Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Lately

9 Dzulhijjah 1428
Salam

It was a busy... busy ... busy for me ... for the last 3 or 4 weeks. My wife was away for almost 2 weeks. She spent 3 days at Cameron Highland and another 6 days at PD. In between we manage to organised a small 'Jamuan Kesyukuran'. I missed 'The Walk for Human Rights' on the Sunday, December 10th. I wish I could rearrange my schedule and walk from Sogo to Bar Council.
My old folks were in town. My old man .... diagnosed with high blood pressure recently. 170 the first test. 193 3 days later. 190 the 3rd time he was tested. He is on medication now. 2 tablets a day for him. No more meat and anything he takes is either boiled or roasted. Never fry or 'gulai'. His favorite, salted fish and 'budu' are labeled with a big NO.
I also spent a week at home with my 3 kids, a 11 year old niece and my father and mother. I reserve the story for later. For now, I wish every visitor to this blog, Eid Mubarak. Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha. Maaf Zahir dan Batin.

Ramli AR

Saturday, November 10, 2007

I Walked

1 Dzulkaedah 1428
Salam
I was stopped. I was prevented. I was blocked. I was 'teargased'. Yes.. I was .... but... I wanted to walk. I wanted to walk to The Istana. And I found my way to join thousands others to walk and presented a message to my Yang Di Pertuan Agong.

At LRT Masjid Jamek. Reached there at about 2.15 pm. The crowd is already there facing the FRU. The crowd was prevented from walking to Dataran Merdeka. Tear gas was used.
The lady and her friend are lawyers. She walk for the second time. Last time to make a stand and this time as observers. They dressed in their official attire and wear arm band and tag. It was a rainy day. That did not stop these people. The rain just got them wet. Nothing to it. Some places became muddy. That did not stop these people as well. Some of these people do concern about their shoes got dirty. That did not stop them from walking. They just do not wear them while walking.

Watch Aljazeera on The Walk. I walked and I walked proudly.
Ramli AR

Thursday, November 08, 2007

I wish I walked

27 Shawwal 1428
Salam

Late last September, a group of lawyers (some say hundreds of them, some reported more than 1000) walked 'The Walk of Justice'. Whatever the number was, it is a big number to me. These lawyers gathered right in front of Palace of Justice (some even started from Putrajaya main entrance) and marched to PM's Office.

For some reason, I could not join them on that day. I had to go to Shah Alam. When I came back, the walk was over. I was told those lawyers started under the hot sun and went through the rain to reach PM's Office. I thanks those people for what they did.

This coming November 10, another walk is organised. I will make myself available and join 100,000 others and Walk to The Istana. The Walk start at 3pm. See you there...

Ramli AR

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Raya 2007 (Klik gambar)

Photobucket Album
Ramli AR

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Malaysia mencari anak ini

22 Shawwal 1428
Salam

Aku sendiri belum tahu secara detail tentang kehilangan kanak-kanak ini tetapi mendoakan agar dia selamat ditemui semula. Maklumat lanjut boleh didapati di sini.

Jangan biarkan peristiwa hitam Nurin Jazlin berulang lagi.


Ramli AR

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Do you know what I did last raya?

11 Shawwal 1428
Salam

I did a lot of things of course, and I am not going to tell them all. But I will show you some of the faces I have met. Starting on the day before the Hari Raya, I met this person at his 'hometown' Bukit Goh.







I can't recall exactly when was my last (prior to this one) visit to Bukit Goh, but if I were to take my best guess, it has to be 1993. A year or two before I got married. So, I took the opportunity to stop and snap a foto of this place. The place I named 'Paya Batman'. I was informed, the name remains till today. Too bad, the water condition does not.


In the afternoon of Hari Raya, I went to this man's place. He is currently staying in Kuantan but Dungun is his hometown. I did called some other friends in Dungun but mostly celebrating Hari Raya in their 'Branch Hometown'.



Later, we visited another friend's place. Well... actually... I met him the day before but that was not Hari Raya .. I figured. His wife is expecting another child. It has to be very soon... judging from the size.


On Sunday, I went off to Pasir Puteh... my hometown. I called a friend to arrange a 'get together' session. He supposed to get other friends within the area to join us but for some reason, none can (including him) make it. But I managed to get hold of two friends and we had our own 'Raya' at Jerteh. This friend asked me to stay as he will roast a lamb later that night but my family is waiting for me at home.


On my way back to Putrajaya, I made a stop at Kerdau. Visit a friend who told me she wish her friend visit her more often.


Ramli AR

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

SELAMAT HARI RAYA

28 Ramadan 1428
Salam

Saya mengambil kesempatan untuk mengucapkan Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri kepada pengunjung blog ini. Juga mohon maaf Zahir dan Batin atas segala salah dan silap. Masa yang agak kesuntukan memaksa saya menyepikan blog ini untuk sementara. Seandainya dimurahkan rezeki dan dilanjutkan usia, saya akan aktif semula. Malam ini, saya akan bertolak ke kampung halaman untuk bersama orang tua di sana. Kepada yang di perantauan, semoga kita berjumpa disatu ketika.

