KNIGHTHOOD FOR THE AUTHOR OF 'THE SATANIC VERSES"

This week saw the knighthood of a controversial writer, loathe by Muslims world over for his sacrilegious writing. The Knighthood of Salman Rushdi, author af THE SATANIC VERSES was condemned by Muslims world over. Tehran send official protest, followed by Pakistan, where thousands of protestors burned effigies and The Union Jack.

18 years ago Ayatollah Khomeni the spiritual and polical leader of Iran issued a fatwa against Rushdi. Iran also offered a reward of several million dollars for the assassination of Salman Rushdi . Since then Rushdie has been accorded round the clock protection by British Government, the same level of protection as Britain’s PM Margret Thatcher or some royal ( so far ) to the amount of around 10 million of pound sterling equivalent to RM67.84 millions..

A Quote from one (Britain)security source ( as reported by NST 19/6/07):” It beggars belief that he’s been given this knighthood at this current time. It’s a finger up the nose of those after him and as ever the taxpayers will be left to foot the bill.” Also reported in the NST: Rusdie was described by a senior Iran officer as” ONE OF THE ISLAMIC WORLD MOST WANTED FIGURES.”

The honors, though a displeasure to Muslims, would commercially position Sir Salman Rudie and his writings to a greater level. There would be more reprints of The SATANIC VERSES and his other writings in the pipeline. I perceived there would be a great demand on his works, and his thought sought after for its academic fertility.

In the local scene an article in Utusan Malaysia highlighted, Kementerian Dalam Negeri recently outlawed 37 publication on Islam in English & Malay Languages of which 21 titles published in USA, UK and Jordan, and 16 titles in Bahasa Malaysia published locally and in Indonesia. According to KDN records, more titles were banned in recent years, though not all of the banned titles are blasphemous in content.. Some of the titles are immoral while others political.

I like to recount a controversy during my college days in 1961, I know of a friend, a scholar with a flair for creative writings and an ardent follower of a radical and renown Indonesian poet then- Khairul Anuar. He was a popular literary figure on the campus, until one day he ( initial NO ) pen a poetry entitled ‘Akulah Tuhan’. It was published in one of the National Newspaper. It created an uproar for sometimes, although the paper that published it was not banned. NO The Poet became the focus of the nation. Overnight he became an icon among his peer. Sadly though, certain quarters accused NO of blasphemy. Although there was no action taken against him. I reckoned he learned his lesson and shunt away (mogok seni) for good from creative writings. The last I heard of him as a frustrated individual suffering from Tuberculosis back in his home town in Pahang. That was 45 years ago. (Who knows if NO focus on his creative writings (dan tidak mogok seni) by now (like some of his peer) he could be honoured by his Sultan as Dato’NO.) for his literary contributions.

NB: for those in doubt on NO’s published poetry AKULAH TUHAN his peers: novel laureate Datuk ASS, poet Dato’KA or Prof.Dr AWA will vouch for me on the AKULAH TUHAN hullabaloo. I hope they remember.

GOOD MORNING LAKE TOBA

To-day is the 14th of June 2007, our 2nd day in Perapat.. There’s nothing to brag about this morning, except to quickly pack up as we’ll be on the move again, this time to Brastagi. Then to Medan, and back to KL for a 5D4N holiday package.
Frankly I never expect my wife to suggest that we should spend our vacation in Medan. “What is so special about Medan. It is just across Selat Melaka, a 45 minutes flight from KLIA or Penang, a few hours ferry ride from Penang, Lumut or Melaka,” I retort although I confess - time and again my natural feelings had induced me to make a fact finding tour of North Sumatra Provinces: Tanah Deli & Langkat and Riau Archipelago – the origin of my long lost clan.


