Totally a bliss when weaving through traffic along Jalan Ampang.
Another 4 weeks to go.
Going the distance
I cycled to Batu Ferringhi from my flat this morning. Yup, in the middle of busy traffic. Hmmm... I wish Penang will set aside bicycle lanes in near future, or at least more roadsigns and campaigns telling to be considerate to cyclist. Heh. On the other hand, maybe after a while I will do some skitching when approaching a climb.
Distance covered: 40km (plotted on Google map)
View Larger Map
Fuel / source of ATP:
Pre - Chocolate Gardenia bread 60 cent, chrysanthemum tea 500mL.
Stop for refuel - nasi lemak, doughnut x 2, a glass of teh tarik, mineral water 250mL
Stop for dhuha - mesti bersyukur, masa muda sebelum tua, sihat sebelum sakit.
Post @ Kapitan cafe - mint tea, iced lime
Time: Didn't bother to time, I'm not an athlete or contesting for any competition. Just take it easy.
Stumbled a cyclist, and he says "Good morning" before passing by and disappears into corners just before Malaysia Army Camp. A white-haired chinese, presumably in his 50s. Sorry uncle, I'm not as fit as you are.
On my way back, in front of Flamingo Hotel, an elderly security guard in white uniform waved at me and even shouted out loud, with enthusiasm - "Bagus orang muda!" (Well done young man!).
Had snake bite puncture at Jalan Scotland, 2 min to home. Urgh, I just bought this bike last 4 days ago! Insaf saya tak mahu lompat-lompat dengan basikal ini lagi. Bukannya ada spring atau penyerap hentakan. Satu kerja lagi hendak menampal tiub.
BTW, saya pernah membaca sebuah blog yang banyak berkisah tentang basikal jarak jauh, dan ada satu fakta menarik yang boleh dikongsi di sini. "An average mamat who's definitely not an athelete (couch potato) like me can cycle at least 100km a day. If the road is as flat as pancake, its even further."
That makes Penang to KL about 5 days. Hmmm... tempting...
Never mind, I'll take a flight then. Save a lot of trouble and sweat. LCCT to Jenderam is less than 15 min drive! Meanwhile, this two-wheeler can take on the train from Butterworth, all the way down to Kuala Lumpur Station - yes the oldie one.
...
What a nice theme song:
Distance covered: 40km (plotted on Google map)
View Larger Map
Fuel / source of ATP:
Pre - Chocolate Gardenia bread 60 cent, chrysanthemum tea 500mL.
Stop for refuel - nasi lemak, doughnut x 2, a glass of teh tarik, mineral water 250mL
Stop for dhuha - mesti bersyukur, masa muda sebelum tua, sihat sebelum sakit.
Post @ Kapitan cafe - mint tea, iced lime
Time: Didn't bother to time, I'm not an athlete or contesting for any competition. Just take it easy.
Stumbled a cyclist, and he says "Good morning" before passing by and disappears into corners just before Malaysia Army Camp. A white-haired chinese, presumably in his 50s. Sorry uncle, I'm not as fit as you are.
On my way back, in front of Flamingo Hotel, an elderly security guard in white uniform waved at me and even shouted out loud, with enthusiasm - "Bagus orang muda!" (Well done young man!).
Had snake bite puncture at Jalan Scotland, 2 min to home. Urgh, I just bought this bike last 4 days ago! Insaf saya tak mahu lompat-lompat dengan basikal ini lagi. Bukannya ada spring atau penyerap hentakan. Satu kerja lagi hendak menampal tiub.
BTW, saya pernah membaca sebuah blog yang banyak berkisah tentang basikal jarak jauh, dan ada satu fakta menarik yang boleh dikongsi di sini. "An average mamat who's definitely not an athelete (couch potato) like me can cycle at least 100km a day. If the road is as flat as pancake, its even further."
That makes Penang to KL about 5 days. Hmmm... tempting...
Never mind, I'll take a flight then. Save a lot of trouble and sweat. LCCT to Jenderam is less than 15 min drive! Meanwhile, this two-wheeler can take on the train from Butterworth, all the way down to Kuala Lumpur Station - yes the oldie one.
...
What a nice theme song:
My 6th
Yes, this is the 6th, and its red in colour. 'Ruaidhri'. Heh what a name. Every single brethren before it have their own stories, and I hope this one, will have a happy ending. Perhaps with the 'ever after' part.
Now I have to justify the purchase, of course, by cycling!
from www.bicycle-adventures.com, Penang to Pangkor
Hmmm menarik juga berbasikal jarak jauh seperti adik Johan (sekarang sudah masuk universiti agaknya)
Now I have to justify the purchase, of course, by cycling!
from www.bicycle-adventures.com, Penang to Pangkor
Hmmm menarik juga berbasikal jarak jauh seperti adik Johan (sekarang sudah masuk universiti agaknya)
Cerita November II
Puan Khairul Husna telah pun menghebahkannya melalui medium Facebook. Jadi, datang sajalah...
