Di Bawah Rang Ikang Kering

Happy Teachers Day!

2011-05-17T13:59:00.002+08:00

I was a teacher once. I do not know whether any of my students remember me. It does not matter. I have done what I was supposed to do and that’s that.

I remember most of my “cikgu”.

I was short of the school-going age when I was in Merang but my father put me in school anyway. Most probably to get me out of my mother’s hair. I do not remember any of my teachers name in Sekolah Melayu Merang. What I remember is one of mother’s cousins, Pok Kob, who was in the upper classes, feeding me with cuklat nissang every now and then. I remember too going with him through the field looking for a kind of grass to wipe the papan slate. I guess the teachers left me alone. That was the reason I could not remember their names. But I do remember the headmaster, Cikgu Weil. Cikgu Weil, a wiry dark-skinned man from Pahang was the local UMNO leader. Then (in 1949), nationalism was spread by, among other groups, teachers like Cikgu Weil. He went around shouting “Merdeka” at every opportunity. The kampung folks would respond with a hearty “Deka!” or “Deko!” depending on the dialect they were used to. I was not sure whether it was the nationalistic fervour or their dig at Cikgu Weil’s physical impediment. Cikgu Weil could not straighten his arm – an affliction known in Terengganu as “deko” (or “deka” if you are from Besut).

When we moved to Kuala Terengganu, I was enrolled in Sekolah Melayu Paya Bunga and we had a few unforgettable cikgus. One was Cikgu Lebo, a short rotund man who never seem to smile. Cikgu Lebo went around the school ground during recess to debok (thump) the back of pupils drawing on the sand.

When I moved to Sultan Sulaiman Primary school after getting through the Special Malay Class examination, our favourite teacher was Mr. Lau Kuan Jin who drilled us in English with a litany of “ A man in a pan” or was it the other way around? Actually it was “A man and a pan”. I am getting old.

When we moved to Kota Bharu, I remember Mr. Henry in SIC. He took us on expeditions to a waterfall in Pasir Putih. Later when I moved next door to the secondary school, we had Ustaz Abdullah Nakula who always tweaked our brain with trick questions. We also had a Mr. Menon who was overcome with passion on reading a passage from Shakespeare.

In Sultan Sulaiman Secondary School, Kuala Terengganu I remember many teachers who undoubtedly played a part in my life. There was Cikgu Rahman who encouraged my infatuation with art and Mr. Gurunathan, our Scout Master. And then there were the ustazs , Ustaz Mahmood Salim and Ustaz Manan. They never failed to liven up the class while giving us the basics of Islamic Studies. Ustaz Manan was unfazed by our silly questions. An example:

Student: Apa hukum hisap kopek bini kita ustaz? (Whats the rule on sucking on your wife’s tit?)

Ustaz: Hukumnya sedaplah. (Feels good.)

There are many more teachers that I remember from those days. To them and to all the teachers past and present, Happy Teachers Day, Cikgu!

Happy Teachers Day!

2011-05-17T13:57:00.001+08:00

I was a teacher once. I do not know whether any of my students remember me. It does not matter. I have done what I was supposed to do and that’s that.

I remember most of my “cikgu”.

Student: Apa hukum hisap kopek bini kita ustaz? (Whats the rule on sucking on your wife’s tit?)

Ustaz: Hukumnya sedaplah. (Feels good.)

There are many more teachers that I remember from those days. To them and to all the teachers past and present, Happy Teachers Day, Cikgu!

LABORIOUS SUNDAY

2011-05-02T14:09:00.003+08:00

Whew! What a Sunday!
Early in the morning I was woken up from my second session of sleep by the phone. It was Pak Daud who said he was downstairs with Ani, his wife. After accepting with heartfelt thanks the sambal belacan that Ani pounded in her kitchen back in Tanjong, Kuala Terengganu and the inevitable kerepok, we let our guests head for hot showers.
We had to forgo nasi dagang for breakfast (they served nasi dagang at Tappers, Bangsar South) but opted instead for Western fare at Plan B, Bangsar Village. We had to attend a birthday party for my cucus and presents had to be bought while the Terengganu couple finished their eggs and lemon tea.
My daughter Dalia is usually a very good communicator but since leaving the tv station, she is a bit harried. So she forgot to tell me where the party was. I assumed that since previous birthdays were celebrated in their house, this year would be no different. So Pak Daud, Ani and I made our way to Kelana Jaya. We made a stop a few houses away from Dalia's house because Pak Daud wanted to drop off some kerepok for Hj.Shariff, a fellow cycling official.
When we arrived at Dalia's house, there was no sign of any festivities. There weren't any sign of anybody. A phone call cleared the misunderstanding. The party is at The Club, Bandar Utama.
At this time, Plan B's breakfast started to trouble Pak Daud's generally robust tummy. He needed a toilet for the big one. Is there a jambang ija equivalent around? None. Dalia's house was locked. Elisa's house nearby seemed to be locked too. Luckily the mosque was not locked.
Relieved, we set for the club. After the tunnel, I missed the turning and had to make a fool of myself by going into the road people use to exit, not to enter. I was told to look out for the Club signs.
I looked. Pak Daud looked and read out each sign. We ended up at the foot of the hill. No club in sight. We did see a police station. After another two attempts we finally got the club.
I promptly got shot by Akif with his newly acquired water gun.
We left at 2pm and had to get home first because Daud forgot his copy of A Map of Terengganu he bought in Kuala Terengganu earlier.
We made only one wrong turn going to Solaris but when we got to Block A. We found the door locked. We managed to find the proper entrance and found RA Gallery already packed with fans and guests. I managed to squeeze Daud to the front. He found a chair on his own though.
Alhamdullillah were not too late to catch the Syair Awang Goneng followed by Awang Goneng's raconteur of his school days and journalistic experience.
I was glad I came. I met the host Raja Ahmad, a very pleasant gentleman. I met Dina Zaman again. She was perky as always and a joy to listen to. I met Cat In Sydney, a faithful follower of my blog. She is not at all catty. When I was sneaking a cigarette, Blabs caught me. Havent seen her since she came back from Dubai. I also talked to bubbly Dato' Manja and wife for the first time. Although Puteri Kamaliah wanted to talk to me more because I left MPH early yesterday she did not get her wish. Too many people.
I did not want to rush for the food, preferring to wait. I didn't get to taste jala mas but managed to get the fabulous sekaya. Thank you Wan Asma. I left the remaining ropa to Adnan. He has stronger teeth. I have only gums.
My flash gun fell down and I did not take many pictures. See whatever I have here.

A MAP OF TERENGGANU-THE SIGNING

2011-04-30T17:13:00.005+08:00

Excuse the dust. I am clearing the cobwebs after neglecting this blog for a few months.
The problem with blogs with a specific subject/theme is you can run out of ideas sooner than expected.
Anyway, enough of excuses.
I am just back from MPH Mid Valley where my friend Awang Goneng had his book signing.

Awang Goneng skipped The Wedding and came to KL

with Zaharah,

their daughters and a very sunburnt friend (not in picture, too hot). The cats could not make it.

The Children's Section of MPH where the event was held was crowded with fans and friends

including our Sasterawan Negara.

Awang Goneng briefly disclosed how the book came about and generously shared some secrets of writing, publishing and blogging.
As with GUIT, Awang Goneng read a chapter from A Map of Terengganu before autographing the books.

The line was long. I was glad mine was signed earlier.

Among those patiently waiting were people from the families mentioned in the book.

The signature is going to be worth a lot some day.

I wanted to wait for Awang Goneng to finish and have tea with him but I saw that the line was too long and decided to go home. I will be meeting him again at Solaris, Dutamas tomorrow, insyaAllah.

TERENGGANU TAKES #4

2010-12-16T20:09:00.007+08:00

Most of my trips to Kuala Terengganu found me in Merang where I like to catch up on my fishing. Most of my classmates and friends are in Kuala Terengganu and they do not fish.
On my last visit, the weather was not conducive for fishing and I had the time to reconnect with my old friends. Take "old" in any way you like and it will be true.

Mat Nong, our class monitor insisted that we have tea at his house in Durian Burong. Ramli took his van and we picked up Hj. Hassan along the way. Daud, who was tending his goats chose to make his own way by motorbike.He did not expect the rain to be so heavy and he came soaked to the bone. We did not allow him to come to the table until he changed into some dry clothes provided by our host.
After enjoying the mee siam, keropok lekor and other Terengganu goodies, Mat Nong insisted on a group photo.
Prior to that, Daud wanted to show off his pawang skills by looking at Hassan's belly button. Nothing came out of it except maybe for some lints.

Later we caught up with Dato' Kadir Sulaiman at Permai Inn. Dato' Kadir was in Terengganu as a Labour Officer and later as the Legal Adviser. Now he has gone on to loftier appointment but found the time to meet old friends.
Unknown to me, Dato' Kadir also brought another mutual friend that day. Mr. Chua was my partner-in-crime during my madness for good hi-fi. He owned an electrical shop in Jalan Banggol and let me have all the equipment that I wanted even though most of the time I could not pay cash. It was indeed a pleasure to see Mr.Chua again. He told me that he is now retired. Looks like I have to get the Blu Ray player somewhere else.

TERENGGANU TAKES #3

2010-12-10T15:58:00.010+08:00

Kuala Terengganu in December might look gloomy. There are rain-clouds over the city.

On the ground, everyone is prepared for the rain, even the hardy usually waterproof "teksi" men. Trishaws are called teksi in Terengganu while what city folks taxis are called "kereta sewa". This particular guy made doubly sure he doesn't get wet.
Visibilty from my window is limited. The sea is misty but still gentle. It is still early in the morning. The sun is still not up.

Further inland as in this kampong in Darat Batu Rakit, the monsoon rain turned fields into lakes.
And the boats at Merang jetty take a rest from their daily runs to Pulau Redang and Pulau Lang Tengah.
The tourists instead flocked to Pulau Duyong. They saw a fiercer monsoon this time around.

TERENGGANU TAKES #2

2010-12-03T20:16:00.001+08:00

When I was in Kuala Terengganu last February, I found out to my dismay that most restaurants in town were closed on Friday. Some popular warongs too took Fridays off. On other days of the week however, you can feast on many Terengganu delights. On my latest trip back home I did not starve. I even had nasi dagang twice on the same day. Once for breakfast and when I went for the tahlil in the evening, nasi dagang was on the menu. This was on the second day. On the third day, my breakfast was laksam (East Coast flat noodle) bought at a warong in Tanjung. I would not eat laksam without toasted belacan so my good friend Pok Daud asked his wife Ani to toast some for me, crushed it and brought it lovingly wrapped in tissue paper.

Lunch on the first day was at Coffee Beans, KL Sentral. Nothing memorable. On the second day another bosom buddy Pak Ramli brought me to a popular mee bandung stall next to the former Cathay cinema hall. The owner refused to take my money. Turned out that she was Ramli's sister.

On the third day we drove up to Merang. Ramli wanted to check up on his boat and I was salivating thinking of the ebek fish that we wanted to have for lunch. Unfortunately, the owner of the warong told us he no longer prepares lunch. He said he was too tired. I suspected that he was too rich already. He only serves breakfast. We were lucky that there was some nasi minyak left. I grew up on Tengku Hussin's nasi minyak and found this version edible but not spectacular.

Before I left for Kuala Terengganu I promised Mimi to bring home some otak-otak. Mimi needs some convincing that Terengganu's otak-otak are far superior than those fish-flavoured paste they passed off as otak-otak in the Klang Valley. We found one place selling otak-otak somewhere in Mengabang Telipot. There were not many left so we bought all.

The place also sells sata (also fish-based). Sata are grilled on a bamboo skewer but we were not allowed to take the skewers. The sata from here were delicious but not as heavenly as those at Pak Man's place at the food court near Sutera Beach Resort. Unfortunately, Pak Man moved elsewhere already.
As the plane was landing in Kuala Terengganu, I, for some inexplicable reason, thought of fried bananas. So as soon as I could, I rang my classmate Hj. Hassan inviting him to a goreng pisang tea. I asked him where the best goreng pisang can be found. Three generations ago, I would not ask Hassan that. Everyone knew then that the best goreng pisang (and kerepok lekor) would be at Mok Nik Awang Itam in front of Paya Tok Ber. Even the istana bought fried bananas and kerepok lekor from her. Hj. Hassan told us to wait for him at LAN BANANA a short distance from the Simpang Tokku roundabout.
It was not even tea time yet but the there was already a queue even though the line was a bit ragged. Lan Banana sells fried bananas, fried sweet potatoes, fried fish in batter (or as Terengganu folks call them ICT -ikan celup tepung) and of course fried kereopok lekor. This would be a place your cardiologist warned you about.

There wasn't any place in the establishment where you can sit down comfortably and eat the stuff you have bought. Neither do they sell coffee or tea. So Hassan got the goreng pisang, kerepok lekor as well as ICT and we headed to his house where we enjoyed the crispy and cholestrol-laden items. After tasting the goreng pisang I can see why there was a queue. I even forgot that they should call the fried bananas pisang goreng.

BUNIANS AND HALLOWEEN

2010-10-31T14:58:00.002+08:00

Yesterday I read about a member of the Terengganu government telling people that Siti Balqis, the young girl from Besut needs to see a shrink. Interesting. Siti Balqis went missing from her house several times and was found, on different occasions, on treetops and other places too strange for a young girl to be. A few days ago Siti Balqis went missing again and there were reports that she was in Gunung Jerai, Kedah. Other reports said that she was in Negeri Sembilan.

Spirits, whether bunians or whatever should not be dismissed lightly. I had the same attitude years ago until I experienced them a few years later when I was teaching in Kuala Brang. There are things that rational minds just could not explain.

The idea to introduce Halloween into Malaysia is also inexplicable. Of course it is a ploy by the retailers to get more money just like on other "western" occasions like Fathers Day, Mothers Day, Valentines Day and such. Just to get more money to buy the new Merc SLK or a new mistress, you can transplant an alien culture. Don't you get enough money wringing Hungry Ghosts Festival?

I am sure that Halloween will not catch on in Terengganu. Terengganu people are wise enough not to waste their labu peringgi (pumpkin) by carving them into a lantern and let their kids dress up as hantu kekeng, hantu bungkus or whatever ghouls they chose and go knocking on people's doors crying out "Trick or Treat!". They will get a pailful of water doused on them instead of candies.

Anyway, to my friends in the US, Happy Halloween!

ROTI PRATA OR ROTI CANAI?

2010-10-24T18:40:00.008+08:00

Listen to this first. Use your BACK button to come back here.

(Photo by Dr. Kamaruzaman)

Above, in the foregound is a plate of roti prata/paratha. Further back is a bowl of mutton kimma that goes very well with roti prata.

In the song that you have just listened to, Zaharah Agus alluded that roti canai and roti prata are both made from flour and gave the impression that there is no difference between roti canai and roti prata. Apparently, there is.

I have never tasted roti prata before. There was no shop in Kuala Terengganu that sold roti prata, at least none that I can remember. There were (and still are) plenty of joints offering roti canai all over Terengganu. There were places that sold roti tempayan (naan)and there were places where you can get murtabak.

When I visited Singapore I found places that offer roti prata. Not just the garden variety but cheese prata, tomato prata , onion prata and sardine prata. Back home, I have tried roti canai sardine and roti telur. It is not until last Sunday that I got to taste roti prata at Pakistani eating shop along Jalan Ipoh (next to a RHB Bank branch and across the road from a Shell Station). The restoran is called MEHRAN. The signboard is Pakistan green.

The prata there is different from roti canai. On roti canai you can discern the "coils" of the dough but on this flatbread, it is flat. It is bigger too. You do not get dhall here but chickpeas (kacang kuda) in gravy, free. You have to pay for the mutton kimma though which is worth every sen. The prata is less oily than roti canai and I was told that they use a different flour too.

Prata, like naan, I have been told, came via the Muslim conquerors of India, the Mughals. It is higly likely that roti chanai originated in Madras (now Chennai). Somebody has to confirm that roti canai can be found in Chennai because my friends told me that they could not find air sirup Bandung or Mee Bandung in that city.

PESAT'S RAYA DO

2010-10-10T19:08:00.012+08:00

(SENIOR CITIZENS USING FIREFOX CAN PRESS CTRL and + TO ENLARGE THE TEXTS)
Adnang Osmang picked me up to join other "Anak Terengganu" celebrating Raya at the new PESAT HQ in Kota Damansara.

Adnan promptly got called to sing his songs accompanied by the unique band "Bale Bale". The band, in kain batik and terompah (clogs) kept the guests entertained with their superb showmanship. They even belted out Santana's "Black Magic Woman", albeit in a Malay vein. Sadly, "Bale Bale " is not from Terengganu.

There was laksa kuah putih Terengganu on the menu. There were other Terengganu fares like kerepok lekor and pulut lepa.

Of course there was nasi dagang. Otherwise there would be a revolt.

PESAT's President, Tuan Hj. Ramlan Ibrahim had every right to be happy. The new 4 million ringgit building was officially opened by SPB Yang Di Pertuan Agong on 4th October and the President announced that the ground floor will be rented out for RM15,000 a month. He even pointed out the would-be tenant in the crowd.

The first and second floor are still available for rent at RM3,000 each.
The raya celebration was a success. I enjoyed myself and would like to thank PESAT for a job well done.
(More photos here:)

GESEK, SESSEK & LESEK

2010-10-06T12:17:00.003+08:00

Now that the dust and cobwebs of this abandoned blog are cleared, let us begin where we left off.
First, congratulations to PESAT for getting a 4 million ringgit headquarters. I am not a member yet (waiting patiently for a sponsor) but I am happy for all my Terengganu friends who are members of the association.

If Pok Long Mok Aji Kiah were alive today, I would suggest that Hj. Ramlang (Presideng PESAT) invite this violinist to gesek his violin at the opening ceremony. Pok Long might not be as good as Idris Sardi but to the Geng Kayu hanging out in the shadows of Pok Long's house in front of Mesjid Putih, he gesek a mean violin without grating any of our teeth.

By now, non-Terengganu speakers would have guessed the meaning of gesek. Gesek is deliberate and premeditated. Sessek is accidental. Choose the appropriate word when you have a mishap parking your vehicle in crowded places like Pasar Kedai Payang or Batu Nang. In the event that you chose the wrong word and got hit by the wrong end of a walking stick or an umbrella and you find your nose or your face bruised, you might want to lesek the sore part with an appropriate ointment or oil like Minyok Pok Ali Yunang.

Now, you can use gesek, sessek and lesek in your own sentences. Go on.

MAIN PANTAI

2010-07-12T11:40:00.001+08:00

This is Pantai Batu Burok, Kuala Terengganu at sunrise. A long long time ago when I had all my teeth, after the "orang darat" were done mengetang (harvesting) their padi, there would be rows upon rows of attap or kajang huts erected on this stretch of beach. Every year in the 60s, we had this temporary migration of people and families from Bukit Payong, Bukit Bayas, Sungai Ular, Serada, Pasir Panjang and all the other places without access to the beach. They came for the annual festival known locally as Main Pantai. They and their family camped at the beach for 3 ari 3 malang (3 days and 3 nights). Since it wasn't convenient to bring their livestock along, the men had to occassionally return home to check on the kambing (goats), lembu (cows) or keruba (buffaloes).

Besides having fun on the beach and in the surf there were cultural presentations like the rodat, wayang kulit and sometimes even an ulik mayang presentation. The shows were not sponsored by any companies even though unlighted cigarettes were thrown at the mak inang rodat by appreciative members of the audience. Cigarette companies take note: The practice is still prevalent today in villages wherever rodat is performed.

Since cars were not aplenty yet in Kuala Terengganu at this time, the popular mode of transport was the bicycle. Our scout troop (1st KT) made money by running a bicycle park service. We were the only one with metal parking tickets. Our Scout Master, Mr.Gurunathan lovingly made them in the Industrial workshop.

The Main Pantai was also held at other beaches like pantai Mengabang Telipot or maybe pantai Tok Jembal. No cases of khalwat were reported.

If you remember Main Pantai at any of the beaches mentioned (or inadvertently not mentioned), do share the memories here.

CAUGHT WET

2010-07-05T11:37:00.005+08:00

News item from today's STAR:

10 couples caught naked daily on Terengganu beaches

KUALA TERENGGANU: As many as 10 couples are caught daily by anti-vice volunteers along the Tok Jembal and Teluk Ketapang beaches, which are increasingly becoming favourite haunts for sexual trysts.

Many of them are said to be students from institutes of higher learning.

A volunteer, who requested anonymity, said most of the couples were caught “doing it” behind coconut trees, rocks, inside cars and even openly on the beaches.

“For non-Muslim couples, we could only advise them on the sensitivity of their action to the locals but Muslims caught will be produced before the Syariah Court,” he said.

He said anti-vice officers would go to places identified as “hot spots” to catch the culprits in the act.

“We listen for sounds of heavy breathing and kissing.

“We then move in and aim our torchlights on the couples. In most cases, they are caught naked.”

The officer said the procedure was to wait awhile before approaching the couples so as to get evidence for prosecution purposes.

“I have daughters and I feel sorry for the parents of these couples,” he said, adding that the youngsters had betrayed the trust of their folk who hoped their children would excel in their education.

The 48-year-old volunteer, who claimed to have caught 1,200 couples on the beaches since signing up as a volunteer in 2004, said he had had enough.

