369. ILI KHALIDAH...CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS SPECIAL MOMENT IN LIFE...

As early as 5.15 a.m today, I am up and ready to share this very special event on our academic calender this year .

October 10, 2011 is no ordinary day. I need to dress up immediately after the Subuh prayers to be in time for the 7.00 a.m journey to the Multimedia University 3rd day of this 12th MMU Convocation ceremony scheduled at 8.00 a.m even if the journey would only take 5 minutes. Our girl reminded us about the schedule on the invitation card and to be early to get the best seats though I am perfectly aware that the ceremony would start much later.

No matter, as proud parent to our youngest darling, even if the varsity were to call us for the ceremony at midnight, my wife and I would still be there.

We just wanted to register how blessed and thrilled we are to share this precious moment in our daughter's life. The day when she would be receiving her first class honours bachelor's degree in accountancy from Multimedia University, Malaysia is another milestone in our life.

Congratulations dear...luv u very much. In the strong family tradition of academic excellence, you have raised the bar of par excellence to a greater height...well done ILI KHALIDAH.

Thank you MMU...and Thank you Telekom Malaysia

322. THE FLOOD IS RECEDING BUT...

The flood situation in Kedah state in the northern part of peninsular Malaysia has improved according to local press. 

During our Keledang club's meeting on Sunday, it was decided that the club extend some assistance to the flood victims. I was tasked to visit the flood areas and report back to the club's committee who then will make the final decision.

Monday morning I called my dear friend and former classmate, Dato Mansor Ismail, the President of Langkawi Recreation Club( LRC), an NGO active in helping the flood victims. I was informed that the flood situation has improved but certain areas are still under water.

When told that our club would like to contribute, he was very appreciative. He said, "Any help no matter how little would most certainly be welcome." LRC has together with several other NGO in Kedah together launched a Flood relief Fund to mobilise funds for the needs of flood victims.

I made a call to the flood hotline at the Kedah State Secretariat. Upon inquiry, a lady politely answered the phone and informed us that donations can be forwarded to the natural disaster Fund under the State Secretary office.

We also got to know that donations can be forwarded through the Kedah State Welfare Department.

Well, at least we have three conduits to channel our donations and aids.

We set our journey back to Alor Setar after the Zohor prayers. The weather was kind although heavy rain started to pour by the time we reached Gurun. Exited at the Alor Setar South toll Plaza, we noticed that indeed the flood has receded. The road leading to the city is cleared although the Kedah River is still swollen.

We proceeded to Taman Golf where the federal minister of housing family home is situated near our kampung(village). Part of the road in the housing estate was still under water.

There were many cars parked along the road leading to the kampung. Jalan Dato' Syed Ahmad Shabudin in front of our family's house in still flooded to knee high. 

There was a small lorry loaded with boxes of food and mineral water. We were told that every day this lorry from the Buddhist Society will come to distribute free food and bottled mineral water to the flood victims in the kampung. All help are most welcome. So, a big thank you to the Buddhist Society.Keep up the good work.

I waddled through the flood to reach my parents house. The water was foul with stinking smell.

We surveyed the area around our house. The water mark left by the flood indicated that the flood reached just below the window level. Though water was still ankle- deep around the compound, we were quite relief and thankful that it was receding.

Some of the houses at the lower ground were still flooded. 

We then proceeded to the main relief centre at the Stadium Sultan Abdul Halim in Suka Menanti amid heavy donwpour.

Despair and empty faces awaited us at the stadium. 

The numbers remained at the relief centre has dwindled to just about 300 from the initial 2,436 on the 03 November 2010. Most of them are from Seberang Pumpong area nearby.

Much need to be done at the stadium especially keeping the compound clean from litters and the toilets hygienic.

No activities were organised to keep those at the centre occupied. Perhaps  gotong royongs could be organised to pick all the plastic containers and trash littering the compound.

From the stadium we moved to the paintball court where Muzill and his gang normally practised. The rice fields around the court resembled a huge lake.

Taking the route through Pantai Johor and Mentalun, we proceeded to Alor Setar on the way back to Ipoh, wet but happy that Muzill has made a wise decision to move out his grandparents just at the right time.

This morning, I was on telephone conversation again with Dato' Mansor Ismail, the former Langkawi Municipal Council President and now the President of Langkawi Recreation Club (LRC) to get the updates. Really happy that he is spending his retirement time doing the noble community services through his NGO in reaching out to help the needy including the flood victims. 

