thankfully many of us have learn to depress our anger in many ways than one. Come to think of it "How do we effect it?"

It brings me to what I intended to say about in the first place; i.e to quote a few snippets for this fine day before it gets 'hot' if ever.

" Whenever books are burned, sooner or later men also are burned"  Heinrich Heine

" A thought often makes us hotter than a fire" Henry Wordsworth Longfellow.

"I am glad I don't have to explain to a man from Mars why each day I set fire to dozens of little pieces and then put them in my mouth" Mignon Mclaughlin

" The difference between a violin and a viola is that a viola burns longer" Victor Borge

" There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them" Ray Bradbury.