Kemerdekaan negara hendaklah diikuti dengan pembenaan minda yang bebas dan merdeka juga.

Jarang sekali bagi saya menulis dalam Bahasa Melayu, walaupun menulis kapada anak-anak saya sendiri.Bukanlah saya mengagongkan Bahasa Inggeris ,bahasa penjajah ini ,tetapi entah mengapa saya lebih selesa menggunakannya . Kali ini saya tergerak untuk menulis dalam Bahasa Melayu oleh kerana beberapa hari lagi ialah hari ulang tahun kemerdekaan negara kita Malaysia.Adalah tidak patriotik jika saya menulis didalam Bahasa Inggeris pada waktu ini .

31 Ogos 1957 mengingatkan saya kapada tarikh kemerdekaan Malaya-nama negara kita pada masa itu .Pada masa itu saya baru berumur 10 tahun dan bersekolah dalam darjah 3 dan belum mengerti apa erti kemerdekaan , selain slogan 'Merdeka' yang sering kedengaran dilaungkan melalui corong-corong radio ataupun laungan pada upacara-upacara yang diadakan di peringkat daerah dimana kami tinggal - Sabak Bernam . Namun begitu sebelum itu saya sering mendengar pidato-pidato Presiden Soekarno yang penuh semangat melalui Radio Republik Indonesia yang diikuti oleh aruah bapa saya .Beliau adalah peminat setia Presiden Soekarno. Dari mulut Soekarno-lah mula-mula saya mendengar laungan 'merdeka' yang penuh semangat itu .

Tahun demi tahun berjalan saya dapat merasakan perubahan yang berlaku dalam kampong dan Pekan di daerah tempat kami tinggal hasil pembangunan dan nikmat kemerdekaan .Demikian juga saya telah berjaya meneruskan pelajaran di Sekolah Inggeris .Bangganya saya pada masa itu kerana dapat menguasai bahasa bekas penjajah negara ini .Tetapi ini tidaklah bermaana bahawa saya menyanjungi penjajah. Mereka bukan sahaja mengaut kekayaan dari negara kita ini , tetapi kita juga telah diotek-otekkan serta dipersendakan seolah-olah kita ini tidak setaraf dengan bangsa mereka. Kita bertuah kerana mendapat pemimpin-pemimpin saperti Tun Razak dan Tun Dr.Ismail yang benar-benar jujur dan ikhlas untuk membangunkan negara ini dan memberikan kesejahteraan kapada rakyat negara ini .Berbanding kebanyakkan pemimpin yang ada sekarang yang hanya mementingkan faedah untuk diri mereka dan konco-konco mereka .Itulah hasil pembangunan yang hanya mementingkan material sahaja dan mengesampingkan pembangunan rohaniah . Bagi mereka wang adalah segalanya yang bisa membeli apa sahaja dengan wang ringgit tersebut sehingga maruah juga dapat dijualbelikan. Bagi saya kemerdekaan negara hendaklah juga diikuti dengan pembangunan minda yang bebas dan merdeka juga.

Selepas 48 tahun negara ini merdeka harapan saya kapada bangsaku supaya mereka turut dapat menikmati erti sebenar kemerdekaan .Janganlah hanya leka dengan jeritan/laungan merdeka sahaja sedangkan hidup kita masih dibelenggu dengan kemiskinan manakala bangsa-bangsa lain hidup menikmati kekayaan. Kehidupan kita hendaklah lebih baik daripada kehidupan sebelumnya . Sungguh menyayat hati setiap kali melihatkan rayuan-rayuan melalui TV dan media cetak dari mereka yang hidup dalam kedaifan . Sepatutnya tiada lagi kedaifan didalam sebuah negara merdeka seperti Malaysia .Banggakah kita melaungkan ' Merdeka ' sedangkan ada kedaifan diantara kita ?

Furious and frustrated - another petrol and diesel price hike.

I am really furious and frustrated today after hearing the news over Radio Television Malaysia that there is another petrol , diesel and gas price hike beginning tomorrow morning. This time 20 sens for diesel and 10 sens for petrol per litre . I almost could not control my anger with the government of Malaysia for making the price hike possible . How not to be angry ,when there has been a number of price hikes in a year ( three times of which the latest was in July ,barely 2 months ago ), while my income through my pension remains the same ? I would not have been very mad at it, if it just means only petrol is affected. Unfortunately , it would almost certainly be followed by the price increases of other goods and services too . This means another inflation in this country .The government gave reason that it can no longer afford to subsidise petrol and diesel as a result of price increase of crude oil in the world market . But the government deliberately refused to admit that it also gain from the crude oil price increase because Malaysia is also an exporter of crude oil .I can't understand why the government could not continue to 'subsidise' petrol from the profit it gain from the increase of price of crude oil ? Oil in this country do not belong to Petronas only . It belongs to the people of Malaysia .Why can't the people of this country get the benefil from it ? Why only Petronas and it's staff enjoy that benefit ? If the government is of the opinion that it can no longer afford to subsidise petrol and diesel, we the ordinary people of this country is also of the opinion that we can no longer afford to bear the price hikes of almost everything. On behalf of the people in similar position as mine , I appeal to the government to be reasonable to us . We can no longer stand the inflation .

