WHEN THE ELDERS MEET AGAIN

 Excepting the Alma Mater (SAHC) which is a centenarian, the general attendees  are at no account youths or persons of agility and steadfastness for many are grouped as octogenarian,  sexagenarian and the seventieth , though there were a sprinkling of football or rugby loving youth at the SAHC or SAHOCA Bangsawan theme gathering held at Dorset Subang Jaya on 1 November 2013. Our table attendees are surely not by accident members of the seventies all having finished schooling in the mid 1950's as the invitation came from one member of the association and a classmate. Tunku Yusoff and wife came down from Kota Bharu and we arrived from Alor Setar to be with colleagues whom we would not have met otherwise. A get together the likes of former school associations, bring about the best of the school with former students meeting associates whom they may have missed for years and no surprise if you could not recognize many of them.

The theme for the night 'Bangsawan' obviously was a reflection of the time when stage shows the likes of 'bangsawan' was in the offer. Dramas, comedies, singing presentation took on temporary stages as theatres for such presentation had not found their existence. The music, singing and presentation that night had all the offerings of the best with multimedia effects at its assisance. The function graced by the presence of Yang DiPertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong and other VVIP surely added lustre and orderliness.  Members who contributed by buying tables and issuing invitations to friends not only assisted the association's coffers but helped to strengthen comraderie.

        
At the main table is the patron of the association Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah the Sultan of Kedah and the Yang DiPertuan Agong of Malaysia, one of the senior students of the College. Besides Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tan Sri Hanafiah Hussein were also on the same table, both being students of the College at the time Tuanku Abdul Halim was in school at SAHC.

I had the opportunity to meet Tan Sri Hanafiah earlier on and reminded him that he was one of my teachers in the Special Malay 1 class of 1948. He was then a temporary teacher and laughingly he asked whether I was 87 years old as he was. Moments as this brought us back to reality and days when we were growing up.

Tun Mahathir Mohamad was surrounded by younger admirers as he was leaving the hall.A golden opportunity for the youthful SAHC group to meet and be photographed with the 'negarawan'. 

Five classmates crossed paths again 

                                             

With another classmate Dato Khalid Halim

Naturally we came with our spouses and a golden opportunity for them to know each other

                    

 When you come with your camera at the ready, you would likely capture some of the candid moments. Here the line out shows several members of the old collegian. I would not  leave home without my trusted small box.

Here the theme of Bangsawan becomes a record and recognizing that we were there that night at Grand Dorset Subang Jaya with former students of the Alma Mater Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid ( SAHC) Alor Setar Kedah

IN THE PALM OF ONE'S HAND

 

I trust many by the nature of things would be guessing what the object is. A saying ' have somebody in the palm of his hands' or ' the goalkeeper just managed to palm the ball over the crossbar' bring us closer to palm trees or that part of our body structure, relating to an important part of our body structure. Yet the picture is far from that constituent. 

Nevertheless it fell off a tree, a palm of a kind and struck me as being quite extraordinary for its texture and formation. It would have been left by the roadside, discarded and disintegrated contributing as part of the debris of nature. I carted it home hoping to review and have a closer look.

Captured on film it left much to the imagination what we could have done with it. Artistic, graphic and designing skills could have made such objects a masterpiece.

It is left to our imagination. Imagine what else we may come across.

TH E TIME FRAME OF YOUR MIND

It has been an ineffective month September 2013 looking at the listing of articles contributed to this blog. It's the least that I have contributed,never reaching such a low profile. A single contribution for the month only. This is the malady of under achievement, laziness and restfulness at its best. Doing nothing, casting away either temporarily or permanently your normal exercise or devotion. 

 Then again September and October 2013 have not been less effective months albeit quiet, non happenings of sorts but full of other activities that help to exercise the body as well as the mind. Having said that out, a soliloquy as we effectively remember Macbeth or Hamlet (two of Shakespeare's characters) nevertheless brings reality to life. Yes we do talk to ourselves, not madness but helping out of sorts to put things on tracks. Awaken we are on the rails or pathways again. Other wise  what has progressed would have been halted  or failed.