But this is not a fact finding tour, rather than just a leisure holiday.
Yes, sure… Sumatra is my late father’s ancestral county: Melayu Riau. But I don’t have any ancestral family records to justify my claim.
I am pretty sure, my mother’s descendants The Bugis first settled around Kuala Selangor, Kapar, Pasir Penambang, Klang. They, fought the Dutch at Kuala Selangor. We’ve some artifact to prove this.
Parapat & Brastagi where we are going to spend most of the 5 days sojourn have been known as The Land Of The Batak. Nothing really interest me travelling uphill to Danau Toba, except to savor the scenery along the way and master my skill in landscape photography.
Again, I asked my wife to justify her decision.
“What? Lake Toba? What’s wrong with Tasik Cini, Pedu Lake, or Tasik Kenyir….”
“They said it’s so beautiful.”
“Who said so? Your maid from Sumatra? Your mengaji collegue. Who?”
I confess, I failed to dissuade her.
So on the early morning of the 12th June 2007 off we - The Four Golden Couples: Bak&Teek, Mazlan&Badiah, Aziz&Sauyah and Me&Wife) flew to Medan on MH flight en route to Perapat. The journey from Medan to Perapat took several hours, through country road. We had a sumptuous Minangkabau lunch at Restauran Simpang Tiga and a stopover at Kedai Paten Pematang Siantar. Then a gruesome ride along a meandering uphill narrow pass, reaching Perapat late evening.
Frankly speaking Perapat has nothing much to offer, except for the panoramic view of Lake Toba from our hotel, and the cool & fresh air. The night life is at the hotel itself – a disco, a karaoke lounge and a bar & restaurant. For the elders with ‘squeaky bones’ and tired muscles a good massage is the only alternative for they had excellent messieurs. The following day was spent “melawat Kampung Tomok.” by ferry. It’s a rustic village. Nothing much to say, except that the venue is part of our Tour Package.
The trip from Perapat to Brastagi on the 3rd day was astounding. The view of Lake Toba from the terrain as we passed through was breathtaking. Finally I was ‘trigger happy’ with my camera, snapping along the route. It was drizzling at times and some hillocks are covered with mist. It also create an aura of enchantment, and mystical, especially so as we pass through hamlets with traditional worn-out Batak dwellings, each surrounding an old church. The streets lined with Restaurant serving “Babi Panggang”. Spending the night at Golden Mutiara Hotel & Resort at Berastagi was ‘a 5 star’delight, before the nonstop return trip to Medan the following morning.

They said Danau Toba is full of mystic and a beautiful lake. They said Danau Toba was formed by the greatest volcano eruption ever known in history to become the most beautiful lake ever seen in the universe. They also said, Danau Toba with a lakeside living in full harmony, with magnificent rocks around, full of history, legends, culture and hundreds of roaring waterfall, old stones and agriculture mosaic over the highlands, to beckon you They have lots of stories and legends to brag about. Still it does not impress me, although my conscience at time awakens my guilt. Maybe my lacks of interest in reading about it’s formation and history blinded me.
So I felt more comfortable when we finally arrived in Medan, last leg of our tour package. History has it that the original location of present Metropolitan Medan ‘di tanah Deli’ was developed by Guru Patimpus around 1590ies situated on the confluence of 2 distinct rivers - Sungai Deli and Sungai Babura. The village was nicknamed as Kampung Medan or Medan Deli by the locals.
Massive development with the opening of tobacco plantations by Dutch Companies came about around the year 1860ies. The Dutch Colonial Government ruled over Tanah Deli from 1658 when Sultan Ismail of Kerajaan Siak Seri Indrapura surrenders Deli, Langkat and Serdang to The Dutch. By 1915 Medan officially became the capital of North Sumatra province. By 1918 it was unofficially declared as Kota Madya. Sad though our final day in Metropolitan Medan was spend shopping. As I pen this chronicle, I feel that the 5D4N Medan Lake Toba trip as incomplete holiday package for discerning travelers like me. We should be visiting more historical sites and cultural villages. Lack of tourist information and guide booklets is another factor. You have to depend on your tourist guide all the time for information. Infrastructure is bad. However Anuar the Tour Guide of PT.LOVELY HOLIDAYS has a pleasant character. He sings oldies to kill boredom, as he rattles through history, ethnic culture and tradition of the locals.
At the end of the day, you’ve to agree with me that a week’s break from the daily chores helps in building your self esteem, enhancing your good health and sound mind. I am always game for a good holiday away from home, though majority Malays are not used to taking holidays or times off, except for their yearly “balik kampong” exodus during the festivals, unlike the Europeans, Americans, Australian and other “Mat Salleh”. They saved for their annual vacations.

We hope our siblings take note and do the same.

Horas…….