// Hiasan ini dicetak atas kertas surih, sebelum ditampal di atas kek. Jadi ia tidak boleh dimakan.
// Antara warga pendidik SMAPK.
// Puan Jamaliah Rani
// Senior dan super senior... banyak yang dah berubah (muka dan perut haha)...
// Puan Rahimaton, guru Bahasa Inggeris, dan Mr Kanang, kini penuntut Master in Surgery di HUKM - nama sebenar beliau ialah Khairul Izan.
// Suffian Saujana, bersama Tok Wan, dan Cikgu Zuzi
// Sistem siaraya sekolah masih seperti dahulu, semput-semput. Jadi terpaksa sewa dari luar...
Terima kasih Cikgu!
// Hiasan ini dicetak atas kertas surih, sebelum ditampal di atas kek. Jadi ia tidak boleh dimakan.
// Antara warga pendidik SMAPK.
// Puan Jamaliah Rani
// Senior dan super senior... banyak yang dah berubah (muka dan perut haha)...
// Puan Rahimaton, guru Bahasa Inggeris, dan Mr Kanang, kini penuntut Master in Surgery di HUKM - nama sebenar beliau ialah Khairul Izan.
// Suffian Saujana, bersama Tok Wan, dan Cikgu Zuzi
// Sistem siaraya sekolah masih seperti dahulu, semput-semput. Jadi terpaksa sewa dari luar...
Terima kasih Cikgu!
Cerita November I
"Who knows you will be a psychiatrist later on."
ujar Dr B-harathy, sewaktu berjumpa dengannya untuk membincangkan perihal keputusan subjek Psychiatry baru-baru ini.
Tersengih aku. Alahai...
...
// Mengisi minyak sewaktu jalan-jalan ke Bukit Genting
Beberapa hari sudah, saya sempat pulang ke Sepang. Ditakdirkan Allah, kereta Proton Saga Biru, kesayangan ini semput-semput di tengah jalan. Sudahlah pada waktu malam. 2 kali saya terpaksa bergerak perlahan di lorong kecemasan. Asal lepas clutch, enjin mati. Jadi saya main-main minyak dengan clutch sampai lenguh kaki aku. Dalam hati, kalau transmisi automatik, lagi parah!
Syak masalah bateri, tapi agak tidak logik sebab boleh saja enjin dihidupkan sebelum bertolak. Jika alternator, sudah pasti ia mati terus, sebab palam pencucuh tidak dapat dicaj. Haih, ingat lagi bab-bab enjin Kemahiran Hidup Tingkatan 3.
Akhirnya aku berhenti di Hentian Bukit Gantang. Setelah beres solat, saya mendail nombor PLUS Peronda memberitakan situasi semasa. Masa menunggu saya luangkan dengan mengkhabarkan pada keluarga dan kawan yang saya agak lambat, dan besar kemungkinan perlu bermalam di situ.
Setelah hampir 30 minit berehat, muncul trak PLUS Peronda. Saya pun terus menaikkan bonet hadapan, mendedahkan ruangan enjin kereta. Dua Polis Bantuan pun turun. Muka segar dan bertenaga, menyatakan secara bukan lisan - "Ada apa yang kami boleh bantu?". Saya pun memperkenal diri dan bercerita...
Dan sebagai seorang penuntut perubatan saya pun 'present' kes ini. Hahaha. Provisional Diagnosis - Fuel-related problem, eg. 'choked' carburettor, fuel filter. Differential Diagnosis, spark plug not firing, alternator failure...
Sambil ralit mendengar celotehan saya, salah seorang PB (Polis Bantuan) pun membuka penapis udara (air filter), menampakkan carburettor di bawahnya. Jarinya mula merayap-rayap ke atas beberapa skru dan kabel, dan berhenti bila beliau sudah pasti yang mana satu perlu diusik. Yang seorang lagi, bermisai pun menghidupkan enjin, dan menstabilkan kelajuan enjin dengan menginjak-injak kakinya pada pedal minyak. Meraung-raung ia memecah kesunyian Hentian Bukit Gantang. Sedap juga derumannya, hmmm ini belum enjin ada turbo lagi...
Beberapa pelayan kedai buah-buahan di situ mula mengerumuni kereta saya. Memanjangkan leher, mencelikkan mata dan memasang telinga dengan semangat inkuiri yang tinggi. Salah seorang darinya berbisik-bisik, dan telingaku dapat menangkap : "Ini mesti carburettor tersumbat... biasalah Proton... kalau kereta lagi baru memang masuk bengkel terus... kena tarik dengan 'tow truck' jawabnya".