Well done Dato'...

Keledang Club will be very happy to extend our assistance to the flood victims through the LRC. I pray that my fellow club members will give generously...

320. RUMAH TOK WAN BANJIR LAGI…

Petang Selasa bergegas pulang ke Alor Setar setelah mendapat panggilan telefon daripada Tok Wan pada waktu pagi. Kata Wan, jalan masuk di depan rumahnya sudah dinaiki air. Air sungai di belakang rumah juga sudah mula melimpah…

Saya maklumkan kepada Wan, insyaallah selesai satu dua tugas, saya pasti pulang untuk tinjau keadaan dan buat keputusan.

Wan cakap dia tunggu di rumah sambil berpesan supaya kala balik nanti pandu dengan cermat di jalanraya.

Kurang lebih jam 2.30 petang mula perjalanan dari Ipoh. Sampai di Alor Star hampir jam 5.00 petang. Semua kenderaan dialihkan melalui Plaza tol Alor Setar Utara. Lebuhraya PLUS dinaiki air dekat UUM.

Meluncur terus ke rumah Tok Wan. Sememangnya air telah mula membanjiri jalan di depan rumah. Kenderaan orang kampong berderetan di bahu-bahu jalan di taman perumahan yang berdekatan yang agak tinggi.

Anak-anak kecil riang bermain air limpah.

Nasib baik bawa Nissan Frontier, boleh redah masuk kawasan rumah Wan yang agak tinggi. Ada jiran tumpang letak kereta di garaj Wan. Kalau air naik lagi kereta-kereta tu pun pasti terjejas.

Sungai di belakang rumah Wan sudah senak. Air mengalir laju melimpahi kawasan rumah-rumah di tebing sungai.

Air sungai terus mengalir deras mencecah kekawasan reban ayam di belakang rumah Wan.

Jalan-jalan di depan dan kanan rumah Wan juga mula digenangi air.

Dari amatan, memang banjir besar akan tiba, harap-harap jangan sebesar banjir 2005. Letih membaiki perabut yang rosak dan mencuci lantai-lantai yang penuh dengan lumpur.

Saya bincang dengan Wan. Wan lebih suka tinggal di rumah. Tunggu dan lihat keadaan dan kemudian baru buat keputusan. Saya bimbang…

Saya lebih minat bawa Wan dan Tok pindah sebelum air bertambah besar. Perabut-perabut yang mampu diangkat ke tingkat atas rumah, dipindahkan segera. Wan kata, dia ikut saja keputusan saya.

Lepas solat Maghrib dan makan malam, Tok Wan dan Tok tawakkal tinggalkan rumah dan ikut saya pulang ke Ipoh kerana air naik dan terus naik…

Catatan: muzillmansor

Berita terkini: Khamis-jam 9.30 malam 4.11.2010

Dapat berita daripada Jiran di kampong. Air sudah membanjiri rumah-rumah kampung termasuk rumah Tok Wan. Berapa tinggi paras air yang masuk tidak dapat diketahui kerana jiran-jiran sudah mula pindah semalam.

HADIAH ISTIMEWA DARIPADA TOK WAN

Sudah 25 tahun dia menyimpan syiling ini. Tak pernah dia sebut dan tak pernah dia beritahu kisah syiling ni. Tak pernah pulak dia cerita tentang syiling-syiling lama dan khazanah lama yang dia simpan.

Tahun ni Tok Wan tak berapa sihat. Penyakit kencing manis yang di hidapinya kadang-kadang menyerang tak kira waktu. Apatah lagi Wan memang kuat pantang. Dek terlalu pantang terkadang kadar gulanya menurun hingga ke paras 2.5 sahaja. Ini yang menjadi masaalah. Bila kadar gula terlalu rendah Wan boleh tetiba rebah seperti yang terjadi beberapa kali sudah.

Tetapi Wan tetap Wan. Walau pun sudah menjangkau 80 tahun dia tetap berselera nak terus ke bendang setiap hari. Rutinnya yang sudah bertapak sejak zaman kanak-kanak 70 tahun lalu.

