360. UP, UP AND AWAY…

Overheard a conversation at a mamak shop:

Ah Sui: dei Sambi, yuono ah, Superman o'ready in Malaysia, mah. You know aah, that funny man with underwear outside one and always say "Up, Up and away…"

Sambi: Really ah…When he come here one?

Ah Sui: O'ready more than one year, mah. People said aah, his house in Putrajaya. He likes to play buttons. Press one button, he says, "Up, up and away".

Sambi: Huh? Never heard la, Tipu la, Ah Sui…

Ah Sui: What tipu? I never tipu one…sumpah potong ayam ohhhh.

Ah Sui: You know aah Sambi, last month this fella up sugar, some more up petrol. This month upped again electricity and up gas. Next month dunno what up some more?

Sambi: (Gigling ala Eric Leong's) oh dat fella uh, Okay, okay, understood…Never mind la…complain also no use. He's Superman.

Ah Sui: Ai Sambi, where to buy pelita ayam, aah ? I wanna to buy two.

Sambi: What for, Sui?

Ah Sui: I wanna give to Superman. Must help him maa. After this aah, all gelap in town, maybe his house also padam lampu, jeemattt maa... So, when he stays at home or when flies he can use pelita ayam.

Sambi: Citt, you're so smart one. Eh, give me two also la Ah Sui, I want to use pelita ayam for my toilets.

Ah Sui: Oii Sambi, one enough la, why two? Gila ka…

Sambi: One for small job, two for big job …hehehe

Ah Sui: huh?

Sambi: Dei, Ah Sui, what are you drinking aah? Smells nice la…

Ah Sui: oh this one huh? Special from Arab maa. Try la Sambi…syiok ooo…

Ah Sui: Aboo, kasi lagi dua botol… halal beer.

Samba: Malaysia bole…

# I supposed, the above dialogue has no relation to anybody dead or alive.

359. Rupa-rupanya ramai ahli keluarga 'anak yatim'!

Jarang saya membaca Utusan Malaysia tetapi berita hari ini yang saya petik melalui 'The Malaysian Insider' menarik perhatian.

Semasa sesi kunjungan ke rumah-rumah anak yatim, saya selalu terfikir apakah benar mereka adalah anak-anak yatim atau di'yatim'kan oleh ibu bapa yang bercerai berai atau keluarga yang sengaja mencari selesa meletakkan anak-anak tersebut dibawah jagaan ustaz dan ustazah yang sememangnya sukakan anak-anak.

Artikel Utusan Malaysia hari ini seperti petikan berikut seolah-olah memjawab sebahagian persoalan berkenaan.

Utusan Malaysia

25 MEI — Pesanan sms yang diterima pagi semalam daripada seorang kenalan terus mengejut benak fikiran saya ketika membelek akhbar tentang nasib anak-anak di Rumah Anak Yatim dan Anak Hidayah Madrasah Al-Taqwa, Hulu Langat, Selangor.

Katanya, semasa anak-anak yatim itu hidup, mereka tidak dijaga sendiri oleh ibu bapa. Mereka di hantar ke rumah kebajikan itu. Di sana mereka diserah kepada ustaz untuk diberi makan minum dan dididik dengan ilmu agama. Senang cerita tahulah pihak asrama dan madrasah itu hendak mencari dana untuk memelihara anak-anak mereka.

Mereka pun anak-anak yatim, tentu banyak sumbangan derma dihulurkan oleh orang ramai yang bersimpati.

Jadi soal makan minum, pakaian dan kesihatan sudah ada orang yang ambil peduli. Tidak perlu risau apa-apa lagi. Semua ditanggung beres.

Maka dengan ‘kemudahan’ sedia ada, ibu atau bapa serta saudara mara tidak datang menjenguk pun tak apa. Bukan sebulan sekali menjenguk anak-anak yatim, malah ada yang sudah terlalu lama hingga berbelas tahun tak datang bertanya khabar anak-anak sendiri.