From Us The Ramblers

Senior Citizens: Mokhtar, Mazlan, Aziz Wahab,Aziz Abas

THE LAUNCH

Asalamualaikum,
2007 syukur I’ve reach 66. I am an old man eh?
Not so if one feels that he still have lots to do, like fulfilling his lifetime desires; travels and see the world , or lock yourself in your study and do some serious thinking, reading or writing. Or else just lazed around the house playing with your grand children – spoilt them with your kindness, and guide them to be honorable persons when they grow up. And forget not, your daily prayers and all your obligations ( yang wajib dan yang sunat ) to The Almighty Allah.
Insyaallah you’ll find fulfillment in life.
So what do we do now.
For me?
I like to ‘follow-through’ (firstly) my penchant for creative undertakings i.e writing down my life experiences in the narrative form.
To that: today I am launching a new page in my blog JENERASI....... a chronicle of bits and pieces of my life long experiences - past and present. I plan to pen and publish regular installments, hoping I could garner a following - the very least from my very own siblings.
Its going to be in Malay/Bahasa Malaysia as certain anecdote, adage, (and some of the traditional customary Malay ethnic rituals of my generation need to (only) be explained in its original form, slang; because of its restrained nature. Believe you me, now some of those rituals have vanished in thin air, for they don’t enjoy present day acceptance and practices anymore (Maybe later there would be some written in the English Language, but as best possible for this column I write in Bahasa Malaysia.)
You are most welcome to savor my 1st installment entitles SEBERMULA WWII...... (The beginning or The Premise of my life long short story or a winded journal), if you have the time and energy, or if you are interested to know me.
Most importantly, I need your feedback.
To my dearest daughter Hazlina, thank you for giving time reading through my blog. You’ve serve my purpose. You’re also my 1st visitor since its launch last week. I truly appreciate your trust and encouragements. Hope you can influence the others around you.
With all my prayers to you all.

Hormat dari,
AdiKarya

Note: En route for a sojourn at Lake Toba, Sumatra 12-16 Jun 07.

SELAMAT PENGANTIN BARU, PAK LAH

Selamat Pengantin Baru, Pak Lah
I am dedicating this page for a special man: a friend ( he was once a civil servant ) a collegue, a mentor, an icon, a passionate leader..bla..bla. He is none other then our very own PM Dato,Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

I was enthralled by the 8.00 PM first Headline News over RTM1 (delivered by the News Anchor Hazleen Abd.Aziz – my daughter) that Dato’Seri our PM getting married this coming Saturday June 9, 2007 in a private and simple ceremony at Seri Perdana to be attended only by the couple siblings and close relatives. His bride-to-be is a Kuala Lumpur born Puan Jeanne Abdullah 53 (she is the late Puan Seri Endon’s Sister-In-Law married to her younger brother but the separated 15 years ago). She has 2 grown up daughters from her previous marriage - Nadiah & Nadene and Dato’Seri has 2 children Dato’Kamaruddin & Nori.

I knew Dato’Seri way back in the early Nineteen Seventies. He was then known as Abdullah Ahmad an MCS Officer, The Director Of Youth at The Ministry Of Youth & Culture. I was then a young RTM Television Producer Director. We collaborated in producing a weekly series of Talk Shows featuring Malayan youth activities with a campaign tagline: YOUTH ON THE MARCH. The program regular lineup of guest speakers has always been Abdullah Ahmad representing Ministry Youth & Culture, Rafidah Aziz (Faculti Ekonomi University Malaya), Anuar Ibrahim (ABIM), Sanusi Junid (MAYC?) and Mahadhir Mohammad (The Politician). Of course there other guest speakers too either from NGO are representing Youth Movements, or Government Officers and others.

Later Abdullah Ahmad, Rafidah Aziz, Sanusi Junid and Anuar Ibrahim become Yang Berhormat.
On the political scene Abdullah Ahmad then known as Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. The reason for the change I was told; there is another well known personality with the same name (Abdullah Ahmad) in the administration of the late Tun Razak Hussein, our 2nd PM. As the saying goes: In politic no two similar name to share the same spotlight. According to a colleague in RTM Osman Fauzi; Abdullah was advised to include his father’s full name Ahmad Badawi (then a veteran politician and an ulamak).

So for his political career it’s the resounding name of Dato’Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that Malaysians from all walks of lives remember as one of the country’s all time outstanding leader, now their 5th Prime Minister. For whoever he is, and what ever position he holds he is still the Abdullah Ahmad you know some 30 or 40 years ago. A kind and passionate man, full of smiles and ever willing to acknowledge you, whoever or where ever you are.

My personal advice, if you happen to know him before, please don’t ever try to shunt away from him, for if he notices you, he would break protocol to meet you, shake your hand and say hello. He is fond of giving you (men) a naught on your overgrown belly while joking he would whisper to you, ‘take care, you belly has overgrown.’

Mind you a PM breaks protocol to greet you and whisper on your oversize belly. It caused heads turned.
That is Dato’Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that I know. He is so simple and down to earth. It can cause you an embarrassment if you happen to shunt away from him in any function. So please if you happen to cross path with this PM discard your inferior feelings not wanting (malu) to meet him…because he remembers you……

So that is Dato’Seri Ahmad Badawi our beloved Prime Minister.
For him and his bride to be, his children and grand children the very best of luck.
Samoga Allah Cucuri RahmatNya.
Amin.

AD.VERSE NEW OFFICE PREMISE

SUITE C703 METROPOLITAN SQUARE,
DAMANSARA PERDANA.