Ramli AR

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Nurin Jazlin II


11 Ramadan 1428
Salam
Pada hari insan ini dikebumikan, kebanyakkan yang mengikuti perkembangannya menitiskan air mata. Lelaki atau perempuan sama, tiada beza. Semuanya sebak di dada. Aku tidak terkecuali. Menitiskan air mata mengenangkan nasib seorang insan kerdil diperlakukan sedemikian rupa.
Budak comel ini dirampas dari keluarganya tanpa belas kasihan. Insan kecil ini dipisahkan dari ibubapanya tanpa rela. Kemudian diperlakukan sedemikian pula. Kemaluannya di sumbat terung dan timun, khabarnya. Mayatnya pula disumbat kedalam sebuah beg dan ditinggalkan begitu sahaja.
Mengapa? Apa tujuannya? Untuk memuaskan nafsu seks kebinatangan? Lantas kenapa mesti dibunuh? Budak kecil ini melawan? Apalah sangat kudrat dari insan kecil ini? Adakah kuatnya hingga perlu ditamatkan nyawanya?
Jika dikatakan pembunuh Nurin Jazlin seekor binatang, binatang pun tahu yang mana lawannya. Tonton bagaimana binatang melayan anak mangsanya di katataknak. Maka apa yang lebih zalim dari binatang.... itulah pembunuh Nurin Jazlin.
Ramli AR

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Nurin Jazlin

8 Ramadan 1428
Salam


Nurin Jazlin Jazimin telah pergi ke pasar malam bersendirian pada 20/08/2007. Hingga ke tarikh ini, Nurin masih belum kembali ke rumahnya. Keluarganya masih mencari dan benar-benar yakin Nurin akan ditemui satu hari nanti. Aku mendoakan agar segala usaha keluarganya dan mereka yang membantu mendapat perlindungan Allah Yang Maha Berkuasa. Doa aku juga, semoga Nurin dapat bersama keluarganya kembali.


Tahukah kita bagaimana perasaan ibubapa dan keluarga Nurin sekarang? Bolehkah kita gambarkan atau bayangkan? Mungkin sebahagian dari kita boleh. Tidak aku nafikan. Buat diri aku sendiri... membayangkan sahaja sudah cukup perit dan menakutkan.

Aku pernah hilang Laila untuk hampir 10 minit. Tidak dapat aku gambarkan perasaan aku pada masa itu. Tidak ada patah-patah yang dapat aku luahkan untuk menzahirkannya. Kehilangan itu hanya untuk kurang lebih 10 minit. Bagaimana mungkin aku membayangkan kehilangan Nurin yang menjangkaui tempoh sebulan pada hari ini.


Apa yang mampu kita buat? Aku tidak dapat menjawab soalan ini bagi pihak orang lain. Bagi pihak aku sendiri, hari ini, aku memuatkannya di dalam blog ini dan aku paparkan gambar Nurin di kiosk aku di Alamanda Putrajaya sejak beberapa hari yang lalu. Mungkin, akan aku cetak gambar Nurin pada 'flyers' aku nanti sekiranya Nurin masih belum dijumpai.


Aku difahamkan blog khas untuk Nurin telah disediakan. Sila lawati http://www.nurinjazlin.blogspot.com/ .

Sekali lagi doa aku kepada keluarga Nurin dan mereka yang membantu.... semoga anda semua diberkati Yang Maha Esa.


Nota : Gambar atas aku dapat dari web site Takaful Ikhlas dan gambar bawah dari the star. IBRAHIM MOHTAR / The Star


UPDATE at 4.15pm
DNA tests: Body found in bag is Nurin (update 2)
PETALING JAYA: The police have said that DNA tests on the body found stuffed in a sports bag on Monday in Petaling Jaya show that it is that of missing girl Nurin Jazlin Jazimin.


Ramli AR

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Ramadan Pertama

3 Ramadan 1428
Salam

Aku lewat ke surau sedangkan surau hanya kurang lebih 150 meter dari rumah kerajaan yang aku diami. Lewatnya sehingga aku tidak sempat berjemaah isyak. Jemaah lain sedang sembahyang sunat selepas isyak semasa aku tiba. Aku terus ke dalam dan mengambil keputusan untuk menunggu sunat terawih untuk isyak aku.
Ruang sembahyang lelaki agak penuh hingga melimpah ke luar. Esok berkemungkinan lebih ramai jemaah. Berdasarkan Ramadan yang lalu, ramai yang ke Masjid Putra pada Ramadan pertama. Kebanyakkan mereka yang datang berkereta selepas masuk waktu isyak akan mendapati parkir adalah masalah bagi mereka. Meletak kereta pada jarak 400 meter atau lebih adalah agak jauh bagi jemaah Tarawih. Golongan ini akan mencari alternatif pada keesokannya.
Tarawih di Surau Ar Rahman, Presint 16 diimamkan tiga orang hafiz, pelajar UIA, dari Uzbakistan. Adik beradik, kalau tidak salah aku. Tahun lepas pun mereka juga mengepalai Tarawih si sini. Tamat rakaat ke 10, aku habis Tarawih 8 aku. Aku lihat tinggal 3.5 saf sahaja jemaah yang buat 20. Mungkin 60 atau 70 orang pada anggaran aku. Mula-mula tadi, rasanya tidak kurang 7 saf di dalam dan melimpah ke luar.

Laili's First Attempt
I picked my kids from school at 2.30pm. Way passed my normal pick up time 1pm. They were informed and they know what to do and what not to do. We picked Laili from her nursery at 2.50pm. She still keeps her fast for the day. Worth waking her up at 5am earlier in the morning. Laili was holding 2 pieces of chipsmore and a piece of chocolate in a plastic container courtesy of her teacher, Cage Muss. I left them at home for an appointment at B3, Complex JPM. Then I have to be back to Alameda for a client waiting for me at the counter. By 4.45pm, Leila called me looking for the cookies she left in the car. Her stomach starts aching she claimed. She wanted the cookies. I asked her to hold on for another 2 hours but she insisted.
"Nak biskus adik" was her final say. I asked Laila to give her sister something to eat. Laili settled for "Tiger Susu" at about 5pm.