Paling malang, apabila anak-anak yatim itu meninggal dunia kerana tertimbus tanah bukit yang runtuh menimpa mereka, ada waris-waris tanpa segan silu terima wang simpati.

Kata kenalan saya itu lagi, wang itu setelah diterima patut disumbang semula ke rumah anak yatim.

Betul juga pandangannya itu. Itu yang semolek-moleknya. Tetapi resmi orang kita, nampak duit mata pun jadi kelabu. Lupa tentang cerita duka, sebaliknya mula terbayang apa hendak dilakukan pada wang derma itu.

Melihat kepada trend orang Melayu bukan sahaja sekarang tetapi sejak dahulu lagi, ada kalangan kita baru hadapi dugaan menjadi janda atau duda dan baru ada dua atau tiga orang anak kecil, sudah mengaku kalah untuk menjaga mereka. Ada yang tanpa malu-malu serah kepada rumah kebajikan atau rumah anak yatim.

Memang pada permulaan hidup ini susah tetapi apabila sudah berkemampuan, ambillah anak-anak itu daripada rumah kebajikan. Rasalah sendiri bagaimana susah senang untuk membesar dan mendidik mereka. Jangan langsung membiarkan anak-anak tinggal di rumah anak yatim.

Pemikiran orang Melayu terhadap rumah kebajikan dan rumah anak yatim patut diperbetulkan. Pihak pengurusan rumah kebajikan pun perlu betul, jangan menerima sahaja orang awam menyerahkan anak-anak mereka.

Kena selidik dan periksa dahulu kemampuan mereka dan saudara mara mereka. Pastikan anak-anak yatim yang diterima masuk terdiri daripada mereka yang telah hilang tempat bergantung.

Jika ada saudara mara yang berkemampuan, minta mereka membantu ambil alih menanggung kos hidup anak yatim berkenaan.

Sebagai Melayu, tak malukah kita melihat anak-anak waris sendiri hidup di rumah kebajikan.

Sesungguhnya Allah nak tunjukkan kepada kita bagaimana sikap waris keluarga anak-anak yatim.

(Taken from www.utusan.com.my)

358.TRAGEDI TANAH RUNTUH BERULANG…

Alfatihah…enam belas nyawa terkorban dalam kejadian tanah runtuh di Hulu Langat, Malaysia pagi semalam. Terlalu sedih dan pilu apabila kejadian yang melibatkan anak-anak yatim yang tidak berdosa… Bukan pertama kali tragedi tanah runtuh sebegini berlaku di Malaysia.

Masihkah ingat dengan peristiwa Highland Towers dan kejadian-kejadian tanah runtuh di Bukit Antarabangsa?

Tapi seperti biasalah, kejadian sebegini hanya diingati seketika sahaja. Lantas kemudiannya semua lupa sehingga kejadian berulang semula.

Tentulah ada peraturan-peraturan pihak berkuasa tentang cara-cara yang betul untuk memotong cerun. Tentu ada cara-cara penguatkuasaan bentuk pembangunan bangunan berhampiran cerun.

Pastinya ada tatacara pembangunan dan pembinaan yang tertib dan tersusun.

Kita tentu tidak suka malapetaka berulang disebabkan kealpaan dan kerja-kerja samberono manusia. Kita tentunya tidak selesa melihat gambar-gambar mayat dikeluarkan daripada timbusan-timbusan tanah runtuh. Namun kenapa kerja-kerja pemotongan tanah, pembangunan dan pembinaan bangunan sesuatu projek tidak mengikut ketertiban peraturan dan tatacara sedangkan dalam wudhu' dan solat harian pun kita diajar kaedah tertib?

Tentunya kita jelik mendengar ada menteri berteriak bangunan tiada kelulusan setelah malapetaka menimpa.

Sebagai imbasan, saya pernah menghantar surat kepada pihak berkuasa merujuk kepada kerja-kerja pembersihan bukit dan pemotongan tanah pembinaan rumah-rumah berhampiran kawasan perumahan yang saya didiami. Malangnya, tak nampak pun apa-apa tindakan.