Setelah beberapa minit enjin itu hidup, akhirnya ia stabil. Ya, ia sudah panas. Saya pun dikhabarkan yang carburettornya 'tercekik' atau tersumbat. Jadi petrol tidak dapat disalurkan dengan baik ke dalam kebuk pembakaran. Alamatnya semput-semput. Asal lepas minyak enjin mati.
Kemudian, kedua-kedua Polis Bantuan yang budiman memberi jaminan yang saya boleh sampai ke Kuala Lumpur malam itu juga. Phew!
...
Aku gembira betul sebab dapat bersua dengan kawan-kawan, bermula dengan Syafiq Ayman, yang kini menjadi MO di Hospital Port Dickson. Selepas itu kami menjamu selera di The Curve (Lengkung?).
// Johan, yours truly, Syafiq Ayman, dan Asyhraff
Esoknya, Ahmad, Amin, Mujaheed dan Syafiq Sidqi di Al-Rawsha. Letaknya di Jalan Damai, berdekatan dengan Masjid Damai.Terkenang jalan-jalan di Timur Tengah dulu-dulu...
// Ahmad dan Amin
// Nasi Ayam Mandy bersama Mujaheed
// Syafiq Sidqi meneguk Teh Pudina
Kemudian saya bertuah dapat bersua kembali dengan Muhammad (nama popular di sekolah dulu, Matbond) yang kini berkhidmat di Bank Negara. Beliau memberitahu ada kemungkinan tahun hadapan IMF akan menjadi destinasi seterusnya (dipos oleh Bank Negara). Turut hadir, Nurudin Sharoof, yang kini bekerja di salah sebuah bank. Mereka berdua banyak bercerita bagaimana sepatutnya graduan muda menguruskan duit gajinya... sambil membuncitkan perut di medan selera Pavillion dan di kedai kek kepunyaan bekas PM kita, 'The Loaf'.
// Matbond - banyak tips-tips...
// Nurudin Sharoof - kaki fotografi juga, dan masih pakai filem lagi!
...
Alumni SKTN. Adem pun ada mengkhabarkan yang pihak sekolah memerlukan sokongan alumni untuk program Darjah 6 pada masa hadapan. Hohoho, jika tiada aral melintang, saya pasti akan turut serta.
// Adem Rono, Cikgu Anuar Sadat, dan Abdul Muhaimin
// Adli Shahrul. Kini menjadi 'orang minyak'.
// Azam, arkitek muda. Muhaimin, House Officer di Hospital Ampang. Yours truly.
Semoga di masa hadapan, ada usahasama dengan mereka. Yeay!
// Jaraknya dari rumah di Ampang hanyalah 2.5km. Ramai kenalan bekerja di sini : Halim, Muhaimin, Aizad, Wan Aliaa, Huda, Haikal & Hidayah.
ps : Aisemen Hadi, foto hang tak dak pulak. Lain kali eh?
...
Balik ke KL kali ini berpeluang juga dengan melepak dengan Azlan Abn. Haha.
ujar Dr B-harathy, sewaktu berjumpa dengannya untuk membincangkan perihal keputusan subjek Psychiatry baru-baru ini.
Tersengih aku. Alahai...
...
// Mengisi minyak sewaktu jalan-jalan ke Bukit Genting
Beberapa hari sudah, saya sempat pulang ke Sepang. Ditakdirkan Allah, kereta Proton Saga Biru, kesayangan ini semput-semput di tengah jalan. Sudahlah pada waktu malam. 2 kali saya terpaksa bergerak perlahan di lorong kecemasan. Asal lepas clutch, enjin mati. Jadi saya main-main minyak dengan clutch sampai lenguh kaki aku. Dalam hati, kalau transmisi automatik, lagi parah!
Syak masalah bateri, tapi agak tidak logik sebab boleh saja enjin dihidupkan sebelum bertolak. Jika alternator, sudah pasti ia mati terus, sebab palam pencucuh tidak dapat dicaj. Haih, ingat lagi bab-bab enjin Kemahiran Hidup Tingkatan 3.
Akhirnya aku berhenti di Hentian Bukit Gantang. Setelah beres solat, saya mendail nombor PLUS Peronda memberitakan situasi semasa. Masa menunggu saya luangkan dengan mengkhabarkan pada keluarga dan kawan yang saya agak lambat, dan besar kemungkinan perlu bermalam di situ.
Setelah hampir 30 minit berehat, muncul trak PLUS Peronda. Saya pun terus menaikkan bonet hadapan, mendedahkan ruangan enjin kereta. Dua Polis Bantuan pun turun. Muka segar dan bertenaga, menyatakan secara bukan lisan - "Ada apa yang kami boleh bantu?". Saya pun memperkenal diri dan bercerita...