Tahun ni sudah beberap kali Wan ditimpa musibah. Ayah selalu nasihatkan Wan. Kata ayah kepada Wan “ Duduk saja dirumah, tak payah ke bendang lagi. Banyak benda boleh buat lagi. Nak tanam pokok, keliling rumah pun banyak boleh tanam” Tapi Wan tetap Wan. Senyum sengeh Wan dengar leteran ayah.

Bulan Jun lalu Wan mengalami accident semasa menonggang motosikal nak ke bendang. Berlanggar dengan motosikal Pak Bakar, rakannya, di selekoh batas ban bendang. Dua-dua cedera ringan dan Wan dimasukkan ke Hospital Alor Setar untuk pemerhatian kerana Wan hilang ingatan sementara, mungkin kerana gegaran di kepala. Motosikal Wan lingkup.

Saya dan ayah bergegas pulang, cemas bila dapat berita.

Alhamdulillah, Wan cepat pulih dan dibawa ke Kulim dan Ipoh untuk berehat panjang. Tapi Wan tetap Wan. Tak tahan lama duduk diam di Kulim mau pun di Ipoh. 

Pulang ke Alor Setar, Wan cepat-cepat ambil tindakan baiki motosikal dan mula bergerak intai-intai kisah bendang.

Tapi peliknya, Wan juga mula bertindak uruskan banyak perkara dan cerita lain. 

Semasa pulang menziarahi Wan lewat Julai, Wan beritahu ayah dan saya, Wan nak uruskan beberapa harta sementara ingatan masih ada.

Katanya, simpanan ASB sudah ditukar nama, akaun bank dimudah cara. Cuma yang tinggal beberapa pusaka lama untuk anak dan cucu.

Saya sebagai cucu sulung dengar saja Wan sambung cerita. Tok yang kebetulan berada sama, mula pasang telinga.

Kata Wan, dulu semasa berkunjung ke Kuantan pada lewat 1984 melawat ibu yang baru melahirkan Angah, Wan ada bertukar mahar untuk mendapatkan sekeping syiling dengan seseorang. Lantas dia keluarkan sekeping syiling tembaga dan menyerahkan kepada saya.

Tertera kalimat Yassin dan Zulfakar disebelah muka dengan gambar satu lembaga seksi macam Tarzan botak memegang tombak di muka yang lain. Kata Wan, itu syiling Yassin dan minta saya simpan dengan baik sebagai hadiah darinya.

Tak pulak dia beritau untuk apa dan saya pun lupa tanya signifikan syiling yang kali pertama saya lihat. Cuma pesannya tak boleh dijual atau diurusniaga. Ayah juga turut tercengang.

Kini syiling misteri milik saya. Akan saya simpan sebagai amanah dan hadiah istimewa dari Wan yang amat saya sayangi.

Doa saya agar Wan dan Tok sentiasa sihat sejahtera.

Catatan: Muzill.mansor

FATIN'S CONVOCATION

This morning the whole family, except Angah, attended Fatin's convocation at the International Islamic University Malaysia main campus in Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia.

There were so many parents with smiling and cheerful faces, with their own stories to tell about the success episodes of their sons and daughters at today's convocation. Proud with their kids' achievements and satisfied with their own sacrifices.

"Lots have been achieved towards securing the first degree but a lot more work need to be done to stake a place in this challenging world. Use the knowledge gained throughout the stay at the university to the best of your ability in making this world a better place to live". said Dato' Seri Syed Arabi Idid, the IIUM Rector, advising the graduates in his opening address.

To my lovely daughter, Fatin, congratulations, well done and...syukur!

PERHIMPUNAN KELUARGA

Sempena AidilFitri tahun ini, satu perhimpunan keluarga warisan Panglima Haji Wan Ibrahim Wan Ali Mekhong Cenerai, asal Patani, Thailand telah diadakan pada hari Selasa, 22 September  2009 di padang Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Bayor, Selama, Perak.

Majlis menghimpunkan seramai hampir 400 orang daripada salasilah perantau daripada Patani tersebut yang telah berpecah enam iaitu di Sik dan Baling di Kedah dan  Selama, Batu Kurau, Gerik dan Pengkalan Hulu di Perak.

Berderetan kereta plet Kedah, Selangor, Pulau Pinang, KL dan bas sewa  membawa berduyun waris jauh dan dekat bertemu buat pertama kali.