“I cannot take it any longer and am thinking of giving up this work. I have decided that enough is enough after six years as a volunteer,” he said.

Terengganu state executive councillor Rozi Mamat said he had received reports that “dozens of young couples” had been spotted in compromising positions at both the beaches.

“I have received numerous complaints from nearby villagers about immoral behaviour,” he said.

Rozi, newly-appointed as the state Youth and Sports committee chairman, said: “These activities could lead to moral decay among our youths if we keep mum on the matter.”

To address the situation, Rozi plans to suggest to the state government to light up both beaches and intensify patrols at “hot” areas.

This surely would give Terengganu Darul Iman a severe knocking. with the "Darul Iman" part severely dented if not totally caved in like the roof of the stadium.

Couples getting caught in flagrante is not uncommon in Malaysia. In KL years ago, the famous and feared "catcher" was Ustaz Dahlan while his contemporary in Kuala Terengganu was Ustaz Ngoh. What shocked me is the number. 10 in a day? I wonder if the Malaysian Book of Records would record this.

(Sigh). It was not that long when a boy and girl just holding hands would get disapproving glare (cerlong) from all and sundry with a few greheng (meaningful cough) from the older folks.

I wonder if the ICT (ikang celup tepong) stalls along the beach had anything to do with this phenomenon. The udang is an aphrodisiac and could give some people unbearable itches. It could also be the fumes from the planes landing or taking off at the airport just behind the beach. That could induce temporary insanity.

CONVERSATION AT BATU 6

2010-06-30T11:43:00.005+08:00

TV NEWS CRAWL: TERENGGANU TO PROMOTE BATIK IN SPAIN, FRANCE & ITALY
ESTABLISHING SHOT OF BATU 6 MARKET, LATE AFTERNOON
ZOOM IN, TO A KUIH STALL
MOK NOH AN ELDERY WOMAN WITH LOTS OF BANGLES ON HER ARMS AND HEAVY SUBANG BUNG EARRINGS IS SHOWN POINTING TO TEPUNG PELITA AND SEKKUT SAGU
SEMEK, A MUCH YOUNGER WOMAN ENTERS THE FRAME FROM LEFT, APPROACHES THE OLDER WOMAN AND TAPS ON HER SHOULDER
MOK NOH (STARTLED):Cokek kerepek sagu..sagu alah sagu, eh!
SEMEK : Banyok beli kuih ni Mok Noh. Nok bekwah ke?
MOK NOH: Dak eh. Cucu cucu balik!
SEMEK: Ya lah. Le ning tutup sekoloh kang.
MOK NOH: Nok beli tepung pelita jugok ke Mek?
SEMEK: Dak. Nak cari ruti paung.
MOK NOH:Mung ngidang pulok ke Mek?
SEMEK:Dak eh. Semang derumoh tu tak sedap mulut. Nak makang roti paung malang ning.
MOK NOH: Ruti paung beloh nung. Sekali dengang apit-apit. Mari kita gi.
CAMERA FOLLOWS TO TWO AS THEY WALK TO THE RIGHT.
CUT TO TWO SHOT
MOK NOH: Nok tanya sikit Mek...
SEMEK: Tanya banyok pong buleh Mok Noh!
MOK NOH: Mek gi doh ke Perancis?
SEMEK:Gi doh. Singgoh dua tiga malang je.
MOK NOH: Italy?
SEMEK: Italy dak gi lagi...
MOK NOH:Spain?
SEMEK: Spain, dak rajin gi lagi. Dengar cerita saja..Eh, Mok Noh tanya tanya ni, nok gi ke?
CUT TO C/U MOK NOH SMILING BASHFULLY
MOK NOH:Tanya je...
SEMEK: Haaa..Kerajaang pilih Batik Mok Noh masuk rombongan promosi batik lah ni!
MOK NOH:Dak tau lagi Mek..
SEMEK:Ada rezeki, nye pilihlah tu
MOK NOH:Guane gok negeri Peranchis ning?
SEMEK:Negeri dia luah Mok Noh weh. Luah daripada England, luah daripada Malaysia lagi.
MOK NOH: Cucu ambe kata orang Peranchis ni dak pandai main bola. Makanang dia kita buleh makang ke?
SEMEK: Tu kena tengok lah makanang apa. Di Peranchis ada ramai jugok orang Islam jadi adalah makanang halal.
MOK NOH:Italy pulok, orang dia guane?
SEMEK: Dengo kabonya orang-orang muda dia lawo lawo belaka tapi berahi cubit punggung orang!
MOK NOH:La! Tak kena igap Polis ke?
SEMEK: Polis dia pun cubit jugok!
(FADE TO BLACK)

MONKEYING AROUND

2010-06-17T11:58:00.007+08:00

I had a few days before my flight back to KL so I joined my eldest daughter and my grandchildren on their holiday in Terengganu. Terengganu was packed with tourists. The roads were jammed with traffic and there were weddings all over the place. I could not get a room in Kuala Terengganu or in Merang. Lesson learnt. Plan ahead. Way way ahead.
There was no sports channel in my mother's house so Adam , my oldest grandson and I requisitoned my cousin's house. It was currently unoccupied and it had all the Astro World Cup channels.

The next day Elida found rooms in a resort in Penarek, about 15 minutes drive from Merang. The rooms were rather cramped but they had decent bathroom with heater. The room has TV with only one channel - RTM TV1.

They also have a resident monkey who is over-friendly. The monkey would jump on anyone that she sees and climb up to the victim's shoulder.

I kept the monkey at arm's length

Aisyah did not mind the monkey grabbing her hair

The monkey getting comfortable with Aisyah, Adam and Aliya. The cat is taking a breather after sparring with the monkey.

When on the ground, the monkey would have a running battle with another resident, a cat. The monkey would try to get close to the cat but the cat would spit and snarl and swiped the monkey with drawn claws.

Aliya asked me why I didn't let the monkey come close. I told her I could not let the monkey get familiar with me because we have not been properly introduced yet.

Later, the monkey climbed up on Aliya and peed all over my cucu. Aliya stopped liking monkeys.

I could not tell you the monkey's name. We were not introduced.

HIGHEST NASI DAGANG IN THE WORLD

2010-05-27T16:33:00.006+08:00

Nasi Dagang will go far and high beginning this June. Our national airlines, MAS today gave a sample of "The Flavours of Terengganu" as featured in "Kulit Manis: A Taste of Terengganu".

The event was held in the Mock Up hall at the MAS Academy, Kelana Jaya with a replica of a Boeing 747 as the backdrop.

(One of the chefs transferring the food to the plates)

It took a lot of thought and R & D before a selection of dishes were selected. As mentioned by Hayati Dato' Ali. Malaysia Airlines' GM In-Flight Services in her opening speech everything has to be considered since MAS customers come from many parts of the world and from many cultures. The food and the ingredient too will have to withstand the rigours of freezing and re-heating without losing the taste when served in pressurised cabins many thousand feet above the clouds. Thus the Terengganu dishes selected were Daging Masak Gulai Kampong, Gulai Ikan Tongkol (Ikan Aya), Nasi Dagang, Kikan Masak Pudding Lada, Kerutuk Ayam and Nasi Telur. Kerabu Laksa was chosen as an appetiser while the desserts were Hasidah and Lompat Tikam.
Chefs from MAS, led by Chef Razak and the catering partner LGSB hunkered down with To' Puan Rozita and Tengku Zainal Abidin to perfect the quality and taste of each dish. I must say that they succeeded. The nasi dagang changed texture a bit after freezing and re-heating but I am sure work is already underway to rectify the small problem.

Nasi Dagang and Gulai Ikan Tongkol

Nasi Telur with Kerutuk Ayam

To' Puan Rozita showing the dishes to Tan Sri Dr. Munir.

The Terengganu dishes will be offered to MAS passengers travelling from KL to East Malaysia, ASEAN destinations, Jeddah, London, Australia and Amsterdam from 1st June to 31st July. The lucky passengers can tell their grandchildren that they had the highest nasi dagang in the world.

ANOMALOUS AZAN

2010-05-15T13:21:00.000+08:00

Growing up in Terengganu, I got used to the azan (the call to prayer). One of the illustrious bilal (muezzin) was Tok Bilal Said. I have yet to hear a better azan.

Apparently, the bilals in Istanbul did not fare as well as Tok Bilal Said. The people in Istanbul complained and Istanbul acted.

How I wished the Majlis Ugama Islam in all the states in Malaysia have a similar program. I am sure you all have endured anomalous azans lots of times. The first muezzin was Bilal, a former slave. He had a good and strong voice and I am sure he hit the right notes. Today we have a lot of voluntary bilals in suraus all over the country. Some are good. Most are bad. Some got the melody wrong. Even P.Ramlee, our famous singer could not get the melody right. Some shrieked the azan as if they are trying very hard to purge something out of their system. Some are so tuneless that instead of waking us up, they put us back to sleep.

There are good bilals all over the country. My friend Razak told me about a bilal in Taiping who inspired every muslim who heard him to quickly prepare for prayers. Bilals like him are far and few in between so it is time the bilals are given voice training. Discourage or even ban those with tin ears from grabbing the microphone. Do not let them make Bilal or Tok Bilal Said turn in their grave.

PULAUKAN PULAU REDANG?

2010-05-05T11:27:00.002+08:00

Yesterday I read something about Terengganu that I can blog about.
The Terengganu state government feels that there are too many people visiting Pulau Redang. For the newsreaders out there Redang is pronounced as ray-dung. Remember that you ignoramus.
Somehow, Redang has become famous. 40 years ago, when I first stepped foot on Redang. There was no chalet or resort. I had to do my business in the bush. 10 years ago, when I brought my cucu to the island, there were resorts and chalets all over the place. There is even an airstrip to bring rich tourists to the island. At Kilau's resort (the former Redang Government Rest House) I met a few Chinese from Perak. They were tradesmen and they were not rich. They scrimped and saved to get to the island. They heard about the beauty of the island and they had to come. So how do you discourage people like these?
One way I guess is to promote other islands. In case you forget, there are many more islands in Terengganu. If you want to relax and snorkel, you can do that at Pulau Kapas and Pulau Perhentian too. Honeymooners can choose Pulau Gemia. Serious scuba divers know that the islands for them are Pulau Tenggol and Pulau Lang Tengah. I have been told that even Bidong has some nice diving spots.
Promote these islands and you can ease the strain on Redang. Otherwise some form of control has to be introduced and enforced. This is easier said than done. I think it is more difficult than bringing married couples to the island to reignite their passion and romance.
I shall wait for the detailed plan of action. In the meantime, you are welcome to offer suggestions.

I AM BACK

2010-04-17T10:24:00.003+08:00

Alhamdullillah I am able to update my blog. Pak Idrus would be happy.
There were letters in the papers recently unhappy with the announcement that no more "bed and breakfast" chalets would be built on Pulau Redang. Some of the writers thought that only the rich would be allowed on the island. I do not think that this is true. So I phoned a few people who earn a living from people visiting the island. They told me that they would not be affected by the announcement. It is just an announcement, not a pronouncement yet. What they know is that from now on, only NEW 5 star resorts would be allowed to be built on Redang. I guessed that these resorts would have to be built with anti-pollution and other measures to preserve the ecology of the island.
So, go ahead and plan to spend a few days on Redang. Try the resort where the old Redang Rest House was. The beaches there have no dead corals to irritate your bare feet.
If you want exclusivity, go to Pulau Gemia (next to Pulau Kapas). There is only one resort there and it is without karaoke. The owner does not want off-key renditions of Widuri or My Way driving away the turtles of which Terengganu is famous for.
Another thing that made Terenggany famous (or infamous, if you want to nitpick) is complexes falling down. It was debated in the State Assembly recently. My friends had a good laugh. A few phoned me and asked me what's Terengganu's Arabic name. I told them "Darul Iman". They said no, it is not. Iasked them what is ist now?
They told me it is "Darul Runtuh".
Ha ha.

ANOTHER FEW DAYS IN TERENGGANU

2010-03-09T11:51:00.006+08:00

I must apologize to the few regular visitors of this blog for being a little bit tardy in updating. I was busy teaching (Internet to fellow pensioners and BM to a non-Malaysian), correcting printed English in factories and preparing presentations for a couple of companies in Johore. My veteran association got a shot in the arm and consequently there were a lot of activities that I could not be absent from. Some of the aforementioned activities involved catching a plane before the sun rises and it made me very very tired.

Recently I made two trips to Kuala Terengganu. One in the middle of February to celebrate the 70th birthday of a relative (and a very dear friend too). The celebration was very grand and I was part of the show. So there were rehearsals upon rehearsals and by the time I got back to the hotel, I was too tired to even take photographs. I came back last Friday and managed to take some pictures. Here is the scene from the hotel balcony:

I also managed to get to Merang and a river cruise. As you can see from the picture below, the kuala (river mouth) is being dredged. Good to know that Merang is not sidelined.

For the two nights I was in Kuala Terengganu, I had free dinners. The first night I bumped into a classmate who was with his rombongan from Taman Ehsan, Kepong. He invited me and my friend Razak to a barbecue on the beach. We enjoyed the barbecue very much. We were also entertained by the karaoke and the games organized by the city folks.
The second night, my 70 year old relative (and a dear friend) took Razak and me to Ri-Yaz Hotel and Resort for dinner. The food was good and the entertainment was even better. A group from Aseni ( I guess it is short for Akademi Seni Terengganu) performed for the diners and they were unique. They added a violin, a flute and what looked like a big kompang drum to the electric guitars. The lone singer, Aizat was good. I was told that he competed in Akademi Fantasia but did not win. With groups like this, we do not need to import musicians from abroad to play at our hotels.

The only complaint that I have about Ri-Yaz Hotel and Resort is when I visited their washrooms next to the restaurant (The Verandah). There is a sign on the washroom for the handicapped that says "DISABLE TOILET". I would be much happier if it says "DISABLED TOILET" or "TOILET FOR THE DISABLED". I am sure we do not want foreigners visiting the place for every Monsoon Cup to laugh at our standard of English and going home telling their friends that Terengganu people do not know English. If you are not sure, just use the handicapped logo alone.

Below is the resort viewed from Pasar Kedai Payang. While on the road in Kuala Terengganu I saw roadsigns with both Pasar Kedai Payang and the annoying Pasar Payang. I wonder what they will call the market once the renovation is completed.

TRAVESTIES

2010-01-19T12:01:00.004+08:00

A few days ago, I read the crawler headlines on TV and there was a headline telling me that the Terengganu State Government has appointed a consultant to tell them (the govt.) what infrastructure is required by the state.This was followed by another headline telling me that Kuala Nerus might be turned into a district.

The problem with crawlers is that it doesn't tell you much. Terengganu folks would say dak tau pala ekor (Wouldnt know head or tail). Was the consultant appointed to determine what infrastructure Terengganu needs? I am not sure. So I searched BERNAMA. Typing "Terengganu Appoints Consultant" and "Terengganu Infrastructure" did not come up with any news item that assuage my curiousity. Typing "infrastructure" gave me the news that Bukit Besi Iron Mine would be reopened. I heard that 2 weeks ago at a dinner. The only relevant news I could dig up was this.

Ok, they are studying the possibility of setting up a new district and they have appointed a consultant for that purpose. Asking the people in the soon-to-be-new district what they want is not mentioned. I guess the consultant will do the asking. I can only hope and pray that the consultant would not recommend the razing of historical mosques and other buildings just for the sake of development. It happened in Kuala Terengganu, let it not happen anywhere else. If you do not learn from your mistakes, you are a bloody fool and it takes a wise man to know what are your mistakes.

Another travesty that I discovered, albeit one that can be forgiven (over time) is to mess with nasi dagang. There is a spanking new restaurant, The Tappers in The Sphere, Bangsar South (where Kampung Kerinchi used to be) where you can have nasi dagang with gulai ikan aya (tuna curry Terengganu style) or with chicken (Kelantan style). The travesty? The chef added boiled egg and kerepok to the dish. The nasi dagang purists would choke on the kerepok and the egg. The rice is nice though and so is the service, the ambient and the price.
Go and try and see if you can forgive them. It would be easier than forgiving all those idiocy being done in our beloved state in the name of progress or tourism.

SAME RIVER, DIFFERENT WATER

2009-12-31T13:12:00.005+08:00

This is Sungai Keluang in Besut, Terengganu snapped just a few yards from where it meets The South China Sea. The river is almost at the end of its journey from its source deep in the heart of Bukit Bintang. You read right. Terengganu does have a Bukit Bintang although the debauchery (if any) is considerably less than the other more well-known Bukit Bintang. The streets around THAT Bukit Bintang will be closed tonight so that all the merry-making (and maybe the debauchery) will not be marred by the screams of merry-makers being run over by the assorted Kancils or other lethal vehicles.

Back to the river. When I viewed the pictures of the river as part of the test for my new wide screen monitor, I did something that I do not do often. I began to think. The river is as old as Terengganu itself. The water is not. Same river, different water. You can prove this by pouring some eco-friendly dye of different colours into the river at different intervals. Then you run to the spot near the kuala (river mouth) where I took the photograph. Watch the dye being swallowed by the South China Sea, one colour after another.

Terengganu, I hope, is like the river. The ever-changing water refreshes the river. The water also nourishes the banks (no puns intended). We hope there will not be any undue erosions and the river will never be stagnant. Let the crocodiles remain benign and out of sight.

You are welcome to add your metaphors, whatever either for Terengganu or for Malaysia (either 1 Malaysia or 3 in 1 Malaysia). Thinking gives me a headache.

ROKOK ARAB

2009-12-22T13:25:00.008+08:00

It is always sobering to realize that you do not know or do not remember everything.
I always thought that rokok arab (see pic above) is a rolled up version of apit-apit or kuih kapit (love letters). Boy, was I wrong.

I bought the rokok arab at the bazaar in conjunction with the launching of Kulit Manis: A Taste of Terengganu's Heritage. The launch was a resounding success although some might want to complain about JW Marriot's version of the Terengganu nasi dagang and the "diving midwife" older MC's lack of teeth. This Christmas, he would want more than 2 of his front teeth.

Anyway, the rokok arab is softer than the rolled version of apit-apit. I suspect that the minyok sapi (ghee) used had something to do with that. While the apit-apit is hollow inside, the rokok arab has a sweet filling. Coconut maybe? You, the rokok arab expert would have to tell me. Tell me too where in KL can I get a regular supply of rokok arab because this batch is fast depleting and I need to replenish.

PULUT LEPA

2009-12-11T17:07:00.005+08:00

( Pic from mamawandiha, terima kasih!)

Long long ago when I was young and growing up in Terengganu, I had to walk to the only 2 cinema halls in town - Capitol and Sultana. My cousins and I usually caught the afternoon shows. Our route would take us through Kampong China. When we reached the titian (the short bridge) that spanned the big drain and the river, we would often came across a balding middle-aged Chinese man in shorts and Pagoda singlets carrying a bamboo tray on his head and crying out "Pulut lepa juak juak!".

One of my cousins insisted that "juak juak" is the Chinese equivalent of "jual, jual" (for sale). Indeed the man was selling pulut lepa because we saw him stopping at several shops along Jalan Kampong China/Jalan Bandar where hungry customers were waiting with fistful of coins. Later on, when I got to Merang, I found out from my Tiah and Ee (they sort of adopted me) that "juak, juak" is the Hokkien equivalent of the Malay "panas panas".

Most food should be eaten hot. But chances of getting pulut lepa hot off the grill in KL is quite remote. It is a different story if you are in Terengganu. There is a place in Sungai Rengas Kuala Terengganu, near the jurunikah's house where you can wait for the pulut lepa to be grilled. And what wonderful pulut lepa they are. The generous filling is made of fish. The colour is whitish. If it is orange, it is not Terengganu's pulut lepa. There is ginger in the filling but never turmeric. Do not confuse pulut lepa with pulut udang or even pulut panggang. The filling should be fish and not some curried coconut. Note too how the daun pisang (banana leaf) wrapper is fastened. The real MacCoy uses sharpened lidi NOT the office staples.

If you are curious to see and taste the real pulut lepa, you are in luck. Come to the foyer of Mayang Sari Ballroom, JW Marriot KL on Sunday 20th Dec between 11 am and 5 pm. There will be limited pulut lepa for sale as well as rokok arab. Awang Goneng and Kak Teh will be in line to get rokok arab, which, in spite of the many Arabs in London, are scarce. There will be songkets and other Terengganu stuffs too at the bazaar in conjunction with the Official Launch of "Kulit Manis: A Taste of Terengganu's Heritage". Come and enjoy yourself. Get the book and get the tastes of Terengganu too. Admission to the bazaar is free. A handshake with Awang Goneng is free too, if you smile nicely.

KULIT MANIS: PRE-LAUNCH PREPS

2009-11-15T21:45:00.006+08:00

To lovers of Terengganu dialect who drop in and go away disappointed, I must apologise for being a little bit obsessed with this book. I must remind you that this blog is not just about Terengganu words but about everything that is in Terengganu and about Terengganu. So is Kulit Manis: A Taste of Terengganu's Heritage which I feel is a must-have for any anak Terengganu who loves his state.