Dan sebagai seorang penuntut perubatan saya pun 'present' kes ini. Hahaha. Provisional Diagnosis - Fuel-related problem, eg. 'choked' carburettor, fuel filter. Differential Diagnosis, spark plug not firing, alternator failure...
Sambil ralit mendengar celotehan saya, salah seorang PB (Polis Bantuan) pun membuka penapis udara (air filter), menampakkan carburettor di bawahnya. Jarinya mula merayap-rayap ke atas beberapa skru dan kabel, dan berhenti bila beliau sudah pasti yang mana satu perlu diusik. Yang seorang lagi, bermisai pun menghidupkan enjin, dan menstabilkan kelajuan enjin dengan menginjak-injak kakinya pada pedal minyak. Meraung-raung ia memecah kesunyian Hentian Bukit Gantang. Sedap juga derumannya, hmmm ini belum enjin ada turbo lagi...
Beberapa pelayan kedai buah-buahan di situ mula mengerumuni kereta saya. Memanjangkan leher, mencelikkan mata dan memasang telinga dengan semangat inkuiri yang tinggi. Salah seorang darinya berbisik-bisik, dan telingaku dapat menangkap : "Ini mesti carburettor tersumbat... biasalah Proton... kalau kereta lagi baru memang masuk bengkel terus... kena tarik dengan 'tow truck' jawabnya".
Setelah beberapa minit enjin itu hidup, akhirnya ia stabil. Ya, ia sudah panas. Saya pun dikhabarkan yang carburettornya 'tercekik' atau tersumbat. Jadi petrol tidak dapat disalurkan dengan baik ke dalam kebuk pembakaran. Alamatnya semput-semput. Asal lepas minyak enjin mati.
Kemudian, kedua-kedua Polis Bantuan yang budiman memberi jaminan yang saya boleh sampai ke Kuala Lumpur malam itu juga. Phew!
...
Aku gembira betul sebab dapat bersua dengan kawan-kawan, bermula dengan Syafiq Ayman, yang kini menjadi MO di Hospital Port Dickson. Selepas itu kami menjamu selera di The Curve (Lengkung?).
// Johan, yours truly, Syafiq Ayman, dan Asyhraff
Esoknya, Ahmad, Amin, Mujaheed dan Syafiq Sidqi di Al-Rawsha. Letaknya di Jalan Damai, berdekatan dengan Masjid Damai.Terkenang jalan-jalan di Timur Tengah dulu-dulu...
// Ahmad dan Amin
// Nasi Ayam Mandy bersama Mujaheed
// Syafiq Sidqi meneguk Teh Pudina
Kemudian saya bertuah dapat bersua kembali dengan Muhammad (nama popular di sekolah dulu, Matbond) yang kini berkhidmat di Bank Negara. Beliau memberitahu ada kemungkinan tahun hadapan IMF akan menjadi destinasi seterusnya (dipos oleh Bank Negara). Turut hadir, Nurudin Sharoof, yang kini bekerja di salah sebuah bank. Mereka berdua banyak bercerita bagaimana sepatutnya graduan muda menguruskan duit gajinya... sambil membuncitkan perut di medan selera Pavillion dan di kedai kek kepunyaan bekas PM kita, 'The Loaf'.
// Matbond - banyak tips-tips...
// Nurudin Sharoof - kaki fotografi juga, dan masih pakai filem lagi!
...
Alumni SKTN. Adem pun ada mengkhabarkan yang pihak sekolah memerlukan sokongan alumni untuk program Darjah 6 pada masa hadapan. Hohoho, jika tiada aral melintang, saya pasti akan turut serta.
// Adem Rono, Cikgu Anuar Sadat, dan Abdul Muhaimin
// Adli Shahrul. Kini menjadi 'orang minyak'.
// Azam, arkitek muda. Muhaimin, House Officer di Hospital Ampang. Yours truly.
Semoga di masa hadapan, ada usahasama dengan mereka. Yeay!
// Jaraknya dari rumah di Ampang hanyalah 2.5km. Ramai kenalan bekerja di sini : Halim, Muhaimin, Aizad, Wan Aliaa, Huda, Haikal & Hidayah.
ps : Aisemen Hadi, foto hang tak dak pulak. Lain kali eh?
...
Balik ke KL kali ini berpeluang juga dengan melepak dengan Azlan Abn. Haha.
POPPH
Itulah singkatan untuk Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Psychiatry and Public Health.
Terus terang, inilah masa terindah di PMC. Sayangnya ia sudah tamat, dan tahun akhir bakal belayar tidak lama lagi, setelah elektif nanti.
