The main road leading to the school.

This was my standard one class room.

A peek inside the class room. This was my classroom in standard four.

The school main Entrance, the admin office was on the first floor.
SEKOLAH KEBANGSAAN SULTAN IDRIS II, KUALA KANGSAR.

This was my first school. I was enrolled in standard one in 1960. In those days the double storey concrete building looked so grand. It was known as Central Malay School. In Malay it was also called 'Sekolah Pusat'. I was wondering at that time the connection between navel (pusat) and school. Nobody could satisfied my curiosity then. The school was renamed as SKSI kedua after the late Sultan Idris ascended the throne. The headmaster Che Gu Shaziman proudly explained to us, " Your school is the first Malay primary school in Perak with concrete building"

I started standard one with out going to Tadika. In fact I hardly recognised the alphabet. The form teacher was a beautiful lady, Che Gu Marhamah. She was married to Che Gu Hamid who later thought me in standard six. I did badly during first term exam by securing 14th place. I catch up very fast with the rest of the class. By the third term exam I managed to secure the first place. The school has many new structures over the years but the original building remained unique being one of its kind in Perak.

My teacher were mostly graduates of Maktab Perguruan Sultan Idris, Tanjung Malim. Among them Chegu Abu Bakar, Chegu Md Zain, Chegu Jalal. I had a DTC teacher by the name Chegu Raba Aishah while I was in Standard two who came from Sayung.

Policeman's son posing for for me. Just like me during primary school days. The arrow indicating where barrack 'E' used to be. Barrack 'E' was built during colonial time. It was a one bedroom apartment with commom toilet facilities.

Next to the police quater is the 'Padang Majlis Perbandaran Kuala Kangsar'. The first merdeka celebration was conducted here. It is gone now being replaced by MPKK complex.

The back of the unit where my family used to live in the 60s.

I used to live in the top right hand unit. It is a one room apartment but with kitchen and toilet. It was called 'barrack baru' then. Total floor area probably smaller than the current single storey terrace house.
REVISITING KUALA KANGSAR POLICE QUARTER.

There is a plan to relocate the police quater somewhere else in Kuala Kangsar. So last week I took the oppurtunity to pay a visit to the place I used to stay in the 60s. Well some of the building had already been demolished. Barrack 'E' which was built during colonial time was no more there. It was a concrete building facing the Town padang. The original unit had 'dapur kayu' with chimney. It was no longer used even in the 60s as we had evolved to kerosene stove era. There was a common bathroom and toilet at the end of the building. Quite a common sight those days to see mothers 'berkemban' going to the bath room with their washings and afterward drying them on cloth line located at the back of the barrack. 'Tudung' was never heard off in those days and 'selendang' was only used during formal function.

Barrack 'E' had common electric meter and water meter. Electricity was supplied by 'Kinta Electricity Board'. The tenant paid fixed rate for all the utilities. Those who owned electric iron had to pay surcharge of 1 ringgit per month. Some tenant had the only other electrical appliance which is a radio.

Later my family moved to 'barrack baru' which is a self contained unit. A real luxury in those days. Another colonial history being erased from our soil and it reflect how far we have progressed since then.

Deserted Shopping Complex
Is recession really here.
I went for dinner with my family at one of the shopping complex last Tuesday. I could not believe my eye. It was almost empty. Despite many discounted items as high as 70% in most of the outlets I hardly see any shoppers. Is the worst yet to come?
On the brighter side since there was not many customer you get personal attention from the sale personnel and parking was not a problem. I wonder what will happened to staff if the shop owner decide to close shop when the worst time come.

A lone figure doing morning exercise
Padang Asam, Subang Jaya, section 14.

It is a park near my house. It has no particular name but the kid around the area call it Padang Asam since the park has so many matured tamarind trees.
This is where I do my exercise whenever time or weather permit. Recently the local mnucipal had upgraded the park with many facilities which include jogging track. The park is even lighted at night. In the morning you can find many groups doing aerobic exercises or people doing their morning stroll.