AlhamdulilLah Laila dan Luqman tidak bermasalah menyempurnakan puasa.

Ramli AR

Sunday, September 02, 2007

Cheese Naan

20 Sha'ban 1428
Salam

Medan Selera di Pusat Komuniti Presint 16 adalah tempat biasa aku dan keluarga menjamu selera. Gerai no. 5 (Adilla Tomyam) adalah kegemaran kami sekeluarga. Kuew Teow Tom Yam pilihan Nadhirah. Roti Boom kegemaran Laila. Sup Ekor tidak (tanpa cili padi) pedas kesukaan Laili. Luqman dan aku suka serba serbi.
Tidak perlu aku memberitahu betapa masakan di gerai ini bertepatan dengan selera kami. Jika tidak kami tidak mungkin ke sini. Namun sedap adalah perkara subjektif mengikut selera masing-masing. Sedap bagi kita, mungkin tidak pada orang lain.
Malam tadi kami beralih selera. Hanya Nadhirah yang setia dengan Kuew Teow Tom Yam di Adilla Tom Yam. Luqman memilih Burger Special sebagai hidangan makan malamnya. Laili memesan Fish n Chips dan Laila mencuba Lamb Chop di Gerai Western Foods. Aku ke Gerai Mamak memesan sebiji Cheese Naan.
Beberapa minit menunggu, Cheese Naan aku siap. Aku ambil dan menghulur duit RM2 sebagai bayaran. Tidak aku sangka, mamak itu meminta tambahan sebanyak 50 sen. Aku agak terkejut. Rasanya baru beberapa hari lepas dan hari-hari sebelumnya harga Cheese Naan hanya RM2.
Aku terus melilau mencari papantanda harga dah sah hanya Rm2. Sejak bila pula harganya RM2.50? Aku cuba menyangkal permintaan mamak tadi. Mamak itu memaklumkan papantanda belum diubah sedangkan harganya telah dinaikan sejak 3 hari yang lalu.
Pada kebiasaannya aku tidak mungkin akur. Aku paling tidak gemar situasi yang begini. Mungkin sekali aku memulangkan Cheese Naan yang dipesan. Sememangnya jumlah yang dipertikaikan adalah 50 sen dan bendanya adalah makanan..... kali ini aku akur. Sehari dua lagi, mungkin aku akan ke sini dan bertanya harga sebenar dan memastikan tanda harga diperbetulkan.

Ramli AR

Saturday, August 25, 2007

How was your weekend? - Part II

10 Sha'ban 1428
Salam

I Woke up to the sound of cockerel from my communicator at 5.45am. I picked it up and dialed the bus driver's number but failed to reach him. I took my shower and ready for prayer. After the prayer, I tried his number again only to be told that he is already in Kajang and won't come back to Putrajaya just for my parcels. Left me with no other option but to drive to Hentian Kajang and grab the boxes on my own.

I was already in the car when Laili appear at the main door and requested to join me. That was two for the road. Hentian Kajang is the place I am familiar with. The bus driver was waiting for us with the boxes when I arrived. He even help me with the boxes into the car trunk.

On my way back, I stopped at CCP16 to pack some breakfast but all stalls are closed. One owner suggested to me to wait while he get all his things set up in 15 or 20 minutes. Well... 15 minutes is a long time to wait for breakfast.. to me at least. I head home and decided to watch the news of TV.
It was almost nine when Laila woke me up. Her coloring contest start at 9am she remained me. She seems to be ready to go and told me so did her sister and brother. I went to bathroom and wash my face.
"Ayah tak mandi ke?" Laila asked me when I am out.
"No, pumpkin. I already had one earlier this morning." I replied. "and you are in a hurry, aren'tyou?" Laila did not reply and walked downstairs to our car. Laili and Luqman followed with all their weapon (color pencils and other stationery).
Reached CCP16 in a flash but finding parking space another story. I let the kids out first when I saw a man already do the demo in front of the crowd. My instruction was to find the registration table and get sign up. When I finally managed to park my car properly, I joined the the crowd and found out that the contest will only start at 11am. We sat and enjoyed the fried bee hon packed by the organizer for us.
I received a call from a male friend of mine because another (female) friend of mine wanted to talk to me. This female friend wanted to see me as she has a very important matter to discuss. Since she refused to discuss the matter over the phone and her location is quite a distance away, I suggested to her to discuss the matter with my (hers as well) male friend and let me share the information later when he is in town. She agreed to that and the conversation was ended soon after that.
By 11am, the kids had to be separated by group. Luqman in C category 10 to 12. Laila in B category 7 to 9. Laili in A category 4 to 6. I had to stay with Laili. They were given an hour to finish the coloring process. Laili only used 50 minutes and requested to stop. Too tired she said. It is fine with me. She did color the whole drawing anyway. But of course 10 minutes will improve her coloring a lot. I did not asked her to continue. It is just a coloring contest.
An hour went by and the organizer started the luckydraw. None of us won anything from the draw. After the draw, the result was announced and Laili won the 4th place in her category. She is so happy winning RM40. She never won any before this. Usually, Laila is the one who is good at coloring.
My original plan was to go to my office and continue with my long outstanding works. It was changed to going back home for my father in law just arrived from his trip to Syria. He is coming to my place to pickup something his son left for him 2 days ago.
We were only 5 minutes ahead of him. He had his friends with him. My place was a mess but that is no good reason to deny guests. Anyway... these guests were also in a hurry. They only stay for a few minute and insisted to make a move beside my offer to prepare some drink.
Not long after that, my nephew was at the front yard. He came for the fruits his grandfather sent (the boxes I picked up earlier in the morning) last night. I gave him a plastic bag and asked him to take his share. At the same time, I call my sister and brother telling them to come before 5.30 pm for I have to send my father in law to the airport. My brother can't make it and ask my sister to take his share for him.
By 5 pm, my sister and her family show up and I gave everything after I took my share. They didn't stay for long as well. They rushed back for they already have prior arrangement. At about 6pm, we shoot to KLIA. Reached the place half an hour later. Still plenty of time for my inlaw to catch his flight at 7.50pm to KT. No waitingfrom me though. I had to run again as my wife was onthe back from Melaka and she may not has the key withher.
I was home well before Maghreb time but my wife reached home at almost isyak. Again, a light dinner settled us for the night. The kids were ready to goto bed at 10pm when they heard the sound of the fireworks. All of them jumped out of the bed and came down to me. I got the message and hurriedly to the car and off we went to the very same spot as last night. We caught slightly more than a minutes show only. By10.10pm the show was over. The kids a little disappointed.
"Not to worry." my wife said. "There will be a few more shows in the next 2 weeks" trying to put the frustration away and it worked just enough to get them ready for bed again.
Ramli AR