Saya sudah pun mendapat tawaran elektif di Hospital Kuala Lumpur, dalam Medicine, dan juga Surgery.
Peluang yang ada:
- Learn how the system works from HOs.
- Improve liaison tricks (mainly attitude) - HO is part of team comprising consultants, specialists, MOs, other HOs, matrons, nurses, and PPKs.
- Repolish faded skill - history and presentation, and outline of management
- Cycling to Hospital Kuala Lumpur - its only 8km away from my home in Ampang. Hmmm... am I game for it? By the way, the distance is about 2.5km from my flat to Penang Hospital. Huh!
...
My type:
Let's rekindle back the good old days back in Dublin when cycling was a routine! Well, that's how you do it when you're a student, and cheapskate :-)
Slogan penyedap hati - Mari berbasikal ke hospital....
Terus terang, inilah masa terindah di PMC. Sayangnya ia sudah tamat, dan tahun akhir bakal belayar tidak lama lagi, setelah elektif nanti.
Saya sudah pun mendapat tawaran elektif di Hospital Kuala Lumpur, dalam Medicine, dan juga Surgery.
Peluang yang ada:
- Learn how the system works from HOs.
- Improve liaison tricks (mainly attitude) - HO is part of team comprising consultants, specialists, MOs, other HOs, matrons, nurses, and PPKs.
- Repolish faded skill - history and presentation, and outline of management
- Cycling to Hospital Kuala Lumpur - its only 8km away from my home in Ampang. Hmmm... am I game for it? By the way, the distance is about 2.5km from my flat to Penang Hospital. Huh!
...
My type:
Let's rekindle back the good old days back in Dublin when cycling was a routine! Well, that's how you do it when you're a student, and cheapskate :-)
Slogan penyedap hati - Mari berbasikal ke hospital....
Asleep at the wheel
House officers (HOs) falling asleep at the wheel is not a myth. Several colleagues of mine already related to me their horrifying experience.What a nightmare...
Hmmm... I think I can forget about riding bikes then. If I lose control, even for few milliseconds, I'd be history. Tomorrow's headline would be - 'HOs falling asleep to death while on motorcycle'. That's not good, after years and monies spent on me. More importantly, I am not ready yet to die! Amal tak cukup...
Perhaps I need to get one of these - Volvo 240 class. What an old banger. It's quite a tank, and you can get it second hand with tip-top condition well under RM8k cash. Tak perlu hutang-hutang. Being a Volvo, rest assured it is safer to fall asleep in one these. Bear in mind, beyond 50mph any car would crashed beyond recognition and definitely cause injury and god forbid, fatality. We human are not designed to take up so much toll, meaning that our internal organs would have been squashed into a blob of meat. Quoting Jeremy Clarkson - Speed doesn't kill! Suddenly becoming stationary - thats the killer.
// Volvo 240 class Wagon version
Despite it being a huge petrol guzzler, thanks to 2-litre engine, note that its built like a tank, with plenty of spaces inside. Heh, you can even put your whole wardrobe if you want to. HOs, typically busy, surely will benefit this feature. So no need to go home and get dressed to join social function/teh tarik/makan malam/ceramah. You can even to go straight balik kampung!
Extra links:
How safe is an old Volvo?
How safe is an old Volvo? (continued)
Well the cheaper alternative would be playing your favorite tunes on the stereo and turn up the volume to the max!
Hmmm... I think I can forget about riding bikes then. If I lose control, even for few milliseconds, I'd be history. Tomorrow's headline would be - 'HOs falling asleep to death while on motorcycle'. That's not good, after years and monies spent on me. More importantly, I am not ready yet to die! Amal tak cukup...
Perhaps I need to get one of these - Volvo 240 class. What an old banger. It's quite a tank, and you can get it second hand with tip-top condition well under RM8k cash. Tak perlu hutang-hutang. Being a Volvo, rest assured it is safer to fall asleep in one these. Bear in mind, beyond 50mph any car would crashed beyond recognition and definitely cause injury and god forbid, fatality. We human are not designed to take up so much toll, meaning that our internal organs would have been squashed into a blob of meat. Quoting Jeremy Clarkson - Speed doesn't kill! Suddenly becoming stationary - thats the killer.
// Volvo 240 class Wagon version
Despite it being a huge petrol guzzler, thanks to 2-litre engine, note that its built like a tank, with plenty of spaces inside. Heh, you can even put your whole wardrobe if you want to. HOs, typically busy, surely will benefit this feature. So no need to go home and get dressed to join social function/teh tarik/makan malam/ceramah. You can even to go straight balik kampung!
Extra links:
How safe is an old Volvo?
How safe is an old Volvo? (continued)
Well the cheaper alternative would be playing your favorite tunes on the stereo and turn up the volume to the max!
Apa cerita Padang dan di medan?
