Two days ago I felt this dry, tight sensation in my throat..so now I’m on antibiotics, cough syrup and antihistamine.
And tomorrow I’ll be going off to Jarak tomorrow evening.
Traditionally yours…
My serunai is finally ready. It was crafted by Pak Ibrahim (Mr Ibrahim Senik), who is a serunai player/instructor, and instructs at the National Arts Academy/Akademi Seni Kebangsaan.
Pak Ibrahim is one of the people who will fade away if no serious step is taken to preserve traditional arts. So I, being a fan of the traditional malay art of Wayang Kulit (or Shadow Play), am now learning the art of the serunai. I have also begun to learn the art of Wayang Kulit Siam itself as a puppeteer, under the auspices of Pak Nasir, a UN-recognised Tok Dalang, or Master Puppeteer, who also instructs at the Academy. I have performed with them at Batu Arang where I played the canang, or mini-gongs, that has the role of a “tempo-keeper.” Traditionally, Wayang Kulit Siam is inherently Kelantanese. Its Kedah counterpart is the Wayang Kulit Gedek (another dying art) of where its two main characters, Ai-Tong and Ai-Keng are famous. Wayang Kulit Gedek is now only being performed by the Wayang Kulit Sri Asun troupe under the auspices of Mohamad Noh bin Hj Mahmud (a.k.a Pak Noh).
So what is a serunai?
The serunai is a reed wind instrument. The instrument is hand-carved, and is usually highly ornamented with intricate detailing and painting. Much like western reed instruments, the serunai is made in varying lengths which affect its register. In western musical terminology, these might be called “soprano,” “tenor,” or “alto.” In Malay, the instrument is referred to as anak (i.e. small or child), or ibu (i.e. large or parent). The design of the serunai reed is similar to that used in the bassoon or English horn. The serunai is played using a technique known a “circle breathing” or “cycle breathing.” In this technique air is drawn in through the nose as it is simultaneously blown through the instrument. The resulting sound is constant note or drone.
And I am neither a Kelantanese, nor a Kedahan.
Jarak Part Sept
Hmm…no change in the weather. In fact everyday through Monday the 21st, it’s going to be like this: Morning-fair, Afternoon-scattered thunderstorms, Night-fair.
I checked Weather Underground to cross-check, the nearest weather data town of Sitiawan is right now experiencing Light Rain. Forecast for this town for the weekend is Thunderstorms.
How nice. Just don’t spoil the viz.
Satellite image for the region courtesy of Weather Channel:
Four Fishermen Detained by Indonsian Navy off PD
I know how the fishermen feel…my friends and I were held for ransom by uniformed “pirates” on July 2nd, 2002, off Port Dickson for four hours.
November 14, 2005 16:14 PM
Detention Of Four Fishermen Referred To Wisma Putra
SEREMBAN, Nov 14 (Bernama) — The Marine Police have informed Wisma Putra concerning the detention of four Malaysian fishermen in waters off Port Dickson by the Indonesian Navy to find ways of getting their release as soon as possible.
Southern Region Marine Police Chief ACP Isa Munir said the victims’ families had informed the marine police on Saturday night after the four fishermen were detained by the Indonesian authorities.
“What is certain is that the fishermen were catching fish in international waters. So far, we have not received any information about their situation there. As of yesterday, they were detained in their boat at Pelabuhan Dumai,” he said when contacted by Bernama, here Monday.
He said any follow-up action would be carried out through diplomatic channels between the two governments while the marine police would assist if asked to do so.
On Saturday, four fishermen based in Port Dickson were detained together with their boat at about 5.30 pm while they were returning home after catching fish in the Melaka Strait.
Meanwhile, Port Dickson Fishermen Association chairman Abu Bakar Che Mat said the four fishermen were tekong (skipper) Azim Pit, 50, and three crew members Rahim Buyong, 40, Buda Daud, 35 and another known as Ali Boyan, 60.
He said that according to friends of the detained fishermen, the Indonesian authorities had claimed that the four men were catching fish in Indonesian waters.