Friday, August 24, 2007

How was your weekend?

9 Sha'ban 1428
Salam

Mine...., started up with a breakfast at Community Centre, Precinct 16 (CCP16). The whole family plus 2 of my wife's friends. The 3 are to attend a program in Melaka. They took off at 9.30 in the morning and made me in charge of the family matters for solid 2 days and that is a very hard work.

At about 10 am, I sent my 2 daughters for a story telling class at Precinct 8 Community Centre (CCP8) just to found out that the class actually start at10.30 am. I stayed there for about 10 minutes before decided to leave them with some friends and took off to fulfill a wedding invitation.

On my way to the wedding, I received a call from a female friend who wanted to know the time for the night's fireworks show in Putrajaya. I can't help her much as I am in the dark as well. I promise her to inform the time if it came to my knowledge. It was actually a wedding of my wife's co-worker's daughter but my wife has to be away and there I was representing her. Anyway, En Azmin is no stranger to me. He renewed his cars' insurance with me for 2 yearsnow. I reached at the wedding 5 before 11am atKeramat Permai.

I was the first guest arrived (not considering his close relatives from Kelantan who arrived the previous night or earlier that morning. I sat with them who just finished helping out with the set up. En Azmin was attending to some important matters... I was told.

At 11am plus, the caterer informed that they are ready to serve. En Azmin appeared at about 11.45amand we had a little chat before he asked me to the table together with a few of his relatives from Kelantan.


By noon, I have to be excused, as I have to pick my daughters up from their story telling class. I Reached Precinct 8 in the nick of time but we have to rush to Precinct 16 Community Centre for Laili and her kindergarten's friend are participating in BintangCilik (Singing) competition.

But we have to stop at home first to pick Luqman up. Oh.. yes.. he is at home for never wanted to miss his weekly animation series from 8am to noon. And my nephew is here from Taman Maluri. Instead of asking him to get in, I invited him for lunch at CCP16. Reached CCP16 in no time since it is considered only next door to mine.

I sent Laili to her teacher to be dressed (with a chiongsum) and make up. Ensured she is in good hand, I joint my nephew and his afmily for lunch. Accompany... I meant as I already ate at En Azmin's place. After lunch, they (Laila and Luqman included) wanted to go to Alamanda but I have to stay for Laili.

The competition only started at 2pm (after zohor) and end at 5pm. I have to stay for the whole duration as Laili participate in both categories, choir and nasyid. It worth the wait though, her group won second place for choir and first for nasyid. Laili is happy his dad was there to see her perform for she do not care if she win or not.

By 6pm, I was in my kiosk at Alamanda. I tried to finished up whatever outstanding works only to realized that I can't do that. Not without neglecting my kids.



By 7.30 pm, I decided to take them home. They settled for a light dinner and I allowed them to watchTV soon after. I called a few friends to find out what time is the fireworks show and mostly said 10pm but none can confirm it. I sms back to my female friend and informed her the same thing.

After isyak, we made our way looking for a good spot. After more than half an hour driving around, I met a group of photo enthusiasm. My instinct tells me, that was the place. The bridge next to KBS (Youth and SportMinistry). I safely parked my car at the road side and directed my kids to the walk ways.

"Where is the fireworks?" I ask the photographerswithout specifically pointed to any.

"That bridge." one of them responded pointing to the bridge in front of PICC (Putrajaya Convention Centre) some 500 to 600 meters away.

"This is the best spot after 4 hours of search. We even visit Cyberjaya in our quest." Another one of them added.

I thank them for the information and choose my spot next to them. After roughly 20 minutes wait, the show begun. Immediately I agree with those shooters. I can watch the show and its reflection on the lake's surface. Ohh.. I recorded the whole 20 minutes events.

On the way back, I received a call from my father. He sent two boxes of fruits by bus and ask me to pick them up tomorrow morning. He sms the driver's handphone number slightly later. Upon reaching home, I sent the kids to bed. For that, Laili required a bottle of 456. Without it, going to bed would be difficult for her. Especially when sucking her thumb is no longer permitted (she still doing it in her sleep).

By 11pm, all of them were asleep (that was what I thought). I went to my kitchen and prepared some mee 'rendam' (maggi instant noodle) as there were no real dinner for me earlier. As I was enjoying my mee 'rendam', Laila shows up on the stairway and asked me what am I eating.