Ini cerita Padang.
Summary from video:
-Right after the earthquake, a surveillance team was dispatched immediately to, as the name suggest, survey the whole affected area. Helicopter view / Bird eye view. Liaise with local authority and UN. Are the healthcare facilities still intact? Telecommunications? What about transportation - airport, seaport, river, roads connection from nearest town? Electricity? And most importantly, clean water supply. Basically they have few forms to be filled / paperwork which eventually evolve into a report. Then everyone can lend their hand... and work as a team.
-They need cash. Why? Because they can reach the nearest town, in this case, Medan, to stock up and set up a supply line to Padang. Bulky items like tents and blankets can be procured locally, or if there is no logistic connection to the nearest town like what happened in Acheh earthquake and tsunami 2004 whereby the aftermath was so bad that the leading roads were compromised, perhaps airlift and sealift is the best choice.
-Allow me to share a bit: Last year I managed to get a briefing from Maskargo about the peril of freighting all the rations to disaster locale. That's what happened after Sichuan earthquake back in 2008. Tonnes of rations were airlifted to airports in Guangzhou but no receiving party ie. no logistic connection. Plus, no proper documents for the customs. Basically no liaison with local humanitarian agency. Consequently, Maskargo has to transport it back to KLIA or left them to rot at the airport. Lots of money and effort were wasted... Haiya...
...
Ini pula dari medan.
Banyak lagi berita di sini dan sini.
Simpan dulu dalam laci
1. Tengok wayang
Remembering Memali: a Freedom Film Fest 2009 Competition winner
Past winners of the Freedom Film Festival (FFF) Film Competition include some stellar work. Look at Fahmi Reza's rousing Sepuluh Tahun Sebelum Merdeka, which explores a pre-Independence independence movement so buried most of us didn't know it existed.
Don't know whether the 2009 winners are any good, yet - but they certainly look intriguing. The poet, artist and dreadlocked Rahmat Haron's Al-Fatehah Memali, for example, has a great premise: it's a memorial of the 1985 Memali Massacre, through the eyes of two singer-songwriters.
Hang on. Memali?
Pay attention: on 19 November 1985, hundreds of police personnel, under then- Home Minister Tun Musa Hitam, laid siege to Memali, Kedah, on the grounds that a deviant Islamic sect, lead by one Ibrahim Mahmud, had infected the village.
The authorities wanted to arrest Ibrahim - a scholar who had previously appeared on national television to lecture on Islamic matters - under the Internal Security Act (ISA). He resisted. Revered by the local population, the confrontation between the police and Ustaz Ibrahim's followers ended in bloodshed: 14 civilians and 4 policemen dead.
Sound interesting? We got Rahmat to tell us more about his film:
~
Where did the idea for Al-Fatehah Memali come from? Why, out of the many forgotten Malaysian histories, choose Memali in particular?
I still remember watching RTM, when I was 8 years old, on that day. The images were so strong. They made me think: why were there heavy police deployments, with armoured vehicles, M-16s, the FRU? Were Ustaz Ibrahim Libya (as he was known) and the villagers of Memali so dangerous?
The government accused them of being deviant Islamic militants who wanted to overthrow the government. But this was without evidence. The police wanted to arrest Ibrahim under the ISA - as if there's no other way to detain him but to use the ISA. That means the government of that time had no valid reason to charge him in an open, free and fair trial.
Does your film intend to address the fact that so little of us know what happened there?
For me, I'm looking at Memali from the human rights perspective. The fact is they were not only religious martyrs, but martyrs who died in defence of human rights and democracy - to oppose ISA, even they have to sacrifice their own lives in the hands of the powerful.
There has been no Truth and Reconciliation Commission for the incident. There was a Parliamentary White Paper and an RTM1 documentary about the event - to present official versions as the only truth. The court case following the massacre was settled out of court, after they wanted to subpoena Tun Dr Mahathir Muhamad. The family of the 14 who died were given some RM20,000 - that was the price of their dignity.
Looking at Memali again will test the seriousness of the Najib administration - or any future administrations - that pledge to serve the interest of the people.
Why is the film angled from the perspective of singer-songwriters Meor and Black?
For me, this was the easiest way to put things together. They are my personal friends and I'm a big fan of them. Black wrote a song about Memali, titled Syuhada Memali. Meorcomposed the music. I like this song very much.
Even though the song was already completed before the idea of Al-Fatehah Memali came about, in this film I'm trying to tell the story of how Black and Meor unraveled the incident, while composing their song.
In the course of making this film, you spoke to residents of Memali. What was the most interesting personal story that you heard, while working on the film?
The story told by Puan Solehah Husin, the wife of Ustaz Ibrahim Libya. She told us about what happened, moments after Ustaz Ibrahim was shot. She didn't get emotional while telling us the story, at all - without a single teardrop.