Yesterday I had the honour of meeting the Design Team from Singapore responsible for the look of the book. If Kulit Manis was a bride, these lovely ladies would be the Mak Andams, the Image Consultants and to some extent, the midwives. Award Winner Sylvia Tan (Design and Art Direction) and May Chua (Project Coordinator) were busy designing the booths and the exhibition panels for the preview in Pulau Duyong and the launch in JW Marriot KL and we did not have that many opportunities to talk and I did not have the chance to learn much about layouts and fonts. They did tell me that they use Adobe InDesign©, a software that I am using to design newsletters etc. for friends (and for free). They told me that after more than 30 years (and I guessed countless fine books) of work, they are taking life easy. They are semi-retired now and they work whenever they choose to. Kulit Manis was a project they were passionate about and when you see the book, you will know what passion and dedication can produce.

As for the book, the special preview will be at the Ri-yaz Heritage Marina and Exhibition Centre, Pulau Duyung, Kuala Terengganu for the whole duration of the Monsoon Cup (2-6 December). Time:10 am to 6pm daily and it is open to the public. Copies of the book can be bought at a discounted price of RM225 per copy.

Before the anak-anak Terengganu and fans of Terengganu in Kuala Lumpur scowl into their nasi dagang or Gulai Rebah Bangun (both are in the book), the book will be offered at the same discount on launch day (Sunday December 20th, Mayang Sari Ballroom, JWW Marriot, KL). The recently installed DYMM Tengku Ampuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus, Tuanku Aishah Rohani (from Terengganu) has graciously consented to launch the book.

I have a copy of the book, duly autographed by To' Puan Rosita and so far I have read and slowly savouring 10 pages. There are 242 more pages to go, so excuse me while I take my leave.

THE BOOK IS READY!

2009-11-08T12:32:00.009+08:00

Saturday was pretty hectic for me. I had to be in IPTAR. Angkasapuri from 8.30 am to 1 in the afternoon to enlighten my fellow-veterans on the workings of the Internet, how to use the browser, set up and use an email account and other stuffs that you now take for granted. Alhamdullillah everyone was successful at doing what was planned except one friend who gave up temporarily. Google Mail refused to register him in spite of half the class extending help and encouragement. Razally, who volunteered to help me with the class wanted to learn how to download torrents. He followed me home to take down some necessary urls and fielded some questions.

At 2.30 pm I caught a cab to get to the Marriot, Bukit Bintang for the food tasting in preparation of the launch of Kulit Manis: A Taste of Terengganu's Heritage. When asked to take the Smart Tunnel, the cabbie shook his head, telling me that it would be too expensive. I was too harried to argue. We got stuck at the Dewan Bahasa junction for more than 20 minutes. Later we discovered a row of Traffic policemen blocking off Jalan Hang Tuah and we had to detour towards Jalan Loke Yew. I arrived at the hotel past the appointed time and the fare was RM22. Like some unmarried ladies, I hate to be late. After some profuse apologies, I got to taste the food and more importantly, finally got Kulit Manis: A Taste of Terengganu's Heritage in my hands. Even after already perusing the unbound pages, the finished book awed me. It is a book worth having. The recipes alone (all 88 of them) will be worth the price of the book (RM 250 per copy). How good are the recipes? Let me tell you. The chefs from Marriot were picking To' Puan Rosita's brain during and after the food tasting. Copious notes were taken. Everyone wants to make sure that the food served during the launch lunch is as authentic and as Terengganu as the Api Lat atop Bukit Puteri as possible. I chose the nasi dagang that To' Puan Rosita cooked as my late lunch that day. I think the Marriot chefs preferred that too. They persuaded To' Puan Rosita to cook some selected recipes from the book at the Marriot so that the chef can watch and learn.

The official launch will be at the Marriot on the 20th of December. There will also be a bazaar of Terengganu stuffs throughout the whole day. Do come and do spread the word.

For those attending the Monsoon Cup (2nd to 6th December), there will be a photo exhibition and the preview of the book open to the public for the duration of the Monsoon Cup, not just on the 6th as previously posted. You can buy a copy of the book at a discount of 10%. The books will be available in selected bookstores soon. If you cannot wait, send me an email and I will tell you how to get this one of a kind, collector's item book and at the same time lend a helping hand to Yayasan Prihatin, a charity worth contributing to.

KULIT MANIS- AN UPDATE

2009-11-04T10:53:00.004+08:00

A few of us lucky ones had the privilege of eyeballing the complete pages of Kulit Manis: A Taste of Terengganu's Heritage last week. The pages were not cut nor bound yet. Neither were they uv-coated like they would be in the finished book. They were impressive nonetheless. It would be worth the wait.

The good news is you do not have to wait long. If you are in Kuala Terengganu for the Monsoon Cup, look out for the preview of the book on the last day. Watch this space for details. If you are not into monsoons or boat races, fret not. The official launch is slated for 20th December at the Marriot, Kuala Lumpur. A day-long bazaar of Terengganu stuffs is planned in conjunction with the launch lunch. Awang Goneng and Kak Teh's fans have a good chance of meeting this illustrious couple at the launch, insyaAllah.

Kulit Manis: A Taste of Terengganu's Heritage would not have seen the light of the day without the generosity of Yayasan Prihatin (Caring Foundation) and a number of corporate donors who, together, provided the major part of the seed money to get the book off the dream stage. Even the book designer and the printer, knowing that the book is done for a charitable cause slashed their bills to the bare bones. Those involved in the book would like you to be as generous as those before you. Let the spirit of Christmas move you to buy several copies of the book as presents. The needy school children under Yayasan Prihatin will greatly appreciate your gesture.

TERENGGANU BREAKFAST- PULUT

2009-10-21T11:30:00.006+08:00

In spite of the high uric acid content, pulut or glutinous rice (sticky rice to some) features prominently in the life of Terengganu folks. Villagers in Terengganu, when going to a kenduri or a big feast will say they are going to "makan pulut". Probably this is because most of the time there will be pulut kuning, known in Terengganu as nasi kunyit featured prominently at the the do. If it is a wedding and there is a bersilat (the Malay art of self-defence) in the program, chances are the silat will be silat pulut (show silat) where nobody gets hurt. More so if it is a solo silat exponent.
In Terengganu, pulut is never masak (cooked). It is always tanok. The subtleties escaped me but rest assured that all pulut are well-cooked and sticky.

For breakfast, I can remember two kinds of pulut: pulut tawo (plain unsweetened glutinous rice) and pulut cawan. Pulut cawan, as you can see from the picture above which I stole from Am-flora's blog, is a catering manager's delight. The serving is somewhat uniform as if scooped using a cup (cawan). The pulut in the picture is from Johor and the topping is serunding. Pulut cawan in Terengganu usually has beras goreng (toasted rice) or sambal ikan (grated fish floss) on top .
Both pulut cawan and pulut tawo might have grated coconut on them too and then they have a new name: pulut gaol nyo. Sometimes they are eaten with ikang singgang goreng or ikang kering.
Over at the Thai border towns, where pulut is cheaper, the pulut is sold in a very generous portion (almost twice the size of Terengganu's nasi dagang packet) and eaten with fried chicken. This would lead to extreme drowsiness and the eater is advised not handle heavy machineries for the next six hours.

YANG BERHORMAT WEH

2009-10-04T12:16:00.004+08:00

Hari Ning saya baca dalam suratkabo,kerajaang Teganung boleh jadi takmboh ato doh budok budok belajo ke Indonesia. Gamoknya pasa gepa buming baru-baru ning lah. Exco berkenaan kata nok ato budok-budok ke Poland atau Hungary. Orang di Poland tu kita panggil Poles ke Poleh?
Pok Od dang Pok Li dok berapa setuju. "Indonesia ni dekat sikit. Kalu ada sakit demang senang sikit gi mari. Naik Firefly pong buleh."
Pok Od tamboh "Musiboh ning, duwana pong ada.Lagi pong bukang ari-ari"
Pok Li setuju. "Lagi pong, penyakit orang Indonesia lebih kurang sama dengang penyakit orang Teganung. Puru, demang kura, kudih gata dang laing laing nye. Yang tadoknya nyakit Nok Ganyang Malaysia je. Penyakit orang-orang di Poland dan Hungary lain sikit. Maklumlah negeri sejuk bukan negeri teropika."

Pok Li kata "Jauhnya!"

Pok Od kata "Kohor dekat kohor muroh"
Pok Li kata "Sungguhti Od. kat Poland nung nak cari nasik pong susoh. Toksoh kata nok cari Nasik Padang macang di keda Nazar"

TERENGGANU BREAKFAST- NASI KAPIT

2009-09-26T16:01:00.009+08:00

While going through the proof of "Kayu Manis - A Taste of Terengganu's Heritage", I was reminded of the breakfast fares far removed from those offered by McDonald or La Bodega. McDonald finally arrived in Kuala Terengganu recently and ordinary Terengganu folks have no inkling of what or where La Bodega is.

The forthcoming coffee-table book wrote about nasi kapit, pulut chawan, ketupat sebutir, tepung kapor and other dishes Terengganu folks eat for breakfast besides nasi dagang and later, roti Pulau Kambing.

Nasi kapit, or to the non-Terengganu people, nasi himpit is also served during Hari Raya. Some satay sellers replaced ketupat nasi with nasi kapit. Soto lovers will also find nasi kapit in their soto.

Nasi kapit is not an instant breakfast although nowadays you might get instant ketupat/nasi himpit from the supermarket. The rice is usually cooked one day earlier then wrapped in a clean muslin cloth before it is compressed by putting a very heavy object on the rice. My mother used her batu giling, the slab of granite that she mashed her spices on. Bookworms might use volumes of their encyclopaedia. Putting heavy mother-in-laws or other hefty relatives are not advised, however willing they are are. The rice is left to be compressed overnight.

Nasi kapit is usually eaten with kuoh kacang (peanut sauce). The sauce is similar to satay sauce although I find satay sauce today too sweet for my liking. Kuoh kacang takes some doing too. First the peanuts have to fried (without oil). Then the peanuts are broken into small bits by pounding them in a mortar or if you prefer the modern style, run them through a mixer/chopper. Then it is cooked with other ingredients like chilly, water, salt and a judicious amount of sugar.

Although nasi kapit and peanut sauce would be breakfast enough for a Terengganu person, some would like to heighten the experience by adding sambal daging (meat floss), sambal ikan or serondeng. Sadly, the best sambal daging is not from Terengganu. I would say that the best sambal daging I have tasted came from Langgar, Kota Bharu.

Those interested to try cooking nasi kapit might want to have a look at this page. Oh, what is ketupat sebutir? You have to wait for the book to come out.

MAAF ZAHIR BATIN

2009-09-19T22:55:00.006+08:00

We say goodbye to Ramadhan and welcomes the first day of Syawal. Allahuakbar, Allahuakbar!

To my regular readers and friends

Anak Telosan, ciktu, Puteri Kama, Baines, Awang Goneng and Mek Jarroh, Angelina Jolie in Ozzieland, Mek Yam in Manhattang, Pak Idrus, Pak Zawi, Pak Adib,Joe of Kuala Ibai and other supporters of this blog that I do not mention, Maaf Zahir Batin and have a good Hari Raya wherever you are.

I am away from home and temporarily using a Mac, a machine I am not familiar with but grudgingly admit seems to display pictures better than my Window 7 machine.

See you here soon. Insyaallah.

To the people in Darat Terakit, Maras, Jambu Bokok and other places where Raya 6 is celebrated more joyously than today, Selamat Raya Nang!

TERENGGANU'S ANNUAL SEVERANCES

2009-09-05T00:21:00.005+08:00

No, I am not talking about the annual mass circumcisions. I am talking about children in Terengganu losing fingers messing with firecrackers. It has become an annual affair. They never learn, do they? Very soon, people would be able to identify Terengganu lads by their missing fingers. " Only 3 fingers? Must be from Terengganu!"

I wonder if Awang Goneng can tell us whether Britons lose digits during Guy Fawkes Day. In the same vein, Mek Yam in Manhattang, New York New York could furnish us with statistics on lost fingers on 4th of July.

Parents of Terengganu children must let their children know that it is quite difficult to use the laptop issued by the State government when one does not have enough fingers. Of course if the trend continues and more and more children get their fingers blown off by ngecung (firecrackers) then it becomes necessary for the state to order modified laptops. Probably the kind that can be operated by nose-sensistive pad.

Firecrackers originated in China where they were exploded to ward off evil spirits. Apparently, in Terengganu it had the opposite effect. It severed fingers of the children. It also caused several ngecung pushers in Marang to lose their wares. It is interesting to note that the latest cases of severed fingers were not from Marang. I congratulate the Marang Police for their pro-activeness. Firecrackers are prohibited items. Other police stations in the state should get cracking before more children lose their fingers and the adults lose their hearing.

Since I am too cheap to make the long-distance call, I will let off several virtual ngecung to celebrate Elisa's birthday today. Alhamdullillah, she still has 10 fingers. Happy Birthday, sweet!

SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO

2009-08-26T23:11:00.006+08:00

I suppose there is a balance in this world - you know, the ying and yang stuff. While there are people in Terengganu bent on obliterating whatever heritage the state has, there are people who are working hard to preserve our heritage. This upcoming book is a good example.
The blurb on the cover says it all:
"Kulit Manis: A Taste of Terengganu's Heritage is a celebration of Terengganu's historical, cultural, culinary and natural heritage, and the harmonious multiculturism that is woven into its social fabric. From cover to cover, Terengganu history and life as seen through the eyes of its people unfold - beautifully illustrated throughout with images painstakingly photographed over two years, that are at once familiar and at times surprising.
Originally conceived from the love for Terengganu food, this significant and comprehensive volume documents almost eighty recipes inherited through generations and in danger of passing into oblivion, which parallels the fate of our historical, cultural and natural heritage.
Although much has been lost, a lot remains to be saved and captured though there is precious little time to waste.
More than a timely wakeup call, Kulit Manis: A Taste of Terengganu's Heritage will evocatively stir the passions of Terengganuans, Malaysians and all readers who now contemplate the importance and fate of their heritage."

This not a cookbook per se. The recipes are part of the story as in these pages featuring our beloved Awang Goneng who mentioned beluda.
As mentioned before, the book is beautifully illustrated. This is an example of the chapter page spread.
You will get stunning photographs of Terengganu like this one of the coconuts in Penarek.

The book is a labour of love from To' Puan Rozita Abdullah and her team (which includes our lost blogger T. Dina Zaman). The launch is slated in October. Watch out for the announcement.

Technical Specifications:
Size: 315mm x 295mm x 30 mm
Number of pages: 252+ Endpapers+Hard Cover+ Dust jacket
Printing: Full colour throughout with all pictures gloss varnished
Material: High quality enviromentally-friendly acid-free paper

Price of the book will be announced later but do not let that stop you from reserving a copy or two. Email me.

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING BLUE

2009-08-14T12:38:00.003+08:00

Last Thursday, while nibbling on Club Sandwiches at Renaissance's The Vogue, Mat Som told those present (Bloggers: Awang Goneng, Kak Teh, Puteri Kamaliah. Non-Bloggers: Pak Abu, Shamsuddin Jaafar, Kol. (B) Shafieq Ismail) that bloggers should be agitators for change. Although I personally think that bloggers should just highlight things like a highlighter and leave the opinion-making to the reader, there are times when agitation is necessary.
Take the case of the rows of pre-war buildings in Kuala Terengganu that the state government wanted to demolish. Read the blog here.

Apparently, the buildings were acquired by Lembaga Tabung Warisan Negeri Terengganu and the shopkeepers paid rent to carry on doing business in the building. To me, "warisan" means heritage. Things you pass on, intact, from generations to generations. I would like to believe that Lembaga Tabung Warisan Negeri Terengganu bought the old buildings to preserve them as heritage for the Terengganu people, present and future. Even after demolishing historical buildings like Mesjid Bukit Besar and Mesjid Chendering, it is still not too late for the state government to think about conservation. There are intrinsic values in old buildings which will never be replicated in vulgar modern malls.

I am not against progress if it means improving the life of Terengganu people. After all, that is what the government is for. Progress does not mean obliterating historical landmarks. Learn to work around these irreplaceable buildings. If other capitals in the world can do that, why can't Terengganu?

Read also Awang Goneng's piece here.

ATOK SURUH AWANG GONENG BALIK

2009-08-12T11:48:00.006+08:00

Awang Goneng and Kak Teh came back to Malaysia a few weeks ago. There was no sequel to GUIT so Awang Goneng was not rushing from one book-signing session to another this time around.

I managed to see the lovely couple twice so far. Once at a wonderful dinner hosted by Puteri Kamaliah & Pak Abu at Lake Club and the second time at lunch in Amcorp Mall. Tomorrow, Som is giving Awang Goneng & Kak Teh tea at Renaissance, KL. I hope I can get there.

Last year, when AG and KT came back, Atok (a blogger friend in Reading, England) missed AG so much that he posted a poem on Youtube. I just discovered it today while trolling for Sajak Terengganu that Ibrahim (Baliklah Wok, Aku Orang Ulu etc) told me were posted on Youtube.
Here's Atok's sajak:

TERENGGANU FEST

2009-07-26T12:31:00.004+08:00

There will be a galore of Terengganu delicacies, fruits and fun at Stadium Bukit Jalil Kuala Lumpur on 1st of August. All for free.
Adnan Othman told me about the event when he dropped off a tupperware of heavenly acar buah made by his wife.
The event is funded by the state government and PESAT (Persatuan Anak-Anak Terengganu) is giving its fullest cooperation. Details are a bit sketchy at the moment but peek in here for some info.

So if you are hankering for some real nasi dagang or kerepok lekor that does not weaken your jaws, be there. Bring your family and tell your friends. Everything is free except the parking or the LRT.

LANGUAGE OF THE TERENGGANU FISHERMEN

2009-06-16T12:52:00.002+08:00

Allow me to apologise to my blog followers (all 20 of them) for being lethargic in updating this blog. I am still without a phone line and my Celcom Broadband is not behaving too well. In spite of being very near the Menara Telekom, I am apparently too far from a Celcom tower to get a trouble-free connection. It was satisfactory during the 7 day trial period. After that it went downhill.

The beauty of blogs is that we learn from each other. You learn something from me and I learn something from your comments and feedback. I wonder if any of you are familiar with the language of our Terengganu nelayan. Like any other professionals, they have their own terms and phrases. I am trying to collect as much istilah of these orang kelaut as I can and I need your help. I did ask a friend in a fishing village in Terengganu to collect as much words as he can but he is busy ferrying tourists to Pulau Redang.

I do remember a few words unique to the orang kelaut though. Words like awok. To the ordinary Terengganu Jusoh, awok is a crude form of "you". To to the orang kelaut, awok is a member of the boat crew. Galle (standard: tenggala) is usually when you plow the land with the plough. To the orang kelaut, galle is the sticky stuff that you plug leaky boats with.

While some of the ordinary Terengganu folks might enjoy listening to keroncong, the music, orang kelaut know keroncong as the part of pukat tarek where the fish are caught. They may or may not hum a keroncong tune when they see a full keroncong rising out of the sea.

Orang kelaut also have specific words to describe the condition of the sea. If it is a bit choppy, they say that the sea is kucoh. Worse than kucoh is gelora. I and other sea-sick people would wait when the sea is lenang before venturing out in boats. Lenang, as my sea-sick uncle described it is "when the sea is like teh-o in a cup".

Now tell me of other words and phrases that the orang kelaut use. Until then, let us wish all the fishermen of Terengganu to always come ashore with their boats muat luang (filled with abundant catch).

SOUND ADDITIONS

2009-05-19T23:11:00.006+08:00

Movie fans who bothered to read the credits might see the names of Foley Artists responsible for the sound effects in the film. I would think that Terengganu speakers would make good Foley artists because most action words in Terengganuspeak are inevitably followed by an appropriate sound.

Take falling as an example. In Terengganu, things or bodies just do not jatuh (fall). They jatuh bedebok (falls with a thud) no matter how hard the surface is or how high the fall. A stumble sounds more painful. Doesn't reboh bedebing sounds sharper and the receiving surface is hard and unforgiving?

Certain things do not just break, they explode noisily. A bottle of budu (anchovy sauce) absent-mindedly left in the car on a very hot day can pecoh belepong (explode) as easily as an inflated balloon rudely poked with a pin. The poker might be caught by the balloon owner's father or big brother and duly tapo beleping (bitch-slapped) or if the owner is big enough (and angry enough), he himself might tumbok bedebuk (punch) the poker. Some young ballon owners might be just shocked and a short while later nangih berdrohong (wail). In this case, the poker's best course of action is to tembor bedaung and show a clean pair of heels. As for the aforementioned bottle of budu, when the owner of the car opens the door, he/she will be hit by a malodorous smell. He/she can say that he/she bau wa wa (smells something strong).

In Terengganu, running into things is never a silent affair. There is always a noise. Thus langgor gedegang although it is not necessarily the corrugated iron fence that you collide with. Sucking something, either a cold beverage sucked through a straw or a runny nosed young boy sucking in his nasal mucilage give us isap serok serok (suck noisily) much to the displeasure of the prim and proper Miss Emily Post.

I know some of you might be suka gelekek (titter) by this time but unfit me is already leloh bedohor (out of breath). So be my guest and add in your action words (verbs) with the sound added that you have heard spoken in Terengganu.