"Something not good for you." my answer to her. That did not stop her from coming to me and asked for some. I did not refused her. I let her have some. That was when Laili came down and complaining about us (I and Laila) having maggi without asking her to join. I told them that is the whole purpose. For me to have maggi without them. I even repeat the phase "maggi is not good for you".

Well.. they only back to bed after the bowl was empty. It was almost midnight and that is way passed Laila's bedtime. It is normal for Laili though. Sometimes, I felt to sleep before she does.

Ramli AR

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Nathaniel direman

28 Jamadil Akhir 1428
Salam

Bikinan Mob 1900


Semalam, 27 Jamadil Akhir 1428, aku terbaca rockybru tentang seorang "blogger" yang dijemput tiga pegawai polis ke Bukit Aman untuk bercerita tentang "internet". Oleh kerana aku ada urusan lain yang perlu aku segerakan, aku cuma mengikuti perkembanganya hari ini. Ianya telahpun disiarkan merata-rata. Contohnya di elizabethwong, nursamad, polytikus, penarikbeca,kickdefella dan banyak lagi.

Ramli AR

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Penghuni/Pengunjung Halaman Ku 02

25 Jamadil Akhir 1428
Salam

Bulan Februari kalau tak silap aku. Pagi-pagi lagi Laila dah bersedih. Sedih kerana ada "assignment" yang tak siap. Lupa katanya. Guru sains suruh bawa 10 jenis bunga ke sekolah.Di halaman rumah aku memang tidak ada pokok bunga sebagai hiasan. Memang sukar untuk Laila menyiapkan "assignment"nya kali ini.

Jam menghampiri 7 pagi. Laila seakan tidak mahu ke sekolah.Terpaksa aku mengambil alih tugasan yang diberikan. Aku bawa Laila ke halaman dan terangkan bahawa bunga tidak semestinya ros, orkid atau melor sahaja. Rumput dan lalang juga berbunga. Betik dan kacang botol juga berbunga.

Agak sukar untuk Laila terima pada awalnya. Tetapi masa yang tidak mengizinkan membuatkan dia akur. Laila petik Bunga Kemunting, Mengkudu, Lemuni dan Kacang Botol. Aku ambilkan Bunga Betik, Lalang, Rumput (Kemuncut), Kantan dan dua jenis rumpai yang aku sendiri tidak tahu namanya.
Laila masih keberatan untuk ke sekolah dengan apa yang dikumpulkan tetapi dia sendiri sedar, ponteng adalah pilihan yang mustahil.

Balik dari sekolah, Laila melompat-lompat keriangan. Bila ditanya kenapa? "Cikgu tampal bunga Kakak kat "Notice Board". Cikgu kata Bunga Kantan tu cantik."

Ramli AR

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Penghuni/Pengunjung Halaman Ku 01

24 Jamadil Akhir 1428
Salam
Pagi tadi, aku luangkan sedikit masa untuk mencabut lalang yang semakin bermaharajalela di laman rumah aku. Tidak banyak yang sempat aku selesaikan. Sedikit-sedikit.. lama-lama jadi bukit kata aku. Sedikit-sedikit.. yang lama tak sempat habis, yang baru dah naik balik kata isteri aku.Kerja mencabut lalang tergendala sebentar kerana aku terserempak dengan sesuatu yang menarik perhatian aku semasa bangun meregangkan tulang-tulang setelah bertinggung untuk satu jangka masa yang agak lama.

Berlari aku mendapatkan kamera di tingkat atas. Hasilnya.. aku sertakan di blog ini.

Ramli AR

Sunday, July 08, 2007

Paya Batman


22 Jamadil Akhir 1428
Salam

Where do you go for a swim? In Precinct 16, Putrajaya, there is a community center with a swimming pool. For RM1 children and RM2 adults, you could have a 2 hours swimming session and lifeguard is included. I consider this as reasonable and affordable.
Back in 1974, I have not much choice but to go to Paya Batman. If you ask about lifeguard, I will tell you to take a wild guess. Adults are not welcome because whenever they are around, swimming is usually not allowed. That could only means one thing. Swimming is at your own risk.
Yet, Paya Batman is the place where I acquired my swimming skills. How did I did it? Attempts after attempts. That was it. And all these were without my parents’ knowledge. I drowned 2 or 3 times but manage to grabbed at something and survived to write this piece some 30 years later. I really do not know if I could consider it as an achievement.
As far as I know, Paya Batman claimed at least 3 lives. That was in 1990s when I read the news in the paper reporting another death after 2 previously. I smiled reading it. Don't get me wrong. I was not smiling because another son of Adam died. I smiled because the reporter stated, the place known as 'Paya Batman'. I do not think the reporter knew the name was given by a 6 year old boy who thought ‘Batman’ means ‘Kelawar’. Only after a few years later then he realized that ‘Batman’ is actually a comic superhero character and ‘Kelawar’ is ‘Bat’.

Ramli AR

Monday, June 25, 2007

Ham burger anyone?

9 Jamadil Akhir 1428
Salam

These are among my English teacher. Pn Noriah, Ms Susan Watchman and Mr Roderick (The spelling may not be correct) Bear. Yes... 2 Australians within 5 years. Yet my English is at this level.
Now that I mentioned Mr Bear (not Bean), I have to tell a story. The year 1984 - form 4 (Helium 4). We were divided into group of 3. The assignment was to write a script and act. In my group were Aziz and one more person (I can't recall who).
Aziz told me to write the script and will be exempted from presentation (acting). Scenario given was conversation at the dinner table in a restaurant.
As agreed, I wrote the script. A simple dialog between a customer and the waiter. Started with the greeting and ordering and ended with the delivery of the order. very simple I would say again.
During the presentation, it turn out to be very funny. Our classmates laughed like crazy. Of course I laugh too. But actually, I don't have a clue... what is so funny? Why is everybody is laughing? ... and I laugh too. Just play along... go with the flow.
After the whole episode, Aziz came to me and asked me... Ramli, ham burger to burger babi eee? I looked at him and tried very hard to pretend that I knew what ham burger is and laughed at him again. The truth is, I just got the word from the cartoon series 'Popeye the Sailor'. There is one character (the name did not pop out at the moment)who love ham burger very much.
I do not know how Aziz felt at that time. But if the word 'bengang' describe it best, then I am sorry for I never did apologized to him.
But now... I see the word ham used in chicken, turkey etc. Maybe, ham is not necessarily 'babi' after all.