The modern day pirates.
During my early history lesson the name Francis Drake (Sir) appeared many times in the history of British Empire. He was a pirate and then knighted by the Queen for helping the British Empire to contain the influence of the Spanish. He did that by just plundering and pirating Spanish ships that sail back and forth between Spain and South America. So in those days if you fight the enemies of your country, you can be considered a hero. Francis was remembered as the first British to circumnavigate the globe.
To day in Somalia same kind of pirates still exist. Recently two Malaysian tankers were hijacked by them and just few days ago an American ship too was hijacked. The whole world is watching on the American next move. The Captain of the hijacked ship attempted to escape today by jumping overboard but unfortunately he was recaptured. He must be very brave to do that. Meanwhile another American warship was dispatched to the area to shadow the hijacker. Since the American have not invaded Somalia yet to free the hostages I presume they classify these hijackers less dangerous than terrorist.
(13.4.09) The Captain was rescued by American Navy after a shoot out. While Malaysian government hired foreigner to negotiate and pay ransom in millions of Ringgit, the American used force to free the hostage.

Politik dimesjid.

Mesjid adalah tempat untuk beribadat bukannya tempat berkempen untuk meraih undi sama ada bagi pehak kerajaan atau pembangkang. Institusi mesjid mestilah dihormati kalau tidak mahu kehilanagan keperchayaan para jemaah. Apa yang disampaikan oleh khatib mestilah tidak berat sebelah kerana para jemaah terdiri dari pelbagai pehak. Jika ada jemaah yang meluat mendengar apa yang dilaongkan oleh khatib tentulah dia tidak akan dapat menghayati bila sampai tentang bab ugama pula. Baru baru ini pilihan raya kecil telah diadakan di dua bukit dan satu batang. Walau pun tempat itu jauh tetapi khatib maseh mahu berkempen mengingatkan para jemaah siapa yang patut dipilih seolaholah semua orang dimesjid itu akan pergi mengundi. Macamlah tiada modal nak berkhutbah. Saya tidak bermaksud memperkecilkan pehak khatib mahu pun pehak mesjid, cuma kurang senang dengan topik yang disampaikan.

Fathering a child.
Anything is possible these days. What I really mean is man giving birth to a baby. Read in STAR yesterday, Ruben from Spain expecting a twin. In the same article it mentioned another man from US , Thomas had given birth to a baby girl named Susan last June and he is expecting another baby this coming summer. Just imagine all eye will be staring at his ballooning belly when the couple tell friend that they are expecting another baby.
So man if you think your partner is infertile, that is no excuse really to set up a second branch. Why not get a D.I.Y kit and have that baby. Once you can feel the baby inside you can tell your partner that " Yang, I mengidam buah kedongdong la. Tolong carikan."

Rafique and Puteri (1st and 2nd from left) relating their experiences at RYLA 2009.
RYLA 2009. (Rotary Youth Leadership Award)
Early this month Rotary Club of Kampong Baharu sponsored two candidates to attend a RYLA at Out Bound Malaysia Lumut. RYLA is a workshop/seminar organised for youth development. It has similar objectives like Kursus Khidmat Negara but carried out with shorter time frame. As usual the sponsored candidates make a visit to the club to share their experience with Rotarian of Kampong Baharu. In 2007 Rotary Club of Kampong Baharu was the hosting club for the event which took place at the same venue.

Rotarians from Rotary Club of Kampong Baharu, from left the author, PE Dr.Feardaus, CP Hj.Razali and Rtn Helmy.

District Governor Dr.Rajindar Singh and Rotary International President Dong-Kurn Lee and their spouses.

DISTRICT 3300 INTERCITY MEETING WITH RI PRESIDENT D.K. LEE.
The meeting was organised on the 10th March 2009 at Sunway Convention Centre in conjunction with RI President D.K. Lee visit to Malaysia. RI President is the highest office in the Rotary Organisation. RI President D.K. Lee hailed from South Korea and happened to be the first RI President appointed from this part of the world. The RI President this year carry a special message to reduce child mortality. Many of this year programs go toward providing foods, medical care, clean water and creating jobs for parents which in the long run help young children. According to him the current recession gave greater challenge to Rotarians to provide services to the community. The function also provide opportunity to recognise contribution by Rotarians over the past one year.