FAMILY TAGS

2009-05-14T13:53:00.003+08:00

Some cultures have specific name or title for a particular member of the family. A close friend of mine who has Bengali roots is Dada to the children of his sons while his daughter's kids call him Nana and his wife Nani. His brothers' kids call him Chacha and his wife Chahchi while the children of his sisters call him Mamu and his wife Mami.
The Chinese too have specific names for members of the family. The eldest auntie, father's side is called Kuma while the eldest auntie on the mother's side is called Tai Ee (Big Auntie).

Terengganu families are not that rigid or elaborate. The eldest auntie is Mak Long from "Sulong" which is the first. Eldest uncle is Pak Long or Ayoh Long. Another variation is Wa (from the word tua or old). So your eldest auntie is Wa and your eldest uncle is Ayoh Wa. The next older auntie is Mok Ngoh/Chek Ngoh and the uncle is Ayoh Ngoh or Pok Ngoh. This is fairly simple to deduce because the second one is in the middle (tengoh).The youngest sister of your mother is Mok Su (bongsu-youngest) and the youngest brother is Ayoh Su or Pok Su. A variation of Su is Chu as in Mok Chu or Pok Chu.

This works well if your grandparents had only 3 kids. If they had more they were given titles that did not reflect their seniority at all. Some are called Cek Teh because they are fairskinned (putih) or Cek Tam because they are dusky (hitam). Some are even called De (from the word muda) because they are younger but not the youngest. Since uncles too might be called De or Ayoh De, there are aunties in that particular position called De Mek. Unlike the Bengalis or the Chinese, Terengganu Malays use Mak Long for the eldest auntie on both the mother and father's side. To avoid confusions, the auntie's or uncle's name is affixed. Thus we have Mok Long Selamoh or Pak Chu Mang to differentiate them from Mok Long Haji Lijoh or Pak Chu Beraheng.

In extreme cases where one is the only child,your cousin's kids would call you Ngga (from the word tunggal or only one). So to my cousin's children I am Ayoh Ngga- the Lonely One. Lonely shall I retire to ponder why I call my father's younger brother Bah Abang, their late mother Mok Tok and my father's cousin who is younger than me Mok Adik. I have never met my paternal or maternal grandfather. I was born after they were gone. Thus I do n't call them Ki or Tok Ki. Whatever I would call them, I am sure they won't answer.

MINYOK

2009-05-06T09:49:00.001+08:00

Long before Terengganu was blessed (or cursed - depending on who you talk to) with the discovery of petroleum within her waters, Terengganu folks were already familiar with "minyok".

We used minyok tanoh (kerosene) to light our pelita ayang (oil lamp) or the brighter and noisier pressure lanterns that you have to pump and prime before you get any light. Later on there were "Butterfly" stoves which also ran on minyok tanoh. Some of you might remember being sent to the local provision shop with an empty bottle so that the shopkeeper can gumba (pump) kerosene for you from a square tin that looks like a biscuit tin. The pump itself fascinated many young Terengganu lads. It is simple yet effective. It has only one moving part and that is the rod that you move up and down to get the minyak tanoh flowing from the big tin down the spout to your bottle.

Minyok tanoh is called such to differentiate it from minyok tanok (cooked oil) or minyok nyo (coconut oil) whose source is higher up and far from the tanoh (ground).

As you get closer to Kelantan, minyok tanoh gets to be called minyok gah. There is a famous Lorong Minyok Gah in Kota Baru. I guess minyok gah is from the the English "gas" which in turn is short for gasoline which is not kerosene at all. Gasoline is what Terengganu people call minyok petrol or sometimes called benzine (minyok benzeng). Oil for the engine is called minyok selendar because Terengganu motorists know that the oil lubricates the pistons in the cylinder. Engine oil is also called minyok itang.

Surprisingly, in Terengganu, perfumes are not called minyak wangi but air wangi. Preferences for eau de cologne perhaps? Perfumes used for Friday prayers are called minyok attor (attar) and brilliantine, cream or oil you put on your hair are called minyok rambut (hair oil). The popular brands during my time are Brylcreem, Yardley and for Hindustani fans of both sexes, Zam Zam.

Just like the car that needs change of minyok selendar every now and then, boys that use brilliantine changed oil on their head every few miles.

Underfoot, all the way from Trinidad and her famous Steel Band came minyok tar or asphalt. At one time many drums of asphalt were abandoned on the river bank in front of the Kuala Terengganu Post Office and quite close to Pok Kadir's famous stall. Inevitably, the asphalt found its way out of the rusting drums and onto the soles of Pok Kadir's customers. Some might get stuck to shiny mudguards of motorcycles or the body of some cars. These black stuff were not called minyok tar anymore. Off the road, they were called blakeng and seasoned motorcyclists and motorists cleaned them off with a mixture of minyok tanoh and apah nyo.

It was after a lot of headaches and copious administration of minyok rima (Tiger balm) did I suspect that blakeng came from the English word "blacking". Any other theories welcomed.

(Due to lack of breath and unsuitable voice, there will be no audio version of this post. Apologies.)

APRIL FOOLS

2009-04-15T00:38:00.003+08:00

There will be no Terengganu words to learn this time around because after what happened in Terengganu yesterday. I have only swear words in my head.

Are those group of BN assemblymen in Terengganu for real? My friends in Terengganu told me that they are as real as the plastic palms that used to dot Terengganu towns. Three of them received "threatening SMS" and 10 played truant and did not attend the sittings. How many assemblymen has been assasinated in Terengganu? People in Terengganu Darul Iman are comparatively religious. They believe life and death are in the domain of Allah and not in the powers of political rivals. Besides, the hotel they were holed up in is less secure than the Dewan Undangan Negeri. You can see the State Police HQ from the assembly.

What have they achieved other than disgracing the state? Nothing whatsoever. When the new PM talk of unity they displayed divisiveness. When the new cabinet are talking about being more responsible, these sorry excuse of lawmakers chose to be irresponsible. They should be in the Dewan asking questions on behalf of their voters, shouldn't they?

Whatever your ambition is, whatever you want to happen, do it with some class and lots of intelligence. Being petulant (and some would say flatulent too) will not get you anywhere. As my friend Dato' Omar Khalid said:
"Di Teganung ramai orang pandai, tapi tak ramai yang bijok." I would not have guessed that he meant the BN politicians.

ANOK

2009-04-08T11:09:00.000+08:00

Even though there is a Malay saying that goes "Kecil jangan disangka anak, besar jangan disangka bapa" Terengganu speakers, just like other Malay speakers call the smaller of things anok. So the key, which is smaller than the lock is called anok kuci and the arrow which is smaller compared to the bow is anok panoh. Similarly, we have anok mata which is part of the eye and anok tekok, which is a part of the throat. I think it is the uvula. Can someone with a copy of Gray's Anatomy check?

If you want to get out of the house, you go down the steps. If your house is a typical kampung house, you would step on several anok tangga before you reach the ground. If you are at night and the time is right you might see a crescent moon in the sky. That would be anok bulang. There is no mok bulang or bapak bulang although there is bulan purnama in Kuala Terengganu and in Bukit Gantang shining very brightly during by-elections.

Venture further into the bushes and you might find tough, wiry thumb-sized trees growing. These are called anok kuat and Merang folks used them as floors and walls for their huts. Anok kuat sometimes can be found near anok sunga (streams or tributaries) where small boys catch anok seriding (very small fishes). Very small boys, usually uncircumcised, when in a team of older boys (probably circumcised) would be called anok wek for the duration of whatever game they were playing.

There was one such anok wek who accidentally caught hold of his grandma's breast. His father was furious and gave the boy a scolding. The boy apologized to the grandma and muttered:
"Ayoh ning, orang pegang kopek mok dia sekali maroh doh. Dia pegang kopek mok kita ari ari kita dak kata apa pong."

SOUND WORDS

2009-04-01T13:10:00.005+08:00

Before Mimi cok (reserve) the wireless modem, I'd better finish this post. So I will make it short.
There will be not enough time for lengthy explanations so I will just introduce you to the words in a story that purportedly happened in Kampong Longger Terengganu many many years ago. The veracity of the story could not be confirmed since all those involved and maybe the kampung too are no longer with us.

One evening in December, Ayoh Wang Deramang was shaken out of his post-asar nap in his rattan kerusi malah (lazy chair) by loud noises coming out of the next room. His house has many rooms and he rented them out to supplement his income. The room next door where the grudung gradang came from was rented by a couple who were both orally and aurally challenged. Non-politically correct people would call the couple deaf and dumb.
"How could a deaf and dumb couple make so much noise, so bising bangor?" Ayoh Wang Deramang thought to himself. He proceeded to bang dengor (pricked his ear) and there were more grudung gradang from the next room. Since there were no speech, Ayoh Wang Deramang could not describe the din as geger. Were the couple having an orgy after the birth of their baby? Ayoh Wang Deramang, a bachelor, scolded himself for having such an unsavoury thought. The grudung gradang continued. Ayoh Wang Deramang became curiouser and curiouser. He could not hold himself much longer. Throwing caution and good breeding to the monsoon wind, he rushed to the store to get his putorela (hand drill/gimlet) and drilled a hole in the wall. He peeked through the hole and what did he see?
He saw furnitures upturned. He saw the room in a mess. He saw the husband holding a picture of his wife's father in one hand and an open umbrella in the other. He also saw the wife holding her baby with one hand and pointing to her exposed breast with the other.
Ayoh Wang Deramang was mystified. He could not make out what was happening. Only one person would know. Cikgu Rozak, a teacher at the deaf and dumb school would know. Conveniently, Cikgu Rozak was renting a room at the other end of the house. Ayoh Wang Deramang ran to fetch Cikgu Rozak who came to the peephole and peeped. He saw the same thing that Ayoh Wang Deramang saw.
He saw furnitures upturned. He saw the room in a mess. He saw the husband holding a picture of his wife's father in one hand and an open umbrella in the other. He also saw the wife holding her baby with one hand and pointing to her exposed breast with the other.
Cikgu Rozak turned to the expectant Ayoh Wang Deramang.
"Ayoh Wang, the wife is telling the husband to buy milk for the baby.."
"Pah tu? (Then?)"
"The husband said pala ayoh mu (your father's head). It is raining lah."

BOATS IN TERENGGANU

2009-03-25T00:16:00.011+08:00

Despite getting seasick most of the time (even on the river), I love boats and In Terengganu, where I grew up, at one time, there were more boats than automobiles.
The first boat that I was on was not really a boat. The English would call it a dugout canoe. The Terengganu folks, being more generous call the dugout perahu jalor. It is a poor man's aquatic runabout.

Here is a picture of my father (in dark glasses) with his friend Tok Kobi, a kadhi back from a hunt. See how low the perahu jalor sits in the water. My father must have great faith in his boatmen because he never learned how to swim.

The perahu jalor is never designed by a naval architect. You simply choose a log and hack away the parts that do not look like a perahu jalor.
Perahu jalor, as I remember it was always manually powered. You either paddle it or punt it. You can't even put a sail to it.

You can however, use sail on a sekuchi. There are no hard and fast rule on the material you can use for the sail. I saw plenty of sekuchi using sails patched together from flour sacks. I have yet to see sekuchi sails made of kain pelikat or kain batik.
Fishermen friends in Terengganu told me that sekuchi are good for fishing in the river or, if in the sea, close to the shore. Apparently, sekuchi boats do not handle waves very well.

A close cousin of the sekuchi is the kolek. The prows are longer and higher and these make the kolek handles the waves better. The kolek is also sail-powered and it was popular with the freelance nelayan (fisherman) of Merang and other parts of Terengganu. Koleks can go further out to see than the sekuchi although it would not go as far as Australia as this young man in the picture discovered.
I would think that a payang would make it to Australia. Payang boats are at least twice as big and higher than a kolek. Payangs were used by the pukat tarek fishermen and they were rowed like viking ships, somewhat. I could not find a picture of perahu payang on my pc. Putrajaya residents can pop over to the lake and see a modified payang taking tourists on a cruise.

The boat that can really take you places would be the bedor. There was anok bedo that looked like the one in this picture. I used to hitch a ride in one of these to get from the Customs jetty to Seberang Takir. I had to wait for the wind though because it was wind-powered.
Bigger bedo (was it ibu bedor or ayoh bedor. I am not sure) complete with a toilet at the stern once made the journey from Kuala Terengganu to Thailand bringing back stuffs such as terracota tiles or whatever that floats the boats of the traders at the time.

JURRUH

2009-03-18T12:25:00.009+08:00

There could be a time in Terengganu when parents had to decide who should be their son-in-law or , as the case maybe, daughter-in-law. When that happened, a couple of words describing the qualities of the prospective new member of the family would be bandied about.

The prospect would be good if the candidate is described as jurruh. A jurruh person is someone who is morally straight, upright,trustworthy and can be counted upon to do the right thing. A jurruh person is less likely to run away with the mother-in-law's subang bung and other jewellery. The kind of person who would do that is dak jurruh. He or she would not be the kind of person that semayang bang (prays) or posa re er (fast).

Another phrase that goes well with most jurruh person is tertek terning. Tertek terning is a description of how the person speaks, sits, eats and acts. Somehow, there is an unwritten Terengganu version of "Miss Emily's Book of Etiquette " that every Terengganu child is taught to comply with. Loud and ungraceful children would be admonished as kasor gegor (rough). These kids, if they do not change their ways, would grow up to be rejects when considered as prospective in-laws later.

There are persons, usually females, who do not achieve tertik terning but somehow does not fall into the dak jurruh or kasor gegor category. By disposition, these females are a bit bolder and outspoken but still graceful and pleasant. They are described as lepah laku. A lepah laku person will be at ease in any gatherings. You are welcomed to give your own definition of lepah laku. Mind you, lepah laku does not mean "beyond bought" as in dak laku. When considering daughters-in-law, there is a group of girls very low in the list. Terengganu folks call these kind of girls tinna garrek. Tinna is betina and garrek is maghrib. Thus if a girl goes out at maghrib time and not to the surau or mosque, she is not daughter-in-law material, even if your own son is a jinn.

Talking about choosing a life-partner made me think of the movie "Some Like It Hot". Most of you were not born yet when this film came out. The movie is about 2 musicians (Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon) who had to disguise themselves as girls when running away from murderous gangsters. Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon became Josephine and Daphne respectively and joined an all-girls band where Tony Curtis fell in love with Marilyn Monroe and a millionaire (Osgood Fielding III, played by Joe.E.Brown) was smitten by Daphne (Jack Lemmon). Daphne was trying very hard to convince Osgood that "she" was not the right girl for him:
" I cannnot have babies!"
"That's ok. We can adopt"
Finally, Jack Lemmon told the truth:
"Oh, you don't understand, Osgood! Ehhhh... I'm a man."
"Well, nobody's perfect"

RADIOS IN TERENGGANU

2009-03-11T11:46:00.015+08:00

In the 50's, Terengganu folks listened to the radio in groups. The government had a special broadcast called " Siaran Ke Kampung-Kampung" where news and other radio programs were specially tailored to kampung folks all over the country. There was a designated place in the kampung where villagers can gather, lay down their pandanus mat and listen to the broadcast through one long horn speaker hooked up to the village's only working radio receiver. Villagers flocked around the horn speaker to listen to "Warta Berita", "Bangsawan Di Udara", "Sandiwara Radio" and later the series "Kebun Pak Awang".

The horn speaker used was considerably longer than this one. I can safely say that the serombong (horn speaker) was identical to the one high up in the minaret of Mesjid Putih (Mesjid Sultan Zainal Abidin) in Kuala Terengganu.

In Kuala Terengganu and other big towns, those who could afford it bought their own radio sets. The early receivers were bakelite boxes with two knobs. One to search for stations, the other for volume control. There were push down switches to select bands. At that time we only have Shortwave and Medium wave. FM did not come yet. There were no telescopic aerials. The aerial was a very long piece of copper wire strung across the highest part of the house or outside, between two tall bamboo poles.

Usually there was a "lamp" which actually was a valve somewhere in front to help you "tune" to the station.
These radios ran on electricity thus they were confined to the towns where supply from CEB (Central Electricity Board) was available. CEB was changed to LLN (Lembaga Letrik Negara) which some Terengganu wags referred to as "Lenggok Lenggok Naik" when they saw the wireman surveying the electric poles that they were about to climb. As we all know, LLN changed to TNB and charged us more for electricity.

Radio sets (tuners and amplifiers) at that time used valves or electronic tubes that was periodically replaced as part of radio maintenance. There are some hi-fi enthusiasts today who prefer these tubes to the solid-state transistor amplifiers.
Those Terengganu folks without access to electricity bought radios that were powered by their special big dry battery or sometimes by the messy "wet" car batteries.
I could not find a picture of the battery used but instead found one of "lonjong" dry battery. The one I remembered was squarish and had the name of "Berec" or something like that.

Later there were radios combined with record player/changer that looked like short cupboards.

My grandaunt had one more sophisticated than the one in this picture. I learned a lot of songs on her radiogram. I remembered learning to dance too but it was hard dancing alone.

When transistors were invented, we had portable radios powered by torchlight batteries. Terengganu people call this batteries "ubat lampu". The radio is about the size of a paperback. Some came with a leather casing with straps. The famous Cik Kaleh, bought one and hung it on his trishaw to provide entertainment to himself and his customer. The other early transistor radio that I remember belonged to our classmate, Habib Mat, who had indulgent parents.

Later, portable radios came in all shapes and sizes even in the shape of cans of popular drinks.
Now tell me about your first radio.

SEKKUK

2009-03-04T01:27:00.000+08:00

Terengganuspeakers are familiar with the sentence
Makang sekkuk pak seggi atah sejjid
(Eating square biscuits on the mosque)
This is more of a tongue-twister of sort although I would not recommend it to anyone with a mouthful of crackers whether you are in a mesjid, misjed or sejjid.
Sekkuk pak seggi (square biscuits) are what some Terengganu folks call the cream crackers. Some of my West Coast friends morbidly call the crackers biskut mayat probably due to the fact that these crackers are usually served at funerals by neighbours of the deceased.

Some Terengganu folks also know those crackers as biskut/sekkuk tawor simply because they are not sweet compared to another ubiquitous biscuit - Biskut Marie. Apparently, Marie is not a brand. It is a type of biscuit that is round and sweet. Probably like a Marie that you might know. Whoever makes the Marie biscuits (Khong Guan, Arnott etc.) will have the word Marie in the middle and a design around the edges.

Marie biscuits were perennial in the dining room when I was in STAR, Ipoh for my Form Six. I am sure it is the same with other school hostels. 48 odd years down the road, I still see biskut Marie rescuing hungry children everywhere.

What I do not see is biskut cottek. Biskut chottek is a thumb-sized oval biscuit with a dab of sugar-flower twirled on top. This is the reason they were also called sekkuk bunga. When I was a small boy and I had some coins with me, I used to dash to Kedai Bunga opposite the Kuala Terengganu Fire Station and bought some biskut cottek. They were sold by weight and they were always displayed in big square tins with a glass window. Modern packaging came very much later.

I also remember other stuffs sold in those windowed tin cans.There were those delicious crispy sticks, which, if not for their stick-like shape would be considered biscuits too. We used to bite each end, dunk them in our tea or coffee and used the stick as a straw. We call them sekkut kerah.
Alas, there are no native biscuits to speak of. The closest thing to a homegrown biscuit is something made of sago flour and nissang (palm sugar). It is not as big as sekkut Marie but just as round.Unlike sekkut Marie, there are no letters on it but if you look underneath, you can see imprints of the pandanus mat where it last sat before being baked. Terengganu people call it kerepek sagu and this is one of the occasion where I beg to differ. Kerepek sagu is not like kerepek ubi, kerepek minja or kerepek pisang. For all intents and purposes it is a biscuit and not a kerepek. I hope this injustice is put right.

"AKU" REDUX

2009-02-25T01:28:00.001+08:00

The original post appeared on 26th November 2004. It was a slow day.
Today is still a slow day. I will do the sajak (poem) again for the benefit of new readers who were not around in 2004, To those who were with me since 2004, I have added audio to the post.

This is a poem by Chairil Anwar which we had to learn in college.

AKU
Kalau sampai waktuku
'Ku mau tak seorang kan merayu
Tidak juga kau
Tak perlu sedu sedan itu
Aku ini binatang jalang
Dari kumpulannya terbuang
Biar peluru menembus kulitku
Aku tetap meradang menerjang
Luka dan bisa kubawa berlari
Berlari
Hingga hilang pedih peri
Dan aku akan lebih tidak perduli
Aku mau hidup seribu tahun lagi

Chairil Anwar is Indonesian. If Chairil were from Terengganu, his poem would sound like this:

Bile kene glerang ambe weh
Ambo takmboh sorrang pong takweh
Mung pong jangan jugok
Dok payoh nnangih eso'-eso'
Ambe ning menatang bujang
Kene tohok keluo kupolang
Bedil lah ambe dung dang dung dang
Ambe terajang maroh mmanjang
Ambe hungga gi wala saket ketet ketet
Hungga
Sapa dok rase sikit tuit
Ambe kohor dok cakna sikkit
Ambe nok iduk tokkat langit

HEADY STUFF

2009-02-18T14:00:00.007+08:00

(Click PLAY to listen to the blog. Excuse the reader who still has no teeth)

For want of a better subject, we will start at the top with the head. Why? Well, why not? In good times and in bad times, we need to keep our head. There is nothing worse than losing one's head. Ask those who lost theirs in the French Revolution or the revolting people in front of Istana Bukit Chandan recently.