As an excuse for the price increase of petrol and diesel the government are always in the habit of comparing the price of petrol and diesel in the neighbouring countries without consideration of the buying power of the people of that country .It is therefore not fair to compare that way.Now , stop pulling us by the nose .

Entry made on 1st.August 2005.

I was watching the morning's programme over TV3 where Minister in the Prime Minister's Department with Special Functions responsible for Finance , was interviewed perhaps to explain to the public reasons for the price hike of petrol,diesel and gas .When asked why the government could not continue subsidising petrol, diesel and gas from the profits the government gets from the price increase of crude oil, the Minister explained that it would be unfair to the people who do not have motor cycles and motor cars . What a naive explainations ? Don't the Minister know that the price hikes of petrol and diesel would snowballed into price increases of other goods and services which eventually would affect everybody including those who do not have motor cycles and cars too ?

I am sad , because the Minister had failed to convince us , and so to safeguard the welfare of the ordinary people of this country .

Entry made on 2nd.August 2005

True enough as expected via the TV3 8.00 pm. news this evening ,it was announced by the Minister responsible for Tenaga Nasional , that there would be a hike in electricity's tarrifs because according to him Tenaga Nasional could no longer stand the pinch of the world's oil price increase .Any decent thinking person would know what to expect as a result of the electricity tarrif's hike .Obviusly , an inflation to the economy and a burden to the rakyat , especially the fixed income earners like me .

10th. July is my Birthday .

Yesterday 10th.July , was my birthday .When I was young I used to think that men 58 years of age were considered already very old . .One of that age was often described as unproductive , has nothing left to offer and perhaps just a burden to family and society. Today , I almost do not believe myself that I am actually already 58 years old .Contrary to my earlier assumption about 50 and above old men , I do not feel that I am less capable than that of men below 50 years. I feel , I am as strong and as active as a horse .I think I am still good looking and feeling great and very much looking forward to the future . I am still very eager to see the world and God willing I'll be on the track to pursue my love to travel .In other words I do not feel being old at all . Perhaps the only different of myself today and that of a few years ago is that I am a bit more sober , mature and a little bit more religious than before . It is only natural for men of my age to experience what I am experiencing today .

Besides receiving Birthday wishes from my wife ,my son Azman and Alisya my 6 year old grand daughter , no one else seems to remember to do so .I guess they are too busy with their chores ?

In the evening I was treated to a pizza dinner .

London under attack .

Today through the TV news we were told that London was attacked by the terrorists. Underground train transport in the city of London was completely disrupted .It is believed more than 50 lives were killed and a few hudreds were injured .Prime Minister Blair was quick to accuse the Muslim terrorists as being responsible even though investigation has yet to reveal any evidence towards that .Coincidently a secret organisation linked to the al Qaedah Europe group claimed responsibility in the name of Islam .Any way the claim has yet to be verified .However I would like to convey my condolence to the families of those casualties .

As a Muslim I do not rejoice over what had happened in London ,nor do I support the action done by the so called Muslim terrrorist group if they actually did the atrocities .The action was certainly against the teachings of Islam for whatever reasons they may have .The religion of 'Islam' comes from the word 'salam' which means 'peace' .The religion prohibits the killing of innocent people . Whoever claim thay they are permitted to do such has obviously diagressed from the true teachings of Islam .

However tonight's TV3 programme ' Majalah 3 ' showed the atrocities of the Israelis on the Palestinians. TV3 journalists had the opportunity to visit Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon and Syria and the sites of the famous massacre of Shatra and Shatilla .I could not help myself and I cried after witnessing the atrocities on innocent people by the Israelis and obviously with the blessing of the Americans and it's allies .Now , I could understand why the Palestinians , the Arabs and the Muslims in general , hated the Israelis , the Americans and it's allies so much .

My sympathy on the casualties of London naturally withers.

Today is Father's Day . Thank you dad .