A dream realized. Now we have our own office premise. Located on the 7th Floor ,

METROPOLITAN SQUARE, Damansara Perdana. The new township is considered to be part of PJ’s most affluent neighbourhood. As the saying goes, “IN BUSINESS, IT PAYS TO BE WELL CONNECTED’. That’s what we in AD.verse looking for. We have been eyeing this location as far back 2003. The Damansara Perdana Business Center was then the latest development projects by MKland located on the foothill of Bukit Lanjan amids established neighbours: Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Bandar Utama, Mutiara Damansara, and Damansara Utama. The infamous Pencala Link Interchange turned the one time sleepy off tract outpost into a thriving Golden Triangle Of PJ. And THE METROPOLITAN SQUARE, Retail & Office Suites perfectly positioned itself as a contemporary office premise that is equipped with IT infrastructure linking its tenants to the world via wireless connectivity. A a truly prestigious address in Klang Valley.

Allah’s willing we would be moving in by the end of August 2007, to co inside with the Merdeka Golden Anniversary.

Nostalgia daging 'lembu katuk'

Mula bersekolah Melayu tahun 1948, di Sekolah Melayu Sungai Pulau, kira-kira 3 batu dari kampung kediami kami Parit 23 Tanjung Bayan. Ketika itu umur ku baru 7 tahun.

Pendudukan Tentera Imperial Jepun telah meninggalkan keadaan kesengsaraan dan ketakutan dikalangan penduduk kampung. Semangat untuk Malaya Merdeka dan tidak mau dijajah mula membakar di dada rakyat. Mereka tidak suka pada pendudukan Jepun yang menyusahkan ramai itu. Rakyat senantiasa dibendung rasa takut, dalam keadaan keselamatan yang tidak menentu. Masih ku ingat, ayahku dan rakan-rakan sekampung nya sering bercelotih pengalaman jerih yang mereka hadapi semasa pendudukan Jepun. Kesah bagaimana sipolan itu telah didera Jepun dipaksa minum air sampai buncit perut dan kemundian dipijak dengan kasarnya, sampaikan muntah darah. Ada kesah yang dibisik-bisikkan dari telinga ketelinga bahawa terdapat dikalangan mereka yang jadi talibarut Jepun. Saisi keluarga dan jiran tetangga diperingat, supaya hati-hati dari diperangkap mereka. Mereka yang menjadi talibarut Jepun itu akan melakukan apa sahaja untuk berkuasa. Jangan celopor bila berbahasa. Tiap turut kata mesti berpada-pada. 'Cakap siang pandang pandang, cakap malam dengar-dengar. Ta'tau siapa di kalangan kita itu yang jadi talibarut Jepun, ujar mereka. Selalunya orang bodoh jadi makanan orang yang cerdek. Ada pemuda yang terpedaya, dijanjikan kerja dan tempat tinggal yang baik oleh Jepun, akhirnya dihantar sebagai Buruh Paksa di sempadan Burmah/Siam - semuanya gara-gara dan inaya talibarut musuh itu.

Kerana itu ayahku selalu menjauhkan diri dari bergaul dengan tidak menentu. Dia membenci pendudukan Jepun, dan dia juga tidak suka dijajah British samula. Itu pendiriannya. Tapi pendirian itu hanya berani di suarakannya kepada rakan yang terdekat, yang sama saperjuangan sahaja. Kesah politik di kedai kopi tidak boleh dibincangkan dirumah, kuathir ada antara yang mendengar akan terlepas kata dan terperangkap.

Keganasan Bintang Tiga ketika ketika tentera Jepun berundur kalah dan sementara menunggukan ketibaan pemerintahan British telah menyebabkan berlakunya pertumpahan darah antara Melayu dan kaum China di Tanah Melayu. Lagi menakutkan penduduk.Jadi satelah keadaan keselamatan terkawal dan kerajaan British memerintah Tanah Melayu samula, ayahku buat keputusan aku anak lelaki tunggalnya (waktu itu) mesti bersekolah. Menurutnya orang yang buta huruf ibarat 'lembu katuk'. Istilah 'lembu katuk' adalah ciptaan penduduk kampung. Ketika pemerintahan Tanah Melayu di ambil samula oleh Kerajaan British, penduduk Tanah Melayu sering dapat bekalan daging dalam tin. Daging-daging itu adalah dari lembu yang tidak disembelih, lalu penduduk melabelnya sebagai daging 'lembu katuk.' Daging lembu yang tidak disembelih tidak halal dimakan oleh orang Islam. Tapi kerana dihimpit kemiskinan, mau tidak mau ada kalangan penduduk yang sedia memakan daging 'lembu katuk' itu. Kerana tidak rela makan daging 'lembu katuk' keluarga kami tidak makan daging, kecuali masa Idilfitri atau Aidiladha.