Saturday, August 20, 2011






Breakfast at Rumah Sinar Salam.

Members of RC Kampung Baharu hosted breakfast session with the occupants of Rumah Sinar Salam, a shelter home for problematic women, located at no.6A, Tingkat 1, Lorong Haji Taib 3, 50350, KL. Goods and ang pow was distributed to the 30 odd occupants. The founder Pn. Arfidah, SALAM volunteer was at hand to receive us. Pn. Arfidah ctc 017-3631620 if you like to render any assistance.
Simple food which cost a fraction of Normal Ramadhan buffet at five star hotel but for these simple folk it is a memorable evening.

Thursday, July 07, 2011

Menghadiri majlis perkahwinan anak perempuam P.Yogarajan. 
 Bergambar didepan Dewan Abdul rahman Talib.
Mengimbasi kembali peristiwa di Sungai Bernam.
Menekmati teh tarik di Restoran Ghani.
Melawat Tanjung Malim membawa kenangan nostalgia.
Apabila menerima jemputan dari kawan saya, P.Yogarajan untuk menghadiri majlis makan malam meraikan perkahwinan anak perempuan beliau di Tanjung Malim pada hari Sabtu, 2hb. Julai 2011, saya dan kawan seangkatan tidak melepaskan peluang untuk melawat bandar Tanjung Malim dan bekas tapak Sekolah Dato' Abdul Razak. Lawatan ringkas tersebut membuat saya teringat kembali peristiwa yang saya alami di SDAR dari tahun 1966 hingga 1971.

(1) Semasa saya mendapat surat tawaran untuk meneruskan pelajaran di Sekolah Dato' Abdul Razak pada tahun 1966 saya tidak tahu tentang kewujudan SDAR. Walau pun saya dari Kuala Kangsar,Perak, saya lebih mengenali MCKK atau STAR. Guru sekolah saya pun tidak pernah menceritakan tentang SDAR. Ini membuktikan SDAR baru wujud waktu itu. SDAR belum mencipta nama dan tidak mempunyai tradisi atau trak rekod yang boleh diketengahkan. SDAR baru berusia 10 tahun, kalau manusia, maseh budak berhingus yang belum baliq. SBP atau sekolah lain telah wujud berdekat lamanya, contoh Clfford School Kuala Kangsar - 1897 dan MCKK -1903. Pelajar SDAR pada waktu itu jika dapat meneruskan pengajian ke tingkatan enam, kena berhijrah ke STAR, MCKK atau sekolah lain. Jadi SDAR wujud seolah olah untuk membekalkan pelajar tingkatan enam kepada sekolah lain.
(2) SDAR di Tanjung Malim hanya menumpang dikawasan Maktab Perguruan Sultan Idris (MPSI), kini telah dinaiktarafkan sebagai Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, (UPSI). Pembangunan hampir tiada. Pada ingatan saya dari 1966 hingga 1971,  hanya  satu sahaja bangunan baru yang dibangunkan, ia itu blok tingkatan enam pada tahun 1970. Apabila bilangan murid meningkat terpaksalah bilek asrama dijadikan kanteen dan bilek makan. Bilek rehat pula dijadikan asrama. Batch 66-73 dibesarkan didalam keadaan serba berkurangan dibandingkan dengan SBP lain. Budget hanya rm18.00 sebulan atau 60sen sehari (kos makan sahaja). Pusat sumbernya dipenohi dengan rak rak kosong atau buku yang kulitnya hampir berkecai.
Kelebihan yang ada pada SDAR  pada waktu itu ialah kerana namanya. Arwah Tun Abdul Razak pada waktu itu adalah sebagai Timbalan Perdana Menteri. SBP lain hanya dinamakan dengan nama pemimpin yang telah pergi meninggalkan kita. Malangnya Arwah TAR pada waktu itu tanpa pengetahuan umum sedang berjuang dengan cancer dan juga menguruskan negara selepas berlaku pergolakan kaum.
(3) Walau pun didalam keadaan serba kekurangan, SDAR terus membangun, membina nama dan tradisinya sendiri. Penghijrahan beramairamai pelajarnya ke TI atau RMC pada tahun 1970 adalah satu penomena yang tidak dapat dielakan kerana memang tiada halangan dari pehak kerajaan pada waktu itu. Malahan digalakan untuk memenohi TI dan RMC dengan pelajar pelajar pandai yang telah masak dengan kehidupan berasrama. Maka bolehlah mereka bertahan dialam baru mereka yang juga mencabar. Dengan berkat usaha gigih guru guru dan pengetua SDAR, pada tahun 1971 barulah SDAR keluar dari kepompongnya dengan menjuarai Mori Cup. Dengan berbekalkan image baru ini sebagai conqueror SDAR berhijrak Ke Seremban. Kalau Julius Ceasar berkata," I came I saw I conquer", maka diTanjung Malim pelajar SDAR hanya nampak miss spring, budak hitam, panggung REX, panggung Majestic, restoran Ghani dan restoran Razak. maka itulah yang mereka conquer.
(4) Dengan image conqueror inilah apabila pelajar SDAR sampai ke Seremban mereka nampak Sekolah Tengku Durah, TKC dan KGV sebagai satu cabaran baru yang mesti ditakloki. SDAR membelasah Sekolah Yuk Min 30-0 (satu rekod) didalam acara bolasepak. SDAR juga membelasah Sekolah Dato' Abdul Samad 124-0 dalam acara Rugby. SDAR memulakan tradisinya sendiri. Ada pelajarnya yang sudah jadi pak menteri. Saya turut bergembira apabila murid murid sekolah bertanya, "Pak Cik dulu sekolah kat mana?" Bila saya sebut SDAR mereka semua tahu, dan berkata "Oh Sekolah yang Top tu".
Baru ini saya sempat berborak dengan Pengetua SDAR. Beliau berkata bila dah jadi sekolah yang Top ini, makinlah mencabar nak jaga kedudukan dan nama baik SDAR.  Diharap SDAR akan terus mengejar kejayaan.
(Saya tidak ikut ke Seremban kerana telah melanjutkan pelajaran keluar negara pada tahun 1972.)