Ramli AR

Thursday, June 21, 2007

What should I do?

5 Jamadil Akhir 1428
Salam

I have this hw6515 mobile phone pda. Got it more than a year ago with a good bargain of more than 50% discount upon bidding at Lelong. I consider it as good bargain because if I were to buy a new unit, it will cost me no less than RM2500. I paid only RM1200 for mine while it still have 9 months warranty attached (checked and confirm with HP).

Its multiple functions helps me a lot with my daily activities. Basic function as a phone and camera (1.3 mp) alone save me a lot of trouble carrying 2 devices. Not to mentions its pda, GPS, wifi and data storage capabilities.

Now, 16 months later, the speaker just went silent. I can't play any sound anymore. Fair enough, I do not miss mp3. Movie clip not here, fine, I can deal with that. But not able to here a ring when somebody is calling me... that pissed me of. This thing is killing me now. I miss a lot of important calls.

Yes... it still vibrate but that does not solve my problem. For now, putting on the earphone helps a little but I can't be wearing that while sleeping, can I. What if there is emergency late at night and I can't hear the ring?

What do I do now? New phone set?

Ramli AR

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Chee Poh

3 Jamadil Akhir 1428
Salam

Pada tahun 1978 bapa aku dipindahkan ke Felda Cini 3 di Pahang. Aku terpaksa berpindah ke kampung aku di Kelantan dan tinggal bersama Gemulah (arwah) Tok Ayah dan Nenek. Felda Cini masih belum dilengkapi dengan kemudahan persekolahan.

Di kampung aku, ada satu keluarga cina berniaga barangan runcit. Aku dimaklumkan, mereka tinggal di situ sejak berbelas tahun dahulu. Aku kenali cina itu dengan nama Ben Huat. Mungkin kerana tidak pernah berinteraksi dengan dia secara terus, aku tidak pernah ingat memanggil dia dengan gelaran lain. Apabila bercerita, aku tidak menggunakan apa-apa panggilan lain seperti Pakcik atau Uncle pada nama itu. Cuma Ben Huat. Mudah sahaja.

Isteri Ben Huat pula tidak aku kenali namanya. Aku cuma panggil 'Mek'. Apabila aku merujuk isteri Ben Huat sebagai orang ketiga, aku akan sebut Mek Ben Huat. Ben Huat mempunyai anak yang ramai. Mungkin 7 atau 8. Aku kurang pasti. Sekurang-kurangnya seorang meninggal dunia semasa umur awal belasan tahun kerana kemalangan di dalam kedainya, mengikut cerita ibuku. Ibu dan ayah adalah antara yang pergi membantu.

Chee Poh adalah satu-satunya anak Ben Huat yang aku rapat. Dia setahun lebih tua dari aku. Agak banyak aktiviti yang kami lakukan bersama-sama. Bukan sahaja setakat bermain takraw dan badminton diwaktu petang. Kami ke baruh (sawah) menahan tauk (tajo) dan menimba (mengeringkan lopak/lubuk) ikan dan berbagai lagi.

Jika tidak kerana kulitnya yang cerah dan matanya yang sepet, Chee Poh, mungkin dikira sebagai melayu. Loghat Kelantannya lebih bagus dari aku (yang membesar di Pahang semenjak berusia 3 tahun). Kadang-kadang, dia sendiri seakan menganggap dirinya melayu.

Pernah dia meluahkan rasa gementar untuk menempuh alam 'darjah 6' kerana nanti kena sunat (khatan). Kalau tidak, tak boleh kahwin, katanya. Semasa kami merayau di hutan di pinggiran kampung mencari telur kura-kura, Chee Poh yang paling ambil berat tentang halal atau haram memakan telur kura-kura. Pernah dia menolak untuk makan telur kura-kura sehingga aku mendapatkan hukum (halal) dari Gemulah Tok Ayah.

Menjelang senja, Chee Poh sering ingatkan kami untuk balik awal. Balik bersiap-siap untuk sembahyang ghorek (maghrib) katanya. Chee Poh kadang-kadang melaungkan azan apabila kami degil dan enggan berhenti dengan aktiviti sedang kami lakukan. Tak baik berada di luar rumah semasa ghorek, sete (syaitan) banyak, kata Chee Poh.

Chee Poh juga minat belajar silat. Pernah dia mengadu pada aku kerana tidak diterima sebagai murid. Dia marah kerana mengucap (dua kalimah shahadah), fatihah, an Nas, selawat semua dia boleh baca. Dia rasa dia layak belajar silat. Aku pada usia 10 atau 11 tahun tidak pandai untuk menerangkan keadaan sebenar pada Chee Poh. Aku hanya mencadangkan agar dia belajar dengan guru yang lain dan itulah yang kami lakukan. Chee Poh dan aku berguru dengan Abang aku. Segala bacaan diabaikan untuk Chee Poh.