Isteri saya dari generasi keempat salasilah tersebut yang bertapak di Selama, Perak turut hadir dengan keluarga. Wajar pun hadir kerana rumah ibu mertua hanya sepuluh dua langkah daripada sekolah.

Jamuan nasi bergulai daging kerbau rampai umbut pisang dan korma pekat daging katanya amat menyelerakan.

Walau pun panas terik rembang tengahari, hadirin berbagai gaya dan warna pakaian tetap kelihatan ceria bertegur sapa memperkenalkan diri sambil mengisi borang agar carta keluarga dapat dikemaskini.

Maklumlah pertama kali jumpa mesti banyak cerita.

Yang menariknya, apabila disemak carta salasilah keluarga, terdapat lima enam orang ahli Kelab Keledang yang bersoreh.

 Kelihatan gambar Sdr Razali Khalid dan isteri terpampang dicelah puluhan gambar-gambar lama waris dilekat kat papan pameran. Steady lah bro!

Kelihatan juga Sdr Dato’ Shafrizan dari kelompok Batu Kurau.

 Sdr Hussin Dato’ Ariff dan isteri serta ibu dan bapa mertuanya turut hadir. Sangkut sebelah isteri rupanya.

Sayang tak ada proper introduction tentang siapa siapa. Jadi main redah sendiri untuk kenalkan diri.

Mungkin di lain perjumpaan, name tag dan colour code disediakan untuk mudahkan susur galur dikenali.

Sayang juga, Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Tajuddin Ali tidak dapat hadir. Tentu dia banyak cerita-cerita lama tentang salasilah keluarga ini yang mampu disampaikan.

Tahniah kepada penganjur. Walau pun majlis agak caca merba macam rapat umum, namun tetap satu permulaan yang baik.

Indeed it is a small world but still a nice beginning...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MALAYSIA, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANGAH

Malaysia was formed on this very day forty six years ago when Malaya, Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore agreed to form a new federation under the name of Malaysia as a new sovereign independent nation.

Two years down the road, Singapore pulled out of the federation to be on their own sovereignty.

Malaysia has recorded many achievements ever since which I'm very proud of. Still there are much more need to be done.

On this very day too, my second son was born twenty five ago. He has managed to stamp his own mark in life and I'm pretty sure he will record many more milestones in the future for he's the most adventurous and the wily one among his siblings.

To both Malaysia and Angah...

A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY

HADIAH SILAM DARI AYAH

Catatan: muzill.mansor

Dua minggu lalu, ada kesempatan siapkan kemasan beberapa cabinet dalam bilik. Macam-macam benda jumpa. Ada kereta lama, syiling lama, majalah lama, knick knack lama dan berbagai macam benda lagi.

Tapi yang paling terkejut jumpa balik beberapa jam lama yang dah tak pakai. Ada yang rosak, ada yang kaput bateri dan ada yang dah luput hayat fesyennya.

Kumpul balik semua jam tersebut dan angkut bagi kat Uncle Ah Lek, dukun jam ayah. Minta uncle tengok kalau boleh repair. Mana tau kot-kot jam-jam tu boleh hidup balik. Kalau dah baiki, tak pakai pun, kurang-kurang boleh gak belek teringat kisah zaman sekolah dulu.

Jam Esprit ni ayah bagi masa dia balik dari Jerman. Dia kata ni jam bagus. Dah dia bagi, saya pakai aje lah. Lagi pun Free.

Rasanya masa tu jam brand Esprit ni tak masuk lagi Malaysia. Jadi bila pakai dekat sekolah, habis kawan satu kelas kerumun tengok jam sebab tak pernah dengar brand ni.

Sewaktu ayah balik dari Australia, dia hadiahkan saya sebuah lagi jam tapi jenama Citizen. Masa tu saya ingat Citizen buatan Australia. Suka yang amat sangat. Tambah pulak tag pun masih ada. Kemudian baru tau Citizen tu jam Jepun rupanya. Ini mesti kes tangkap muat kat Airport.

Sebijik lagi jam yang dia bagi adalah Casio. Yang ni baru sikit lah. Barangkali 9 tahun dulu kot semasa nak masuk Kolej.

Ketiga-tiga jam siap dibaiki uncle.

Nak kena selongkar lagi ni. Rasa-rasa ada lagi yang sesat.

Terkenang banyak memori bila belek jam-jam silam ni.