Hari ini kerja-kerja pemotongan tanah di kawasan tersebut masih berjalan lancar. Tidak kelihatan apa-apa papan tanda yang menunjukkan bahawa projek yang dijalankan telah mendapat kelulusan daripada Pihak Berkuasa tersebut pun. Kerja pemotongan cerun sudah terlalu hampir dengan kawasan perumahan Puncak Meru, ipoh yang didiami oleh pesara-pesara kerajaan yang telah banyak berjasa.

Janganlah hendaknya terjadi satu lagi tragedi tanah runtuh barulah pihak-pihak berkuasa terhegeh-hegeh nak menjenguk dan saudara mara serta para pemimpin pun menangislah teresak-esak.

Pihak pemaju juga perlu akur nasihat jabatan kerajaan seperti JKR yang sentiasa mengingatkan tentang perlunya menjaga cerun seperti papan tanda yang dipaparkan walau pun cerunnya tidak seberapa. Sekadar ingatan buat diri sendiri dan sahabat-sahabat, kita dituntut untuk melaksanakan sesuatu amalan atau pekerjaan dengan tertib dan mengikut tatacara yang ditentukan supaya kesempurnaan terjamin dan perkara yang tidak baik dapat dihindarkan.

Kita juga dinasihatkan supaya menegur mana yang tidak kena supaya ada penambahbaikan.

Renung-renungkanlah…

357. MAN UNITED IS THE BPL CHAMPION…

The EPL championship was clinched the previous week when Man United grabbed a point at Blackburn with a Wayne Rooney penalty conversion.

That was the single point needed to accumulate the unassailable lead that, crowned Manchester United as the Barclays (English) Premier League champion for the record 19^th time.

Still, the team that took the field in their last match at Old Trafford this season against Blackpool took to the field with full of passions, vigour, focus and determination to win as if the championship was still at stake.

The first Man U goal by Ji Sung Park was a real beauty in simplicity.

Blackpool with Charlie Adams taking charge at the midfield, highlighted by that wonderful free kick goal was just marvelous. The way he gathered his team to equalize and then took the lead was just brilliant.

What an asset this player would be to Man U if Sir Alex cares to bring him to Old Trafford.

Just too bad for Charlie Adams and his team, on the night that Man U was penned to receive the Barclays EPL championship Trophy, no one could spoil the Man U party. The way Vidic rallied his team back to earn a deserving victory was very commendable. Just love to watch the Anderson's and Michael Owen's goals again and again… Wow

In the end, Blackpool lost condemning them back to Championship football where they were the previous season.

To Man U, Sir Alex Ferguson and the team of 2010/2011, congratulations on this successful campaign and as a long time fan, I said “Thank you for such an entertaining season. Hope to be at Old Trafford ground next season.”

To Edwin Van der Sar and Gary Neville who will be hanging their boots after this season, TQ for all the services at Man U.

To Michael Owen and Owen Hargreaves who might be leaving for new clubs, all the best in your new venture.

HAIL MANCHESTER UNITED, THE GREATEST ENGLISH FOOTBALL CLUB EVER...

356. THE NOBILITY OF TIME

As I was travelling along the Nanjing Road, Shanghai, appreciating the beautiful landscapes of the city, I kind of noticed an interesting face of a clock erected at the front of a building. I immediately requested the driver to stop the car just for me to have a closer look.

The imposing sculpture of a melting clock in the design of a footprint was too mesmerizing to give a miss.

Took a few quick shot with a promise that I would definitely source for more information since I could not locate any plaque nearby.

What I found out from my search was more interesting.

Apparently this sculpture echoes the “The Persistence of Memory”, the famous painting of the celebrated Spanish artist, Salvador Dali that first appeared in 1931 featuring a melting watch to symbolize the passage of time.

It was erected in 2007 in commemoration of the Shanghai exhibitions of Dali's works.

Similar sculpture named "THE NOBILITY OF TIME" were erected in Mendrisio, Switzerland and the capital city of Andorra.

The sculpture has also been displayed in London, Berlin, Vienna and Paris.