Today is Father's Day .Unfortunately no one remember to wish me .Perhaps celeberating Father's Day is still strange to most of us .However , I was still happy because I got a treat to a sumptious sea food , at a sea front restaurant in Port Klang-the Muara Restaurant by my son Syazirul Azman .My wife and our two daughters went together with Azman's girl friend ,Shidah .

Although, I do not really like to glorify the values of the Europeans , personally I feel there is nothing wrong in accepting some of their postive values .Celeberating Mother's Day and Father's Day make us remember to appreciate the good deeds of our parents and a way to thank them .We will never be able to repay them , but at least by showing them a token of our appreciation would make them very happy .

One thing about me , I never forget to wish my wife , my children and even my daughter-in-law on their birthdays .I would very much like to wish my father on Father's Day like today . Unfortunately, I would never be able to do so because he had passed away five years ago .I will never be able to reverse the clock again .My only wish today, is that he would rest in peace and be blessed by almighty God .

My old man was a very simple man .Coming from a traditional background naturally made him into a very strict father .Although he brought us by the traditional ways ,I am glad he had performed his responsibilities well and mould us into responsible men and women .All my brothers and sisters are successful in our own ways .At least we have decent homes , happy and successful families. I know that my father was very proud of me as I had set a good example to my brothers and sisters .I had a good career and my children are successful in their studies .My late father always encourage us to excell in our studies because according to him he did not have much property to be inherited to us.Only good education that he would try to provide us .According to him good education would be more meaningful than the property . My only regret is that he did not have the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of our success as he was then too old and sickly .

Any way dad , thank you for everything that you have provided and cherished us .Although you are not around to witness our joy and happiness , your soul is always with us .

God bless you dad . Amin .

The government announced a big increase in doctors allowances.

The Star ,today's front page brings a lot of cheers from doctors and would be doctors ,because the government announced an increase in allowances for doctors as high as 400 % .Call allowance for Medical Officers will be doubled from RM.75.00 to RM 150.00 ,while that of houseman goes up to 400% from RM.25.00.With this increase a young houseman can take home an extra of about of RM.700.00 - 800.00 per month .This means a young houseman earn an amount as follows :
Basic salary RM 2137.00
Critical allowance RM 500.00
Service allowance RM 170.00
Housing allowance RM 210.00
Call allowance RM 800.00 ( average )
Total income RM 3817.00

So , a doctor's pay is not bad now a days .I hope our daughter Eileen would study hard so that she could qualify as a doctor .I am sure the doctors remuneration would be better than today , in five years to come . The government have got no choice but to give doctors a better deal in order to avoid them from leaving the government service .

I still hope and pray that Fareen would be successful in her application to the medical/dentistry matriculation class at UIA .The result of her application would be known any time now .

In another page of The Star, the Minister of Health Dr.Chua Soi Lek announced that Malaysia is still short of 677 dentists. In order to overcome the shortage the government need to train 375 dentists each year while currently the government could only afford to train 150 dentists each year .So ,if Fareen is to study dentistry ,it would be good for her too .( Her second choice happens to be dentistry ).Any way ,I leave it to her to make her own choice .

I am alone in the house today.

I am alone in the house .Wife and Fareen has gone to JB again this morning.( We came back from JB last Sunday ,22nd.May 2005 ).Fareen's inconsiderate lecturer phoned us yesterday ,requesting Fareen to come back to UTM to sit for her Mathematics paper which she missed last Friday because she suddenly fell ill .She would be sitting for her Mathematics paper tomorrow ,27th.May 2005 . They left by bus .They preferred to go by bus although I offered to drive them to JB .Obviously , they wanted to stay longer in JB.If I go , the most I could stay there would be 2 nights .I hope and pray that she would do well in her Mathematics paper .
I did not go any where today except to the bus station in the morning and for a while at the Makro .I have not been to our new house for 3 days ,otherwise I would be there almost everyday .I have to be there to ensure that work done to the house is according to our tastes .It is now in it's final stage of completion .

For dinner I just had a piece of home prepared burger .I do not feel like going out .

Going to JB to pick up Fareen .

Received news today that our daughter Fareen suddenly fell ill and vomitted ,this morning while she was about to sit for her Mathematics paper for her final exams in UTM and she was rushed to hospital by one of her lecturers .Luckily , she was soon released from the Hospital .Of course she was given medication . However, she missed the Mathematics paper . Any way according to her the lecturer told her not to worry because she would be given a chance to sit for the paper alone later .The university would be writing to her to inform her of the date when she would be sitting for the Mathematics paper .