Where do we go from here? Leaping back and doing what you do like best. Blog writing is an effective approach leaving best your memoirs, feelings, feed backs,   

VISIT MALAYSIA YEAR 2014 - THE SHOWCASE OF THE NATION

Next year we hope to be inundated by thousand of visitors as Malaysia opened its doors to the world. The expectation is to receive 28 million visitors for the VMY 2013. What is the show-case? Do we hugged on to the aged old tourism perspectives or attempt to bring about new destinations and programs? Food, Culture, Shopping, Luxury and Medical attractions must surely be in the forefront. Sabah and Sarawak appear to be a new hit for visitors and regular flights and new airlines added to the convenience. 

I was in the election zone of Sungai Limau Kedah a few days ago and the thought of tourism and VMY hit me realizing that we conveniently forget the beauty, grandeur and simplicity around us. There is no expanses to be extended to build up such attractions, its all there placed on the platter for all to see, appreciate and return for more. Yes we often forget God's natural gifts basked right in our views.  I have managed to record on camera the natural scenario of the Kedah Plain, parts that stretched from the foothills of the Kedah Peak northwards.

Notice the small blue spot on the horizon. Its Gunong Keriang almost 25 kilometres away from where I stand at this spot that stretched northwards. The late October and November months bring rain to the padi fields and soon the farmers will be hard at works.

This is Gunong Keriang , a picture taken early in the year when padi has grown and presented a most picturesque view of the area .

Soon the farmers will climb onto their machines and work the fields. Sadly the old trusted buffaloes cannot be seen

A mosque like this dotted the countryside of Sg Limau, declaring that it is prominently a Malay enclave zone.

This a modern Malay House, in the sense that its bigger than usual truly depicting that the owner has progressed in status and thankful for what is around him.

A canal and a road by its side forms part of the landscape in the Sg Limau area. The former offers good transportation while the latter provides irrigation and drainage to the area.

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Not depending on the land for padi alone, the farmer has planted rows of sugar cane on his plot of land, Lending a fresh look while of course earning himself good benefits.

Take a drive on the North South Highway between Gurun and Alor Setar you will meet with this beauty, the wide open land extending northwards from the foothills of Gunong Jerai. A drive up the mountain takes you to the resort which offers another magnificent view of the plain and the Kedah coast. The North South Railway double tracks also run alongside the Highway.

Scenes you would appreciate and realize the true beauty of nature, Imagine having an island of palm trees in the padi fields, or seeing miles of young  padi plants growing and changing their hues later. My wife too had the opportunity to touch the nipah fruits which offer you the most delicious 'nira'. after having been fermented.

WHAT'S NEW IN MALAYSIA AND KEDAH ESPECIALLY?

CURRENTLY we are hit by several news flashes that disturbed the daylight out of all Malaysian citizens. The disclosure of not hundreds but thousands of secret society members in the country and their free usage of weapons especially firearms and the rampant shootings and murder recalled us to hay day of Chicago or the good days of the western films of Hollywood. But this is reality in its true sense. Thankfully the action has been fast coming and the rush by those concerned to cross the international border to wipe the symbolic tattoos from their bodies as one escapism for one reason guarantee that the police and related ministries are moving in the right direction. No doubt other measures have to be taken and solving the issues won't be that fast coming because secret societies and gangsterism have long been in the back waters. 

Next  the Malaysian Education Blue Print 2013 - 2025 has also hit the road, bringing in its wake developments and strategies  to be undertaken by all concerned. If the Aziz Report was once a fore-runner then the Blue Print will surely sets the momentum going once it gets on the track. Teaching and teachers get the credence of being an affirmative and distinguished career prospect.