355. NICE AND ATTRACTIVE SET OF NEW STAMPS OF MALAYSIA

Collected a registered mail from the Philately Unit, Pos Malaysia today. Actually the postman failed to deliver the mail and I was supposed to collect last week but just could not make time.

The envelope unveiled the latest set of the new stamps plus first day covers for 2011… nice set of attractive stamps.

Pos Malaysia seemed to churn out a stream of marvelous designed stamps worthy of collections.

There is also a note that the 2010 stamp album has also been released early this month. I'm eagerly waiting for my copy to complement the earlier sets of annual albums in my collections.

Well, I guessed there is a need to keep sufficient funds in my account with the Philately Unit, Pos Malaysia to ensure I do not miss out on any new release of 2011.

354. TERKEJUT BERUK KENE TEGUR…

Oleh: muzill.mansor

Saje nak cerite…

Pagi tu aku memang kalut…dan serabut… dah dua tiga minggu mengayun kat treadmill. Ikut mood…kadang-kadang tegeliat…

Tapi pagi tu memang angin satu badan.

Selesai treadmill, belakang sakit giler… Lemak tak kurang-kurang gak.

Takleh jadik nie... sambar kunci kete berdesup terus kat famasi carik koyok. Mane tempat yang dah keriyok, sedap ni kalau tampal koyok.

Selambe je pakai seluar pendek… takle pendek sangat…kire bawah lutut le. Sekali-sekali je pakai macam ni.

Depan farmasi terserempak sorang pak Aji, dia renung aku dan terus dia bagi salam. “Assalamu ‘alaikum”.

Sape ntah ni…Tak kenal pun…Dah pakai ketayap putih, pak aji le tu kot... Orang dah bagi salam, jawab je le. Tak jawap, biadab lak…

“Wa’alaikum mussalam warahmatullah”.Panjang le sikit jawab salam, kene respek lebih, ni Pak Aji.

Dia senyum, aku sengeh le balik. Aku tengok dia teropong lain macam je…Macam ade bende tak kene…

”Pakcik nak cakap sikit, jangan marah ye” kate Pak Aji.

“Takpe, abende pakcik nak cakap?” aku tanye.

Pakcik susul dengan soalan tambahan “Ngape pakei seluar pendek, tak tutup aurat tu?”

Hahh…Aku tengok dia atas bawah, atas bawah…Kire seluar pendek aku ok pe?…bawah pade lutut…

Bengang gak kene sound macam ni. Nasib baik takde orang lain.

Teringat pulak pesan cikgu-cikgu… biar beradab dengan orang tua…cool le sikit…

”Oh, saya nak cepat tadi, tak sempat tukar seluar lepas exercise, lain kali saya lebih beringat. Terima kasih pakcik” kate ku… control gilerrr, beb.

Ok le, bukan kene bayar pun. Lantak le…Orang tua kadang-kadang diorang tengok macam lain…mane boleh same dengan orang mude…banyak beza…

Kite ingat dah ok, dia orang tengok tak ok.

Dia senyum…barangkali puas dapat sound aku.

Aku masuk kedai beli koyok. Pelik tapi bila keluar kedai dan masuk kete, rase sengal-sengal dah mule lege…

Sesekali mase workout kat treadmill sekarang, teringat muka Pak Aji yang relaks je…Ntah-ntah dia pun teringat muke aku yang terkejut beruk kene tegur…aku senyum sendiri.

Sape lah hamba Allah tu…

P.S

Sempena hari guru…Kepada semua cikguku dan semua guru, daripada peringkat tadika sehinggalah ke peringkat university dan peringkat professional. Begitu juga guru-guru tak rasmi…

TERIMA KASIH CIKGU.

353. TULIPS AND LOTS OF TULIPS FROM HOLLAND…IN SHANGHAI

Piaoliang...zhen piaoliang. those are the words that spurted out the moments I set sight on the colourful tulips or 'yu jin xiang' in Mandarin. Pure magic.