I think she was not having her food regularly because she would have to buy the food at the cantin . You know lah sometimes this lady 'malas' to go to the cantin .Probably ,she could have skipped her dinner or breakfast . I always reminded my children to have their meals regularly and and to take good quality food .Where food is concerned ,there should not be any compromise .As the saying says ,a healthy person makes a healthy mind which is vital to students especially during examinations .

Fareen is supposed to complete her 'matriculation course' at UTM this Saturday 21st.May 2005 . She is supposed to be back at the university to begin her 1st. Year of her degree course in late June 2005. I would be driving to JB tomorrow to pick her up . This also means that I would be missing my class at UM this Saturday . I guess I have to sacrifice for the sake of our daughter . On our way home I hope to stop at Port Dickson to fetch my trousers and shirts from my regular tailor there .

We are supposed to move to our new home in Klang at the end of August or early September 2005 .We hope to have our Ramadhan fast and Idilfitri celeberation there .

Feeling miserable today.( Jottings meant for personal perusal only )

I feel so miserable today . Having had a big quarrel with my wife over a trivial matter - I was having a perception that she was rude to me , which of course she denied it.I do not know off late ,I feel very sensitive .Perhaps due to my age ,that I easily get upset over small matters.We are of the same age ,therefore we should take cognisance of our situations. The problem with her is that she refused to tow the line of which being a wife ,I feel she should.She insist that everything should be done according to her ways .But I do not mind that much because I am very practicable and I can compromise .One thing that irritates me ,of which I could not take it any more ,is her rudeness .I do not know why off late she tends to be blunt with her words - without consideration for it's sensitivity at all .It really hurts to hear her words .Although the words are not really hurting if said in a nice way , instead if it is said in such a way, it tends to be very brutal .

I had warned her to be very careful with her words and exclaimations so as not to hurt me .But my efforts were ( as the Malay proverb says ) just like pouring water on to a yam leaf. She keeps on repeating the same mistakes. The problem is she does not think before blurting out her words . Worst of all , she refused to accept her mistakes and thus the mistakes keeps on repeating .Each time she claim that there is nothing wrong with her words .I am not crazy as to simply get upset for nothing ?

Sometimes I feel like not to talk to her .Infact ,I did tried but it made matters worst and I felt pathetic towards her .I think she needs counselling but she attends religious talks/classes at the local surau regularly .I do not know what else to do .I feel so miserable and hopeless .Perhaps I should leave the house for some times in order to cool things off .Ya , I should go on my exotic trip to Central Asia , as had been planned .Any way ,I would still have to wait untill our house is completed .In the mean time what can I do ?Oh God ,please help us .

Another petrol and diesel price hike .

For the past weeks the Malaysian press and the other news media have been highlighting the shortage of diesel in the country.It was said that the shortage was due to the smuggling of diesel to neighbouring countries such as Thailand and the Philippines. There was a hue and cry over the shortage and many lorries and buses and other public transport vehicles had to be off the road .That incapable Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs pretended to be too concerned by doing spot-checks at some petrol stations .He has been giving statements to the effect that the government has been too much burdened with subsidies on petrol and diesel and that the government would soon find a solution to the problem .(Perhaps the solution was to increase the price of petrol and diesel ?).

Yesterday, ( Wednesday ) evening after the Cabinet meeting the government announced another price hike for petrol -10 sens and diesel -20 sens .The government explained that it had to increase the price in order to reduce the subsidies on petrol and diesel gradually .The last price hike was just a few months ago in .In March 2005 the government announced a price increase on fares of public transport such as taxis, buses and lorries which had caused the prices of essential goods to go up too.

The last price hike had caused the fares for buses , ferries , train and lorries to increase significantly . What would be the effect of todays petrol and diesel price hike ? Definitely another increase on fares and essential goods ? To the ministers and members of parliement this would be alright because the government had just announced a big pay rise for them .Fixed income people especially pensioners like me would be worst hit by the present scenario . We simply could not tighten our belt any more because it is already tightened to the limits .No other choice, we have to change our spending habits, otherwise we would end up with heavy debts .

Malaysians should voice our dissatisfaction with the way the government is administrating the country .As responsible citizens we should not just keep quiet or worst still be agreeable with the governments action .How can each time they want to increase the price of petrol and diesel ,they put the blame on the huge subsidies ? Our country is an oil producing country . Why shouldn't the people enjoy a slightly lower price of petrol and diesel than any other countries ? Why don't the government blame on the subsidies when the price of proton cars is much cheaper overseas than in Malaysia ? Why don't the government blame on subsidies when the price of palm oil , rubber and other exported commodities are much cheaper in this country than those exported ?Further more it was diesel that was experiencing the shortage , why need to increase the price of petrol ? Doesn't this looks like that the shortage was superficial and that it was engineered by the government to justify the price increase of petrol and diesel ???