He also said that the matter had been brought up to the attention of Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan so that efforts could be made to bring them back to Malaysia.
— BERNAMA
Jarak Part Quatre
Weather for that portion of the Strait of Malacca right up till the 17th November 2005 would be the same: fair in the morning, isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon, and fair in the evening.
On the day of departure, 18th November 2005, it would be cloudy in the morning, followed by isolated showers in the afternoon, then fair weather in the evening.
At 8pm that day, the moon would be in the waning gibbous phase, roughly 89% illuminated, some 396490km away from Earth, would rise at 2034hrs Malaysian time and set 0846hrs on the 19th November 2005.
At 8pm, the sun would be some 147.8 million miles away from Earth, will rise at 0701hrs and set at 1900hrs.
Jarak Part Trois
9 days to departure.
Apparently Pulau Jarak has a pinnacle, and mainly drift diving. If on the return leg there is a dive at the One Fathom bank, then there are wrecks there.
Trip duration is usually 2 days & 2 nights on a full board basis. Non alcoholic drinks, beverages and snacks are provided. Longer trips can be arranged.
The boat will depart from Tanjung Karang, 15km north of Kuala Selangor and about 1½ hours drive from Kuala Lumpur between 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm on Friday evenings, depending on the local tide conditions.
The boat will leave the island at about noon to arrive back at Tanjong Karang between 8.00 pm and 11.00 pm.
Cool….can hardly wait.
Human impact on coral reefs far worse than tsunami
From CDNN
ACEH, Indonesia (8 Nov 2005) — HUMANS have made more of an impact on coral reefs in Indonesia’s Aceh province than the devastating Boxing Day tsunami, researchers have discovered.
The findings, published today in the international science magazine Current Biology, found “chronic human misuse” had far greater repercussions for reefs closest to the epicentre of the Sumatra-Andanaman earthquake, which triggered the killer wave on Boxing Day last year.
Researchers from north Queensland’s James Cook University (JCU) and Indonesian ecologists found damage to reefs on the north-west coast of Aceh Indonesia, where the tsunami was most ferocious, was “surprisingly limited”.
In contrast, on reefs exposed to destructive human practices such as dynamite and cyanide fishing, and to land runoff from fertilisers and sediment, had turned once vibrant coral colonies into “graveyards”.
“The tsunami-related damage we saw was mainly to large colonies growing in sand and rubble that had been excavated from underneath,” said Andrew Baird, a senior research fellow at JCU’s Centre for Coral Reef Biodiversity.
“Underwater a lot of these colonies were overturned, some of them were completely buried.
“But the damage we saw caused by humans involved large rubble fields, and very few live colonies with a uniform cover of algae where there should be vibrant coral colour.”
The team visited the region within three months of the tsunami, surveying 200 km of coastline over three weeks.
Dr Baird said today the impact of the tsunami was “trivial” compared to the destruction caused by humans.
He estimated humans were responsible for 80 per cent of the damage to 49 coral reefs in the study site, while the tsunami was thought to have caused as little as five to 10 per cent.
Dr Baird said tsunami damage included occasional broken coral branches, presumably a result of impacts of debris such as building materials, and coral which had been dumped up to 100 metres from affected reefs.
But he said apart from some sediment damage, there had been no change in fragile shallow coral assemblages.
“I’d been on these reefs in 2003 and there was no change despite the fact that the tsunami in areas was up to 10 metres high,” Dr Baird said.
“I was stunned to see those fragile colonies still in place.”
Dr Baird said there was a “reasonable” chance of recovery of the reefs if human impacts could be minimised.
He said researchers also found there was no evidence to back claims that healthy, intact reefs could offer protection from tsunamis.
“Whether you’ve got a healthy reef or no reef, it doesn’t make any difference – when a big tsunami hits, you’re in trouble,” Dr Baird said.
Fiji Protecting Reefs
Fiji’s Great Sea Reef to become marine protected area
Powered by CDNN – CYBER DIVER News Network
MACUATA, Fiji (7 Nov 2005) — Local chiefs of Fiji’s Great Sea Reef are today launching the first of a series of marine protected areas that will form one of the world’s largest networks of underwater sanctuaries.