Destination, Kampung Sungai Karang, Beserah.

R & R Temerloh.

Oh one can park anywhere.

OFF PEAK TRAVEL.

Recently I had to travel to Kuantan to fetch my mother in law who wanted to come to Kuala Lumpur. Since I had to leave for Kuantan very early in the morning I was spared the normal traffic jam. The journey took about two hours. Not only the road was deserted, I also did not see a single traffic police during the journey. Most of the rest area was also empty. Sometimes I wonder why we do not take the advantage of travelling during off peak period, instead we tend to join the mad rush during festive season to balek kampong.

Got this bit and pieces of exercise bike from the store room. They are still in good condition despite being left there more than two decades ago. This going to be my project for the day. What else to do? My Anne had gone to work and my kid too had gone to school. One hour later the assembly was completed and walla you can see the finish product below. Well assembling the gear was easy but to do the exercise is something else.

Nasi dagang at gerai no.2 Tanjung Api, Kuantan.

Fishing boat undergoing repair.

Me visiting the ship yard.

Tanjung Api Kuantan.

During my last visit to Kuantan one of my relative took my family to Tanjung Api to eat nasi dagang. We have to be there early or there will be no nasi dagang as it is very popular with the local there, according to him.

True enough, the nasi was very tasty and judging by the crowd we were wise to be there early.

While having our meals I was distracted by industrial noise next door. I was informed it came from the fishing boat repair yard nearby. Leaving the rest to continue with their second helping I ventured out to see the ship yard. I was amazed to see the work being done at the workshop there. Amid modern equipments and conventional tools I could see many artisans and craft men busy doing their work. I found out they do not receive formal training but learned their trade from their elders. I just wonder if the relevant ministry is playing active role in promoting the industry. These people are working on ocean going boat where safety is very critical. We are capable of building navy ship and merchant ship, I wonder if we have overlooked the simple need of our fisherman, after all that is where our fish on the dining table come from

The crowd admiring Mona Lisa Painting.

Aina and Mona Lisa.

Fatin and Mona Lisa.
DA VINCI exhibition coming to KL.

At the whooping cost of RM1.05mil National Art Gallery is trying to bring the legendary works of Leonardo Da Vinci to Malaysia albeit minus the famous Mona Lisa. For security reason the French Government do not allow the painting to leave French Soil. With or without Mona Lisa the exhibition is still worthwhile to attend for many of us. For those who have read the novel or watch the movie 'Da Vinci Code' they would be able to relate certain part of Da Vinci work. He is not just an artist but a scientist, engineer, inventor and a poet all in one. I can't wait to see his original sketches of helicopter, jet engine, submarine and flying machine. National Art Gallery must be lauded for making such effort to bring the exhibition to Southeast Asia for the first time. If your children is inclined to arts this exhibition is a must for them after all a trip to Paris is not cheap in comparison. (in today STAR, date of exh. tba)

Ame and Intan at Fraser's Hill - 25th Jan 2009.

Clowning around at Fraser's Hill.

Happy Birthday to my Twin.

OMG you are already twenty eight years old. How fast times has flown. It seemed like yesterday when I received that phone call from University Hospital informing that they had to perform cesarean to bring you to this world. Those landmarks in your life flickering through my mind .. flashbacks .. kindergarten.. primary school.. secondary school.. college school.. University school.. he he driving school.. Deep in my heart you are still my little girl. I will always love you very much and accept you for what you are. I thank God for all the joy (he he and pain) you had given me. I pray for your safety and happiness and your futures. Happy birthday!!