I am now suggesting that Ministry be just called Ministry of Domestic Trade minus the Consumer Affairs for reason that it is not protecting the consumers interests at all .

Today , most newspapers wrote that the Lorry Transport Owners Association are proposing an increase in fares of about 40% .This ,if approved by the government would certainly lead to another big inflation .

Labour Day - May Day ( 1970s )

Today is 1st.of May. It is Labour Day .It's a public holiday , a holiday for workers to rejoice, for on that day their struggle to be recognised as a force to be reckoned finally gained footing .They also won the right for an 8 hour a day work .Otherwise the workers were left to the mercy of the employers. However most of the trade unions those days were infiltrated by the leftists/socialists/communists elements.They took the oppotunity during the workers day celeberation and other days of communist significants , to attack and murder Police officers .

Although the Emergency in this country was lifted in 1960 , the Communist threat were still lurking up to the 1980s .In the 1970s especially , there were a number of murders of Police officers .Police officers were ambushed and shot while coming out of their houses , while having coffee in coffee shops ,while walking to their cars parked in secluded areas ,while opening their house doors to strangers and etc. A few of my colleagues were slained that way .

I remember those days we had to carry firearms wherever we went .We had to change routes on our way to and from our homes to avoid being ambushed .We were told to avoid frequenting public places and not to straight away open our house doors whenever there is a knock from outside . Our wives too were encouraged to go for shooting practice so that they can use the firearms during emergency .Inspite of the frequent attacks/shootings , our spirits were high .Each year during Labour Day and other days of communist significants we had to be on standby and sometimes had to accompany the Special Branch to make raids on suspected communist hideouts .

In the 1970s my two boys were still very young and they did not know anything , while my two daughters were not yet born .Only after the 1980s that the country was really free from the communists threats .I am glad no untoward incident on me and I am glad too that I survived till my retirement. To my colleagues who had to die defending the nations integrity, may you rest in peace .You died honourably .

Although I am now retired , I still remember vividly how life was in the 1970s .We were then in Johor - Muar , Segamat and Johor Bahru. There wasn't much development then .Inspite of that however we lived quite comfortable .It was the prime period of my life as I was still young and energetic .Thirty years ago is as if it was just like yesterday .

We do not go any where except stay at home during this long week end holidays . Our apartment in Port Dickson is being borrowed by my brother in-law Zainal from Johor Bahru .They are here to do the ' merisek ' ( proposal ) for one of his nephews in Nilai .

Fareen attended an interview at MARA HQ. today.

Almost the whole day was spent in KL today .It was because we had to send our daughter Fareen to the MARA HQ where she attended an interview for a scholarship to study medicine/dentistry/biotechs overseas.It was quite a crowd there with other activities being held there simultaneously . Immediately after her interview was over we sent her to the Pudu Bus station for her to get back to UTM Skudai because she would have to sit for a test the next day.I do not know of her chances in seeking the sponsorship to study overseas .I could only pray for her success . I want the best for her .If she chooses to study overseas then I'll have no say but to support her .She chooses to study in Australia if she is successful in her application .Obviously she do not want any thing less than her sister, Eileen .This is a good development for it is a healthy competition which keeps her spirit going and motivate her to study harder .On the other hand ,I hope her sister Eileen would not feel threatened . Instead she should feel proud because she had helped to motivate her sister to follow in her footsteps . I would be the happiest man in the world if both of them would be successful in their profession as doctors and could work together in a clinic which they would share as equal partners .I am looking forward to seeing them being nice to each other .I am a bit unhappy of their present relationship which is not very sisterly .I hope both of them would try to mend matters .After all they are the only 2 sisters in our family .

To reminisce what happened to me more than 38 years ago ,after my Cambridge School Certificate ( equivalent to SPM today ) ,because of poverty my father failed to send me to Form VI although I passed my Sixth Form Entrance Exams.(I was one of 4 students only from my school who passed that exams) .I was very eager to continue my studies. At that time that was the only way for us to go to university . Feeling frustrated ,shamelessly , I cried so hard that even the neighbours could hear my cries ,despite of the fact that our kampong houses were quite far apart . Cleverly , my father tried to console me by telling me not to blame fate for what had happened . Further, he told me that there could be a 'hikmah' ( hidden agenda by God ) for my failure to continue my studies then. He further hinted to me that my chidren ( although I was not yet married then) could be very successful in their studies instead .Today , I am grateful to my late father for what he had predicted 38 years ago are beginning to show signs of the truth .May he rest in peace .

I am grateful to Allah too .