I think that was amazing. Maybe her religious convictions taught her to be patient and calm. If I was a survivor of that event, I'd be crying and howling about all those grievances.
~
(Want to hear Puan Solehah's story? Al-Fatehah Memali premieres at Freedom Film Fest 2009 on Saturday, 3 October, 7pm, at The Annexe Gallery in Central Market. The FFF's KL leg runs from 2 to 4 October.)
2. Elektif di HKL. Sambil-sambil bermastautin di Ampang, boleh saya hadir ke program-program. KL banyak acara, tinggal hendak memilih yang mana satu.
3. Jalan-jalan Borneo. Saya kepingin jumpa kawan lama dan saudara-mara di sana.
4. Book shopping therapy. Hmmm... the battle between ebooks (read on big LCD) and print version is getting intense!
Farewell O & G
It is simply the best rotation!
// The obsolete protocol. Don't worry, we students always keep it updated - lots of criss-crossing here and there!
// Prof F-eeney, and the lady from Exam office, S-harla in nice Indian dress.
Favourite and memorable quotes:
A minute you spend on O & G is twice as worth you could on Paediatrics, Psychiatry or even Public Health!
Prof F-eeney on the very first day, mentioning about heavier wattage given to O&G
If you see a husband in labour room, usually it is their first baby.
Prof F-eeney during Obstetrics morning rounds
The thinnest book is the one to read, while the thick ones are for reference and best left on someone else's shelf, not yours.
Dr K-ieran (while showing his Impey) during revision classes
While I was examining this lady a little while ago, I managed to observe fetal movements. Now, the examiner definitely wouldn't disagree with you, would he?
Prof F-eeney's tutoring on how to present clinical findings.
Where is your other friend? H1N1?
Dr S-omas on missing groupmate
You know, diet control is the way to go in managing diabetes in pregnancy.
Dr A-nil
I have nothing to disagree about your history. It's superb!
Dr K-ieran after case presentation. Well he always said that.
Hey I think you can be a politician. You completely DID NOT answer my question.
Dr J-erilee during evening tutorial
What!!! Pink branula? You think it is nice to match with the hospital gown ka? You. Go and take all the branulas in different colours. I'll show you what's the difference between green, blue, chocolate, grey and whatever colour you have.
Dr A-nil during Obstetrics morning rounds
A picture worth a thousand words. Now where's my whiteboard marker?
Dr M-aha before beginning her lecture
In infertility case, the most worried party would be the mother-in-law, not the mother.
Dr A-zmy's cynical comment on Infertility tutorial
More photos : http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/abadisufaat2/OGEOB
// The obsolete protocol. Don't worry, we students always keep it updated - lots of criss-crossing here and there!
// Prof F-eeney, and the lady from Exam office, S-harla in nice Indian dress.
Favourite and memorable quotes:
A minute you spend on O & G is twice as worth you could on Paediatrics, Psychiatry or even Public Health!
Prof F-eeney on the very first day, mentioning about heavier wattage given to O&G
If you see a husband in labour room, usually it is their first baby.
Prof F-eeney during Obstetrics morning rounds
The thinnest book is the one to read, while the thick ones are for reference and best left on someone else's shelf, not yours.
Dr K-ieran (while showing his Impey) during revision classes
While I was examining this lady a little while ago, I managed to observe fetal movements. Now, the examiner definitely wouldn't disagree with you, would he?
Prof F-eeney's tutoring on how to present clinical findings.
Where is your other friend? H1N1?
Dr S-omas on missing groupmate
You know, diet control is the way to go in managing diabetes in pregnancy.
Dr A-nil
I have nothing to disagree about your history. It's superb!
Dr K-ieran after case presentation. Well he always said that.
Hey I think you can be a politician. You completely DID NOT answer my question.
Dr J-erilee during evening tutorial
What!!! Pink branula? You think it is nice to match with the hospital gown ka? You. Go and take all the branulas in different colours. I'll show you what's the difference between green, blue, chocolate, grey and whatever colour you have.
Dr A-nil during Obstetrics morning rounds
A picture worth a thousand words. Now where's my whiteboard marker?
Dr M-aha before beginning her lecture
In infertility case, the most worried party would be the mother-in-law, not the mother.
Dr A-zmy's cynical comment on Infertility tutorial
More photos : http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/abadisufaat2/OGEOB
Oh very young
The first song that hooked me up was 'Wild World'. It was many many years ago, I think back in primary school. One day I noticed the tunes on radio before I turned to my mum asking who is the singer, as she was born in that era. Cat Stevens is Yusuf Islam.
Moonshadow is coming. I wonder when this musical is going to our shores? Perhaps at KLPac? Heh I can only dream...