The chiefs in the Macuata province will announce five protected areas, which will include ‘tabu’ zones where no fishing or harvesting of other marine resources can take place.
Fiji’s Great Sea Reef, the third longest barrier reef in the world, is not well studied, and a recent 12-day survey led by World Wildlife Fund revealed “a staggering array of life, including a new species of reef fish”, according to a statement from the global conservationist group.
“The biodiversity of the Great Sea Reef, locally known as Cakaulevu, is globally important and must be maintained. This protection recognizes that marine protected areas are insurance policies for future generations,” said World Wildlife Fund-Fiji’s Country Program Manager Etika Rupeni.
“Based on experience elsewhere in Fiji, we expect fish numbers in the ‘tabu’ areas to increase, and some will disperse to other areas, leading to increased catches and improved livelihoods.”
The survey, conducted by World Wildlife Fund with local and international experts and community members in December 2004, identified significant threats to the Great Sea Reef, including over-fishing and poaching by illegal fishers, poison fishing, sand dredging and other development activities.
The Wildlife Fund said scientists on the survey recorded a new species of damselfish (Pomacentrus sp.), unique mangrove island habitats, several threatened species, including green turtles and spinner dolphins, as well marine life not previously recorded in Fiji’s waters. This included 43 new records of known hard corals.
Yesterday, Wildlife Fund presented its Conservation Leadership Award to Fiji’s government and the Fiji Locally Managed Marine Areas (FLMMA) network members, which have been acknowledged for their commitment and stewardship in the sustainable management of Fiji’s natural resources.
“Protecting the Great Sea Reef will ensure that one of our greatest assets remains intact and continues to be a vital part of the traditions, culture and livelihoods of the people of Fiji,” said Rupeni.
The Great Sea Reef conservation effort delivers on Fiji’s commitment to establish an Marine Protected Area Network covering 30 percent of the country’s waters by 2020. Fiji’s commitment to manage 380,000 square kilometers (38.7 mile hectares) of its water as Marine Protected Areas will make it one of the largest protected area networks in the world.
More than 98 percent of Fiji’s territory is ocean. The islands of the Fiji archipelago, which number more than 300, are scattered over a 1.3 million square kilometer area, and are part of one of the largest and most extensive reef systems to be found.
Famous for its abundance and variety of soft corals, the Fiji archipelago is often called the soft coral capital of the world.
More than 80 percent of Fiji’s 800,000 plus residents live along the coast.
Fiji’s economy depends heavily on its foreign exchange earnings from fisheries and tourism.
The marine resources are also important to customary marine owners who rely on the reefs for subsistence, livelihood and source of income.
Happy Aidil Fitri
I am the only Malaysian Muslim still at work in this office today. The rest are already on leave. It’s been a hectic day. I was sneezing non-stop that it took two 10mg Piriton tabs to knock me out (it didn’t stop the sneezing, though). My shoulders ache, probably after effects of mowing the lawn last Saturday.
This Aidil Fitri the family will be incomplete. My daughters Farhanah and Fazira are in their mother’s hometown in Kedah this year. My step-daughter Syafiqa looked bored yesterday, probably missing her step-sisters. My son Farhan keeps asking for his sisters.
And as I was on the way to the office, the security company called up informing me that my house alarm had gone off. So I rushed back, crowbar in hand, entered the house in KILL MODE. Nothing. The alarm might have scared the perpetrator(s) off.
Well, for all you muslims and non-muslims alike, have a happy Aidil Fitri, may God bless us all, and make this world a merrier place for us to live in.
Pirates Scuttled Cargo Ship With Tin Ingots
Divers Find Scuttled Ship, $2.7 Million of Tin Stolen by Pirates
Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) divers have found the MV Prima Indah, on the sea bed off Pulau Bangka, where she originated from.
The MV Prima Indah was carrying 660 metric tons of refined tin ingots worth US$2.7 million when she was taken over by pirates on 30th September 2005. Authorities are baffled somehow that the cargo was found intact.
SeaDemon Says 
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