American Policy on Palestine must change.

Who dare says that terrorism has nothing to do with Palestine ,especially Muslim terrorism. It is a well known fact that Muslim terrorism culminates from the American bias policy towards Palestine .George Bush seems to think that Israeli occupation of Palestine land as that of their rights .He also seems to think that Israel's aggression of the Palestinians as trivial , as if the Palestinians are no human beings .He seems to think that the Israeli's continous dehumanising acts on the Palestinians as a right of the Israelis .Israeli acts of terror on Palestinian children and women seems to be regarded as no act of terrorisms .However ,when the Palestinians acted to defend themselves these acts are regarded as acts of terrorism.Does Bush expect the Palestinians just to stand still while their houses were being demolished by the Israelis and their women and children being massacred almost daily. In other words the Palestinians should not do anything because whatever they do would be termed as acts of terrorism while the Israelis could do anything .

We all know that there was no country called Israel before the World War II. Israel was created by the Western allies as a result of the Balfour Treaty as a reward to the Jews for supporting the Allied Forces during the World War II . Israel was created at the expense of the Palestinian nation .The Palestinians had loss their lands and many of them migrated to other countries .However the majority of them remain on their land in the new country of Israel .These are the Palestinian people who are being subjected to aggression by the Israelis today. As a result of some resolutions of the United Nations , Israel was to give a portion of it's land to the Palestine nation with Jerusalem as it's capital to co-exist side by side with Israel . Unfortunately Israel failed to honour such resolutions .Resolutions after resolutions were passed by the UN and each time it was vetoed by the US, Israel's greatest ally .United States acts as if they are the Police of the world but at the same time she also acts as the biggest gangster who would terrorise small defenceless nations. What hope the Palestinians still have ? Either way , they would die . Rather than die without a fight ,the Palestinians chose to fight . Some even to the extent of blowing up themsleves in order to kill as many enemies ( they have since regarded the Israelis and the Americans and it's allies as their enemies ) as possible .

If the US is really serious to stop terrorisms , she must first of all change her policy towards Palestine .She must be fair to the Palestinians and the Muslims ,otherwise Muslims through out the world would have no bloody respect for her .The Muslims have lost their faith in President Bush .

When can we have a fair world ? Enemies of Islam are controlling our world .Are we just to sit still and watch them humiliating and dehumanising us. The Muslims should strengthen their 'ukhwah '( esprit de corps ) .We must be sensitive to all what happen to our brothers and sisters be where they are and try our level best to provide whatever help we could .Arab Muslim nations should also stop being double faced . On one hand they are calling for Muslim solidarity but on the other hand they are siding/aiding the Americans ( eg.during the American's aggression on Iraq (Gulf War) etc.)because that big power could guarantee to sustain their power.There is always suspicions among the Arab Muslim countries.They are always envious of each other .No country can lead the Arabs .Perhaps they could only be led by a non Arab country like Malaysia .Typical Arabs. Because of that it is no surprise that God has selected Prophet Muhammad from the Arab community to reveal our great religion of Islam in order to guide the Arabs and all mankind to the right path.

Our daughter Farin has been offered to do her matriculation at Kolej Matrikulasi Perak in Gopeng .However ,she has turned down the offer and she is still in UTM Johor Bahru, where she is due to complete her university prepatory course course in mid May 2005 . She is hoping for an offer either from JPA/MARA ( medic . ) or UIA ( medical matric.) which would be known in June 2005. Any way I hope she would accept an offer from UIA because we cannot afford to be too far away from her . Her elder sister is already away in Ireland .

I am still stuck at home . Just could not be away .Our new house is nearing completion .It is expected to be ready in August/September 2005 . Then only I could think of going overseas to pursue my dream - to be on the Silk Road of Central Asia and other exotic places .

Allahu akbar ( God is great )

Allahu akbar , Alahu akbar , Allahu akbar , ( God is great,God is great,God is great.). Muslims used to utter these words whenever they are faced with difficulties or whenever they are being challenged or threatened. The call for prayers ( azan ) also begins with these words . In other words these words are so familiar and close to all Muslims .Muslims are called upon to submit to God ( Allah ) and therefore we accept God as great .There are not many people who knows that Islam means sumission to God .That is why Muslims believe that before the advent of Islam through Prophet Muhammad (pbh.), earlier people of the book who submit to God were also Muslims .Islam is the last religion sent by God to suit all times and Muhammad is the last Prophet .Islam is the perfect religion which could guide mankind to happiness in this world and the world after . Muslims men and women should be thankful that they are borned Muslims. However, this means nothing if we do not perform our obligation to Him .Chapter 51 ( al-zariat ): 56 - God created men and jin for nothing else but to pray to Him .