The standard Bahasa Malaysia word for head is kepala. The economical Terengganu speakers use pala. Pala is for the thing at the topmost of your neck where your hair grows (or not growing, as the case may be). Pala as in kepala is both for the physical head and idiomatic head. Thus when Terengganu speakers speak of pala botok they are referring to a shiny bald pate or a head with a bald patch. There is a ditty that rude children of Terengganu used to chorus:

Ayang ketok bawoh rumoh Pala botok sama tengoh
Roughly translated
The hen cackles under the house
The round bald patch is right in the middle
(If you have time on your hand, translate the ditty so that it ryhmes.)

Like gangs anywhere else, those children would have a leader. Shocked and disappointed Terengganu parents would call the ring leader pala haliang. I have yet to be told of the meaning of haliang. Perhaps Mek Yang in faraway Big Apple could tell me the next time she honours this blog with a visit.

Like the Bahasa Malaysia kepala angin ( a temperamental person), Terengganu speakers also use pala to describe the attitude or demeanour of certain characters in their midst. Thus we have pala masang (literally sour head) and pala pengat (literally gruel head).

I have been called on ocassions pala anging (kepala angin) and for the shallowness of my blogs, an airhead (head full of air, no brain). So far, nobody has called me pala masang. Pala masang is someone who is angry at everything and everyone often without valid reasons. Like a bad battery, a pala masang person is all negative. So probably we can translate pala masang as "sore head". Pala pengat is something worse. A pala pengat person, I have been told, is quick-tempered and might slap or hit you for the flimsiest of reason. My maternal grandmother, a Kelantanese-speaker would call this type of person gedebe. You will find pala masang and pala pengat characters in any group. My fervent hope is that there is one pala pengat person among the supporters of Eli Wong. I met Eli at a bloggers gathering and I would never think of Eli as a bad person, whatever you think "bad" is. I agree that she has done nothing wrong. We all trusted someone at some point or other. To betray someone is wrong. To be betrayed and to have your privacy violated is horrendous. So if there is a pala pengat person among Eli's friends, go find the low-life who violated her trust and her privacy and shove the camera phone up where the sun doesn't shine.

For hyprocritical politicians who bayed for Eli Wong's resignation, I, who have allegiance to no party have only this for you:
pala korrok mung

Go translate that.

BOLO' WO'

2009-02-10T15:35:00.004+08:00

(Click PLAY to listen to the talking blog. Once again, excuse the reader. He still has no teeth)

When told by neighbours who could read and those who have TVs of the current political situation in various parts of the country, Mok Long Selamoh’s only response was a question:

“Guane bolo’ wo’ tu?” (Why the mess?)

Ask the question to 8 people and you would get 8 differing answers replete with theories and arguments as loose as Mok Long Selamoh’s kemban (Malay mu mu). I shall not dwell on the question here because it will make me pening pala (dizzy).

You might wonder if there are other parts of the body in Terengganu or elsewhere that can go dizzy. I suppose Terengganu people never did because they also use

Lapo perut ( literally hungry stomach meaning hungry)

Ngato’ mata (literally eyes sleepy meaning sleepy)

Dahaga tekok (literally thirsty throat thirsty)

Jalang kaki (literally walk feet meaning to go on foot)

and other similar words that you might know.

Lovers of Terengganuspeak would know that Terengganu speakers are economical with their words to the point of combining and truncating two or more words to become one for example kekgi (in a while) from sikit lagi, setabok from sebutir habok(a speck of dust) and other words that you might care to contribute. So why the redundancy in pening pala, lapo perut and other pairs mentioned earlier? Were the Terengganu speakers being precise while seemingly being redundant? You have seen that Terengganu people know exactly what they want. It is very clear to them that Monsoon Cup is not the same as monsoon drains.

If in the English language, “see” can have many meanings as in

“I see dead people”

“I will see you in court”

“I see your point” and other examples that you might care to add.

Technology added another dimension to the word “see” when you can “see” someone without being physically in the same location. To add to the pening pala, there is the “see” used in metaphysics that involves the “third eye”. Thus, “eyeballed” is used to mean “see with eyes”. Lapo perut or sometimes lapo nasik (hungry for rice) is precisely that. Not hunger for power, Not hunger for sex. Ngato’ mata means your eyelids are drooping and getting heavier and you need to sleep. This is to differentiate it from the condition you are in while listening to the droning of politicians (power hungry or sex hungry or not) when your mind wanders to more pleasant things and you are asleep with your eyes wide open.

Dahaga tekok or also dahaga air is of course the physical thirst for your beverage of choice. After slaking your physical thirst you then can go and take care of your thirst for knowledge which should not be quenchable. Prophet Mohamad (peace be upon him) exhorted us to “seek knowledge even to China”.Even in the olden days you cannot go to China jalang kaki.

I hope I have not made you pening pala. At least pening pala is not as bad as serabut perut. Serabut is all tangled up, rat's nest messy and knotted like unruly fishing lines. Serabut perut is not your stomach all knotted up and messy (with undigested fibers or whatnots). It is a mental condition. It is used to describe when your head is filled with a myriad of problems and unresolved questions. If it is in the head, why blame the stomach? In their wisdom, Terengganu people would want you to know that when you have problems and unresolved issues and take to the street to do unintelligent things, you already have no head. You lost it.Thus serabut perut.

REKO' WO'

2009-02-02T21:46:00.010+08:00

UPDATE:
I am trying to make a talking blog for the benefit of visually challenged people and also for the sighted to learn the pronounciation of featured Terengganu words.
Now you can listen to the blog. Here is the WAV file (979 kb, virus and spyware free or just click PLAY on this MP3 Player. Excuse the less-than-perfect delivery. The guy does not have enough teeth.)

(The current events folding and unfolding in the country put me in a mencarut mood. Thus this post is RATED SX 18. You have been warned.)

As a diversion for Lioness who has to contend with a house turned untidy easily, I will divert her attention momentarily to the word that she inquired in her comments to my previous posting.

Kreko' does mean crooked, as in not straight although I have not heard it used to describe politicians. Maybe it could have been used to describe a part of the politician's anatomy by
a) His Tok Mudin
b) His wife
c) His mistress (partner/coffeeboy/whatever) or
d) His urologist
who comes from Terengganu or speaks in Terengganuspeak.

Kreko' ( o' ryhmes with bongok, which is also a synonym for some present day politicians) is sometimes replaced by belok although belok is less severe in the sense that it could be remedied whereas kreko' is not. You have to live with your kreko'ness. Terengganu children of old used a more familiar variant of kreko', reko' + wo' when they swear their innocence. Refer to my early (January 2005) post I Swear. These were the days before Statutory Declaration was in vogue.

Other Terengganu words pertaining to perceived imperfection that I can think of at the moment are
kerutu', keripu' and gelding.

Kerutu' (pronounced crew-took) is both the heavenly kenduri offering and the description of a surface full of nubs and bumps much like the back of katok puru (our political animal of the month) or, if you are non-political, there are condoms that are kerutu'. The Standard BM equivalent is roughly menggerutu. My friends told me of several mutual friends who injected silicon into their burung (kreko' or not) so that it becomes kerutu'. Why? Only they and their ajinomoto (penyedap rasa) know.

Keripu' (pronounced roughly as cree-put) is deformity caused by shrinkage whether through accident or old age. I know the West Coast Malays use kerepot to call something old and shrunken.
Keripu' is normally used to describe a mouth. Readers are invited to cite other examples.

Gelding (pronounced like girl -ding) is when something became not straight due to warping. Put a piece of plywood outside at the mercy of the sun and the rain and soon the plywood becomes gelding. Gelding is often used with geliat (meaning to stretch or sprain) to reproach someone who is slow to do one's duty. Parents who bribed gelding geliat kids by giving them money to do chores that they should have done for free could be responsible for the money politics of today.

CLUELESS ABOUT KOKEK

2009-01-27T16:06:00.003+08:00

(As promised, this blog henceforth will only deal with things on or about Terengganu. Other ramblings will be on Pokku's Post.)

Have you ever been lullabied by "Ayun Buai Kokek"? If you do not have a Terengganu mother, chances are very slim indeed. Even if your mother is from Terengganu, she might not be of the right age to know the song. I for one could not remember when I was last in a buai (or ndo, if you are in the Kelantanese speaking part of Terengganu). Go here to listen to the song sung by Habsah Jusoh. Habsah's forte is singing Lagu Melayu Asli, even modern asli song like Selasih Ku Sayang.

The lyric goes like this:

Ayong buai kokek, kokek ulu golok
hok dia lokek, hok orang dia nok
(repeat 2x)

timang tinggi tinggi, tinggi pucuk celagi,
bangung pagi-pagi, teruh pegi mengaji.

Ayong buai kokek, kokek ulu golok
hok dia lokek, hok orang dia nok
(repeat 2x)

timang tinggi-tinggi sampai cucur atap
belum tumbuh gigi pandai baca kitab

Ayong buai kokek, kokek ulu golok
hok dia lokek, hok orang dia nok
(repeat 2x)

**
timang tinggi-tinggi sampai pucuk pinang
bila pandai ngaji hidup jadi senang

Ayong buai kokek, kokek ulu golok
hok dia lokek, hok orang dia nok
(repeat 2x)

timang tinggi-tinggi, sampai pucuk sena
bila besor nanti, jadi orang berguna

Ayong buai kokek, kokek ulu golok
hok dia lokek, hok orang dia nok
(repeat 2x)

The lullaby is what Terengganu mothers of yesteryears sang to their babies. The mothers were full of hope while the babies might be full of nestum, pisang lecek or whatever they feed babies with those days. The chorus might be directed to some selfish relatives or neighbours. Politicians can use it at the next ceramoh.

Now, what in tarnation is kokek?
I can recall kokek being used to describe the noise coming out of the Terengganu kitchen when crockeries are moved. That does not fit into the lyric
kokek ulu golok
unless the ulu is as loose as my remaining tooth. You know what ulu is of course. It is an economical way of saying hulu or citing an example of the Cockney influence in Terengganu. Ulu means head, top part or upriver. Thus ulu golok is the handle of the Terengganu machete as opposed to the lower or business end of the golok. If there are medical doctors among you, please tell me what is the medical term for ulu ati.

Now, for the Cockney influence or rather, similarity:
Cockneys, like people in Terengganu, have the propensity to drop the "h" in a lot of words. In Terengganu, hari becomes ari, hutang (and hutan) becomes utang. Hidung becomes idong and many more. Just like the Cockney lady in this story:

It was a blustery and windy day in one part of London. One tourist was embarassed on behalf of the lady whose skirt was lifted high up by the wind.
Tourist: Airy isn't?
Lady: Eh? Wot do you expect? Bald?

Now go back to work.

NEW ARRANGEMENT

2009-01-26T02:40:00.004+08:00

This blog will go through some changes beginning today. Nothing to do with the Year of The Keruba (balor or otherwise). I have decided to make this blog exclusively for Terengganuspeak and Trengganuiana ( Malaysiana = stuffs about Malaysia so Terengganuiana is stuffs about Terengganu, ok?). Other topics will be on my other blog Pokku's Post, formerly housing the urls of blogs that linked to me. The first posting is about the Jazz Tribute to Malaysian Songs.

The list (or part of it) is still there. I am working on it, so please do not merajuk if you do not see your blog listed there.

I hope this new arrangement works. Let me know please. Any inconvenience caused is much regretted.

To my Chinese readers, Happy New Year!

HOW LONG MORE?

2009-01-22T16:04:00.002+08:00

You might have noticed my countdown on the left of the page. I will keep it on until the residents of Vista Angkasa get our phones working again.
Sad to say, this is the delivery system that we have. Like I have mentioned before. Only the tok bidan delivers. The rest promise but never deliver.
Can you blame the people of Kuala Terengganu for getting fed up?
In case you are wondering what my beef is, read here.
Rocky highlighted it, the Consumer people filed a complain but the result is still silent phones, no Streamyx. I still have to pay for the phone bill and the Streamyx bill.

OBAMA'S LETTER TO HIS GIRLS

2009-01-20T12:13:00.005+08:00

Tonight many will watch history unfolds as Obama is inaugurated as USA's 44th President. Many wished that there are politicians like Obama in our country. To get a small peek into the heart of Obama, I shall share with you a letter that he wrote. Read it to your own children and grandchildren. Pass it on to your politician-friends. It might not help but as my friend Narayanan told me "Pluck a strand of hair from your head and throw it at the mango. If the mango falls down, well and good. If not, you only lose a strand of hair".
Thanks to our former Director-General, Dato' Abdullah for forwarding this letter:

Dear Malia and Sasha,

I know that you've both had a lot of fun these last two years on the campaign trail, going to picnics and parades and state fairs, eating all sorts of junk food your mother and I probably shouldn't have let you have. But I also know that it hasn't always been easy for you and Mom, and that as excited as you both are about that new puppy, it doesn't make up for all the time we've been apart. I know how much I've missed these past two years, and today I want to tell you a little more about why I decided to take our family on this journey.

When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me-about how I'd make my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want. But then the two of you came into my world with all your curiosity and mischief and those smiles that never fail to fill my heart and light up my day. And suddenly, all my big plans for myself didn't seem so important anymore. I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours. And I realized that my own life wouldn't count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours. In the end, girls, that's why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation.

I want all our children to go to schools worthy of their potential-schools that challenge them, inspire them, and instill in them a sense of wonder about the world around them. I want them to have the chance to go to college-even if their parents aren't rich. And I want them to get good jobs: jobs that pay well and give them benefits like health care, jobs that let them spend time with their own kids and retire with dignity.

I want us to push the boundaries of discovery so that you'll live to see new technologies and inventions that improve our lives and make our planet cleaner and safer. And I want us to push our own human boundaries to reach beyond the divides of race and region, gender and religion that keep us from seeing the best in each other.

Sometimes we have to send our young men and women into war and other dangerous situations to protect our country-but when we do, I want to make sure that it is only for a very good reason, that we try our best to settle our differences with others peacefully, and that we do everything possible to keep our servicemen and women safe. And I want every child to understand that the blessings these brave Americans fight for are not free-that with the great privilege of being a citizen of this nation comes great responsibility.

That was the lesson your grandmother tried to teach me when I was your age, reading me the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence and telling me about the men and women who marched for equality because they believed those words put to paper two centuries ago should mean something.

She helped me understand that America is great not because it is perfect but because it can always be made better-and that the unfinished work of perfecting our union falls to each of us. It's a charge we pass on to our children, coming closer with each new generation to what we know America should be.

I hope both of you will take up that work, righting the wrongs that you see and working to give others the chances you've had. Not just because you have an obligation to give something back to this country that has given our family so much-although you do have that obligation. But because you have an obligation to yourself. Because it is only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you will realize your true potential.

These are the things I want for you-to grow up in a world with no limits on your dreams and no achievements beyond your reach, and to grow into compassionate, committed women who will help build that world. And I want every child to have the same chances to learn and dream and grow and thrive that you girls have. That's why I've taken our family on this great adventure.

I am so proud of both of you. I love you more than you can ever know. And I am grateful every day for your patience, poise, grace, and humor as we prepare to start our new life together in the White House.

Love, Dad

(Published in PARADE)

THE MESSAGE AND THE MASSAGE

2009-01-18T14:17:00.009+08:00

I am departing from my usual path by giving my thoughts on the result of Saturday's Kuala Terengganu By-Election. I am not writing as a political partisan but as a rambling old citizen of this country and of course as someone who grew up in Terengganu.
I am proud that voters in Kuala Terengganu spoke their mind through the ballot box. Many bloggers, too many to mention, vociferously urged KT voters to send a message to the ruling party. Brendan Behan, the great Irish writer came to mind. When asked what was the message in his latest book, Brendan gruffly retorted "What message? Do you think I am a blardy postman?"

Of course there are things to be learned from this by-election. Difficult as it may be, politicians must change their ways and political parties must review their goals. Be serious with your Post Mortems. Do many Post Post Mortems. Many many moons ago I was with a rombongan where there were many BN members, mostly from UMNO. I asked a friend who was a known active UMNO member why he joined the party. He was honest enough to tell me that he joined not because of idealism. He told me that not many joined UMNO to fight for "Agama, Bangsa dan Negara". How come I was not surprised?

When I was a small boy, I was impressed with the fervour of the UMNO people that I met. In Merang, there was Cikgu Weil who, I guessed, led UMNO in Merang. Cikgu Wei could not straighten his arm properly. This affliction is called "deko" in Terengganuspeak. So, whenever Cikgu Weil raised his arm and shouted "Merdeka", Merang people naughtily responded "Deko! Deko" although they knew what Cikgu Weil, like many UMNO members at that time was fighting for. Like many UMNO members during his time, Cikgu Weil did not become rich. I am sure you know of many more like Cikgu Weil just as you know of UMNO members who became rich solely through the patronage system. This system ("I scratch your back, you scratch mine") should be scratched out. Ditto for Money Politcs. An UMNO blogger, Sakmongkol, who is very arif (wise, expert) wrote about UMNO leaders being elected in the loo which he predicted will be UMNO's Waterloo. On a lower level, I even heard of UMNO people refusing to put up election posters unless they are paid and handsomely, too, thank you. There are legitimate companies that put up posters and buntings for a fee.At least they do not profess to fight for "Bangsa, Agama dan Negara".

I shall not bore you with all the ills that plague UMNO. UMNO members know better. Read their blog.I do not wish to see any political party die in a democratic country. It is good to hear talks about overhauling and re-energizing the party. Even though UMNO does not like suggestions from non-members (or ex-members for that matter, famous or not) I shall offer a suggestion. Start with changing the perception that UMNO is full of corruption, arrogance and selfishness. Be sincere, honest, fair, transparent and altruistic. You might say that I am politically naive to think that there are politicians in Malaysia with those attributes. Maybe I am, but remember Toyota's Tv ad? The idea must be absurd to be successful. Do that and you can win over voters in all parts of Malaysia, not just Kuala Terengganu the next time you contest in an election.

DEAR MOK NANG SELAMOH

2009-01-15T17:22:00.006+08:00

(I have to write this in Terengganu language because Mok Nang Selamoh does not read or speak English. Translation not forthcoming. Sorry)

Kehadapang yang dikasihi kekanda Mok Nang Selamoh semoga dalang keadaang sehat walafiat adanye.
Lusa Mok Nang Selamoh kene gi ngundi. Jangang pulok buat culah. Doksoh tido lepah suboh. Paka baju lawo-lawo, ikat kaing batik jawa tu mollek. Subang bung dok payoh paka lah. Nok gi ngundi, bukang nok gi makang pulot. Pah tu tunggu tepi baroh. Kekgi adalah kereta lalu buleh tupang. Tok soh tebeng bejalang kaki. Sakit lutut dok baik lagi. Lama kang boghat pulok. Ari Ngundi ning, Mok Nang Selamoh raja. Serma nok ambik Mok Nang Selamoh gi ngundi. Pilih sediri. Nok naik kereta, nok naik beng, buleh belaka.

Macang hari ngundi dulu, bawok kad gambo. Kad berah dok payoh. Tadok kad gambo, tokleh ngundi. Acu gi buka kelepey tu, tengok kad gambo ada ke tidok. Kalu kena ketek dorang atawapong kena kecek dorang, Mok Nang Selamoh gi derah derah ripok Pullih. Dok ingat ke? Kite pesang doh. Kad gambo jangan bui ke orang. Kad gambo kene jaga. Serupa jugok kruba lembu. Kalu hari Jemaat keruba ke, lembu ke ilang, jangang pulok ari Sa’tu tu sariang tang malang gi cari kruba. Dok dang ngundi kang.

Hok mana nok pakoh, kita tamboh kabo lah. Mok Nang Selamoh pong tau kita ni dak berahi politik tapi rama jugok kawang kawang ddalang politik. Ada kawang sekoloh yang jadi calon Pah, ada kawang yang kuat UMNO. Kita tadok ttuangg. Hok mana betul, kita kata betul. Hok saloh kita dak kata betol. Ngundi kali ning susoh sikit. Taung lepah senang. Putih pakoh se, hok kuning pakoh lain. Taung ni, ada se je. Dak rajin lagi kena lagu ning. Kemareng dulu Pok Od talipong. Dia kata 50-50. Hari ning dia kata 49-51 pulok. Sapadia 49, sapedia 51, walahualam. Pok Od kata Pok Wee, Tokeh Tong, Mek Beso, Sikeng dan member-member lain di Kapong Cina nok pakoh Pah. Napok gaya nyesa lah Majlih Bandoraya uboh bata Jalang Kapong Cina. Kalu Moknang Selamoh nok pakoh Pah pun tadok galangan. Kita tau Mok Nang Selamoh bukang ahli Pah dang Bukang ahli UMNO. Cawangang Keadilang, DAP tadok lagi kat kapong. Kalu Mok Nang Selamoh senyak senyak masuk UMNO pong, nok pakoh Pah pong buleh. Rama orang UMNO tok pakoh calon UMNO masa ngundi taung lepah. Ari Sa’tu ning ada jugok gamoknya orang UMNO tok pakoh calon UMNO. Puok puok hok dak berahi ke Dato’ Wang Farid buleh jadi pakoh orang lain. Buleh ke X-Factor yang Dato’Wang Farid kata dia ada tu jadi banyok X dalang kertah undi ari Sa’tu ning? Kalu orang UMNO bersatu, buleh. Kalu pakat maing peteh keting belaka, susoh sikit.