Bila ada kutipan derma, Chee Poh turut sama berderma. Nak jadikan bekalan di akhirat katanya. Kami berkawan sehingga akhir 1979. Aku berpindah sekali lagi. Kali ini ke Paka, Dungun, Terengganu. Semenjak itu, aku tidak lagi berhubung dengan Chee Poh. Entah di mana dia sekarang. Ben Huat juga tidak lagi tinggal di Kampung aku. Kedai runcitnya sudah bertukar menjadi sebuah kedai makan.

Chee Poh dalam senarai kawan yang hilang.

Ramli AR

Pergi ke http://kickdefella.wordpress.com/2007/06/18/chinese-culture-and-heritage-festival-2007/ untuk maklumat/gambar-gambar festival budaya dan peninggalan cina di Kelantan.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Banjir

27 Jamadil Awal 1428
Salam

Ahad lepas, Kuala Lumpur dilanda banjir kilat lagi. Lebih dasyat dari yang sebelumnya. Medan Pakir Dataran Merdeka dilaporkan tenggelam seluruhnya. Masjid Jamek turut digenangi air walaupun berada pada paras 10m dari paras biasa Sungai Gombak.
Jika ingin tahu lebih lanjut tentang banjir, boleh layari web dan banyak gambar-gambar yang boleh didapati. Aku ingin mengingatkan pada kawan-kawan tentang perlindungan insurans/takaful kenderaan.
Pada lazimnya, insurans/takaful tidak memberi perlindungan terhadap kejadian semulajadi seperti ini. 'Act of god' adalah klausa yang diguna pakai. Walaubagaimanapun, ada perlindungan tambahan yang membolehkan kita mendapat perlindungan insurans/takaful seandainya terbabit dengan bencana alam. Kadar yang dikenakan adalah sekitar 0.5% dari jumlah perlindungan keseluruhan.
Dimasa hadapan, jika berminat (terutamanya kepada mereka yang kerap ke kawasan yang sering dilanda banjir)silalah dapatkan maklumat tentang perlindungan tambahan ini. Ianya mungkin berbaloi.
Ramli AR

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Guru, Sifu, Cikgu ... Teacher






28 Rabiul Akhir 1428
Salam

Aku mengucapkan Selamat Hari Guru kepada
Ridzuan dan Zakri yang ajar aku bahasa Inggeris.
Salleh yang tunjukkan aku macam mana nak makan 'chicken chop' menggunakan pisau dan garpu.
Ahmad Mustafa Kamal dan Masrin membolehkan aku tahu makna sebenar 'Leading', 'Landing' dan 'Dealing'.
Latif mengingatkan aku supaya tidak mementingkan perut sendiri.
Kamaruddin pernah tunjukkan aku bagaimana untuk mempertahankan hak diri sendiri.
Faizul yang mengingatkan aku - 'Mum always knows us best'.
Jamal yang pesan pada aku - 'Lain kali jangan menipu'.
Shahrin yang perkenalkan aku pada 'takaful'.
Noran yang menyedarkan aku untuk lebih mendengar dan memahami.
Islamiah yang memberitahu - to believe in 'giving'.
Nazri dan Rahmah yang membuatkan aku tidak lagi merempuh 'the same glass' setiap hari.
Akhiri yang tunjukkan bagaimana untuk menyambung wayar letrik.
Arif yang memberitahu aku untuk memberi tanpa menagih pulangan.
Zuraimi yang memaklumkan bahawa bil letrik dan bil telefon adalah dua bil yang berbeza.
Che Muhamad Nor yang ajar aku menulis surat untuk berkenalan.
Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin yang perkenalkan aku 'pedel'.
Saharudin yang tunjukkan cara untuk 'serve' volleyball dengan betul.
Yuri yang memberitahu aku supaya tidak mengapikan orang yang marah.

Sekadar mencoretkan beberapa tunjuk ajar dari kawan-kawan yang aku dapat 'recall' sebelum aku memulakan kerja aku pada jam 10 pagi. Cuba bayangkan betapa banyaknya pula yang guru kita ajarkan.

Ramli AR

Thursday, May 10, 2007

CLOSE ENCOUNTER

24 Ramadhan 1424
Salam

I just met Mahathir at Pasar Ramadhan Precinct 8. Didn't know it was him at first. We were both buying something at the same stall. He was there on my left. I notice the shoes first. A pair of shinning black shoes. Then the trousers. It was dark grey.... a very dark grey... with a greenish touch. After that the bush jacket that matches the color. At that particular moment... deep inside... who would come to Pasar Ramadhan wearing these..... in the drizzling.... wet weather. His face was partially hidden by the baseball cap he was wearing. Dark blue in color. There was an emblem right in front of the cap. But I couldn't make what it was.
By now, I already recognized the face. A very familiar face. His face still facing downward or maybe it is because I am a little taller than he is. Then I saw a man standing by his side holding up an umbrella. A big brown umbrella... golf type most probably. Has to be his bodyguard or his driver at least. Yes... most probably his driver. The body does not suggest he is a bodyguard.
The man started turning right toward my direction when I greet him with a salam. He looked up a little bit and produced a smile. A very sincere smile. Never had his smile as nice as this one. More often than not, he smile to the crowd. He seems to be forced to smile. Or it was a PR smile should I call it. But this particular smile he gave me, this one is different. I will remember this one the most.I can't recall exactly, but if I am not mistaken... he offered his hand to me and I took it with a soft grip. Then we both put our hands to our hearts. I wanted to express my gratitude to all the good things he did for the country, but the words didn't came out.
The man continued his slow but steady steps away from me. He looks older now.... to my eyes. As he walks away, there were eyes noticing him but they were a little away from him. Allowing the man walking without halting. Well... at least for a while... in the drizzle.....in the wet weather.