As Muslims we should work hard in order to be successful both in this world and the world after . No success comes easy . The Hadith of prophet Muhammad says ( pbh.) - God do not improve our destinies , unless we do it ourselves. The Malay proverb also says - The moon ( bounties ) will not simply drop on to our lap .

We must be smart to take good opportunities as long as we do not hurt others .Good opportunities do not come often and so do not miss any .I used to tell my children not to miss any opportunity of having a good education .I do not want them to hurry getting a job as I want them to have the optimum education.In the long run having a high education pays as the opportunity in career development would be brighter .I am glad that my second son Azman has registered himself at UiTM to do his MBA .I hope and pray that my eldest son Aizad would soon follow suit .

In memory of my dear late father.

Abah,

If I only I could have just one more day with you........
I would take you out to have your favourite meal,
show you where I once worked and introduce you to my friends,
take you on the LRT,go about town , stop for a drink,
talk non stop ,while showing you so many things.

If only I could have just one more hour with you........
I would tell you how grateful I am for all you have done,
how very proud I am for you ,
all the while holding your hands ,
taking comfort in your words .

If only I could have just one more minute with you........
I would tell you how very much I miss you ,
how my heart aches without you ,
and how I wish you could stay ,
but most of all how much I love you .

Abah,

If only....................................

Abakjr.

In memory of my dear late father who passed away on 8th.March 2000 .Although it was 5 years ago you left us,I miss you so much abah .May you rest in peace .Insyallah .Amin .

Farin scored 9As for her SPM 2004. Congratulations.

On 9th.March 2005 at about 6.30 am.we ( myself,wife,Farin and Alisya)left Shah Alam for Kangar.I was driving Azman's car as my car tyres were already in bad shape.We made use of the PLUS highway and passed through Arau .We reached Kangar at about 1.30 pm and checked in at the Putra Palace Hotel. In the evening we came out to have dinner at a favourite seafood restaurant.However, we were disappointed as the said restaurant was closed on that day .We had no choice but to have dinner at another restaurant. The food was not up to our expectations .Any way we had to make do with whatever was available and be satisfied with it .After dinner we came back to our hotel room where a big crowd of VIPs were seen at the lobby.Apparently there was a function and the Pemangku Raja was in attendance .

On 10th.March 2005 at about 10.20 am after breakfast at the hotel we left Kangar for MRSM Beseri , Farin's alma mater . We came to the school's hall where the SPM 2004 would be made known .There was already a crowd of students and parents waiting outside the hall .We were surprised when told that the results had yet to be made known.However ,about 10 minutes later I saw a lady teacher making announcement that the result slips were ready for collection. I then called Farin and told her to come inside the hall to fetch her result slips .She looked not too happy .I belived she was afraid to look at the results .She then reluctantly came into the hall . While I was seated on a bench outside the hall I was murmering the ' ayat kursi ' and prayed ( doa' ) continuesly for her success .I was hoping she could get straight 9 A1s. Then I saw my wife who was inside the hall hugging Farin and I belived there could be a good news .Not long after my wife walked up to me and told me that Farin had scored 9 As ( 7 A1 and 2 A2s ) .She got A2 in subjects of Chemistry and Additional Maths .Although the result was a little bit fell short off my expectation , I was grateful she had done quite well . I then congratulated her .

We then left for Padang Besar to do some shopping leaving Farin at the school for her to meet her friends and teachers. At about 1.30 pm we came back to the school and picked up Farin .We left Kangar and headed back for Shah Alam .Like our coming journey we passed through Arau before proceeding to the PLUS highway .We reached home at about 8.40 pm .where Azman was ready to treat us with a barrel of sumptious KFC .

Farin has yet to reveal to us on her next course of action - whether she is applying for the JPA/MARA scholarship to study overseas and what discipline she is interested in . One thing about this youngest daughter of ours ,she is very discreet on her wishes .Perhaps , before this she was not fully confident of her capabilities due to inferiority complex. Now that her SPM results is good , this should inject some strength of confidence in herself and she would make known her plan . As a parent I could not plan for her and more so force her to be interested in a certain discipline . I could just advise .She has to make her own decision .

History has always fascinated me .

History has been my favourite subject right from my school days and infact till today.I used to wonder how life was during the early civilisations .With what little things they had , they managed to build the pyramids in Egypt ,the hanging garden of Babylon,statue of Zeus (Jupiter) in Olympia, the Angkor Wat of Cambodia,the gigantic steps of the Mayans in South America,the Borobudur in Java,the Taj Mahal in India and many many more wonders of the world .Most recently a historical site was discovered in Johor whose history believed to be dated much earlier than the Angkor's of Cambodia and the Borobudur of Java.This clearly means that there is no end to the study of History unless one has the niche to probe .