Orang kata calon UMNO ni sombong . Ambe dok kenal Dato’ ning. Ayoh dia ambe kenal. Ayoh dia ok. Panda bahasa Arab.Pada ambe, ayoh dia tok sombong. Ning serma, orang putih kata “perception”. Dalang politik ning, perception atau pandang/perhatian/ingatan/sangkaan orang mustohok. Macang Mok Nang Selamoh jugok. Kalu Mok Nang Selamoh tok senyung seminggu, anok beranok kata Mok Nang Selamoh sembelit. Perasaang suka dak suka ni mari daripada sentiment. Sentiment mari daripada pengalamang-pengalamang kita sediri. Sentimen-sentimen kalu tokleh beruboh jadi prejudis/buruksangka. Perception asas sentiment. Macang puok puok orang Merang hok Pah beri tanoh. Puok puok ning bukang orang Pah belake tapi orang Merang. Ada hok beranok di Merang, ada mok ayoh, tok nenek orang Merang. Pah nok bui tanoh lot. Isi borang, balik gi interview, terima surat buleh, bayor pitih ukur.Nok ngundi lot doh, tuko kerajaang. Walapong ini bukang soal parti tapi soal kerajaang ( kalu kerajaang Pah berutang, UMNO ambik aleh kerajaang, kerajaan kene bayo utang jugok) serma transaksi tanoh lot tu kena gatung. Tepat laing pun gitu jugok. Nok buleh geran doh di jjabat tanoh, ada bapok suruh kensel.

Jadi mitok-mitoklah kalu UMNO aloh ari Sa’tu ning, jangang pulok kensel rancangan nok bui laptop ke budok-budok. Rancangang ni MB kabo dalam perhimpunang PESAT di TTDI masa arwah Dato’Razali hidup lagi dan rancangang-rancangan lain yang lama doh rancang. Kalu kensel jugok, teballah lagi sentimen orang-orang atah pago macang Mok Nang Selamoh.
Selamat ngundi!
Wassalam.

PICTURE THESE

2009-01-11T23:09:00.005+08:00

(CLICK PIC to get a bigger image)

If you need to do something other than rage and rant:

PALESTINE RELIEF FUND

Cheque payable to MERCY MALAYSIA
CIMB Account No : 1424-000-6561053

For more information please contact 03-2273 3999 or email us at info@mercy.org.my

For people who cynically asked whether we should boycott Microsoft etc. , please go here and check for brands and products that contributed to Israel. Click on the brand to get the background.

For people who blamed Hamas, go see some pictures here.
If you need to understand the whole story, read this Cikgu's post.

HEARTWARMING NEWS

2009-01-07T01:28:00.007+08:00

So Sime Darby backed down on its bid for a substantial stake in IJN. Like many Malaysians, I am glad. I have many fellow pensioners and close friends who had operations there because they could not afford them elsewhere. Mimi's maternal grandpa had his bypass in SJMC and paid through his nose. My family doctor still has not referred me to IJN, touch wood (touching my head) maybe because, according to some family members, I have a heart of stone.

I hope IJN will be safe from the predators even after the Kuala Terengganu by-election. No more flip-flops please. If there is a dire need to hive-off any national institution, make a public offer and make every bid public. Do that for every government property. Of course it can be exempted if it is your grandfather's property. Anyway, I will keep Rocky's "Slimy Heart"(top, left column) for a while longer, just in case.

I am still without a housephone and a broadband line. A member of The Joint Management Committee told me that a group of TM people will take a look at the broken cables today. I could not be too hard on the Joint Management Committee because they officially took over the management (and problems) of Vista Angkasa only on the 1st of January 2009.

A few hours ago I received an email from a NST reporter who came across my posting on Vista Angkasa and wanted to speak to me and other residents. Since I do not read the NST and I am still without teeth (literally and figuratively) I will get some other people who are willing to be interviewed before I reply to the email later today. Suddenly, more people are curious about our plight. That's heartwarming indeed.

It is also heartwarming to know that there are still people who think of me and bother to send me New Year messages. I could not post about this earlier because my ancient pc had a transplant of its own. I had to give it a new heart (Intel Core 2 Duo) and a new motherboard. That entailed a reformat of the hard disk and reinstallation of the Operating System and all the programs I use. That took a few days. Now the pc is fast but I am still old and slow.
Better late than never, so I will share one SMS with you. This one from Pak Adib:

2009 is here, Don't be afraid to grow old.
Old folks are worth a fortune.
They have silver in their hair,
gold in their teeth,
stones in the kidneys and
gas in their stomach.
Kencing pun manis dan darah pun ada kelas-tinggi.
So Happy New Year.

ALMOST AN EVENING WITH FRANCISSCA

2009-01-01T18:03:00.004+08:00

It has a been a long while since I attended any Gregorian New Year do. After a few years of New Year's Eve listening to Johnny Tillotson singing "Its Bitsy Yellow Polkadot Bikini" etc. and thereafter watching fireworks from my balcony, I thought I should break away from routine. The opportunity presented itself when Mimi spent a considerable amount of her ang pow money to buy tickets to a New Year Eve do at Holiday Villa, Subang where Francissca Peter would be the main act. Mimi remembered that her mother is a great fan of Francissca.
The theme of the night was "Enchantment of The Sea" so Vintage Ballroom had all kinds of styrofoam fish dangling from the ceiling including menacing sharks. Guests enter the ballroom through a boat wreck and waiters had an apron painted with luminous mermaids. The centerpiece on each table was a vase made of shells. If ever I lecture on "Special Events & Risk Management" again, I would have lots of examples to cite.
First in the program was dinner. Only dinner was not served. It was a buffet. The food was good. I enjoyed the butter prawns, the oysters, the beef stroganoff and the potato salad. My only complaint was too dark to see the food. The dance floor was bright though. Many would prefer the food area to be brighter than the dance area.
The first act on stage was the Sound Stream. Somebody told me that they were Filipinos. Could have fooled me. They sang souls like they were black. They tried to sing a Malay song and a Mandarin song but I think they did "Mamma Mia" and the Shakira song better. And I could not understand why one of the girls wore shorts on stage.
A Lucky Draw followed. We did not win anything. That was the luck of the draw. I do not think being at table number 13 had anything to do with it.
The Kong Brothers made us forget the Lucky Draw. Their slapstick "magic tricks" and acrobatics had the audience in stitches. After their performance, I met the shorter half of the two brothers outside the Washroom. I learned that they are from Penang and started over 20 years ago performing in circus. They have performed in Hongkong, Taiwan and Japan.
At around 11.00PM, after the Final Lucky Draw, which we also were unlucky, Luciana Francissca Peter(bet you do not her full name) finally appeared. She sounded more confident than before and "Sekadar Di Pinggiran" as well as her other trademark songs sounded just as sweet, if not sweeter. She did justice to a Teresa Teng number (in Mandarin) and she joked with a part of the crowd in fluent Cantonese.
We left after the countdown was over because Francissca's show was over too. We left the Dinner & Dance without dancing. At least we ate. We enjoyed the evening and went home to a new year with the Kong Brothers memorable quote bringing a smile to our face.

Kong (to a guest dragged onto the stage) Where you come from?
Guest: I come from Melaka...
Kong: Good, good. I come from my mader.

500th POST

2008-12-29T18:01:00.002+08:00

Syukur Alhamdullillah, I thank God for letting me live long enough to see the dawn of the new Hijriah year. I did not see "Happy Maal Hijrah" or words to that effect on buntings or banners in the city although there were buntings and banners wishing me "Merry Xmas & A Happy New Year!". Even TM is giving a special offer on New Year's Day, (AD 2009 not H1430). I am sorry I could not take advantage of the offer because my phone is still out. Thank you Rocky and the National Consumer Complaints Center for trying. I am truly grateful. I am also hopeful that residents of Vista Angkasa will have a working phone again before TM make a Chinese New Year offer.

I had a nice Xmas Eve. On Christmas morning, the fuss was on another baby - Sharifah Alis Nabiha, my youngest granddaughter. She had her sparse hair snipped to the accompaniment of berzanji and reading of verses. She will be as beautiful as her mother and aunties in due time, InsyaAllah.

(Nabihah & Mom - pic taken by her cousin Abang Adam)

I am also grateful to the visitors of this blog - both friends and strangers. As I have told many people, many times, Strangers are just friends who have not met yet. I have made many friends who were strangers at first. Many became friends. A few became friends but remain strange. That's the way they are, I guess. Thank you to you all.

Ever since I moved to Blogspot over 4 years ago, I have written on many things. I have since ran out of things to write on. It would be easier if I were a political blogger. There would always be issues, real or imagined. So, beginning this week, you tell me what you want to read. Just remember that I am not affiliated to any political parties and I do not suffer fools gladly.

With your help, maybe we can get another 500 posts in less than 4 years.

IN TUNE

2008-12-24T12:40:00.010+08:00

A few days ago the piano tuner came to tune Mimi's piano. Unlike previous tuners, Mr. Lau Jr. came with a gadget (the black box on the keys) to help him get the correct pitch. This does not mean that anyone can be a piano tuner. A piano tuner must have good ears and most tuners can play the piano well.

Somehow, whimsically, pianos remind me of nations. There are Grand pianos and there are great big grand nations. There are smaller uprights and there are smaller nations trying very hard to be upright. Whatever they are, pianos are useless if the keys are out of tune. The black and white keys on the piano must give the right note to, together, produce music. So, what music are we listening in our country now? Don't you think it is something discordant or as my late father used to comment on my guitar playing "Sumbang!" (Out of tune).

This is not to say that everybody must have the same opinion. In music, they do have counterpoints and in jazz, you are allowed to improvise or ad-lib as long as you keep the song intact. You keep to the rhythm and the chords. You read the comments in the popular blogs or overhear remarks in coffee shops and what do you have? Suara-suara sumbang. Like good music, we need harmony.

Maybe it is because we have "piano tuners" with tin-ears. Maybe we ourselves have tin-ears and do not appreciate music.

I would have written more but I got distracted by "Duelling Banjos". As my grandson, Ilham said once "Sorry, I got off my train of thoughts".

DEAR DATO' BANDAR

2008-12-21T20:03:00.005+08:00

Congratulations on being appointed the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur. As a citizen who made the mistake of buying a place administered by DBKL, I am naturally hopeful that we have a mayor who cares about people's welfare and comfort, especially people living in DBKL's realm.
I am pretty sure that the people welcoming you in DBKL did not tell you about the urgent problem in Vista Angkasa, Bukit Kerinchi. It is not important, apparently. But, as you might remember from your studies, "important" and "urgent" are two different things.
Mr. Mayor sir, on the 3rd. of December 2008 (before you took office), thieves stole the phone cable in Block 2 and Block 8. Barely a couple of hours after the theft was reported to the police, Block 5 suffered the same fate.

So it has been nearly 4 weeks we have been without house phones and no internet. Not many people are lucky enough to have sympathetic relatives who could lend them expensive (but unstable) wireless modems. Old folks in the affected blocks complained of not being able to get calls from loved ones overseas, Calls to mobile phones are more expensive, whatever the ads say. Our friend, an old retired teacher on one of the lower floors is undergoing chemotheraphy for cancer. She is anxious to reassure her children in the US that she is holding on. She can do that only when the cable is restored.

If our Joint Management Committee were already up and running, we could have our cable back faster. As it is, the JMC was set up late, long after the Act came into effect in April and I saw them a few nights ago at the mamak shop downstairs meeting to get their papers in order. The maintenance fees that we pay every month are still collected by DBKL, DBKL still pays for the security guards that were unaware and unconcerned about the thefts. So, dear Mayor, it is still the DBKL's responsibility to replace the cable. The guards can be replaced later. We did not complain much when our buildings are the scruffiest in the Klang Valley, They have not been painted since they were built 12 years ago. That is important but not urgent. A working phone though, is very urgent. So, please take a bit of your time to evaluate our problem and tell your officers to get off their posterior and do the necessary.

Thank you sir.

PANAH SOK OH

2008-12-14T03:46:00.006+08:00

Terengganu- speaking folks use panah sok oh to describe uncomfortably hot weather. What is sok oh? The answer will come later. First, my question:
How often do you see your Class Monitor after leaving school? Our friendly and likable Class Monitor was Hj. Mohd Nor Bakar affectionately known by all and sundry in our school as Mat Nong Jawa. How he got his "Jawa" tag remained a mystery. Some of my classmates have not met Mat Nong since leaving school. Some met him at our Class Reunion over 10 years ago.

Thus when Mat Nong came down to KL from Kuala Terengganu we decided to have lunch with him. Only 6 of the classmates made it to the Lake Club on Saturday. Since Mat Nong was also part of my first band "The Arjuna" (he was the drummer), I invited another member, Adnan Othman, our junior, to come along.

(Back row L-R) Kolonel Bersara Shafieq, Shamsuddin Jaafar (School Head Boy), Adnan Othman, Mohd Som
(Front row) Mat Nong, Shamsudin Zahid, Yem Al-Qudsi, TMA.

During lunch Som asked me why my blog does not deal with Terengganu words any more. I did not tell him that the primary reason was that Awang Goneng is already doing an excellent job in that area. When not giving us insightful peeks into the history of Terengganu, Awang Goneng explained Terengganu words precisely and elegantly. For someone as inadequate as I am, it would be foolhardy to duplicate what he is doing.

Just to soothe Som (he is the only classmate in KL regularly following my blog) I asked him whether he knows the origin of panah sok oh. Som, like many Terengganu folks had no clue whatsoever. So I told him.

Panah sok oh is when the weather is so humidly hot and uncomfortable that you want to divest yourself of all clothings. You want to strip down to your kain pelikat (sarong) or, depending on your company, to your underwear, be it a Jockey thongs, boxer shorts or striped seluo katok ( a home-made version of the boxers). It is that hot. But where does the sok oh come from?

Just like mat salleh came from Mad Sailors and ropa came from rolled pie, sok oh was attributed to Englishmen who had to endure Terengganu weather. Being prim and proper, the only thing they dared to take off in the sweltering heat were their socks. So there were shouts of "socks off!" from Kemaman to Kuala Besut during the hot season. Thus, to their Terengganu eavesdroppers "sock off" became sok oh and became assimilated into the Terengganu vocabulary.

I credit this discovery to my good friend Mat Jali, who as far as I can remember, would never wear socks. He is a cool dude.

FLYING VISIT TO KUALA TERENGGANU

2008-12-07T16:47:00.011+08:00

Last Friday, I took an early Firefly flight to Kuala Terengganu. Although the flood situation has improved, I saw many houses still surrounded by water.
After breakfast at the wrong nasi dagang joint, Ramli took me to Cendering Beach where our Scout troop used to camp. There were no picnickers there at all.
Everything was I remembered i even down to the this trio of coconut trees.
They still do not know the proper name of the popular market. The jury is still out on the name of the market. The name on road signs is different from the name on the market itself.
There were some changes though. The whole road running through Kampung China is now paved. Prasad told me that there is a plan to turn the street into a pedestrian mall.
Some things do not change. For many years now, Kuala Terengganu does not have a cinema hall. This is the old Rex Cinema. It has no movies, but shops. At least you are guaranteed a future. What kind of future, this billboard doesnt say.
The other cinema in town, Cathay, is also converted into a shopping place. I did not go there to look for condensed milk. After failing to get any at a hypermarket, Daud, who, over the phone, assured me that condensed milk are everywhere, took me to Astaka at Tanjung. Awang Goneng's house sat forlornly deserted beside this supermarket. Security at the Astaka was seemingly tight. The guard stopped me from entering because I was wearing a windbreaker (it was raining cats and dogs at the time). I was about to turn back and forget about my condensed milk but Daud removed my jacket and deposited it at the authorized place. I did not find condensed milk at the Astaka either.

I wish security was just as good at my condo. Last Wednesday my phone went dead. With the phone, my internet also vanished. Telecoms was duly informed. On Saturday Mimi phoned me in Terengganu that Telecoms checked and found that the cables in Block 8 and Block 2 were stolen. With the red-tape over at DBKL, I will be lucky if I get my internet at the end of the week. Thus, 3 of my grandchildren will be without internet for a while because I have hijacked their mummy's broadband modem so that I can surf and not go crazy with withdrawal symptoms.

Have a meaningful holiday, friends.

MEETING OF MINDS

2008-11-30T12:56:00.017+08:00

As a follow up to the first Bloggers Get-Together at Asam Pedas organised by Mat Salo, Pak Idrus picked me up to go to the lunch at Royal Bintang, The Curve. The usual suspects were there, minus a few absentees. Some of the absentees were at the Melawati Stadium, Shah Alam, so I have been told. Pity, I was looking forward to meeting the Ancient Mariner again.

Pak Idrus and I were among the early birds and we found Mat Salo and a few other bloggers already at their tables. Among them Elviza and Danny Ahmad Kerpovic seen here enjoying a pleasant conversation with a would-be-blogger (InsyaAllah) former judge Dato' Syed Ahmad Idid.

As usual, Pak Idrus held court with some first person history lessons. Pi Bani is on his right while Mat Salo seems to have caught my bad headache.

We took turns getting our food, heeding this sign which was on every table.

Somebody suggested that our Police Chief should be elected like in the US and promptly sacked when the crime rate soared. Some said that we were not ready for that although many would want to see elections at the Local Council level.

Pak Idrus migrated from table to table expounding his views and theories. Here he is having a discourse with Ali Hussin who came in a PAS jacket together with a couple of friends all the way from Ipoh. I did not hear what Pak Idrus said to them but when we were leaving, I saw that my namesake had changed into a Free RPK t-shirt which Anu skillfully charmed him to buy.

Sisters Nuraina and Maria arrived with daughters and nieces. Only Nuraina and Maria joined us. Daughters wisely headed off to the other parts of the Curve more suited to younger people. Nuraina stopped at every table and even impressed the judge. Much later, Dato Syed Ahmad Idid asked me who are the respected bloggers in Malaysia. I told him that Nuraina is one of them.
Another well-read blogger who made it to the event was Dato' A.Kadir Jasin. He could not stay long though and after a while had to bid his goodbyes and left escorted by Shah who wore his "Boycott The Mainstream Papers" yellow t-shirt.
Despite my throbbing headache, I enjoyed the lunch very much. The company was good, the food was delicious and the service pleasant. The "free flowing" buffet included roti jala, roti canai, murtabak, pasta, yong tau foo, bread pudding and other desserts plus teh tarik and kopi tarik. Bloggers that must have rice for lunch would be disappointed though. The place was a bit too warm for my headache and they could not make the ceiling fan, high up there, turn any faster.

The lunch stretched to High Tea because we waited to meet Cikgu Nazir of Kata Tak Nak fame who came all the way from Penang, family in tow, by bus. Pak Idrus and I reluctantly left when it was nearly 5 pm. I regret not having deeper conversations with Tok Asid, Raden Galoh and hubby, and also with Bangkai who is reputed to be among the best English writer in the group. I also missed the opportunity to get to know other bloggers whom I haven't had the privilege of knowing. Mea culpa.
Thank you all for a nice afternoon.
(Click pic to get a bigger view and to download it)

AT AN ART FAIR

2008-11-26T22:13:00.008+08:00

Adnang Osmang sent me an invitation to the International Contemporary Art Fair 2008 at the Mid Valley Exhibition Center. Since my friend Razak is also a painter and wanted to know Adnan and his works, I dragged him along.

Guests were supposed to be in the hall by 10.30 am but it being a school holiday, an empty parking spot is very hard to find. After making several rounds, Razak decided to forgo good manners just once and parked between two pillars, making sure that his car did not block traffic. My friend, although in a hurry, was not inconsiderate. It turned out that we hurried for nothing.

The opening ceremony started an hour late. The VVIP was YB Tan Sri Muhammad bin Muhammad Taib and we guessed that he was held up at the weekly Cabinet meeting. We had time to soak up the surroundings including this pretty young lady in kebaya who was one of the emcee.
While waiting, guests were entertained by a singer from Senegal. The programme said it was King Lhota. He had a friend doing break dance.
After the VVIP arrived, there was a painting demonstration by Patrick Lasak who painted a scene of a waterfall in less than 20 minutes.
Then came the speeches. YB Tan Sri Muhammad seemed to have improved his reading of English since the Cash and Carry Brisbane episode. He read his speech reasonably well and went on to declare the Fair officially open. If you like art, you can see works of artists from 8 countries (Canada, France, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Mauritius, Philippines and Singapore.) The last day of the Fair is on 30th November. Admission is free. Adnan's booth is number 54. He has many landscapes of Terengganu on sale. The one between him and Razak is his depiction of the boats at Merang jetty.
You can also get a book with some colour pictures of the works of all the artists taking part in the Fair. The book is RM 30 each or 2 for RM50. If you get the autograph, NRIC/Passport number and name of all the participating artists, you are offered a 20% discount on the work of art you purchase at the event.