...
Oh very young
What will you leave us this time
Youre only dancing on this earth for a short while
And though your dreams may toss and turn you now
They will vanish away like your daddys best jeans
Denim blue fading up to the sky
And though you want them to last forever
You know they never will
You know they never will
And the patches make the goodbye harder still
Oh very young
What will you leave us this time
Therell never be a better chance to change your mind
And if you want this world to see a better day
Will you carry the words of love with you
Will you ride the great white bird into heaven
And though you want to last forever
You know you never will
You know you never will
And the goodbye makes the journey harder still
Oh very young
What will you leave us this time
Youre only dancing on this earth for a short while
Oh very young
What will you leave us this time
Moonshadow is coming. I wonder when this musical is going to our shores? Perhaps at KLPac? Heh I can only dream...
...
Oh very young
What will you leave us this time
Youre only dancing on this earth for a short while
And though your dreams may toss and turn you now
They will vanish away like your daddys best jeans
Denim blue fading up to the sky
And though you want them to last forever
You know they never will
You know they never will
And the patches make the goodbye harder still
Oh very young
What will you leave us this time
Therell never be a better chance to change your mind
And if you want this world to see a better day
Will you carry the words of love with you
Will you ride the great white bird into heaven
And though you want to last forever
You know you never will
You know you never will
And the goodbye makes the journey harder still
Oh very young
What will you leave us this time
Youre only dancing on this earth for a short while
Oh very young
What will you leave us this time
Ramadan & Syawal
Ramadan
Quoting from Bingregory.com:
The most depressing fact about Ramadan is to find out how many of your problems are not caused by the Satan.
Several objectives were achieved. Phew. I need to do more tadabbur ie. comtemplate about the meaning of the verses, rather than boarding the express tajwid bullet train.
...
Shawal
// Haji H-assan bin Haji Abdul Salam.
What a blast! More cousins than ever, and apparently more on their way to this very world. The whole battalion will be larger next year.
Alas, by next year insha Allah I'll be working, so donating few duit rayas will be a new routine for eid. I will not be too generous though, as children are not supposed to handle too many ringgits in their pockets. Either they will spend on rubbish or the parents will collect tax from them to pay for the bills.
// The mothers
ps - Sans fireworks, the Eid is kinda dull. Adult supervision should do the job, instead of this cute little creatures risking their arms and legs (its expensive because of its illegal by law) just to have more fun. Wait a minute, they can't be bothered anymore - there are plenty of electronics for them, so I better bring back PS3 or Wii next year!
Quoting from Bingregory.com:
The most depressing fact about Ramadan is to find out how many of your problems are not caused by the Satan.
Several objectives were achieved. Phew. I need to do more tadabbur ie. comtemplate about the meaning of the verses, rather than boarding the express tajwid bullet train.
...
Shawal
// Haji H-assan bin Haji Abdul Salam.
 |
| From Aidilfitri 14302009 |
// The crowd
What a blast! More cousins than ever, and apparently more on their way to this very world. The whole battalion will be larger next year.
Alas, by next year insha Allah I'll be working, so donating few duit rayas will be a new routine for eid. I will not be too generous though, as children are not supposed to handle too many ringgits in their pockets. Either they will spend on rubbish or the parents will collect tax from them to pay for the bills.
// The daddys
Huh, I sense a strong smell of hypocrisy here. Back in my time, the minimal bounty would be in the range of few hundreds. Well, probably due to me being the early generation of the Haji Hassan's grandchildren. If you can relate to the law of supply and demand, you'd get it. Now, there's plenty of them - at least 65 and I've lost the count. Heh.
Don't ask how did I spend it. It's classified under OSA.
Anyway, I am grateful to be with my family this time around. Plus the extended ones. Second cousins. Third cousins. Wow. The family tree is really huge, as most of the mothers are grandmultiparous. Alhamdulillah.
Huh, I sense a strong smell of hypocrisy here. Back in my time, the minimal bounty would be in the range of few hundreds. Well, probably due to me being the early generation of the Haji Hassan's grandchildren. If you can relate to the law of supply and demand, you'd get it. Now, there's plenty of them - at least 65 and I've lost the count. Heh.
Don't ask how did I spend it. It's classified under OSA.
Anyway, I am grateful to be with my family this time around. Plus the extended ones. Second cousins. Third cousins. Wow. The family tree is really huge, as most of the mothers are grandmultiparous. Alhamdulillah.
// The mothers
ps - Sans fireworks, the Eid is kinda dull. Adult supervision should do the job, instead of this cute little creatures risking their arms and legs (its expensive because of its illegal by law) just to have more fun. Wait a minute, they can't be bothered anymore - there are plenty of electronics for them, so I better bring back PS3 or Wii next year!
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