The flowers were from Holland, planted, supervised and managed initially by Dutch horticulturists but the scenes belong to Shanghai Flower Pot in Shanghai, the biggest tulip garden in China.

There were lot and lots of blooming tulips despite our visit in late April. The Shanghai Tulip Festival commences in late March till early May every year for the last seven years.

Tulips of various colours and species were planted in various plots around a very large area surrounding a beautiful lake exuberating a fresh, colourful and exquisite sight.

The Shanghai Flower Port sprawling over 99 over hectares encompassing a mesuem, research and development centre and tulips garden of more than one million bulks is indeed very well planned with rows and rows of blooming bright, colourful tulips lining up meandering roads and well cropped shaded trees. Three large windmills enhanced the Dutch flavor.

I was fortunate to be in Shanghai on my recent birthday, escorted by my dear brother, spending half a day at the Shanghai Flower Port during this late springtime to witness these picturesque creations and manipulations of colours extravaganza.

Such beautiful and exquisite sights would have easily inspired Robert Louis Stevenson, one of the greatest English poets to write memorable poem of the day. Alas, I’m not Stevenson. So, forgive me for these poor narrations to describe and capture my moments in this worldly paradise.

For 100 Yuan per entrance, it is very inexpensive for rare sights of dazzling colours of tulips.

Red and white tulips with intermission of lavender greeted visitors by the entrance.

As you walk into the garden, a large scenic lake opens up with a water fountain in the background and blooming tulips in various plots dotting the perimeter of the lake. Boats are available if you care to flex the leg muscles.

What I like most about this tulip garden is the infrastructural design that allows brisk walking along the meandering paths and shaded trees at leisurely pace hopping from one plot of tulips to another with ease and comfort.

Workers though busy manicuring the flowers were seen smiling at the visitors presumably satisfied that their works get attention and appreciation.

The sanitary facilities are well kept and exceptionally clean.

Coffee houses are available but they only serve limited dishes for lunch. For a change, we had organic and crunchy cucumber and succulent tomatoes for lunch, the lightest lunch ever but still enjoyable and filling. One plate of cucumber and tomatoes cost only 10 Yuan and we are thankful for that healthy meal.

The garden compound is kept squeaky clean.

For those who wish to visit Shanghai, plan the visit in early April and mark the Shanghai Flower Port as a must visit destination. The visit would definitely be a real memorable one.

Zaijian.

352.REGE RON 97 NAIK, REGE GULE PON NAIK…ADE TEMAN KESAH?

Ramei kawan teman sebok semacam…heboh baghang naik…buat kain ghentang gantong tepi jalan.

Ape nak heghan yob, yong…bukan nye naik seghinggit... eleh,bukan banyak pon, dua kupang …mahei lagi ghege kain ghentang tu.

Teman tak kesah pon sebab memang teman tak suke makan gule…kalo minum kopi pon kopi 'O', minum teh pon 'O', minum milo pon 'O' juge. Nak moghah lagi, ayor paneih pon cukop.

Beli sekilo gule kat ghumah, tahan bebulan dalam balang…

Kalo teghingin nak kipoh, teman tumpang kawan…ghase nak ke Kay El, teman naik keghete api laju..ETS…best..laju dan moghah sebab teman dapat diskaun oghang pencen...yang baguihnye lagi pramugari pon mude-mude dan suke senyum...sejuk je ati nengok...

Ntah le teman…sedih bile mikior...Oghang kite nie suke ghioh tak bepasei...udoh menteghi kabo kene naik rege...ikut je...deme tu pandei-pandei belake...

Teman senang je…oghang komplen-komplen teman buat nohen je...nak jeghit-jeghit pun sekaghang bukan ade pekdah…

Dapat pencen ujung bulan tu pun kire udoh syukur…lagi pun teman makan nasi pon dah koghang, takut tinggi gule, dah koghang makan lemak-lemak, takut kolestrol pulak tinggi …

Ramei kawan teman jadi doktor…deme kabo, usah makan maneih, koghangkan makan nasi, koghangkan gagham, beghenti isap rokok, banyok besenam, ade duit pegi melancong... rehat minda, kate deme le.