Aircraft Ditching.
I saw on ASTRO this morning US Airways Airbus A320 made successful ditching (landing on water) on the Hudson River near Manhattan, New York. The Airliner with 155 passengers and crews just took off from La Guardia Airport minutes earlier had encountered a bird strike which crippled both of its engine. The pilot decided to make air turn back and was directed to land at Teterboro, New Jersey. However the pilot had to ditch the plane into Hudson River as he was loosing height rapidly. Credit must be given to the pilot and the crew who had handled the situation professionally as a result there was no serious fatality. This goes to show that proper training of human resources is a good investment for any organisation. The picture showed the plane remained floating after several hours as the wing was designed to act as a float under such situation provided it remained intact.

(Pic from Yahoo Flickr)

Cik Jam Wedding.

Finally after waiting for more than ... years my younger sister found her match and decided to end her bachelor days. He he at last merasa juga makan nasi minyak hang.

A simple reception attended by about 300 guest was held at Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam (KGPA) on 27th. Dec 2008.

My family had group photo with the newly wed couple. I was deeply touched by the closeness shown by my sister instant family. Wishing you all the best sis.

Placing the ring at her future step mother finger.

The cake says it all.
The sibling.

3M function.
To day is a special occasion for my family. My sister decided to end her bachelor life in a very simple ceremony which I called 3M. You might be wondering why I called it 3M. Initially I was informed somebody is coming to 'merisek' my sister. Later it turned out it was more that. It was actualy 3 in 1 ie 'merisek' 'melamar' and 'meminang'. As they say, never delay a good thing. It was very touching indeed to witness one her future step daughter placing the ring on my sister's finger. It was a good start for the family. I pray for they all to have wonderful future.

History of Malaysia Airlines - part II-

New generation of pure jet aircraft.Change of Logo when Singapore left Malaysia.

The Comet.
Malayan Airways became Malaysian Airlines Limited with the formation of Malaysia in 1963. The name changed again to Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA) when the Government of Malaysia and Singapore jointly acquired majority control of Malaysian Airways Limited. Many new destinations were added such as Perth, Sydney, Taipei,Tokyo, Madras and Colombo. The airlines expanded rapidly as Singapore became an important hub in the aviation traffic between Sydney and London.

History of Malaysia Airlines-Part I-

Twin engined Airspeed Consul.

The pioneering ladies of the sky.

Early destinations.

The "winged tiger"

MALAYAN AIRWAYS.

Malayan Airways Limited (MAL) was incorporated on 12th. October 1937 by three companies, Straits Steamship Company of Singapore, Ocean Steamship Company of Liverpool and Imperial Airways after getting approval from the government of Colonial Straits Settlement.

It took another ten years before the inaugural flight from Singapore to Penang via Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh could be mounted on 2nd. April 1947. This longest delay was attributed to second world war which had enveloped the region then.Malayan Airways logo consist of winged tiger. The first aircraft used was a twin engined Airspeed Consul, a five seater plane. During the first year of operation, 20 seater DC-3 aeroplane was added to the fleet, legacy of surplus second world war transport aircraft. Destinations like Batavia (Jakarta), Palembang, Medan and Saigon (Ho Chi Minch City) were added.More aircraft were added, the fleet now consist of Beaver aircraft, DC-4 Skymaster, Vicounts and Bristol Brittania while destinations like Hong Kong, Jesselton (Kota Kinabalu) and Bangkok were added.Malayan Airways came into the jet age in 1962 with the introduction of 5 Comets IVs aircraft.

Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Subang Jaya.
Sponsored banner from one of the IPTS.
Another sponsored banner from one of the IPTS.
One of the thousands PMR candidate.

PMR 2008.

This week my youngest daughter is taking her PMR exam. During my time in 1969 it was known as SRP or LCE. As I recalled it was an important examination to determine which stream you would be in form four. If you get good result you would have more choices or else you have to be in arts stream.

Many of us did well in the exam but due to limited facility there was only one pure science class. As a result many had to leave SDAR to pursue their ambition in technical field. Almost 40 Sdarians left to join RMC and Technical Institutes in KL and Penang. We lost many potential student but many of them did very well in their chosen field.

To all taking examinations this year, best of luck. There are ample scopes for whatever your chosen field.