The dusts of PRU 13 has surely cleared and we see actions going either perceptibly or otherwise. At the federal and states  levels sizable projects seems to herald development and growth guaranteeing what the electorates and the people want. Nevertheless the increase of petrol price followed likely by others and now the directions by the government to be thrifty and cautious in all expenditures sets a different picture of what's coming.  

I cannot speak for the states where I am not in and therefore would only give impressions as noticeable in my home state i.e Kedah.

It is refreshing to see approaches taken especially in styles and directions. Having captured Kedah from the previous government, the Menteri Besar of Barisan Nasional seems to move in momentum with new directions bringing hopes and especially development to the state.     

An approach to tell the people of his team that plan to steer the state into progress and new directions is seen by the large bill boards that stand at strategic corners. Have a look at one below.  It surely shows the faces that are committed to do what they have promised. They stand in full view for the people to know them.

                                     

 The Exco Team line out for the public to know them

        The department seems to play a more productive role rather than insistence for payment.

Pejabat Pengarah Tanah dan Galian Negeri Kedah also takes a new direction. Formerly implying for payment of the annual land assessment  rate it now participates in promoting tourism in the state with its billboard showing likely places to visit when in Kedah

Next in line would be these old wooden shop houses that will be pulled down to make way for development at the new Malayan Railway Station at Anak Bukit. The double electric tracks for trains from Kuala Lumpur to the north and halting at Padang Besar in Perlis is nearing completion. The new railway station now stands ready to bring about faster communication for the people linking all the towns north south of the peninsular with speed and comfort.

  The row of wooden shop house of the early 1940's await their moments of finality 

The new Malayan Railway Station at Anak Bukit Alor Setar

The new Railway Station at Anak Bukit, seven kilometres north of Alor Setar with its Moorish touch, a fall back to the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station and its dual platforms awaits the arrival of the electric trains. 

The new TH Hotel and Convention Centre at Titi Gajah opened last month and will see the departure of Haj pilgrims to Mecca and Madinah on the first direct flight to Saudi Arabia on 9 September 2013 

This is a picture of the new Tabung Haji Hotel and Convention Centre at Titi Gajah. Tomorrow the 9th of September 2013 it will see the departure of the first Jummah group for the Haj taking off from here and the Sultan Abdul Halim Airport direct to Madinah Saudi Arabia.  

It is seeing things developing and growing in front of you that give hopes for the future of the country. Reading from reports one would say that the last one hundred and twenty days since the Election finalized its return have given its due expectations while of course clouded by other set backs and challenges. The path ahead sees many challenges and roadblocks. Hopefully we will see the rainbows as we clear the highways to growth and development.

For the time being suffice for the observation as it is.

Come tomorrow hopefully Restoran Citarasa TT Gajah standing right in front of TH Hotel will see a good flow of customers. 

   

STEPPING BACK INTO TIME ?

THE QUESTION IS ASKED.  There is no problem to dwell into the past as records are available but to wish things as they were would be an impossibility . You too may have lived in the years past and your vivid memories could easily be awaken to remember the distinct. 

Today as we approach the 56th year of celebrating Merdeka and seeing the 'Jalur Gemilang' ( the national Flag) wavering in the breeze as they stand on poles and staffs of buildings and vehicles, we would recognize that we have gone past that time line, possibly  adding a score more or less. Surely things are still vivid in our mind. One thing for sure a ride on the ferry crossing the Penang Channel recently brought back quint memories of shipping at the Alor Setar harbour.  

Wow! Is there a harbour at Alor Setar town? Could a ship traveled upstream from Kuala Kedah and anchored in town? No one who has not seen the old river would ever vouch that it is possible. Sungai Kedah as it is now would not even allow a fishing trawler to go upstream from its estuary. Kuala Kedah would be its last stop. Alas such a situation has taken place in many of our towns in the country.