Nak koghang ghonsen, deme kabo, keghete tinggei kat ghomah, naik beskal... jalan kaki lagi bagoih…

Seghonok nye teman, dua tige bulan lagi badan teman sikit punye slim ke...Eh eh takkan teman soghang kot, tentu ramei lagi yang slim melim lepeih nie...huhu.

Badan sehat hati pon senang, badan ghingan jalan kencang, takde nok nyusahkan oghang...

351. THE THRILLING DECIDER AND THE WINNER…IS MAN U, OF COURSE

Half time: 2-0 Full time: 2-1

It was not supposed to come this far for Man U to clinch the title but as usual football is such an intriguing and passionate game, the suspense had to creep in and dragged the championship to be decided by this crunching match with Chelsea, the defending champion.

I looked forward to watch this decider especially after last week's defeat by Arsenal left Man United with only three-point advantage over Chelsea.

The starting eleven on both side threw some surprises with Park Ji Sung being preferred to Nani and Kalou's inclusion kept Torres on the bench.

Wow, what a dream start. A wonder first goal on 36^th second by Hernandez from a Park Ji Sung pass was pure magic. Man U was one up against Chelsea even before I finished my first cup of warm water.

Sir Alex Ferguson must have drilled hard into the players heads for them to come out roaring like tigers.

A Wayne Rooney's strike on the 7^th minute was just excellent but was deflected by Cech. That would have been a wonderful second goal. Alas, it was not meant to be.

It was all Man U stamping its authority on the field with Chelsea still to find its footing.

Frustration must have crept in by then for Ivanovic to launch a reckless tackle on Rooney on the 12^th minute earning him a yellow card. Man United was just pure brilliant.

Rooney shot again on the 14^th minute but just missed the left post.

Chelsea hit back on the 19th minute with a shot by Kalou but was deflected by the alert Van Der Sar.

Park on target crashing a powerful shot on 22nd minute but was blocked by Cech. It could have easily been three goals if not for the superb performance by Peter Cech as the Chelsea custodian.

Giggs then made a sublimed cross into the goal area which was met perfectly by a header from Vidic resulting in the marvelous 2^nd goal.

The scene in the stadium was sheer ecstasy.

Despite Man U dominance, Chelsea managed to spring a few sporadic attacks including a header by Kalou which was tipped over by Van der Sar on the 25th minute.

The first half definitely belonged to Man United with Giggs, a towering figure in the centre of the field.

The second half started with three changes. Chelsea brought in Ramirez for Obi Michel and Alex coming in for Luiz. Evans replaced John O’Shea on the Man U side.

The introduction of Alex and Ramirez definitely brought some urgency for Chelsea. The game seemed to tilt in favour of Chelsea with more possession, penetration and purpose.

Van Der Sar was excellent as usual shutting out many attempts by Chelsea.

Torres was introduced on the 61st min replacing Kalou to add more bite upfront but he was rather ineffective.

The game was stretched at times with Ramires taking charge in midfield while Man U dilly dallying in the middle of park.

Minute 65 saw a miscue from Alex but Hernandez failed to capitalize.

Frank Lampard put life back for Chelsea with a fortunate goal on the 68th minute.

The temperature immediately went up a few notch with Man U in sixes.

Ryan Giggs, the ever reliable workhorse rallied back to take control in midfield and allowed Man U to preserve the score till the last minute.

Vidic, Ferdinand and Van der Sar marshalled the Man U defense solidly at the back.

As Howard Webb blew the final whistle on the 94th minute even Sir Bobby Charton was seen clapping elated by the win.

Sir Alex Ferguson too a bow acknowledging the crowd's support knowing that another point next week against Blackburn would bring the EPL championship back to Old Trafford for the record 19^th time.

Full time statistics indicated that Man U was the better team of the day.

As Man U players trooped out smiling and hugging each other, Man U crowd rejoicing, a Chelsea fan was seen nail-biting mourning the comprehensive loss...