Ramli AR


(I wrote this and sent it to my yahoo groups previously.)

The photos added on 27 Jamadil Awal 1428 upon receiving email (with the photos attached) from my friend. I am taking the liberty to publish them in my blog. If the owner do not approve this, please inform me and I shall remove them accordingly.


Wednesday, May 09, 2007

PISANG EMAS

21 Rabi'ul Akhir 1428
Salam

Dalam kehidupan kita... tidak dapat tidak, kita meminta pertolongan dari kawan-kawan dan kenalan. Besar atau kecil 'favour' yang diminta bergantung kepada keadaan dan keperluan. Tergantung juga dari sudut mana kita memandang.
Sebagai contoh... aku pernah meminta jasa baik seorang kawan untuk ambilkan aku 2 barang dari satu tempat (kebetulannya di tempat kerja dia). Barang itu tidaklah seberat mana tetapi agak besar (18"x10"x6")setiap satu. Pada pandangan aku, ianya tidak menjadi satu masalah. Perkara 'enteng'. Cuma ambil dan masukkan ke dalam kereta dan bawakan ke Putrajaya (juga tempat tinggal sahabat aku).
Keesokannya, aku menerima kunjungan kawan aku itu dengan barang yang aku minta ambilkan. Legalah aku kerana kesukaran untuk aku dapatkan barangan itu telah selesai. Agak senang jadinya. Tidak susah untuk aku berkejar-kejar ke sana dan ke sini dalam jadual harian aku yang agak padat. Satu 'phone call' telah dapat menyelesaikan masalah aku.
Tanpa aku ketahui.... sebenarnya kawan aku terpaksa bersusah-susah untuk membantu aku. Rupanya, sahabat aku tidak berkereta ke tempat kerja. Dia menggunakan pengangkutan awam atau lebih tepat lagi 'LRT'. Dari 'LRT', dia menumpang kawan ke pejabat. Balik pun begitu. Dari tempat kerja menumpang kawan ke stesen LRT. Dalam LRT, dia terpaksa membawa 2 barang aku yang agak besar dan tentu saja ada barangan sendiri yang perlu dibawa. Sekurang-kurangnya sebuah beg kerja. Tentulah tidak senang membawa barangan begini di dalam LRT.

Satu lagi situasi berlaku pada tahun 1983. Semasa aku di tingkatan 3.
Pada salah satu 'weekend', datang ke pengetahuan aku .... ada seorang kawan yang hendak balik ke kampung. Kebetulan, kampungnya berhampiran dengan kampung tempat keluarga aku tinggal. 'CPU' aku tidak cukup kuat untuk mengingat alasan aku memerlukan duit pada masa itu tetapi itulah yang aku perlukan.... duit. Lantas dengan cukup senang hati... aku nampak.. kawan aku ini menjadi salah satu cara untuk aku menyelesaikan masalah aku. Senang sahaja. Minta tolong kawan aku ke rumah aku dan memberitahu keluarga aku bahawa aku memerlukan duit. Dan itulah yang telah kawan aku lakukan. Dia ke rumah aku dan menyampaikan pesan. Lalu, keluarga aku telah memberikan dia wang yang aku pesan dan Isnin berikutnya, duit itu sampai ke tangan aku.
Begitu senang masalah aku diselesaikan. Sedangkan, jika aku mengandaikan aku berada di tempat kawan aku itu, mungkin sahaja tugas itu tidak dapat aku selesaikan. Bayangkan bertolak pulang pada petang jumaat (selepas waktu sekolah) ke Pantai Timur. Sabtunya mungkin menguruskan apa-apa urusan yang menyebabkan kawan aku balik ke kampung. Tinggal Ahad untuk pergi ke rumah aku yang terletak kurang lebih 3 km dari kampung dia. Sampai di kampung aku, perlu pula bertanya orang di mana rumah ayah aku. Ianya bergantung kepada populariti ayah aku. Pada usia 15 tahun, bertanya (setidak-tidaknya pada aku) adalah tugasan berat. Malu tidak bertempat aku amat tebal pada masa itu.

Sekadar melakarkan 2 dari yang banyak pernah aku minta bantuan sahabat dan kawan.

Pada sahabat dan teman yang pernah aku minta pertolongan.... seandainya aku lupa untuk mengucapkan terima kasih aku pantunkan ....PISANG EMAS DIBAWA BELAYAR, MASAK SEBIJI DI ATAS PETI,

Ramli AR

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Azam

21 Rabiul Akhir 1428

Sudah lama aku berhajat untuk menjadi seorang ‘blogger’. Malah aku dah pun mulakan blog aku beberapa tahun yang lalu. Sempat juga aku ‘post’kan dua atau tiga hasil tulisan aku yang sebenarnya aku telah hantarkan ke ‘yahoogroups’ aku. Coretan baru tak terbuat juga. 2005 dan 2006 berlalu tanpa sebarang hasil. 2007 hampir bertemu pertengahannya. Kalau diikutkan kerja dan tugasan aku, memang terbengkalailah niat aku ini.

Mahu tidak mahu, aku bertekad untuk mulakannya di sini. Malam ini. Hajat aku, sebagai permulaan, satu ‘posting’ seminggu. Tentang apa akan aku bicarakan, aku sendiri tidak tahu. Mungkin bertemakan kisah-kisah silam. Mungkin tentang anak dagang di perantauan. Mungkin tentang anak-anak dan kenakalan. …. Atau mungkin saja, tentang isteri yang tersayang.

Ramli AR