I remember seeing ships as big as in the picture below or the size of the ferry that ply the Butterwoth - Penang channel anchoring in the town in the early 1950's. Alor Setar just like many other towns in Malaysia is a riverine town and communication or trading to other parts of the country in days before Merdeka (1957) depended on shipping as the main avenue. Large cargo would not be transported by road or railway as both were inadequate for the purpose. Therefore it was always a thrilling moment when as a youngster I would see ships mooring at the town harbour after coming upstream from the estuary at Kuala Kedah six or seven kilometers away. 

Daily the ferry boat from Langkawi would also come in to anchor at the jetty in town. The blasts from the ship's horn added to the excitement as people crowd the riverside to see a larger than live transportation came in slowly to moor itself by the wooden jetty at Tanjung Chali.

It is a picture framed in my mind that is impossible to forget and the sight of the ship in the Penang harbour seen on 14 August 2013 while on the ferry moving across the channel conjured the reality of things. Thus this write up or looking back into the past. 

Unfortunately even the jetty in the town has been demolished. No one who had never seen the jetty and especially the ship at anchor there would ever believe the reality of things. Looking at the current site and river condition, we would likewise agree with them.

Cries for 'river beautification' or 'the restoration of our riverine beautification' would not bring back its past grandeur and usage. We have truly destroyed our natural beauty and its importance through neglect and destruction. The Alor Setar river in the past would be bluish as sea water flowed in upstream. Now it is muddy and brownish and don't expect youngsters to jump in and having a swim there.

This is a recollection I would like to share with friends who may have seen the same situation transpired in their towns when shipping was the main source of transportation or when custom and marine department offices were located in your town rather than at the estuary of the river now. Thankfully the old marine and custom building is intact though not serving its old function excepting defining its true identity. 

Several photos as displayed below may help to define the truth and the calamity that has fallen on other riverine towns in the country and every where. We would like to define this as development. Hard to agree!     

A cargo ship the like of which was once seen in Alor Setar town ages ago which anchored to load timber, rice and other natural products for shipment to Penang and Port Klang as well as unloading supplies for the town. Barges the likes we often see at Penang were towed in to the harbour. Now it is even unlikely to find such barges at Penang. How fortunate to find a picture in my collection.   

              

The Penang Ferry built so that it could ply into shallow waters too.

These barges were a plenty in Penang in the 1950's but gradually disappeared as containers and port facilities improved with time. Then they too made their way to Alor Setar harbour before. The river no doubt was deep enough.

 

A scene even upstream from Alor Setar specifically at Anak Bukit where boat racing could even take place as the river was wide and the water deep and flowing.

A picture taken in 1962 on a boat leaving Brunei Town for Labuan. Yes large ships too could anchor at the harbour in town. Now they stop at Muara Port away from the city. The harbour in town has become out of bound for ocean going ships. The next two pictures show that it was possible before.

In 1962 the Brunei River with its jetty in town would see even navy and cargo ships anchored in its waters. I was fortunate to have captured these scenes on camera reminding me what was already a gone thing in Alor Setar. Never did I realize this scene would repeat here in Brunei because when I visited the city in 2011 no ocean boats plying the Borneo - Singapore and Malaysia could lower their anchors in the Brunei River anymore.

Alor Setar town.  Believe it or not, ocean going ships used to anchor here with a jetty built by the side of the brick  walls. The white washed building with two flags wavering in the breeze was the former custom and marine office. The shops along Jalan Pekan Cina by the river was the busiest part of the town. Now gone with the wind and so too the once busy part of Alor Setar known as Pekan Cina and Pekan Melayu.

Today we hear talk of upgrading and bringing back live to the water. Million of Ringgit would be needed to bring back its austere lives. Rather why not save those rivers not yet polluted and still breathing, halting all the mistakes we had created that have turned the 'old' rivers to what they are now.

Yes as we see Malaysia coming to age in its 56th year, let's give a thought to the past gleaming back at its peace and beauty that fortunately touched us in all its majesty once.

Are we missing something?

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.