STORIES BEHIND THE NAMES

2008-11-24T01:21:00.006+08:00

I had to attend a kenduri at Dewan Toh Puan Rahah located at Yayasan Tun Abdul Razak. The address said Jalan Bukit Bintang but the map put it at Jalan Raja Chulan. A couple of friends told me that it was at Jalan Conlay. Suitably confused, I decided to take a taxi there.
My faith in KL taxi drivers was somewhat diminished when the taxi driver looked at the map for a few minutes and assured me that he will find the place. He didn't know where it was, but he promised to find it.
After going up and down Jalan Conlay several times, the taxi driver told me that the group of people eating under the tent might be my party. I politely told him that wasn't Yayasan Tun Razak. It was Pusat Kraftangan.
Alhamdullillah we found the place and I made my friend, the host, happy. I met many old RTM friends, among them Dato' Aziz Singah who was stationed in RTM Kuala Terengganu before he got his datukship.
I never wondered about Datuk Aziz Singah's name until I was in the taxi on my way home with my former boss, Hj.Madzhi. He asked me whether I know of the story behind the name. I confessed that I don't. Datuk Aziz is from Negeri Sembilan and Hj.Madzhi asked him from which puak (clan) his father was from to have such a leonine name. Datuk Aziz told him that when he was born, his uncle went to the police station to get his birth registered. The policeman asked the uncle what was the baby's name. The uncle told him "Aziz". The policeman then asked whose son was it. The uncle replied "Si Ngah" and "Singah" became permanent on the birth certificate.
Hj.Madzhi also met a pretty nurse from Kelantan whose tag read "Ana Tino". Ana Tino related how his father was hoping to get a girl after fathering a number of sons, one after the other. When told that he had a daughter, he was overjoyed and excitely rushed to the police station (this one somewhere in Kelantan). When asked for the name of the child, he kept repeating "anok tino, anok tino" (baby girl,baby girl). I guessed the policeman taking the report was a bit deaf like me and wrote the baby's name as Ana Tino. Now, I have to assure you that my friend Herman Tino (who taught me the proper pronunciation of Toyo, Khir's father) is a male through and through right down to his kain pelikat. I also suspected that it was the same policeman who gave M.Rajoli his name when it was supposed to be Rojali (Ghazali).
I am sure you have come across other unusual names too. Remember the late Cardinal Sin? My English professor in Singapore can speak many languages. His name is R.K.Tongue.
Please feel free to name other examples.

PESAT's PARTY

2008-11-16T16:55:00.009+08:00

I have always declined all invitations to PESAT (Persatuan Anak-Anak Terengganu) functions for various reasons. But when Som (a former Vice President of PESAT) invited me to PESAT's Majlis Ramah Mesra on Sunday 16th November, I decide that this is a great opportunity to meet fellow Terengganunese who I have not seen in a long time.

By the time Adnan Othman and I got to Rasta Food Court TTDI,the place was already packed to the brim. Since it was already lunch time, we were told to go take our food post-haste. There was enough food to feed the entire population of Merang and Ru Renggeh combined.All the signature dishes of Terengganu were there under one roof- Nasi Dagang, Nasi Minyak, Nasi Kapit,Pulut Lepa, Bronok (which Tan Sri Wan reportedly saw spelled as "Bronox") and other assorted Terengganu delights. Unfortunately, I had a very late breakfast and could not do justice to all the food. I just had a small plate of Nasi Dagang and very much later, the Pengat Durian.

The Menteri Besar came soon after and went round greeting everyone.

Among those present that I know were Dato' Setia Wangsa Abdul Rahman Nasir and Tan Sri Wan Abdul Rahman. Tan Sri Wan Abdul Rahman introduced me to something that I did not know existed. Terengganu people called it "ropa" but Tan Sri told me it was actually a rolled pie. It looked like a small smarter murtabak, albeit smaller. I did not try it because it was the last piece on the table and I was leaving.

I got to meet up with my SSSS classmates again like Som and Kapten Bersara Hassan Hussien.

I even got to meet my old scouts like Mulok Hamid Bidin (shown here deeply engrossed in a discussion with Adnang Osmang) who is beginning to look like his father, the General. I also got to meet one of my Kuala Brang pupils, Dato' Ismail.

So thanks to PESAT for a very nice afternoon.

ANSWERS FOR SOM

2008-11-10T00:00:00.003+08:00

Yesterday I had a very pleasant lunch with nine of my classmates. As we were leaving The Spotted Dog, Som asked about this blog, apparently asking the reason for last week's missing post. Since I was hitching a ride with Professor Naguib, who had little patience with tawdry students, I promised Som an explanation in this blog.

My phone (and with it my broadband) was abruptly cut off on Saturday the 1st of November. There was a problem of some outstanding amount. I usually get a pink reminder but not this time. So off I went to pay the bill. TM Point was closed but I managed to pay my bill using the machine. The receipt advised me to call 100 to restore my connection. The call was made and I was promised the reconnection within 24 hours.

After 24 hours of making the call, my phone was still telling me that it was temporarily suspended so another call was made and a promise given that reconnection will be made within 2 hours. By this time I ran out of friends with a landline to call the 100 on my behalf. I had to go cold turkey (internet wise) until Monday. I got my connection back on Monday but I have lost all my mood to write.

Then I discovered that I could not get my email. I waited when I was calmer to call the Customer Hotline. Suffice to say that the people who promised "the best Internet and Multimedia service" (you hear this about 6 times while holding on to the phone) did not remedy my problem soon enough. I spoke to 4 different people on 3 occasions before the problem was solved. So do not believe any of them when they tell you that your new passwords will be valid in an hour. So much for service.

Oh yes, I got my pink reminder a few days after my line was restored.

IF THE SHOE FITS

2008-10-23T08:52:00.005+08:00

Pic from FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Yesterday it was reported that the PM of Thailand had shoes and selipar Jepun thrown at him. I am not sure about the protocol but surely selipar Jepun does not befit a prime minister.

I hope this trend does not spread to our country. If they do, I have this advice. In case any Malaysian has the urge, the temerity and the heart to throw shoes at our Prime Minister (outgoing or incoming) please leave the selipar jepun for yourself. Do not go to the lockup barefooted. Throw only renowned shoes like Ferragamos, Bally, Florshiems, Obermain etc. Fung Keong won't do. Bata might be okay for MPs, not Prime Ministers. Ladies would know what to throw. Choose only the likes of Jimmy Choos and Pradas. Avoid flip-flops however much you think poetic justice it would be.

If eggs are your weapon of choice, make sure they are Grade A.

Of course you are welcomed to suggest alternatives. Just remember to think what if the shoe is on the other foot.

ENGLISH ELSEWHERE

2008-10-20T00:42:00.009+08:00

As a fan, student and sometimes teacher of the English language, I am perpetually perplexed by phrases like:
I sit Mercedes
I want it yellow colour
Don't care her

I am sure you have your favourites too. Care to share?

Some consolation - there are places where it is worse. Go here.
Maybe there are reasons. This page gives good explanations.

BEWITCHED BY BOLLYWOOD

2008-10-13T00:16:00.008+08:00

I wonder if you are done arguing about Dato' Shah Rukh Khan. I am also wondering whether the star himself appreciates the honour or worse, whether he knows that he is honoured so.

I guess many Malaysians could not help falling under the spell of Bollywood. Even Steven Spielberg (who is definitely not a Malaysian) bade farewell to Paramount to make pictures with a Bollywood mogul.

Once upon a time in Terengganu, every time a Hindustani film (then without subtitles) plays in Capitol Cinema, many households would lose eggs if not their chicken from their reban. 5 eggs sold would buy a 3rd class ticket. A chicken would make the seller sit in "Reserve" seats with change to spare for kacang putih. Popcorn wasn't in vogue yet. The Kapoor Brothers were as popular as P.Ramlee and S. Roomai Nor. Now it is Shah Rukh Khan or Salman Khan or even Saif Ali Khan who is currently pushing my favourite shampoo. Anyone out there a fan of Genghis Khan?

Shah Rukh is a competent actor and a successful one. Whether he deserves a Malaysian datukship or not is another question. Maybe one should sing and dance around a tree first and after 5 costume changes one should get an answer.

RAYA NOTES

2008-10-06T00:22:00.006+08:00

Contrary to popular opinion, not everybody in KL balik kampung. Despite getting to the mosque at 8 am, I found the mosque already packed and I had to wait on the steps. The friendly mosque nuja told me to go inside but I do not relish the idea of wading through the crowd.
I saw many Indonesians and Bangladeshis among the jumaaah. They had sad faces, no doubt thinking of some villages in Java or Bangladesh. The sad faces became a bit startled and confused when someone changed the tune of the takbir. The lyrics were familiar, but the melody was not.

Alhamdullillah, when prayers started, I got to be in the first row. After prayers and the khutbah I exchanged salam with familiar and unfamiliar people. Then I got to salam and hug with members of my family even though I got only a quarter of my cucu this year.

Adam came without songkok but left with one - courtesy of a fastidious and traditional grandpa.

Fran was warned not to come in anything but baju kurung so she had to buy and wear one.

Mimi found Fran in baju kurung highly unusual and amusing.

Fran promised to grow her hair longer the next time she has to wear baju kurung.

To friends in Terengganu, Selamat Raya Nang!

SELAMAT HARI RAYA

2008-09-29T05:48:00.006+08:00

You are welcomed to use this for your greetings.

If you are still not fed up with the Raya pantuns that you got via emails, I am going to reproduce them here:

Kelantan...

Make ikke cicoh budu
Jange lupo tamboh satar
Kelik rayo toksir laju
Nanti rayo dale sepita

Terengganu...

Makang ubi jamang jepung
Makang kerpok cicah cuke
Bulang pose mung bingung
Bulang raye mung gile

Pahang...

Sepadan Pahang ada kasino
Nasi dagang ikan patin
Jange mu masam muko
Raya makan rendang sadin

Johor...

Cegitu cegini awak suke
Awak suke kite tak suke
Esok luse hari raye
Sama-sama bersuke rie

Melaka...

Hawau kau berak merate
Kaki bengkak ulau patok
Kalu balik naik kerete
Jangan pandu kalau ngantok

N. Sembilan...

Masak lomak cili api
Campo dongan daun turi
Hari rayo kolumpo sopi
Tinggal penyamun dongan pencuri
(org kolumpo jgn kocik ati!!)

Selangor/K.Lumpur...

Wa cakap lu wa tak tau
Tapi wa tipu sama lu
Raya jangan buat tak tau
Angpau ada bagi gua dulu

Perak...

Gulai tempoyak ikan mayong
Deroyan busok tebok tupai
Pandu hemat ingat kampong
Asal teman selamat sampai

Kedah...

Mai Aloq Staq pala hang aku putaq
Lapaq perut makan pau
Macam mana aku tak ketaq
Kena paksa bagi angpau

Penang...

Nasi kandaq kedai mamak
Anak mami juai pesemboq
Lepas raya usah dok triak
Kalu ceti mai ikut dapoq

Perlis...

Padang besaq kecik aja
Tempat siam lalu lalang
Hari raya kita berbelanja
Jangan sampai menambah utang

Have a Safe & Happy Hari Raya!

LAND FOR SALE

2008-09-28T05:17:00.004+08:00

I am putting this up to help a friend. He is selling his land in Sungai Penchala, KL at the government rate of RM75 per square foot. He is not selling just 1 square foot though, You have to buy at least half of the plot. Since my maths is very weak (Every maths lesson I was sent under the stairs by Mr.Maurice Chai) you have to calculate yourself how much the whole plot is.
The land is Malay Reserve land. On it there is a single storey house with many rooms.It has a road frontage and the road is metalled.

(Click to get a bigger picture)
Please send your offer to kustamang@gmail.com

RAYA COOKIES

2008-09-22T05:27:00.003+08:00

Last night when I dropped by to give a birthday hug to Aliya, Adam her brother pointed to a jar on the coffee table. It was a jar of cookies and Adam insisted that I try some.
I decided that I would risk food poisoning for the sake of my grandchildren. They were delicious. Lots of butter, lots of chocolate and very crunchy.
I do not know how many hours the two girls and their brother labored in the kitchen and what was the state of the kitchen after the cookies were finally baked. The icing on the cake was a big hand drawn note pasted on the cover of the jar:
To Wan, Ki and Cek Mi
We made this ourselves
(big heart)
Fran, who was with me could not stop munching on the cookies. I did not tell her that the cookies were delicious because they were made with lots of love. I doubt that those cookies would last till malam tujuh likor, let alone Raya day.
Later we were wondering whether it was her aunt Elisa who gave them the recipe.

SEPTEMBER 16

2008-09-16T00:17:00.004+08:00

When I started this post it was just 19 minutes into September 16, a date that many is excited about. It is too early to tell whether we are going to have a new government. Do I want a new government? If the new government can ensure that Arif (shown above with his mother) and his cousins can have a better life in the future, why not? Like Deng Xiopeng said "It does not matter what colour is the cat as long as it catches mice."

September 16 is Malaysia Day and also the Armed Forces of Malaysia Day. Salute to our soldiers, sailors and airmen. It is also Dolly's (my third daughter) birthday.

Dolly was our quietest baby and a late bloomer. Her sister Elisa always referred to her as TDB - not for Tengku Dalia Bustaman but as "The One That Does Not Blog" because she is the only one among my children that does not have a blog. This does not mean that Dolly could not write. When she was in school she won a writing contest organised by an English newspaper. She then went to Bognor Regis to learn more about writing and teaching English. She decided not to teach so she had to pay the government for her trip to England.

Dolly has chosen not to be on TV anymore. Now she spends her time watching TV, mostly soap operas.

To Dolly, may September 16 brings you lots of joy. To the rest of my fellow Malaysians, we have to see what the day brings.

STAY CALM

2008-09-13T01:32:00.002+08:00

Watch this video and listen to Marina - wife, mother and a fellow Malaysian.
Let us pray for RPK and pray for level-headedness and reason.

NGECONG & NGACONG

2008-09-11T00:13:00.004+08:00

Yesterday I learned from the TV news that a couple of kids in Terengganu got separated from their fingers while playing with ngecong (firecrackers). It was not the headliner though. The headliner was Dato' Ahmad Ismail's suspension for what was seen by some as ngacong (incitement). Many thought that the punishment for Dato' Ahmad is not severe enough. I guess it was difficult for the UMNO Supreme Council to make the decision. It was akin to what the Malays would say: Ibarat memukul ular -Ular biar mati, tanah jangan lekuk, buluh jangan patah (It is like striking a snake - the snake must be killed, there is no depression on the ground and the bamboo must not be broken). I fervently hope that the snake is really dead and would not frighten ordinary Malaysians again.

Ngacong is as dangerous as ngecong and just as explosive as events in the last few days clearly illustrated. Politicians from both sides and even ordinary folks like you and me should learn the art of persuasion. It is more peaceful.

Now, if only people in Mengabang Telipot and other parts of Terengganu can persuade their kids not to play ngecong every Ramadhan or at any other time. Otherwise there will be a time when someone spies upon a youth with missing fingers he would ask " Mung budok Teranung ke?"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELISA

2008-09-05T00:32:00.002+08:00

(Elisa & Izani in watercolour)

My mother was not scared of anything or anybody but she was a little unsure of Elisa. Elisa had a temper more fiery than my mother's. When she was very young, Elisa was a handful. Elisa soon outgrew her tempestuous temper and is now calm and gentle. Her temper is still there but under very good control.
Elisa is one the rare full time housewives with a Masters degree -not in in housewifing though. She is also one of the most-travelled in the family. She has the most-travelled family because she took her family along in most of her travels.
Happy Birthday from all of us in Malaysia!

OK (RHYMES WITH ROCK)

2008-08-29T14:26:00.005+08:00

Whenever things that we do not like happen, we each do many different things. Arif, my grandson, retreats under the nearest table. Here he has cousin Aiman Naim to comfort him.
As for me, my mother taught me to "ok". No, it is not "okay" but "OK" that rhymes with "rock" or "sock" if you wear a pair. "OK" is Terengganuspeak for "tahan" or bearing with it, tolerate. So when "Malaysia Today" was blocked a few days ago, I "okked". It was okay with me to a certain extent because I can bypass TMnet. Long before MCMC came into being, I bypassed Jaring's blockade of the Playboy site. Stop sniggering. I am not into bushes (airbrushed or not) but more into Shel Silverstein, the jokes and the cartoons and the forum. Stop saying "Right" okay?

But blocking blogs is another matter. I have to admit that some comments in "Malaysia Today" are as obscene as Playboy's bushes (airbrushed or not) but Pete (that's what Elida called YM Raja Petra) writes well. We might not agree with him all the time but he should be allowed to say his piece. If and when he breaks the law, by all means charge him and let him defend himself in court. Blocking his website is as Pete's maternal ancestors would say "Not cricket" not to mention making a mockery of the MSC Charter. The powers that be must understand that "Malaysia Today" existed because people cannot "ok" the prevailing conditions in the country. Sites like "Malaysia Today" are for people who cannot "ok" when things are not okay. If everything is honkey-dorey and above board, there will be only blogs like mine talking about mundane things and grandchildren and stuffs.

Please understand what Internet is all about. It is about freedom to choose what information you want. If laws are broken, which is daily on the streets of Kuala Lumpur and PJ, punish the law-breakers. Blocking websites is lame.

For those not familiar with proxy servers, you can go to "Malaysia Today" by clicking here.

Otherwise, "ok"lah. Okay?

WHEN I AM 64

2008-08-26T01:55:00.001+08:00

August 24th 2008 was a Sunday and as you can see from the pic above taken at around 3.30pm on that day, it was a rainy day. And my pc rained on my parade.

I got an early birthday present from 4 of my children who pooled their hard earned money to get me a Western Digital 1 Terrabyte "My Book" USB harddisk. I was happily transferring files from my cramped drives to My Book when I got the message "Files cannot be copied/moved. Your disk might be full". Full? It is a 1 TERRABYTE harddisk for goodness sake. I soon found out that the file system is FAT. All the other drives are NTFS. Maybe I can solve the problem if I convert the My Book to NTFS. I am sure no lawyers will hold any forum on this conversion. The conversion worked! Then my troubles started. First the mouse refused to click any icons. It also started drawing rectangles on the screen. I borrowed Mimi's mouse and confirmed that my mouse was on the blink.

I picked up a new mouse after my birthday celebration atop KL Tower (highest Rendang Tok and lemang in KL). Then the monitor started to switch off every few minutes. I have to reinstall Windows which solved some of the problems. Now you know why this post is late.

Being old has its advantages. If I were much younger, I would have thrown the whole PC down over the balcony especially since I cannot complete the format on any of the drive. Instead, after weeks of not smoking, I soothe myself by sucking on a Romeo y Juliet Habana cigar and singing the Beatle's "When I Am 64" under my breath.

WHAT ME WORRY?

2008-08-18T10:07:00.005+08:00

Izani after demolishing most of Paya Serai's watermelon and going "I like it! I like it!"
(Click to get a bigger picture)

Sometimes I can't help but envy my young grandchildren like Izani. Apart from having more teeth than me and having a voracious appetite, they have absolutely nothing to worry about. They do not get upset that Malaysia did not get a gold at the Olympics or disgusted that Tv stations allowed their airtime to be used as vehicles for name-calling.

My younger grandchildren, alhamdullillah, are too young to swear on anything or swear at anyone.

I wonder what Malaysia will be when they grow up. Will they start swearing at their parents and grandparents for leaving them a less than perfect country? Will the selfishness and narrow-mindness shown today make Malaysia a worse place tomorrow? Do our leaders and politicians ever think of Izani's generation?

Will Izani look around and still say " I like it! I like it!"". I wonder.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN

2008-08-08T11:45:00.006+08:00

In a few more hours the Beijing Olympics will officially start. There will be drama on and off the field. Once again we will see who in the world is faster, higher and stronger.
For the young people of Salsabila Kindergarten, Kelana Jaya, the games began earlier. On Sunday, August 3rd, the whole kindergarten - accompanied by parents, grandparents, uncles, aunties and assorted cousins cramped into the SS3 Community Hall for their mini-Olympics.
No records were broken but everyone had fun.

Preparing for the March Past.

Arif and fellow rabbits stepping out (with a little help)

Brother Akif, in rabbit's colour (pink) engrossed in his breakfast...
.............Ferried by cousin Aliya.

DIGITAL KHAT

2008-08-02T14:50:00.004+08:00

Let us leave ugly things aside and look at beautiful things for a change.
Above you can see a sample of Ismail Zain's digital calligraphy. Now, you too can have these work of art printed on canvas, varnished and framed for your wall or as corporate/housewarming gifts.
You will never get these masterpieces from any malls or shops. If you are interested in getting one, email me. I am using the commission to renew Veteran RTM's website.

Price List:
IMAGE SIZE SIZE WITH FRAME RETAIL WITHOUT FRAME

30 in x 20 in 36 in x 26 in RM 650 RM 500
(vertical)

24 in x 24 in 30 in x 30 in RM 550 RM 450

18 in x 18 in 24 in x 24 in RM 500 RM 400

12 in x 12 in 18 in x 18 in RM 450 RM 350

(Price includes delivery within Klang Valley.Current courier charges will be added to Outstation orders. Mode of payment: Maybank2u. Details in response to your email).
While you are at it, email this page to people you know interested)

CONFUSED BY THE KOMPRESSOR?