Sunday, June 12, 2011


Idling boats.

Diesel subsidy.
Malaysian fishermen (or rather the boat owners) have been enjoying diesel subsidy over the years. Recent reduction of the subsidy make them stay away from the sea. I was at Tanjung Api, in Kuantan during recent school holidays and saw too many fishing boats idling away at the jetty.
Some of the trawlers operator had been leasing their licence to foreigners (Viet and Thai) to fish in Malaysian water which worsen the situation.
If the subsidy was given to them in order assist the poor fisherman to make a decent living why should it be removed now. Is it because they have become too wealthy and do not require these subsidy anymore? The fish price is already high as it is and I hope this is not another excuse to escalate it to higher level.
Despite the current issue I still enjoy breakfast of 'nasi dagang' at Tanjung Api fisherman jetty.

Thursday, June 09, 2011

MODERN IRON MINING.
Metal prices are high now days and it is appreciating all the time. Many banks provide an option for their clients to keep precious metal (gold/platinum) rather than FD or unit trust. The situation has created a new breed of modern iron miners. With out any mining experience they are producing tons of metal albeit illegally. Drain covers, fences and railways track have been carted by these unscrupulous  modern thief. Latest victim is our nation heritage in Malacca. Vintage cannon on top St John's Hill in Bandar Hilir had disappear overnight. Looked like 'besi burok' business is thriving.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011


Writer in the family.
While I am busy blogging and facebooking (as a hobby) my daughter Amelia is earning a living as a writer for LIVE in and Astelier magazines. She wanted to use her full name but the chief editor said it was too long to include the father's name. Oh! it really does not matter to me dear. when you become the chief editor you can do it your way. In the mean time just ensure quality writing in your work.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

I am that close......
All my preparation to attend Rotary International Annual Convention at New Orleans went with out a hitch. Conference registration, air tickets, hotel booking, passport and so on. I am just waiting for my US visa to be approved. I intend to travel on the 18th. May 2011 via Los Angeles. By Monday if I still do not have any news on my US Visa, I might have to cancel all the arrangement starting with the hotel reservation. I am keeping my finger crossed and pray for the best.

Monday came and went still no sign of the US Visa so I had no choice but to cancel all the arrangements. I probably will make an attempt to attend next Rotary Convention to be held in Bangkok, Thailand. :-(

Thursday, May 05, 2011



VISION 2020 - Why we are not getting there(1).

TDM gave Malaysia vision 2020 but are we getting there? I am not going to say much but the above photos  tell us that  that with nine years to go we are still struggling with the basic issues like street cleanliness, corruption and people attitude.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Tsunami hit Japan March 2011.
This all weather combat fighter aircraft probably costing few hundred millions US was no match for the fury of tsunami that strike Japan last week end. Despite having very sophisticated detection system or early warning devices against earth quake the relevant authority was not alerted in time to take the necessary action to save the aircraft.
My sympathy went to those people who lost their family members during the disaster. May GOD bless their soul.

Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Public amenities being vandalised.
VANDALISM.
It is disgusting to see public amenities being vandalised by unscrupulous and ungrateful individuals. Urinal at the top was was installed with special deodoriser, complete with the automatic timing release and must be at great expense too. See what has become of it after a short time at the hand of the public. I just hope in the process of turning Malaysia into high income country this aspect of public civic mindedness not being neglected.
The other day I forgot to bring hand phone. Since I had to make an urgent call I had to reach one of those coin operated public phone. To my disappointment I had to visit several public phone before I can find a serviceable one. Just imagine if somebody had to call an ambulance or fire brigade. Life could be lost due to Malaysians being indifferent to small thing like this.
So what can we do to improve the situation. We can instill the awareness of respecting public amenities to people around us starting with our family members and relatives.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

TENANG BY ELECTION.
As expected Barisan national retained the seat with bigger majority. It was heartening to see voters turn out to vote in heavy downpour. Both candidates were ex-government servant. My sympathy went to the loser who also in this case have to find a new job.

BADMINTON - KOREAN OPEN.
Lee Chong Wee lost to Lin Dan. It is rather unexpected as the world number one was in top form recently after winning The Taiwan and Malaysian open.
 Front view.
Side view.
MINI LINK HOUSE (TOWN HOUSE)
Keeping money in the bank is no longer a wise thing to do since its purchasing power is diminishing by the day. I wonder what happened to the old advise to save and save for the future. At one time ( I am talking in the 60s) school children were encouraged to save by buying 10 sen stamps and pasting them on a card. Once the card was full it can be deposited in the Post Office saving account. It may took a month for a child to save 3 ringgit. It was a big amount those days.
I was looking for properties to invest as an alternative to keeping money in the fixed deposit. I came across this town house in Bandar Tasek Puteri, Rawang. At a glance it looked like link house but on closer examination will reveal that it is actually two units of town house. One on top of the other but with separate entrance. So if you purchase two units, you can actually combined them into a normal link house.
What an innovative way. It is a good alternative to living in an apartment house.