However facts of history depends very much on who wrote them . Some has been written with the interests of the person or the persons who instructed them to be written .What is written today might not be rightfully true .It remains so until proven otherwise .

What is taught in school today about how our country gained it's independence is from the version of the government's .All these while students has been taught/told that UMNO and the Alliance party was solely responsible for the country's independence from the British.What transpired earlier that led to the British being pressured to leave were never told or just scantily mentioned in History books. Freedom fighters like Ahmad Boestamam,Prof.Zulkifli Ahmad ,Ishak Hj.Muhammad ( Pak Sako ),Ibrahim Yaakub and many more were advertently left out .All because these personalities were from the opposition .They did not belong to UMNO but to other political parties of the opposition.They were the radicals who refused to co-operate with the British. Through organizations like Kesatuan Melayu Muda ( KMM ) , Angkatan Pemuda Insaf ( API ) etc.they organised pickets ,demonstration and other non-cooperation activities against the colonial government .Since they were also journalists ,through their writings they manage to galvanized support from the people .They were arrested and detained without trial a number of times.They sacrificed their liberties for many years in detention for the love of the country .Instead UMNO and the Alliance leaders who claimed much of the credit for the success of independence did not have to undergo such sacrifices and pains . All because they played to the tune of the British colonizers . The majority of them were from the upper echolon of society including the palace .The poor uneducated Malays then were easily influenced and made to believe and support them .The radicals were called trouble makers short of being a Communist .Other radicals such as Musa Ahmad, Rashid Maidin ,Shamsiah Fakeh and many more were forced to fled to the jungle to escape arrest .To achieve their gaol they alligned themsleves with the Communists to fight for independence by force .Whether they really professed the Communist ideology ,no one one knows.It was between them and God .They could just were using them as a tool to achieve their gaols .The British colonials then painted a black picture of these personalities accusing them as terrorists .( Shamsiah Fakeh educated in a renowned Islamic school in Sumatra was a schoolmate of Senator Tan Sri Aishah Ghani ).However during the Japanese occupation of Malaya it was the British who requested the Communists to fight along side their soldiers under the Malayan People's Anti Japanese Army (MPAJA).When the Japanese were defeated, the British turn their back against their former comarade in arms .The communists demanded independence there and then which the British refused .

In 1957 the British who were too agitated then by the pressures for independence finally decided to leave this country and handed over power peacefully to UMNO and the Alliance whom they had the trust to continue protecting their economic interests .

We will be going to Kangar tomorrow accompanying Farin to her alma mater to get her SPM exams results which would be known the next morning (10th.March 2005) .I hope she would score excellent results.I have a surprise big present for her if she could get straight A1s .

Pensioners worst hit by the inflation.

Beginning today the price of diesel has increased by 5 sens per litre.I had expected this to happen a few weeks ago when there was a hue and cry in the media that the country was facing a shortage of diesel due to our diesel being sold illegally to neighbouring countries of Thailand and the Philippines .I then believed that the scenario was purposely created in order to justify the price increase .The authorities surely knew that the petrol stations at the border towns were frequented by vehicles from across the boarder .Why didn't the authorities placed their enforcement officers at these places ? We were told that these vehicles were fixed with additional tanks in order to purchase more diesel .Why weren't the enforcement officers not put on the carpet for failing to take action against these petrol station operators for selling diesel more than the amount allowed ?

Actually these activities has been going on for quite some times right under the nose of the petroleum companies .If the petroleum companies were really serious about it they should have enforced a quota of diesel supplied to these petrol stations at the boarder towns.Instead they supplied extra diesels to them in order to boost up sales .These are all business tactics .

Today the Minsiter of Entreneural Development announced that fares of taxis , buses and lorries would be increased next month .Wow , what the heck on the very first day of price of increase of diesel, the Minister announced the price hikes of fares of public vehicles .Culminating from the price increase of fares of public vehicles , prices increase of food products would definitely follow suit .So , this will give rise to another inflation in this country .Worst affected by the inflation would be the fixed income earners especially pesioners like me .As pensioners we get a fixed amount which is half of our last drawn salary prior to our retirement .There is no more yearly increments and it remain so until we kick the bucket . Those pensioners who do not have other extra income but still have school/college going children to support would be left to the mercy of no one .

Alisya's new pet Brunny Jr.
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Alisya unpacking her Birthday presents.
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