2008-07-28T01:57:00.003+08:00

The decision by the Terengganu government to replace Proton Perdana with Mercedes E200 Kompressor unearthed many things. One Proton dealer in state was suspended for overcharging and using non-genuine parts. We can understand Proton's concern. What we cannot understand is why Proton Perdana was replaced when "all public officials are to use Proton Perdana".
The Cabinet stuck to this ruling but the Kompressor are still being used.

I am a bit pissed off here. I am usually like that if am sick for over a week. I was rooting for Ahmad Said and gang and was hoping that they will do the right thing for Terengganu. Not understanding Standing Orders and or Treasury Circulars hardly impressed me.

Mercedes E200 Kompressor is a very comfortable car. When I was in Kuantan recently, I was driven around in one by my ex-driver. He owns the Merc. He also owns a few other cars. He left RTM to become a contractor. Now he is a very successful Class C contractor. Maybe politicians should become contractors and choose their own cars.

Maybe an old joke about the Farmers Mercedes can give us an insight into the whole issue:
A horse and a chicken are playing in a meadow. The horse falls into a mud hole and is sinking. He calls to the chicken to go and get the farmer to help pull him out to safety. The chicken runs to the farm but the farmer can't be found. So he drives the farmer's Mercedes back to the mud hole and ties some rope around the bumper. He then throws the other end of the rope to his friend, the horse, and drives the car forward saving him from sinking!
A few days later, the chicken and horse were playing in the meadow again and the chicken fell into the mud hole. The chicken yelled to the horse to go and get some help from the farmer. The horse said, 'I think I can stand over the hole!' So he stretched over the width of the hole and said, 'Grab for my 'thingy' and pull yourself up.' And the chicken did and pulled himself to safety.
The moral of the story:
If you are hung like a horse, you don't need a Mercedes to pick up chicks.

BUSY WEEKS

2008-07-20T22:22:00.002+08:00

In the unlikely event that there are people wondering about my continued existense, let me assure them that I am still around.
I have not been blogging for the last 2 weeks not because I am obedient to our Great Leader who is not blogger-friendly but because my PC refused to boot. I also had to go outstation to celebrate my first station (RTM Pahang) getting a spanking new complex and a state of art auditorium. The air ticket to Kuantan cost me RM10 but the taxi fare was RM100. The LRT didn't start early enough for me to use it to catch the bus to the airport.
The Saturday before my trip to Kuantan, I attended Mimi's performance as Beatrice in "Much Ado About Nothing". It was heartening to know that a few of my children shares my love for the stage. Mimi is the only one so far to take to the stage as an actor. You can see a video of her acting here.
My grandchildren in Jakarta came back for good two weeks ago. Adam looked very much different from what I remembered him. He warmed my heart when he told me that he is learning the guitar and he likes Santana and also some jazz guitarists. Anyone out there thinking of disposing an electric guitar, please let me know.
A few days ago, the grandchildren from Al Khobar came back. The boys accompanied me to the mosque for Friday prayers. The same day, I got news that my 14th grandchild was born in Bush country.
All the excitement left me drained and tired but not as tired as I am with the current political situation.
As Awang Goneng would say "Doh nok wat guane?"

MASA KERAS

2008-06-30T18:25:00.005+08:00

Signs of hard times are beginning to appear. Today, the STAR ran an article on people having 2 or 3 jobs because it is necessary. I am beginning to worry because I do not even have a job. Just a few hours ago, Mimi's friend, Fran, went to Mid Valley to get some chilli and promptly got her wallet snatched by a motorcyclist. Fran lost RM1100.00 and all her important cards. In return she got a badly bruised knee and some consolation that it wasn't just her unlucky day. The policeman who took her report told her that there were already 7 similar cases reported in that particular police station. Wonder how many more similar cases were reported at thousand other stations in the country.
Just in case you think that snatch-thieves-on wheels target defenceless-looking ladies, let me tell you that Fran dresses like a boy and cut her hair shorter than mine. If you see Fran, you would not want to mess with her. If you know Fran like we do, you would learn that Fran is tough but unfailingly polite - a trait which we hope would rub off on her friend, Mimi. The thief was lucky that Fran was ambushed. She gave chase but his machine was faster.

<- Fran.

I guess everything is centered on money nowadays. Even the government promised a million ringgit to any of our athletes getting a gold at the forthcoming Olympics. I guessed the government forgot that those getting gold can a get a million-ringgit contract endorsing Sodomee or such stuffs. When the Olympics first started in Greece, the winner just got an olive-leaf laurel and probably bragging rights (in Greek, of course). That's enough honour for the athlete. Now athletes in our country get all sorts of material rewards - cars, land, cash and what-have-you.

I just hope that all the carrots dangled will spur our athletes higher, faster or stronger. Then every fit person in the country will be training to be world-class athletes and none will be higher, faster or stronger just to commit felonies like robbing Mimi's friend Fran.

EURO2008

2008-06-23T00:08:00.004+08:00

I am sure I am not the only one following the Euro2008. The matches are watched all over the world, some by bleary-eyed fans. I stayed up during the early rounds but settled for the repeat telecast of the quarterfinals.

I was impressed by the never-say-die attitude of the Turks. They scored late goals to win. Terengganu folks would call these goals "buah garrek" (buah maghrib). I guessed when football matches were played in old Terengganu, the matches started at around 5 in the evening and ended very near maghrib time. Hence "buah ggarek". With a proper stadium and floodlights, there are no more "buah garrek" - only surprising late goals.

In a few hours, Spain will play Italy in the last of the quarter-finals. I shall watch that tomorrow. I hope nobody will tell me the results until then.

To me, France was a disappointment. I guessed Thierry Henry could not carry the whole team. Holland was a joy to watch until they met Russia in the quarter-finals. So much for Total Football. I guessed Holland brought too many vans while other people took buses. They brought van Basten, van der Sar, van Nistelrooy, van Persie etc.

Who will be champion? Your guess is as good as mine. Like the fans around Padang Paya Bunga would say at the beginning of each match "Bola tu bulat".

FOOT NOTE

2008-06-16T01:41:00.003+08:00

In September 2004, I wrote about the "Doctor Fish" in my Turkish friend Sevil's hometown. You can read it here.

Now, the "Doctor Fish" can be found in our soil. So you do not need to go to Turkey to experience the treatment. Just go to any of the KL's bigger malls, look for "Fish Therapy" and take the plunge. The difference is, in the original Kangal hot springs, you can immerse your whole body into the water to be nibbled by the fish whereas in the malls here, you can only dip your feet in the heated trough.

My youngest daughterMimi discovered it a few weeks ago and tried it with her friends as a birthday treat for one of their classmate. Yesterday, as part of Father's Day goodies, she sponsored the trip to get my feet wet. You did feel a bit of trepidation when the small fishes rushed to your feet. I was assured that the fishes are toothless and harmless. Since I am also toothless and harmless I decided to enjoy myself. At first it tickled a lot but you soon get used to the nibbling small fishes and very soon you will enjoy the tingle. Your skin is repaired by the Dithranol, an enzyme secreted by the Garra Rufa fishes. After 30 minutes you can feel and see the difference.

It seems that these fishes made a big hit in Japan and they are an attraction at the Underwater World in Singapore.

The shop that I went to in One Utama had a shark in one of the tanks. Do not put your feet inside that one.

OUTTA SPACE

2008-06-09T13:06:00.006+08:00

There are people who collects and there are people who throws things out. Some smart people brings unwanted stuffs to Cash Converter or Buy and Sell and make some money. Some of these stuffs are then bought by the people who collects. One man's junk is another man's collectible. That's recycling isn't it?

Unfortunately, when it comes to PC, you either delete data or get more storage. I do not have the heart to delete stuffs like the rare music by Ustad Fatih Ali Khan, Lakshmi Shankar or Sam Simon. I will not delete the wonderful gambus music by Anouar Berahim ( no, this guy does not want to be a Prime Minister). Neither do I want to give up a film by Satyajit Ray or Kurosawa unless I can remember which computer-illiterate friends borrowed the originals. Of course I would not delete all the pictures I have taken, however bad they are.

As you might have noticed, files for PC are getting bigger and bigger. When I got my first "computer" (the Sinclair Zx), programs were saved into short (5 or 10 minutes) cassette tapes.The Commodore VIC 20 also uses cassette tapes. There were dedicated cartridges too. Later the C64 came along. It used both tapes and the 5 1/4 inch floppy disks.The last of the Commodore, the Amiga used the 3.5 floppy disk - even for the boot disk. The 3.5 floppy disk is slowly dying out. Some new PCs don't have them even though you need a 3.5 floppy to make a Rescue Disk.

Now you have hard disks, flash disks as well as optical storage media (e.g. DVD and CD). Soon, if a certain Korean manufacturer predicted, all PCs will do away with hard disks. Instead, we will use large capacity flash disks which will have no moving parts. In the mean time, if you are a collector like me you have a tough decision to make: delete some files or get bigger harddisks. Despite having 3 internal hard disks and 2 USB hard disks. The last check showed that I have 866.33 GB on my computer ( minus the space used for the hard disk system) and I have used 77% of my available disk space. The bulk of the space is taken up by multimedia files - photos, videos and music. Of course I can transfer some of the stuff to CDs and DVDs but files on hard disks are easier to find and to organise. Even with a software like Disk Catalog, it takes time to hunt for a specific file on a CD/DVD. Even with files that you think you do not need, it is better to keep them, somewhere. I deleted a long list of fonts only to have an Art Director insisting that I use a particular font. Of course he wanted the font that I have long deleted. So I have to download another batch of fonts. Thats more storage space.

To compound my problem, my expensive genuine Nero, inexplicably could not copy DVDs that I made. It can make DVDs out of a disk image though.

When Windows first came out, Bill Gates emphatically announced that a small hard disk is enough. Now even 20 GB is barely enough for the boot disk of WinXP unless you know how to place some application data folders somewhere else. Even though hard disks are getting cheaper, the 1 Terrabyte hard disk is still too rich for me. The Western Digital My Book is going for 1 K although you could get one on lelong.com for about RM800. It could solve some storage problems for a while if it were not so expensive.

Talking about expensive, my friend Razak just SMsed me:
"Last night my wife asked me to take her somewhere expensive. I took her to a petrol station"

PREMIUM AND REGULAR THOUGHTS

2008-06-04T13:19:00.004+08:00

The first thing I thought of when the ban of the petrol sale to foreigners came into effect was how do they enforce the rule? Do they just look at the vehicle’s number plate or do they ask for identification such as Mykad or passport? Do they have to recruit more Enforcement officials for deployment at the borders petrol stations?

I see money to be made by people renting out Malaysian number plates and people willing to siphon out petrol from their car.

People in Johor will not have to chance to do the above. The ruling was somehow deferred not long after the announcement. That’s in keeping with the flip-flop.

As far as Singaporeans are concerned, there is a simple solution to recoup our fuel subsidy. Just impose a levy on every Singapore-registered vehicle coming into Malaysia. The quantum should be the cost to subsidise 25% of the petrol that the Singapore government allows to be filled in Malaysia. Add whatever extra necessary in the event that their destination is further than JB. I am sure our government can think of something fair and practical (and cheat-proof). After all they have many intelligent people at their disposal. Our government should furnish a list of all car models with their corresponding fuel tank capacity to determine the levy for each model. Remember that Malaysian cars pay a levy/toll for entry into Singapore.

Pak Daud (who watched the Monsoon Cup from his front yard) asked me a question that I could not answer to his satisfaction. Pak Daud argued that Malaysia produces and exports oil. He understood that our oil is of a higher quality and agreed that we should not use that oil ourselves. As Tan Sri Tengku Razaliegh once said “Our oil is champagne. We export champagne and drink water” (or something to that effect). So we export our oil and import the lower grade oil that we use. So if we use the export earnings to cover the imports, why should we raise the price of petrol? Can someone please answer Pak Daud?

JALANG-JALANG NOK SURATKABO LAGU LAENG

2008-05-26T12:05:00.004+08:00

I got this button from fellow-blogger Lucia Lai who is a committee member of the Walk. The aim of the Walk is:

Walk for Media Freedom
Date: 1 June 2009
Time: 9.00am
Place: Dataran Merdeka to National Press Club (NPC)

Democracy in Malaysia is evolving and maturing.

Growth means change and growth often calls for one to leave behind zones of comfort and venture into unknown places. While some changes are slower to materialise, other changes that we can observe already taking place are truly refreshing.

One of those changes which will profoundly and positively impact democratic growth is the move towards Information Freedom.

From 9 am on Sunday the 1st of June 2008, Malaysian journalists and their fellow citizens will, together, demonstrate their keen desire for Media Freedom by taking a symbolic Walk at Dataran Merdeka.

To avoid problems with security laws, there will be NO PUBLIC GATHERING. Instead, participants are being asked to arrive on their own in ones and twos, show their respect to the National Flag at the Dataran, and then proceed immediately to the National Press Club which is just around the corner (location map and suggested walking route to be provided). Those who wish to do so are invited to wear something yellow, a reflection that this is a People’s Activity.

Underlining the importance of this initiative, YB Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has kindly consented to deliver the keynote address, explaining his views about the road to Media Freedom. Datuk Zaid is a Minister in the PM’s Department and the de facto Law Minister. From practically the first day of his appointment, he has said and done things that have pleased the people, especially the legal community, and has conveyed a very positive feeling about what he intends to accomplish.

Datuk Zaid has two requests - that journalists turn up in large numbers and that this program calls for ethics and accountability as much as it calls for freedom. Since this is the very thrust of this campaign and exactly what we are calling upon the writer community to deliver, it looks like we are very much in sync.

While we, the organisers, can direct the theme and thrust of the event, journalist participation will be determined by organisations such as the NUJ, the NPC and the various media groups. We look forward to strong support from them. This is an opportunity that they should not miss out on. Please pass the word around and tell every journalist whom you know about this event.

As to ordinary citizens and bloggers, here is your opportunity to show that you desire Media Freedom. Come and take the Walk with your journalist brethren and show your solidarity with them. We, as a people, can help to move our nation forward on the road to civil liberties.

See you there on Sunday 1st June 2008

Benar blog: http://benarffm.wordpress.com/

Of course the media is now free to put out spins and whatever their owners want to be published/aired. If not for the blogs (and rumours), we would not get the other side of the story. Newspapers also have to contend with laws like Printing Presses Act etc. So it is good that we have a free and fair media although "free" is open to many interpretations. So is "fair". Giving the truth is fair. Giving both sides of the story is fair.

So come and jalang-jalang (stroll in Terengganuspeak) on Sunday. I will be there in spirit because I shall not spoil the show with my wheezing and gasping. Heck, I can't even make it from the carpark to the padang.

SHAKEN AND STIRRED

2008-05-19T23:11:00.002+08:00

At precisely 10.29 pm Monday, I felt my chair pushed back and forth. Thinking that it was Mimi trying to get my immediate attention, I turned around and saw her at her own computer. She felt the tremor too. We confirmed that we were not imagining things by asking the neighbours on the upper floors.
Soon most of the people in our apartment block were downstairs. All felt a strong tremor. We were told that the tremor was even felt in Pandan Indah. No tremor was felt by friends in Pantai Hillpark.
We now know that there was an earthquake in Northern Sumatera, 6.1 on the Richter scale.
What did not happen was a response from DBKL who should have given us an All Clear or something.

TWO WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL

2008-05-12T01:02:00.003+08:00

Maybe it is Spring and love is in the air. There are many couples getting hitched this month.
Last Saturday Som & Jun's youngest son got himself a lovely senorita for a wife. The groom's elder brother made a speech in Spanish. Ole! Congratulacion to the couple. Muchas gracias to the wonderful hosts. I had a wonderful time in the company of former classmates and schoolmates.

On Sunday, Hyelbaine, a fellow blogger ended his bachelor days. I was honoured to be invited. I arrived in time to see Hyelbaine and his lovely bride walking into the hall. They must be wondering who was the the grinning toothless old man standing by the door. Part of the reason Hyelbaine invited me was to meet me in the flesh. He told me that the wife also reads my blog.

There was no classmates of mine at Hyelbaine's wedding. I was expecting to see some familiar bloggers like Bibi and her ajinomoto but she told me they wanted to come later. So there I was, lonely as a clod. I found an empty seat and when the merenjis ceremony was going on, I ate.

I could not stay long since I have to go home and resurrect my dead computer. I went home as soon as Hyelbaine and his bride came down to eat. I thought of giving the groom a call at 9 pm that night when I was in Taman Tun to pick up Mimi but then you should not disturb newly-weds. Congrats Lan!

PARLIAMENTARY LANGUAGE

2008-05-05T02:19:00.004+08:00

If only our MPs can use English in Parlimen without asking permission then they could study the following excerpts from the Hansard of the British Parliament (House of Commons & House of Lords) where name-calling was almost literary. It got quoted in "The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations".

MPs got called a monkey too but in a more refined way:

I am not going to spend any time whatsoever in attacking the Foreign Secretary. Quite honestly, I am beginning to feel extremely sorry for him. If we complain about the tune, there is no reason to attack the monkey when the organ grinder is present.
(Bevan 1897-1960) Hansard 16 May 1957, col. 680

He also said this in Parliament:

The worst thing I can say about democracy is that it has tolerated the Right Honourable Gentleman [Neville Chamberlain] for four and a half years.
Hansard 23 July 1929, col. 1191

For long-winded MPs, here is what Lord Brabazon (Baron Brabazon of Tara) had to say:

I take the view, and always have, that if you cannot say what you are going to say in twenty minutes you ought to go away and write a book about it.

Hansard (Lords) 21 June 1955, col. 207

Sir Winston Churchill said a lot of memorable words in Parliament. This might describe some of our own MPs:

He [Lord Charles Beresford] is one of those orators of whom it was well said, "Before they get up, they do not know what they are going to say;when they are speaking, they do not know what they are saying; and when they have sat down, they do not know what they have said."
Hansard 20 Dec. 1912, col. 1893

And this could well be OUR government:

So they [the Government] go on in strange paradox, decided only to be undecided, resolved to be irresolute, adamant for drift, solid for fluidity, all-powerful to be impotent.
Hansard 12 Nov. 1936, col. 1107

Harold Wilson was not happy with a fellow MP:

The Smethwick Conservatives can have the satisfaction of having topped the poll, and of having sent here as their Member one who, until a further General Election restores him to oblivion, will serve his term here as a Parliamentary leper.

Hansard 3 Nov. 1964, col. 71

I hope none of our MPs are going to be restored to oblivion.

Finally, nice insults off the House:

Jean Harlow kept calling Margot Asquith by her first name, or kept trying to: she pronounced it Margot. Finally Margot set her right. "No, no, Jean. The t is silent, as in Harlow."
T. S. Matthews Great Tom (1973) ch. 7

He [Lloyd George?] can't see a belt without hitting below it.
In Listener 11 June 1953 "Margot Oxford: a Personal Impression" by Lady Bonham Carter.

And this is my favourite:

After a heated argument on some trivial matter Nancy (Lady Astor)...shouted, "If I were your wife I would put poison in your coffee!" Whereupon Winston [Churchill] with equal heat and sincerity answered, "And if I were your husband I would drink it."
Consuelo Vanderbilt Balsan Glitter and Gold (1952) ch. 7

THE 13th CUCU

2008-04-30T01:13:00.006+08:00

This is only of interest to the Kustamangs abroad.
Elisa broke the news on her blog yesterday. Here are the pictures. (Click on the image to see it bigger)

This is Sharifah Nabiha, barely a few hours old, trying to sleep.

Her brothers were too noisy. They were excited.

Arif then climbed into the bed and tried to wake his sister up to show her his new car. No go.

Akif wanted to get into the act.

Akif is walking now. He makes noises too. He has more teeth than his Ki but less hair still.

Arif was exactly 4 years old when his sister was born (or taken out). He still doesn't want to be a doctor.

KEPAL

2008-04-28T00:39:00.005+08:00

In the Oxford Dictionary of Modern Quotations, there is this quote by Franklin P. Adams:

Elections are won by men and women chiefly because most people vote against somebody rather than for somebody.

You can argue as much as you like about that but today, Parliament will see more "Opposition" MPs than ever before. Debates could very well be more lively. It is fortunate that we have a new Speaker, who, we hope will live up to his name to keep everybody under control. In addition to the Standing Orders, maybe we should introduce a "Demerit System" to keep the MPs in line. We have KEJARA (Kesalahan Jalan Raya) for errant road users. KEPAL (Kesalahan Ahli Parlimen) will do nicely with a difference. KEJARA points are never published. KEPAL points will. Of course, you can read the list in the blogs first.

Here some preliminary suggestions for infractions and suggested demerits. You, as the voters, can add or modify the list as ncessary.

1. Not knowing what is debated.................................................................1 point
2. Not knowing what is debated but spoke on it anyway.......................5 points
3. Banging on the table to make a point....................................................1 point
4. Banging fellow MP....................................................................................5 points
5. Wearing a tie that does not match the socks (if male).........................1 point
6. Wearing ties with naked picture of Rose Chan.....................................5 points
7. Falling asleep during a Parliamentary session......................................1 point
8. Falling asleep and snoring above 5 decibles...........................................5 points
9.Talking with chewing gum in mouth during a PC...................................1 point
10.Talking with sirih in mouth during a PC.................................................5 points

(Add your own)

MPs getting 20 demerit points in a Parliamentary session shall be obliged to resign.
Selamat Bersidang!